US History EOC STAAR Review

American Founding Ideals

  • Unalienable Rights: Rights that cannot be taken away, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
  • “E Pluribus Unum”: Motto suggested by Congress on July 4, 1776; means "Out of many, one."
  • “In God We Trust”: Official motto of the United States since 1956.
  • “More Perfect Union”: The principle that states agree to operate as a unified country on major issues.
  • National Ethos: Ideology of the American Dream, promoting freedom with opportunities for prosperity and success through hard work.
  • Patriotism: Cultural attachment to one’s country.
  • American Exceptionalism: The idea that America has a unique history compared to other nations, stemming from its revolutionary roots.
  • Civic Responsibility: Active community participation in a knowledgeable and constructive manner focused on the common good.
  • Alexis de Tocqueville's 5 Values: 1. Egalitarianism, 2. Populism, 3. Liberty, 4. Individualism, 5. Laissez-faire.
  • Constitutional Republic: Government where officials represent the people; governed by constitutional law limiting government power over citizens.

Declaration of Independence

  • Grievances Against King George III: Justifications for the colonies breaking away from England.
  • Influences:
    • Magna Carta (1215): Limited the powers of the king; established trial by jury.
    • English Bill of Rights (1687): Forbade cruel and unusual punishments and required legislative approval for taxes.
    • Written by Thomas Jefferson (1776): Claimed unalienable rights.

Articles of Confederation

  • Introduction: First form of government of the thirteen states (1781).
  • Weaknesses:
    • Lack of an executive branch for law enforcement.
    • Congress's inability to collect taxes.
    • Absence of a national court system.
    • Equal voting in Congress regardless of state population.
    • Amendments required all 13 states to approve.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

  • Purpose: Originally to revise the Articles of Confederation.
  • Drafted Constitution: Achieved in Philadelphia by delegates from thirteen states.
  • Ratification: Required approval from 9 out of 13 states.
  • Preamble: Introduction stating the Constitution's purpose.
7 Principles of the U.S. Constitution
  1. Separation of Powers: Divides government into Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches.
  2. Checks and Balances: Ensures no single branch becomes too powerful (e.g., Presidential veto power).
  3. Federalism: Power is shared between state and national governments, with the national government holding more authority.
  4. Limited Government: Government powers are restricted by the Constitution; "No one is above the law."
  5. Republicanism: People elect representatives to govern.
  6. Popular Sovereignty: Power rests with the people.
  7. Individual Rights: Rights protected by the Bill of Rights (e.g., freedom of speech, press, etc.).

Approving the Constitution

  • Federalists: Supported a strong federal government and the Constitution.
  • Anti-Federalists: Advocated for a Bill of Rights and less central power.
  • Federalist Papers: Essays promoting ratification, written by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison.
Bill of Rights (First 10 Amendments)
  1. Freedom of Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly, Petition.
  2. Right to Bear Arms.
  3. No Quartering of Soldiers in peacetime.
  4. No Unlawful Searches & Seizures.
  5. Right to Remain Silent (No double jeopardy).
  6. Right to a Speedy and Public Trial.
  7. Right to a Jury Trial in civil cases.
  8. No Cruel or Unusual Punishment.
  9. Rights Reserved to the People.
  10. Powers Not Delegated to the Federal Government are reserved to states.

Other Important Amendments

  • 13th: Abolishes slavery.
  • 14th: Guarantees citizenship and equal protection under the law.
  • 15th: Grants voting rights to African-American men.
  • 19th: Grants women the right to vote.

Major Supreme Court Decisions

  • Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): Legalized racial segregation.
  • Brown v. Board of Education (1954): Overturned Plessy, mandated desegregation in schools.

Westward Expansion

  • Gold Rush: Triggered migration to California and other areas.
  • Homestead Act (1862): Provided 160 acres to settlers.
  • Cattle Drives: Increased demand for beef led cowboys to drive cattle to railroad shipping points.

The Gilded Age

  • Rise of tycoons like Carnegie and Rockefeller in steel and oil, respectively.
  • Monopolies: Complete control of a market by a single entity.
  • Labor Unions: Formed to advocate for workers' rights.
    • E.g., Knights of Labor, American Federation of Labor.

Urbanization

  • Movement of people from rural areas to cities.
  • Challenges included poor living conditions and sanitation issues.

The Progressive Era

  • Goals: Promote social welfare, economic reform, and political reform.
  • Key Figures: Theodore Roosevelt, Susan B. Anthony, W.E.B. Du Bois.
  • Important Legislation: 16th (income tax), 17th (direct election of Senators), 19th (women's suffrage) amendments.

American Expansionism

  • Imperialism: Strong nations exert control over weaker territories.
  • Spanish American War (1898): Resulted in U.S. expansion and increased global influence.

World War I (1914-1918)

  • Causes included militarism, alliances, imperialism, and nationalism.
  • U.S. involvement prompted by unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman Note.

The Roaring Twenties

  • An era marked by economic prosperity and cultural change,
  • Key events include the Scopes Trial, Prohibition, and the Harlem Renaissance.

The Great Depression (1929-1940)

  • Triggered by stock market crash, bank failures, and overproduction.
  • Responses included FDR's New Deal focusing on recovery and reform.

World War II (1941-1945)

  • Major events included the attack on Pearl Harbor, D-Day, and the use of atomic bombs.

The Cold War Era

  • Focused on containment of communism and notable events like the Korean War, Cuban Missile Crisis, and Vietnam War.

Civil Rights Movement

  • Key figures: Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks.
  • Important legislation included the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965).

Modern America (1974-Present)

  • Key events include Watergate, the end of the Cold War, 9/11 attacks, and the Obama Administration.

Science and Technology

  • Major advancements in transportation (automobiles, airplanes), communication (telephones, radio), and medicine (penicillin, polio vaccine).