Civic Study Guide Part 1

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Magna Charta 1215

document signed by King John I that admitted even a King had to obey the law. It is

\n one of the primary documents from which we develop western governments.

English Bill of Rights 1689

Document which was born out of the struggle between the King and \n Parliament and called for a stop to cruel and unusual punishment and established Parliament as the primary \n source of power

Virginia House of Burgesses 1609

First representative form of government in U.S. History

Mayflower Compact 1620

First plan for government in the U.S. Colonies. It called for an egalitarian \n society “Society where all men are equal under the eyes of the law.”

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1638

First and oldest state constitution in U.S. History.

Maryland Act of Toleration 1649

First document that called for complete religious freedom in the U.S. \n Colonies

Articles of Confederation 1781

The 1st official Constitution of the United States. The articles included \n only a legislative branch, but it was too weak to effectively govern the nation and was brought to an end by \n “Shay’s Rebellion”

U.S. Constitution 1787

The official U.S. Constitution as it exists today. This is technically the 2nd \n Constitution that the U.S. has had as a government. It set up three branches of government and offered a “Bill \n of Rights” and a strong central government that still exist today.

Olive Branch Petition 1775

Petition / Letter sent by the American Colonists after the fighting skirmishes \n between the British and Americans at the battles of Lexington and Concord that attempted to patch things up \n between the American colonies and Great Britain and attempt to avoid full scale war.

Declaration of Independence July 4th, 1776

Document formally approved by the 2nd Continental \n Congress which called for complete independence from England because of abuses committed by the King \n against his people. The Declaration of Independence is nothing more that a list of complaints against the King \n of England

Common Sense Jan. 1776

Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that challenges American colonists to \n think about how absurd it was to let a King “Boy” of 13 years of age rule over millions of people. Paine \n attacked the idea of monarchy and used propaganda to convince many Colonist that breaking away from \n England was necessary

The Crisis Dec. 1776

Pamphlets written by Thomas Paine that attempts to rally the American Colonists \n to fight for the cause of independence. “THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the

sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, \n deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”

Treaty of Paris 1783

Document signed by the American Colonies and England which officially ended the \n American Revolutionary War.

Southern Colonies

Those colonies located in the South "Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, \n South Carolina and Georgia that shared common traits such as long growing season, good soil and \n plantations "large, independent farms". The Southern economy was based upon "Agriculture" and the \n production of tobacco and later cotton. Southern states depended heavily upon the use of slave labor.

Middle Colonies

Those colonies located neither in the North or South "Pennsylvania, New Jersey, \n New York, and Delaware. The Middle Colonies economies were dominated by a combination of grain \n production , farming, trade, fishing and some manufacturing.

New England Colonies

Those colonies located in the Northeast portion of the American colonies \n Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Hampshire. Conditions for farming were not good, this \n area contained thin rocky soil and a short growing season. However, it also contained shallow "fast moving \n rivers" that could power machinery. The economy of the New England Colonies was based on manufacturing, \n fishing, ship building and trade.

Salutary Neglect

Method used by England on the American colonies that ignored American’s use of \n self-government and other freedoms in exchange for a continuous supply of cheap raw materials such as \n wood, furs, tobacco, rice, indigo and fish

Albany Plan of Union 1754

Benjamin Franklin’s early plan for uniting the American colonies into a \n league of common cooperation and friendship against Indian attacks and possible British interference later on. \n At the time no one though the plan was very good, but later they would realize Franklin’s genius

French & Indian War 1754 – 1763

War fought between England and her American Colonies against \n the French and their Indian allies for control over what would be modern day Ohio, Michigan, Western NY, \n Kentucky and Indiana. The British would eventually win this war at a high cost and expel the French from \n North America. However, the British would also start to demand that American’s pay higher taxes to pay for \n the war.

