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Lesson

How Does the Fifth Amendment Protect Property?

Duration
50 min
Published
Nov 5, 2020
A woman stands with arms crossed in front of a house on a street, with trees in the background. Black and white image.
The Founders believed that property is among the natural rights governments exist to protect. One of the ways the Founders protected property rights was in the Fifth Amendment. This amendment restricts the government's ability to take property and ensures that when it does take property, it must pay for it. This lesson explores the Fifth Amendment and its applications.

Founding Principles

Due Process, Property Rights, Rule of Law

Virtues

Justice, Respect, Responsibility, Self-Governance

Objectives

  • Students will explain how the Fifth Amendment protects property rights.
  • Students will understand the concepts of just compensation and eminent domain.
  • Students will analyze government actions to determine whether or not the actions would be considered a “taking.”

Materials

Student Handouts

Teacher Resources

Lesson Components

ActivityHandout A: The Takings Clause
ActivityHandout B: How Does the Fifth Amendment Protect Property? (Background Essay)
ActivityHandout C: Property and the Supreme Court
ActivityHandout D: Updates
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Lesson plan

50 minClick a phase to open it

Standards

Advanced Placement

  • NCHS

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