Civics EOC Exam Study Guide Notes

Key Ideas:
- Social Contract: The idea that people give up some rights and power to the government in exchange for protection.
- Natural Laws/Rights: Government's role is to protect "life, liberty, and property."
- Influence: Heavily influenced the Declaration of Independence.
Social Contract Explained:
- People concede some power and rights.
- In return, the government offers protection.

Influence on Founding Fathers:
- Separation of Powers: Advocated for dividing governmental power among three branches.
- Checks and Balances: Each branch should have the ability to limit the power of the other branches.

Four Concepts Influencing Founding Fathers:
- Limited Government: Governmental power is restricted.
- Trial by Jury: The right to be tried by a jury of one's peers.
- Advisors Lead to Parliament: The idea that advisors can evolve into a legislative body.
- Rule of Law: The principle that everyone is subject to the law, even rulers.

Three Rights Found in US Bill of Rights:
- Freedom of Speech
- No cruel and unusual punishment
- No taxes without consent

Three Concepts Influencing Founding Fathers:
- Self-government
- The rule of law
- Social Contract

Influence:
- Urged the colonies to declare independence from Great Britain.
- Influenced Declaration of Independence

British Actions Causing Anger:
- Stamp Act
- Quartering Act, Tea Act
- No taxation without representation

Addressee of Grievances: King George III
Unalienable Rights (Thomas Jefferson): Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Enlightenment Influence: John Locke influenced the "Natural Rights" section.

Weaknesses:
- One branch: no judicial or executive branch
- No power to tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws
- Too rigid: Required 9 out of 13 states to pass laws, and 13 out of 13 to pass amendments

Goals and Meanings:
- "We the people" - popular sovereignty: power originates from the people.
- "A more perfect union": Aim to create a better and stronger government than under the Articles of Confederation.
- "Establish justice": Fairness and equality under the court system.
- "Ensure domestic tranquility": Maintaining peace within the country, typically through law enforcement.
- "Provide the common defense": Protecting the country from foreign threats, via the military.
- "Promote the general welfare": Helping the people.
- "Secure the blessings of liberty": Ensuring freedom.
- "To ourselves and our posterity": Securing rights and freedom for current and future generations.

Separation of Powers: Dividing governmental power among three branches.
Checks and Balances: Each branch monitors and limits the power of the others.
Example of Checks and Balances:
- President vetoes a law
- Supreme court can declare laws unconstitutional
- Congress can impeach the president or justices/judges

24th Amendment: Abolished poll taxes.
26th Amendment: Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.
13th Amendment: No slavery
14th Amendment: Defined citizenship, ensured equal protection under the law, and mandated that state laws must be constitutional.
15th Amendment: Granted African-American men the right to vote.
19th Amendment: Granted women the right to vote.

Marbury v. Madison: Established judicial review.
Plessy v. Ferguson: Established the "separate but equal" doctrine, legalizing segregation.
Brown v. Board of Education: Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson, ending legal segregation.
Gideon v. Wainright: Required states to provide a lawyer if a defendant cannot afford one.
Miranda v. Arizona: Affirmed the 5th Amendment right to remain silent and the 6th Amendment right to a lawyer; individuals must be informed of these rights.
In re' Gault: Juveniles have due process rights, including the right to a lawyer and to confront accusers.
Tinker v. Des Moines: Students have free speech rights, including freedom of expression.
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier: Limited students' free speech rights.
US v. Nixon: Affirmed the rule of law, indicating that even the president is not above the law.
Bush v. Gore: Controversial case where the Supreme Court ordered a stop to the recount of the 2000 presidential election.

Democrats:
- Support government welfare programs.
- Favor higher taxes.
- Support business regulations.
Republicans:
- Advocate for fewer federal government programs.
- Favor lower taxes.
- Support fewer business regulations.

1st Amendment: Freedom of speech, religion, petition, assembly, and the press
2nd Amendment: The Right to Bear Arms
3rd Amendment: No quartering of soldiers
4th Amendment: No unreasonable search or seizure
5th Amendment: Right to remain silent, due process
6th Amendment: Right to a lawyer, jury, to confront one's accuser, and a speedy and public trial,
7th Amendment: Right to a jury in civil trials
8th Amendment: No cruel and unusual punishment
9th Amendment: Rights not listed in the Bill of Rights belong to the people
10th Amendment: Powers not listed in the Constitution belong to the states

Definition: Nobody is above the law; leaders must follow the law, protects citizens from tyranny & abuse of power
President Demonstrating Rule of Law: Richard Nixon

Amendment Defining Citizenship: 14th
Qualifications for Naturalized Citizen:
- Must be 18 years old.
- Be a lawful permanent resident.
- Have lived in the US for five years.
- Be of "good moral character."
- Know basic English / pass a civics test
Ways to Become a Natural Born Citizen:
- Law of Soil: Born on US soil
- Law of Blood: Born to US citizens abroad
Steps to Becoming a Naturalized Citizen:
1. Live in the US for five years
2. Fill out an application
3. Fingerprint/background check
4. Interview
5. Pass the Civics & English test
6. Take the Oath of Allegiance