📚FCLE Civics Literacy Prep

Jamestown, Virginia (1607).

What was the first permanent English settlement in America?

New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut.

Which colonies made up the New England Colonies?

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware.

Which colonies were the Middle Colonies?

Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia.

Which colonies were the Southern Colonies?

New England, Middle, and Southern.

What were the three colonial regions?

West Virginia, Florida, Alabama

Not one of the original 13 colonies

For religious freedom, to escape persecution, political freedom, and economic opportunity.

Why did colonists come to America?

An agreement that established self‑government in the colonies.

What was the Mayflower Compact?

1775

When did the Revolutionary War begin?

High taxes (taxation without representation), quartering of British soldiers, and desire for self‑government.

Why did colonists fight the British?

To meet and discuss colonial response to British policies before the Revolutionary War.

What was the purpose of the First Continental Congress?

To encourage independence and support for a fair government.

Why did Thomas Paine write Common Sense?

Breaking from British rule and supporting self‑government.

What did Common Sense argue for?

July 4, 1776

When did the Second Continental Congress vote to accept the Declaration of Independence?

Our independence from Great Britain.

What did the Declaration of Independence announce?

“We hold these truths to be self‑evident, that all men are created equal...”

What was one of the ideas about the American system of government in the Declaration of Independence?

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

According to the Declaration of Independence, what rights are all people born with?

Thomas Jefferson.

Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?

55

How many people signed the Declaration of Independence?

The original plan for government of the U.S.

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The functions of the national government of the U.S. after declaring independence from Great Britain.

What did the Articles of Confederation establish?

The Articles of Confederation.

What was the first U.S. Constitution?

The states

Under the Articles of Confederation, who had most of the power?

A weak central government

What kind of government did the Articles of Confederation create?

The U.S. Constitution

What is the supreme law of the land?

1787

When was the Constitution written?

Philadelphia

Where was the Constitution written?

A representative democracy.

What type of government does the Constitution establish?

Fundamental rights.

What does the Constitution list for all citizens and people living in the U.S.?

A federalist government.

What kind of government does the Constitution set up and define?

The Amendments.

What protects basic rights in the Constitution?

Self‑governance.

What do the first three words “We the People” represent?

No person or group is above the law; everyone must obey the laws.

What did John Adams mean by “a government of laws, and not of men”?

Essays written to support passage of the U.S. Constitution.

What were The Federalist Papers?

85

How many essays were written in The Federalist Papers?

James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.

Who wrote The Federalist Papers?

Publius.

Under what pen name were The Federalist Papers written?

In New York newspapers to encourage states to ratify the Constitution.

Where were The Federalist Papers published?

Anti‑Federalists.

Who opposed the Constitution because they feared a strong government?

A balance of power between the states and the government, with each having its own set of powers.

What does Federalism mean?

The structure of government

What does the Constitution establish?

The Constitution did not sufficiently protect the people.

Why was the Bill of Rights created?

Added protections and limited government power.

What did the Bill of Rights do?

Changes or additions to the Constitution that can be made by Congress or a special convention

What are amendments?

By a 2/3 vote in the Senate AND House of Representatives or by a special convention requested by 2/3 of the states.

How can amendments be made?

By 3/4 of the states.

How are amendments ratified?

27

How many amendments are there in total?

The Bill of Rights.

What are the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution called?

1791

When was the Bill of Rights ratified?

Freedom of expression.

What does the First Amendment guarantee?

Establishing an official U.S. religion

What is Congress prohibited from doing under the First Amendment?

to hold any religious belief or none at all.

What right do citizens have regarding religion under the First Amendment?

Protects the right of people to practice their religion freely, or to have no religion at all

What is the Free Exercise Clause?

Through written or oral speech.

What rights do people have regarding expression under the First Amendment?

The right to petition or speak against the government.

What right do people have regarding the government under the First Amendment?

Protects freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to petition the government.

Amendment 1

The right to keep and bear arms.

Amendment 2

placed restrictions on the quartering of soldiers in private homes.

Amendment 3

Unreasonable searches and seizures; requires search warrants based on probable cause.

Amendment 4

Rules for indictment by grand jury and eminent domain, the right to due process, and protection against self‑incrimination and double jeopardy.

Amendment 5

The right to a fair and speedy public trial by jury, to be notified of accusations, to confront accusers, to obtain witnesses, and to have counsel.

Amendment 6

The right to trial by jury in certain civil cases

Amendment 7

Prohibits excessive fines, excessive bail, as well as cruel and unusual punishment.

Amendment 8

Protects rights not specifically listed in the Constitution

Amendment 9

The federal government only has powers given to it by the states or the people through the Constitution

Amendment 10

Limits lawsuits against states

Amendment 11

Revises the procedure for electing the President and Vice President.

Amendment 12

Abolishes slavery.

Amendment 13

Citizenship Clause, Due Process Clause, and Equal Protection Clause

Amendment 14

Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Amendment 15

Permits Congress to levy an income tax

Amendment 16

Direct election of U.S. Senators

Amendment 17

Prohibited the manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcohol

Amendment 18

Prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on sex.

Amendment 19

Changes for the Presidential and congressional term start dates

Amendment 20

Repeals a certain amendment and makes it a federal offense to transport or import intoxicating liquors into states or territories where it is prohibited.

Amendment 21

Limits the number of times a person can be elected president

Amendment 22

Grants the District of Columbia electors in the Electoral College

Amendment 23

Prohibits the revocation of voting rights due to non‑payment of a poll tax or any other tax.

Amendment 24

Addresses presidential succession, filling a Vice President vacancy, and procedures for responding to presidential disabilities

Amendment 25

Prohibits the denial of the right to vote to U.S. citizens 18 or older on account of age.

Amendment 26

Delays laws affecting Congressional salary from taking effect until after the next election of representatives.

Amendment 27

The 15th, 19th, 24th, 26th Amendments

Which amendments are related to voting?

The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments

Which amendments are known as the Civil Rights Amendments?

The 12th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd, and 25th Amendments

Which amendments are related to the presidency?

The 18th and 21st Amendments

Which amendments deal with Prohibition?

The 16th and 27th Amendments

Which amendments relate to congressional power or structure?

Voting in federal elections, serving on a jury, and running for federal office.

Rights only U.S. Citizens have?

Freedom of expression/speech, assembly, religion, petitioning the government, and the right to bear arms.

What rights does everyone living in the U.S. have, regardless of citizenship?

Voting, running for office, joining a political party, helping with a campaign, contacting elected officials, joining civic or community groups, or publicly supporting or opposing issues.

Some ways Americans can participate in democracy?

Voting in federal elections

What is one civic responsibility only for U.S. citizens?

Democratic and Republican

What are the two major political parties in the United States?

April 15

The last day to file federal income taxes?

All men ages 18-26

Who must register for the Selective Service

A system that requires men at certain ages to register for potential military service.

What is the Selective Service?

A major U.S. political party that generally supports a more active federal government, expanded social programs, and policies that address social and economic inequality.

What is the Democratic Party?

A major U.S. political party that generally supports limited federal government, lower taxes, and policies that emphasize individual responsibility and free‑market principles.

What is the Republican Party?

A group that generally focuses on environmental protection, social justice, and grassroots democracy.

What is the Green Party?

Political groups or candidates not formally aligned with the major parties and hold a wide range of views.

What are Independent parties?

An early U.S. political party founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison that supported limited federal government and stronger state power.

What was the Democratic‑Republican Party?