We the People Unit 1 1. What were some differences between Europe and the American Colonies in the 1770 s? Most nations in Europe were much smaller than the colonies. Only the rich could afford to buy and own land. In America, land was cheap and available to almost everyone. There was work for everyone, and if you worked hard you could eat well and be healthy. 2. What was life like for the average American Colonist? Most colonists were farmers. On small farms, families did all the work themselves. On plantations slaves did all the work. Because there was a lot of land and people could grow crops easily, the colonists ate well and were healthier than people in Europe. Most colonists could read and most white men were allowed to vote. Colonists in America had the freedom to follow their religious beliefs. 3. Why did so many colonists want to come to live in the colonies? Land was cheap and available. By this time, religious diversity had become an important part of colonial life. Freedom of religion had replaced persecution and people from all over the world wanted to experience it. Colonial immigrants also believed they had a chance to better themselves economically and socially because wealth and family name were not as important in the colonies as they were in the old world. 4. What is the meaning of the term, the Founders? The term refers to the people who established the new country. 5. In a state of nature, would you have rights? What might they be? You would have the right to do whatever you wanted. However, this right would only last until someone stopped you from doing it. In fact, your rights would not be secure. 6. What basic rights did the Founders believe people should have? They believed all people were entitled to have their natural rights to life, liberty and property. 7. What are natural rights, and how do you get them? Some of the most important natural rights are the right to life, which is the right to live without injured or killed by others. Liberty, the right to be free, to think believe, read what you want, and to speak freely. Property, which is the right to own things. You get these rights just by virtue of being human.
8. Where did the Founders get their ideas about good government? The Founders studied the history of government. They got ideas from the Roman Republic like a republican system of government, and from John Lock, like ideas about A State of Nature and Natural Rights. 9. What did the Founders think should be the main purpose of government? The Founders thought the main purpose of government should be to protect a person s rights to life, liberty and property, promote the common good and to serve the people. 10. What might be a situation in your school in which you should try to do the best for everyone? Students should help keep the school grounds clean, follow the school rules, help keep the classroom orderly etc. 11. People often do not agree on what is best for everyone. Describe a situation in your school where people might disagree. How would you decide what the common good was in this situation? Accept reasonable answers. 12. Sometimes people have a difficult time giving up their rights for the common good because it is hard to see which is more important, individual rights or the common good. Which do you think is more important? 13. What is a republican government? How is it different from a direct democracy? In a republican government, the people choose representatives to make decisions for them. In a direct democracy, however, the people make the decisions themselves. 14. What are the advantages of a republican government? The representatives serve the common good, not just one person or group, they are able to make laws efficiently, they allow people to have a say in their government, they study and read about the issues that affect people because they have the time to do so. 15. What is a Constitution? A constitution is a set of rules and laws that tells how a government is set up and run. 16. If a country has a constitution, does it mean it has a constitutional government? Why or why not? No, just having a constitution does not make it a constitutional government. A constitutional government means there are limits on the powers of the government.
17. What is the role of citizens in a republican government? The citizens should participate in their government and do things to promote the common good. 18. Define the term common good. Give examples of the common good in your school, community and country. Common good means doing what is best for the whole community. Accept reasonable responses. 19. Define the term civic virtue. Why is it important that citizens have civic virtue? Give examples of people who practice civic virtue in your school or community. Civic virtue means to put the common good before your own interests. Citizens must have civic virtue for a republican government to work. Accept reasonable examples. 20. Why did the Founders write the Declaration? What was it about? The Founders wrote the Declaration so they could explain to the world why they were declaring their independence and why they had a right to do so. The Declaration included the Founders ideas about government, like All men are created equal, and they are born with certain rights no one can take away, and that the purpose of government is to protect those rights.