Proclamation of 1763

Proclamation made by King George III of England that stated no American \n colonists could move and settle past the Appalachian Mountains in order to avoid war with the native \n Americans. However, this was not true as King George had plans to distribute the land to his loyal subjects \n later

The Stamp Act 1765

Tax act passed by the British to help pay for the cost of the French and Indian War. \n The tax required that a British “Tax Stamp” be placed on all paper products to prove the tax had been paid. \n American’s cried foul “No taxation without representation!” and the tax was repealed

Boston Massacre “March 1770

Altercation between British troops and American colonists in which five \n unarmed colonists are killed. This event would lead to feelings of mistrust between the British and American \n colonists.

Tea Act 1773

Act of Parliament that gave the British East India Company exclusive license to sell tea to \n the American colonists at marked up prices. This would eventually lead to the “Boston Tea Party”

Boston Tea Party “December 1773

Act of sabotage committed by the Son’s of Liberty in response to

\n the British Tea Act. 342 chests of tea were dumped into Boston Harbor in protest of the Tea Act.

Coercive Acts / Intolerable Acts 1774

Acts passed by Parliament to punish those who staged the \n Boston Tea Party. “The port of Boston was closed, martial law was declared and citizen’s rights were \n suspended.” The Americans called the acts “Intolerable”

1st Continental Congress 1774

1st meeting of delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies which discussed the \n events going on in Massachusetts and possible actions that could be taken against England if they did not \n stop. The 1st Continental Congress accomplished nothing, but did agree to meet again if conditions between \n England and the Colonies did not improve

Battles of Lexington and Concord April 1775

British attempt at trying to capture rebel leaders and \n weapons that failed. The Battle of Lexington is referred to as “The shot heard round the world!” because it is \n widely considered to be the opening battle of the American Revolutionary War

2nd Continental Congress May 1775

2nd meeting in which delegates from all thirteen colonies meet and \n discuss the events that have occurred between England and the American Colonies. The 2nd Continental \n Congress accomplishes two major feats: They raise and army and sign the “Declaration of Independence”

Shay’s Rebellion 1786

Rebellion that took place in Massachusetts and was led by former soldier and \n farmer Daniel Shays. Shay’s had fought for the Continental Army and returned home to find that he owed back \n taxes on his farm. The Governor of Massachusetts demanded that Shays pay the debt. When he failed to pay \n the tax, his farm was sold to satisfy the tax debt owed. Shay’s led a rebellion of nearly 2,000 heavily armed \n farmers. In the end, the Federal Government could do nothing to help put the rebellion down. This failure by \n the weak central government exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and brought about the \n Constitutional Convention

The four major reasons for the American Revolutionary War:

1\. Salutary Neglect \n 2. The French and Indian War \n 3. The Proclamation of 1763 \n 4. No Taxation without Representation

New England Colonies

The economy was based on manufacturing (shoe making, ship building, \n factories). Women had more rights in the New England Colonies, public education was first started in the New \n England Colonies. The climate is cold and the New England Colonies have thin rocky soil and shallow fast \n moving rivers

Middle Colonies

Were better suited for farming wheat and other grain crops, they had large ports \n for trading (New York, Philadelphia) and were good as manufacturing iron and other materials.

Southern Colonies

Had rich, dark soil that was excellent for farming. The economy was built on \n Agriculture and the Southern colonies produced tobacco, rice, and indigo as cash crops. Rivers ran deep and \n flowed slowly which allowed for people to use them as highways for trading.

Constitution

a written plan for government

May 25th, 1787

The Constitutional Convention met in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA to make \n changes to the Articles of Confederation.

The Framers

men who drafted and signed the Constitution decided to get rid of the Articles of \n Confederation and start all over

Difference between article of confederation and Constitution

added three branches to the Constitution instead of \n one.

Virginia Plan

Plan proposed by Virginia which asked that Representation in the new \n Constitution be based upon a states size, population and contribution in money to the Federal \n Government.

