The U.S. Constitution doesn’t just set up the government—it also guarantees essential freedoms to every citizen. But what are those rights, and how are they protected in everyday life?

In this episode of The American Government Curriculum Companion, we explore the concept of civil liberties and how they are secured by the Bill of Rights and other constitutional amendments. We’ll break down freedoms like speech, religion, and the press, as well as protections against unreasonable searches, self-incrimination, and cruel and unusual punishment. We’ll also examine how the courts have interpreted these rights over time and the balance between individual freedom and public safety.

This episode is designed to accompany our unit plan on Civil Liberties for our complete Civics and American Government Curriculum, which includes resources and lessons designed for middle school and high school classrooms.

Students of History provides engaging lessons and resources for every unit in Civics & Government, along with US History, World History, and World Geography. You can learn more at StudentsofHistory.com.