Download The United States has lived up to the Core Democratic Principle of…

CIVICS Study Guide
TEST: C1/C2
Multiples Choice (60 pts)
1.
What is the definition of “civics”?
2.
We get the word “civics” from the Latin word civis, which means…
3.
What is the difference between civic life (CL) and private life (PL)?
4.
Define “Politics”
5.
Define “Government”
6.
Define “Ideals”
7.
List our American “Ideals”
8.
What is meant by the phrase, "One person’s freedom ends where another person’s freedom begins“
9.
“Government of the people, by the people, for the people”. Define the bold underlined words
We are an “Extended Limited Commercial Federal Democratic Republic” – James Madison, The Federalist Papers.
What does the following mean?
10.
Extended
11.
Limited
12.
Commercial
13.
Federal
14.
Democratic
15.
Republic
16.
What is the best definition for “immigrant”
17.
List several ‘things’ Immigrants bring to other countries
18.
Define “Multiculturalism”
19.
It is believed Native Americans arrived here from _______________, about __________________ years ago
20.
Who were the first Europeans to establish permanent colonies in the Americas?
21.
When did they (answer to #20) arrive here?
22.
Which country primarily settled the Original Thirteen Colonies?
23.
Know all thirteen of the Original Colonies
24.
Why did we have an “Open Shore” policy towards immigration until the mid-1800s?
25.
Where did most immigrants land when arriving in the U.S.?
26.
By the 1880s, there was a general fear by Americans of immigrants from where?
27.
Today, the Immigration Act of 1990 allows ______________ immigrants per year
28.
Today, Americans are moving ____________ and ____________ in the U.S.
29.
What is the “nuclear family”?
30.
Define “Anarchy” (in the political sense)
31.
What is a “Theocracy”?
32.
In which major Middle Eastern country would you find a Theocracy today?
33.
The most common form of government in history until the American Revolution was…
34.
Which system is considered by some to be a mix of Capitalism and Communism?
35.
The U.S. has which form of government
36.
What are “unalienable rights”?
37.
List reasons a constitutional government can fail
38.
Why did our first attempt at government, the Articles of Confederation, fail?
39.
An important foundation, and first influence, on American government can be traced back to 1215, to this
English document:
40.
Our idea of “no taxation without representation” originated in this document:
41.
What are “The Federalist Papers”?
42.
What is the difference between a direct democracy and a republic?
43.
In his “Second Treatise on Government” he stated all people are born with “natural rights”. Who is “he”?
44.
We borrowed the idea of “checks and balances” between equal branches of government from his “Spirit of
Laws”
45.
He wrote “Common Sense”, a propaganda pamphlet urging the colonists to revolt
46.
What does a legislative body do?
47.
We have a “bicameral” legislature. What does that mean?
48.
What does a “suffrage amendment” do to the Constitution?
49.
Which Amendment abolished slavery in the U.S.?
50.
You only have a few more years until you can vote (18 –years-old). You can thank this Amendment:
51.
Besides amendments, how else can our government expand our constitutional rights?
52.
What is the best definition of “federalism”?
53.
What is the main reason historians believe Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech was so widely
popular and accepted?
54.
Which of the following was an important idea in King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”?
55.
What was the goal of the ERA Movement?
56.
This government Act was created at the beginning of the Cold War, when many Americans felt a deep fear of
Communism through the “Red Scare”. If you were a Communist organization, you had to report your existence to the
U.S. government.
57.
This government Act was created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. One of
its more controversial powers is that it allows government surveillance on U.S. citizens, such as wiretapping phone calls,
without proper cause.
58.
This government Act was created soon after we won our independence, and it made it a crime to write anything
“false or scandalous” about the President of the United States. Many believe it was created out of fear of the negative
effects of the French Revolution possibly poisoning the minds of American citizens.
59.
What does Core Democratic Value “popular sovereignty” mean?
60.
What does the Core Democratic Value “Freedom of Religion” mean?
ESSAYS (20 pts each = 40 pts)
***you may create an outline to use on test day***
1.
Explain the historical and philosophical origins of American constitutional government and evaluate the
influence of ideas found in the Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, Mayflower Compact, Iroquois Confederation,
Northwest Ordinance, Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation,
and selected Federalist Papers (the 10th, 14th, 51st), John Locke’s Second Treatise, Montesquieu’s Spirit of Laws,
Paine’s Common Sense
2.
Below are the Core Democratic Values. Pick one from “Fundamental Beliefs” and one from “Constitutional
Principles”. Argue FOR or AGAINST the following statement:
“The United States has lived up to the Core Democratic Principle of…”
(your choice from the list)
If you believe it has, provide numerous examples of why you feel that way. Similarly, if you feel the U.S. has not lived
up to the two Principles you chose, explain why, in detail. Or, maybe you feel it has lived up to one you picked, but
not the other. Whatever you choose, SUPPORT YOUR CHOICES
This is your OPINION, so there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer…but keep in mind: a strong opinion is one backed up by
numerous facts
Fundamental Beliefs
Life: A person's right to life can't be violated except if your life or the lives of others is threatened.
Liberty: This includes personal freedom, political freedom, and economic freedom. This is the freedom for people to
gather in groups. They have their own beliefs, ideas and opinions. People also have the right to express their opinions in
public.
Personal Freedom - the right to think and act without government control.
Political Freedom - the right to participate in political process.
Economic Freedom - the right to buy, sell and trade private property and the right to employment without the
government interfering.
The Pursuit of Happiness: As long as you don't interfere with others you have the right to seek happiness in your own
way.
Common Good: Working together for the welfare of the community or the benefit of all.
Justice: All people should be treated fairly in both the benefits and the obligations of society. No individual or group
should be favored over another person or group.
Equality: Everyone has the right to Political, Legal, Social and Economic Equality. Everyone has the right to the same
treatment regardless of race, sex, religion, heritage, or economic status.
Diversity: The differences in culture, dress, language, heritage and religion are not just tolerated, but celebrated as a
strength.
Truth: They should expect and demand that the government not lie to them and the government should disclose
information to the people. The government and its people should not lie.
Popular Sovereignty: The power of the government comes from the people. The people are the ultimate authority over
the government.
Patriotism: The people or citizens show a love and devotion for their country and the values. They can show this by
words or by actions.
Constitutional Principles
Rule of Law: Both the people and the government must obey all laws.
Separation of Powers: The executive, legislative and judicial branches of the government should be separate institutions
so no one branch has all of the power.
Representative Government: People have the right to elect others to represent them in the government.
Checks and Balances: The powers of the three branches of government, executive, legislative and judicial, should be
balanced. No one branch should be dominate. Each branch should have powers to check the actions of the other
branches.
Individual Rights: Each individual has the fundamental right to life, liberty, economic freedom and the pursuit of
happiness. These rights are outlined in the Bill of Rights and the government should protect these rights and not place
undo restrictions upon them.
Freedom of Religion: The right to practice any or no religion without persecution by the government.
Federalism: The states and the federal government share power as outlined by the Constitution.
Civilian Control of the Military: The people control the military to preserve democracy.