New Jersey Plan

Plan proposed by New Jersey that represented the small states and asked \n that representation in the new government be based upon equality (1 state / 1 vote)

Great Compromise

Also known as the “Connecticut Compromise” called for a (Bicameral \n Legislature) or two house legislature. One house (House of Representatives) would be based \n upon a states size and population, while the other house (The Senate) would be based upon \n equality with each state receiving two senators.

The 3/5ths Compromise:

A compromise reached between Northern and Southern states that \n agreed the Southern states could count 3 out of every 5 slaves as part of their state population, \n but would have to pay taxes on 2 out of every 5 slaves remaining. (Representation and \n Taxation)

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise of 1788

Southern states feared that Congress \n would attempt to control exports and Congress was afraid that slavery would grow out of \n control. The Southern states agreed to let Congress control all interstate trade (between \n states), but Congress would have no control over exports. In return, the Southern states would \n be allowed to import slaves without restrictions for 20 years and had to stop importation of \n slaves by 1808.

Electoral College

Congress thought they should pick the President, while others thought the \n people should. As a result the President is voted on through use of the popular vote (people’s \n vote), however, he must win at least 270 electoral votes to be declared the winner. Each state \n “Electors” or members of a specific political party will cast the official vote after the popular \n election. Electors are chosen by the State Legislatures where they are from

Federalists

Groups of Founding Fathers who preferred a strong central government over a weak one,

\n therefore endorsed the ratification of the new U.S. Constitution. “James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, George \n Washington, John Adams and John Jay”

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Federalist Papers

Series of newspaper articles and pamphlets written by those who supported a strong \n central government “Federalists” and were attempting to persuade the state of New York to adopt a new U.S. \n Constitution.

Federalist #51

If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, \n neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to \n be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to \n control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.

Anti-Federalists

Those Founding Fathers who opposed a strong central government and felt as if the

\n state’s power to govern itself was being threatened. “Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, James Mason”

Anti-Federalist Papers

Series of newspaper articles and pamphlets that were written by those who \n supported a weak central government “Anti-Federalists” and were attempting to persuade the state of New \n York to not adopt the new U.S. Constitution

Anti-Federalist #84

This principle, which seems so evidently founded in the reason and nature of things, \n is confirmed by universal experience. Those who have governed, have been found in all ages ever active to \n enlarge their powers and abridge the public liberty. This has induced the people in all countries, where any \n sense of freedom remained, to fix barriers against the encroachments of their rulers.

Parts of Constitution

Preamble, Articles, and Amendments

Article I

Of the U.S. Constitution outlines the structure of the “Legislative Branch” also known as Congress, \n what its powers are, qualifications for office, how members of each house will be chosen and the process for \n making laws.

Article II

Of the U.S. Constitution outlines the structure of the “Executive Branch” also known as the \n President and Vice-President, how they can be removed from office, what the qualifications for office are, how \n the President will be chosen, what the powers of the office are.

Article III

Of the U.S. Constitution outlines the structure of the “Judicial Branch” also known as the \n Supreme Court and all lower federal courts, how they will be chosen, what cases they can hear

Article IV:

Explains the relationship between the states and the Federal Government (Federalism)

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Article V

Explains under what conditions the Constitution can be changed (usually call for 2/3rd vote by \n Congress to introduce a new Amendment, but requires 3/4ths of both the Congress and the States to actually \n ratify, or pass a new Amendment)

Article VI

Simply states that the “Constitution” is the “Supreme Law of the Land!!” also known as the \n Supremacy Clause.

Article VII

Deals with practical matters about when the Constitution will go into effect. (When 9 states ratify \n it)

27 Amendments

Or changes to the U.S. Constitution that have taken place over the course of

223 years since the Constitution was formally adopted.

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The Bill of Rights:

The first 10 amendment to the U.S. Constitution were offered by the \n Federalist to the Anti-Federalist as a guarantee against the abuses of government. The Bill of \n Rights removed the last barrier that prevented the adoption of the U.S. Constitution

Amendment 1

(R.A.P.P.S) Religion, Assembly, Petition Press and Speech \n Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging \n the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government \n for a redress of grievances.

