Civics (Notes)

What is Hammurabi's Code?

One of the earliest written law codes from 1750 B.C. promoting justice with an "eye for an eye" principle.

What is Justinian’s Code of Laws?

A compilation of Roman laws organized in the 500s A.D. that influenced Western legal systems.

Where did democracy originate?

Ancient Greece particularly Athens is considered the birthplace of democracy.

What is direct democracy?

A system where all eligible citizens vote directly on laws and policies.

What is representative democracy?

A system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

What was the Magna Carta?

A 1215 document that limited the English king’s power and led to parliamentary government.

What was the English Civil War?

A conflict from 1642–1651 between monarchy and Parliament leading to Charles I’s execution.

Who led the Commonwealth of England?

Oliver Cromwell served as Lord Protector during the Interregnum period.

What was the Glorious Revolution?

The 1688 overthrow of James II establishing a constitutional monarchy in England.

What did the English Bill of Rights (1689) do?

Limited monarch power and guaranteed individual rights.

Who was Thomas Hobbes?

An Enlightenment thinker who supported absolute monarchy to prevent chaos.

Who was John Locke?

Philosopher who introduced natural rights and social contract theory.

What are natural rights according to Locke?

Life liberty and property.

What is social contract theory?

The idea that governments exist by consent of the governed to protect rights.

How did Locke influence the U.S.?

His ideas shaped the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights.

What is autocracy?

Government ruled by a single individual.

What is a monarchy?

A government led by a hereditary ruler.

What is a dictatorship?

A government where one person holds total power without constitutional limits.

What is an oligarchy?

A government ruled by a few powerful individuals.

What is a theocracy?

A government controlled by religious leaders.

What is an aristocracy?

A government where power is held by the nobility.

What is a democracy?

A system of government where power lies with the people.

What is a republic?

A government in which representatives are elected to make decisions.

What is a confederation?

A union of states with a weak central authority.

What is anarchy?

A lack of government where individuals have total freedom.

What rights are protected in the Bill of Rights?

Freedoms like speech religion press petition and assembly.

What is civic responsibility?

Citizens' duty to vote serve on juries obey laws and participate in democracy.

What is republicanism?

A system where elected representatives govern on behalf of the people.

What is popular sovereignty?

The principle that government power comes from the people.

What are inalienable rights?

Natural rights such as life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

What is the social contract?

The idea that people agree to form governments for protection and law.

What is common law?

Law based on court decisions and tradition.

What is natural law?

Universal moral principles derived from human nature and reason.

What does the First Amendment protect?

Speech religion press assembly and petition.

What do the 5th and 6th Amendments ensure?

Due process legal representation and fair trials.

What does the 14th Amendment guarantee?

Equal protection under the law for all citizens.

What does the 4th Amendment protect?

Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.

What does the 8th Amendment prohibit?

Cruel and unusual punishment.

What voting rights are protected?

The 15th 19th and 26th Amendments ensure voting regardless of race gender or age.

What is birthright citizenship?

Being granted U.S. citizenship by being born on American soil.

What is naturalization?

The legal process through which immigrants become U.S. citizens.

What protections come with U.S. citizenship?

Equal protection due process and constitutional rights.

What did the 14th Amendment reverse?

The Dred Scott decision that denied citizenship to Black Americans.

What laws expanded citizen protections?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

What are expectations of citizens?

Obeying laws paying taxes serving on juries and voting.

What is the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

A law banning practices that suppressed Black voter participation.

What limits exist on rights?

Freedoms like speech may be limited to protect public safety and order.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution that list individual freedoms.

What does the 1st Amendment guarantee?

Freedom of speech religion press assembly and petition.

What does the 2nd Amendment protect?

The right to bear arms.

What does the 3rd Amendment prohibit?

Quartering soldiers in homes without consent.

What does the 4th Amendment ensure?

Protection from illegal searches and seizures.

What does the 5th Amendment guarantee?

Protection from self-incrimination double jeopardy and due process.

What does the 6th Amendment ensure?

The right to a fair public trial and legal representation.

What does the 7th Amendment protect?

The right to a jury trial in civil cases.

What does the 8th Amendment prohibit?

Cruel and unusual punishment.

What does the 9th Amendment state?

People have rights beyond those listed in the Constitution.

What does the 10th Amendment guarantee?

Powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states.