US History & Civics Study Guide

ABCTE MSE: US History & Civics Study Guide

Civics & Government Objective

• Review basics of America’s civic life.

• Expand on ideas about the United States government from previous lessons.

Previously Covered

• Colonial times through the 20th century, focusing on key events that shaped the nation.

Roots of Democracy

• Population: Approximately 324,985,873 people in the U.S.

• Political Evolution: U.S. political life is constantly evolving despite well-established institutions.

The Greeks

• Athenian Democracy: First forms of large-scale democracy (~5th century BC).

  • Citizens (defined as males who completed military training) gathered to pass laws and address issues.

  • Excluded: women, resident aliens, and slaves.

The Romans

• Roman Republic: Named from Latin terms "res" (thing) and "publicus" (of the people).

  • Decision-making centralized in Rome excluded far-flung citizens.

  • Introduction of the Senate: An indirectly elected, powerful political body.

Magna Carta

• Historical Context: Signed by King John in 1215 to appease the Church and barons.

• Significance: Limited the king's power by making him subject to English law, a move towards democratic governance.

Structures of Power

• Three major branches of the U.S. federal government: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

• Legislative Branch (Article One of the Constitution):

  • Established Congress (House of Representatives and Senate).

  • House: Members elected based on state population.

  • Senate: Two members from each state, elected for six-year terms.

  • Congressional powers include regulating commerce and establishing post offices.

• Judicial Branch (Article Three):

  • States that judicial power is vested in one supreme Court and inferior courts as established by Congress.

  • Judges hold their offices during good behavior and cannot have their salaries diminished during tenure.

  • Supreme Court judges appointed by the executive and confirmed by the legislative branch.

• Executive Branch (Article Two):

  • Describes the presidency and vice-presidency.

  • The president has significant power, such as being commander-in-chief of the military.

  • Checks and Balances: The president cannot declare war without congressional approval.

Constitution Controversy: Federalists and Anti-Federalists

• Federalists: Supported the Constitution and were led by figures like Alexander Hamilton.

  • Published the Federalist Papers aimed at persuading the public to adopt the Constitution.

  • These papers remain a reference for judges interpreting the Constitution.

• Anti-Federalists: Opposed a strong centralized government, arguing for the need for individual rights.

The Rights and Responsibilities of the U.S. Citizen

• U.S. Constitution (1787): Initially lacked a bill of rights, leading to criticism from Anti-Federalists.

  • Some Federalists feared a list of rights would limit the interpretation of citizens’ rights.

• Bill of Rights: Drafted by James Madison in summer 1789, passed in December of the same year to enumerate citizens' rights.

Civic Milestones and Icons

• Frederick Douglass: Escaped slave; influential abolitionist, writer, and advisor to presidents Lincoln and Grant.

• The Thirteenth Amendment: Ratified in 1865; prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude with a noted exception for punishment after conviction.

• The Fourteenth Amendment: Ratified in 1868; mandates equal legal protection for all persons born/naturalized in the U.S.

• Sojourner Truth: Advocate for abolition and women's suffrage.

• Susan B. Anthony: Leader in women's suffrage; co-publisher of The Revolution.

• The Nineteenth Amendment: Ratified in 1920; granted women the right to vote.

Review

• Antecedents of U.S. constitutional law: Magna Carta, Athenian democracy, Roman republic.

• Representative Democracy: Citizens elect representatives.

• Federalist Papers: Influential in Constitution adoption.

• Key Amendments:

  • Thirteenth: Outlaws slavery.

  • Fourteenth: Protects citizenship rights.

  • Nineteenth: Grants voting rights to women.

Growth and Strife Objective

• Examines events in U.S. growth, regionalism, Civil War roots, and conflict.

Previously Covered

• Discussed the American colonies, their rebellion against Britain, and the U.S. Constitution's development.

Causes of the Civil War

Divided into three categories: social, economic, and political causes, with slavery as a common factor.

• Social: Resurgence of abolitionist movement led by figures like William Lloyd Garrison and Frederick Douglass.

• Economic: Disparities between agrarian South (export-oriented) and industrial North (produced own goods).

  • Tariffs (e.g., Tariff of 1828) created conflict as Northern tariffs were detrimental to Southern economies.