Amendment 2

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A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, \n shall not be infringed

Amendment 3

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No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

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Amendment 4

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The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and

seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation,

and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

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Amendment 5

(S.I.D.E.D) Self Incrimination, Indictment “Grand Jury”, Due Process, Eminent Domain and Double \n Jeopardy \n No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a \n Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or \n public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be \n compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due \n process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation

Amendment 6

(F.A.C.T.S) Face your Accuser, Attorney, Confront Witnesses, Trial By Jury and State the Charges \n Against you. \n In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State \n and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, \n and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have \n compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

Amendment 7

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be \n preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to \n the rules of the common law.

Amendment 8

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment 9

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The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the

people.

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Amendment 10

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The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the

States respectively, or to the people.

The Necessary and Proper Clause (The Elastic Clause)

States that Congress can stretch its \n powers (Implied Power), if those powers are needed to help it enforce the “Enumerated / Delegated” powers of \n Congress, or those powers that are specifically given to Congress.

The Privileges and Immunities Clause

Explains that states cannot treat citizens of other states \n differently than citizens of their own state. All citizens of the U.S. must be treated equally regardless of where \n they move to.

Full Faith and Credit Clause:

A general agreement among states that they will respect each others \n “CIVIL” laws, not criminal laws. Example: if you get married in Nevada, then that marriage is accepted as \n being legal in Georgia, or if you lose a civil case in Arizona then you cannot run to Minnesota to avoid paying \n damages in a civil trial.

Establishment Clause

Clause of the Constitution that argues the idea that government, be it Federal,, \n State or Local should take a neutral stance toward religion and neither promote nor prohibit it

11\. The Commerce Clause:

Simply states that Congress may print and borrow money and regulate all \n interstate trade.

12\. Popular Sovereignty:

“The Right to Rule” Article IV: of the Constitution guarantees that each state \n must have republican form of government, and this will be achieved by letting the people decide the form of \n government under which they will live

13\. The Rule of Law:

The idea that no one is above the law, even those who write the law.

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14\. Separation of Powers:

The division of authority or power

Legislative

Make Law

Judicial

Interpret Law

Executive

Enforce Law

15\. Checks and Balances:

The power of each branch of government to check, or limit the power of the Other.

Federalism

A power sharing arrangement between the Federal Government and the States.

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Expressed Powers:

Those powers that are only given to the U.S. Government (Coin money, \n declare war.)

Reserved Powers

Powers that are not mentioned in the Constitution as powers given to the \n Federal Government are given to the state (regulate marriage, education, intrastate trade, \n elections,)

Concurrent Powers:

Powers that are shared by both Federal and State government (taxation,

enforcing laws, establishing courts.)

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Duty

\: Acts which are required by law of a citizen (Jury Duty, Obey Laws, Pay Taxes, Defend the

nation, and go to school)

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Responsibility

\: Those things we should do as responsible members of the community.

(Volunteer our time, help others, report crimes, vote, be informed.)

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435 Members

The House of Representatives:

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Controlled by speaker of the house

The House of Representatives:

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Members elected every 2 years

The House of Representatives:

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Membership is based upon the population of state, which is determined by census every 10 years

The House of Representatives:

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at least 25 years old and live in us for at least 7 years as well as living in state being represented

The House of Representatives:

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May impeach/accuse president of committing a crime

The House of Representatives:

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100 members

The U.S. Senate:

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controlled by president of senate (Vice President)

The U.S. Senate:

President of senate

The U.S. Senate:

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unlimited debate in senate due to there only being 100 members

The U.S. Senate:

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Elected every 6 years, only 33% are up for reelection every two years

The U.S. Senate:

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Each state has two

The U.S. Senate:

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must be at least 30, live in state that is being represented, and have been a us citizen for 9 years

The U.S. Senate:

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