What the First Amendment Means for Campus Protests

Why is the freedom of speech a bedrock principle in American society? In this Homework Help video, we explore the history of freedom of speech in the United States.

America's Founders recognized the necessity of vigorous public debate and enshrined the right to speak freely in the Bill of Rights. This component of the Constitution protects a wide range of speech, including speech we might find disagreeable. While the First Amendment's primary purpose was to protect political speech, its protections do have limits. This lesson explores this essential principle of free speech.

How does free speech impact economic prosperity? How does a marketplace of ideas support prosperity?

Can the government stop speech that advocates illegal activities? In this Close Read, Josh Schmid is joined by Josh Dunn, Professor of Political Science at the University of Colorado, to see how the Supreme Court case of Brandenburg v. Ohio answered this question. What impact does this case have on modern day free speech cases?