• Political: Concerns over adding new territories as states ignited tensions between proslavery and antislavery factions, leading to the Missouri Compromise.

Lincoln, Secession, and War

• Lincoln's election incited secession in proslavery states, starting with South Carolina.

• Formation of the Confederate States of America and the conflict's initiation at Fort Sumter (April 13, 1861).

• War casualties estimated at around 500,000 lives.

Important Battles

• Bull Run (Manassas): First major land battle; Southern victory led by General Thomas Jackson.

• Antietam: One of the bloodiest, halted General Lee's invasion of the North; allowed Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

• Appomattox: Confederate general Lee's surrender to Grant on April 9, 1865, marking the war's end.

Aftermath and Reconstruction

• The South was devastated; military districts were established for recovery.

• States had to adopt the Fourteenth Amendment for re-admittance, leading to the enactment of discriminatory black codes and ultimately Jim Crow laws.

Review

• Causes of the Civil War included slavery, economic disparity, and political strife.

• Lincoln's presidency prompted secession and initiated war.

• Battle of Appomattox effectively concluded hostilities.

• Reconstruction involved controversial policies for integrating freed slaves into society.

Industrialization and Rise to Power Objective

• Focus on U.S. history post-Civil War through WWII, characterized by industrial growth, immigration, WWI, and the Great Depression.

Previously Covered

• Review of the Civil War's causes and conflicts.

Industrialization

• Significant growth in population and industry; immigration boosted workforce.

• Major sectors:

  • Steel and Iron: Bessemer process revolutionized steel production, increasing output significantly.

  • Communications: Transatlantic telegraph established (1866) and invention of the two-way telegraph (1892).

  • Technology: Innovations by figures like Nikola Tesla revolutionized electrical power transport.

World War I

• U.S. entered in 1917; military losses lower than European powers due to late entry.

• Wartime economy bolstered U.S. industry and positioned the U.S. as a global creditor.

Power Abroad, Prosperity at Home

• Examples of U.S. international involvement:

  • Haiti: Military occupation to ward off German influence.

  • Philippines: After Spanish-American War, conflict ensued as the U.S. tried to establish control over the island.

  • Panama: U.S. support led to Panamanian independence in exchange for control over the canal area.

Changes at Home

• Cultural shifts, including formation of the NAACP in 1909 to promote civil rights.

• Prohibition: 18th Amendment led to the rise of illegal alcohol markets, later repealed by the 21st Amendment.

• Nineteenth Amendment: Secured women's voting rights in 1920.

• Harlem Renaissance: Flourishing of African American arts and culture in the 1920s.

The Great Depression and the New Deal

• Stock market crash on October 29, 1929, marked the onset of the Depression, causing widespread economic fallout.

• FDR’s New Deal introduced various relief measures, including banking reform and agricultural support programs.

Review

• Overview of U.S. growth and involvement internationally between the wars.

• The New Deal brought significant economic intervention; recovery accelerated with WWII.

World War II

• U.S. entry after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

• The war led to significant human losses and global shifts post-war.

The Cold War

• Post-war U.S. enjoyed economic prosperity but faced prolonged conflict with the Soviet Union.

• Key events:

  • Korean War: Conflict ignited by North Korean invasion of South Korea; significant American military involvement.

  • Cuban Missile Crisis: Tense standoff over missile placement; nearly resulted in nuclear conflict.

  • Berlin Wall: Built in 1961, symbolizing the ideological divide between East and West Europe.

The Struggle for Equality

• Civil rights advancements in the United States involved influential figures and landmark legislation:

  • Thurgood Marshall: First African American Supreme Court Justice, served 1967-1991.

  • Brown v. Board of Education: Supreme Court case declaring segregation in public schools unconstitutional (1954).

  • Civil Rights Act: Landmark legislation making racial discrimination illegal (1964).

Review

• Trends in industrial growth, societal change, civil rights, and foreign policy.

• Summary emphasizes progressive shifts in American society and governance.

Conclusion

• U.S. history encapsulates a diverse, evolving narrative of struggle, achievement, and complexity through its various eras from the founding to contemporary times. Each section represents critical developments influencing the nation’s character and government.