Lesson 3: Freedom Isn't Free
Handout 1

Core Democratic Values and Where They Originate in Our Founding Documents

Legend for Document Codes

 

DI

Declaration of Independence


 

PC

Preamble of US Constitution

C

United States Constitution


 

BR

Bill of Rights/Amendments

PA

Pledge of Allegiance


 

GA

Gettysburg Address

MO

Military Oath


 

PO

Presidential Oath


 

Life

DI

“...endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life...”

PC

“...provide for the common defense...”

C

“...and shall protect each of them against invasion...and...against domestic Violence.” (Art IV, Sec. 4)

BR

“...nor shall any State deprive any person of life...” (Amendment XIV)


 

Liberty

PA

“...with liberty and justice for all.”

PC

“...Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity...”

DI

“...unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty...”

GA

“...conceived in Liberty, and...” (Par. 1)


 

Pursuit of Happiness

DI

“...certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”


 

Common Good

PC

“...promote the general Welfare...”


 

Justice

PA

“...with liberty and justice for all.”

PC

“...establish justice...”


 

Equality

DI

“...that all men are created equal...” (2nd paragraph)

GA

“...and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal...” (1st paragraph)

 

Diversity

 

C

(Amendment XV, Sec. 1) “...on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” (the right to vote shall not be denied or abridged)


 

Truth

C

“...make no law...abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press...” (1st Amendment)

DI

“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal...”


 

Popular Sovereignty

DI

“...it is the Right of the people to abolish it...” (4th paragraph)

DI

“...deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed...” (3rd paragraph)

C

“...are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.” (10th Amendment)


 

Patriotism

PA

“I pledge allegiance to the flag...”

MO

“...that I will bear true faith and allegiance...”

PO

“...preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the...” (Constitution, Art. II, Sec. 1, last paragraph)


 

Rule of Law

C

“...under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land...” (Art. VI, Par.2)


 

Separation of Powers

C

“All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress...” (Art. I)

C

“The executive Power shall be vested in a President...” (Art. II)

C

“The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in...” (Art. III)


 

Representative Government

C

“...composed of members chosen every second year, by the People...” (Art. I, Sec. 2)

GA

“...government of the people, by the people, for the people...” (last sentence)


 

Checks and Balances (Some of many examples in the Constitution, Articles I-V, follow:)

C

“The Senate shall have the sole power to try all Impeachments.” (Art. I, Sec. 3)

C

“...he shall have the Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons...” (Art. II, Sec. 2)

C

“He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two-thirds of Senators present concur...” (Art. II, Sec.2)

Individual Rights

BR

“...peaceably to assemble.” (1st Amend.) “...nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property...” (5th Amend.) (There are many others, including freedom of speech, press, etc. in Amendments 1-10.)

DI

“...certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” (Par. 2)


 

Freedom of Religion

BR

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” (1st Amendment)

DI

“...no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” (Article VI, last sentence)


 

Federalism

C

“The powers not delegated to the United States...are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” (Amendment X)


 

Civilian Control of the Military

C

“The President shall be the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States and the militia of the several states.” (Art. II, Sec. 2)