We the People Unit 2 1. What were some problems under the Articles of Confederation? Each state acted as a separate country, the national government was very weak, it had no money or power, it could not control the states, and it had no courts to settle disputes among the states. 2. Describe Shay s Rebellion. Why was it important? Massachusetts farmers didn t have any money to pay their bills and were losing their farms because they could not trade their products in other states or countries. They gathered under the leadership of Daniel Shays. They were ready to fight the Massachusetts government and shut down the courts to prevent the government from taking their farms and putting them in jail. Shays rebellion was important because it brought out the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and showed the need for a stronger national government. 3. Define the term common good. Give some examples. Common good is the good of the community as a whole; it is what is good for everyone in the country, not just a few people. Accept reasonable examples. 4. How does the government promote the common good? Accept reasonable examples like the government requiring children to attend school, or the government creating the National Institute on Health to support medical research on health issues and to find cures for those who are sick, or requiring children to get vaccinations, or providing increased security at the airport after the 9-11 terrorist attacks. 5. What can you learn about a nation s government by studying its constitution? How a nation is organized and run and one can learn about the nation s principles and ideals. 6. Why did congress call for the Philadelphia Convention? Congress realized there were weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation, and called the convention to correct the weaknesses. 7. Describe the delegates of the Philadelphia convention as a group. Most delegates were young (average age 42). Many had been leaders during the American Revolution and had served in the Continental Congress. Some had signed the
Declaration of Independence and most of the delegates were leaders in their states. All of them were men. None were poor. Most were well educated. 8. If the representatives had been poor farmers, would the Constitution be different? What if they had been indentured slaves? Women? Accept reasonable answers 9. Who were some important Framers? Why are they called Framers? Accept reasonable answers like Ben Franklin, James Madison, and George Washington. They were called Framers because they framed, or wrote, the Constitution. 10. What important decisions were made at the start of the Philadelphia Convention? George Washington would serve as president of the convention, each state large or small, would have one vote, they would not try to improve the Articles of Confederation as Congress had ask them to do, they would write an entirely new constitution instead, and they would keep their discussions private and not reveal what was said for 30 years. 11. Why did the Framers decide to keep their discussions secret for 30 years? The Framers believed they needed to speak freely. If people told others what they had said, they would not feel as free to discuss their ideas, and they would be less likely to change their minds, or compromise. The Framers wanted the people to accept the new constitution. They feared that the people might not if they knew all the disagreements the Framers had during the writing. 12. Explain the difference between ensuring domestic tranquility and providing for the common defense. To ensure domestic tranquility means to keep peace and order within the borders of the United States. To provide for the common defense means to protect the United States and its citizens from those who might want to wage war against the United States. 13. What is the general welfare? What are some ways to promote the general welfare? General welfare means the same thing as the common good. That is, what is good for all of the people of a community or nation. Some ways to promote the general welfare Include paying taxes, obeying the law even though you may not agree with it, and getting your immunization shots to protect the community from disease. 15. Why did the Northern and Southern states have different ideas about slavery? The Southern states had an agricultural based economy. Slave labor was needed to make plantations profitable. If the slaves were freed, the plantation owners and the entire Southern economy would have suffered major financial losses. The economy in
the North was more varied. People made their living in a variety of ways that did not depend on the labor of enslaved people. 16. What compromise did the Framers reach about slavery? The Framers decided that the Congress would allow the slave trade to continue until 1808. The Southern states agreed to allow Congress to regulate commerce among the states and with other nations. The Framers agreed to count three-fifths of the slave population for census. 17. Why did the Framers compromise on the issue of slavery? The Framers believed that without the compromise the Southern states would not have joined the union.
We the People Unit 3 1. How can you and other Americans show that you consent to live under the Constitution? Accept reasonable answers like: You can show your consent by obeying the laws, serving on a jury, supporting and monitoring elected leaders, and participating in the election process. 2. Why did the Framers separate the powers of the government? The Framers wanted to be sure that the powers of the government were limited to prevent any abuse of power. 3. Why did the Framers provide ways for each branch of our government to check the powers of the other two branches? Give an example of how one branch can check the power of another. By allowing each branch to check the power of the other branches, the Framers were ensuring no one branch of the government became too powerful. Accept reasonable examples like: The president can check the power of Congress by vetoing a bill passed by Congress. Congress can check the power of the president by overriding the president s veto with a 2/3-majority vote in both Houses. The Supreme Court can check the power of the Congress through judicial review and declaring a law unconstitutional. 4. What information will you find in Article I of the Constitution? Article I establishes the Legislative branch. It states that Congress has two houses and it lists the powers of Congress like: the power to tax people, raise an army to defend our country, declare war, create a court system and coin money. 5. What are some limits on the powers of Congress? Accept reasonable examples like: The president must approve bills passed by Congress, the Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional, and Article I lists specific powers that are denied to Congress. 6. Explain the steps by which a bill becomes a law. First, the bill is written, then it goes to committee, next it must get a majority vote of both houses of Congress, and it must get the president s approval.
7. What are some duties and powers of the president of the United States? The president can grant pardons, make treaties, name ambassadors, act as commander in chief, and nominate judges to the Supreme Court. Some of the duties of the president include being the head of the executive branch, proposing laws and policies, and setting policies for dealing with other countries of the world. 8. Why are Supreme Court Justices and other federal judges appointed for life rather than elected? The Framers believed that if federal judges were elected, they might cater to the will of the people who voted for them. By being appointed for life, the justices are insulated from pressures as they deal with politically sensitive issues. 9. How do cases get to the Supreme Court? A case is first heard in a local courthouse. If one of the parties thinks the ruling was unfair, the case is appealed to the U.S. Circuit Court. If a party is still dissatisfied with the ruling, the case is appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals. If one of the parties is still Unhappy with the ruling, they can appeal the case to the Supreme Court, where the court may or may not agree to hear the case. 10. What is judicial review? Why is it one of the most important powers of the judicial branch? Judicial review is the power of the courts to decide if a law or action of government is allowed under the Constitution. Judicial review is important because it allows the U.S. Supreme Court the power to say that a law made by congress or an action taken by the president is unconstitutional. This power also applies to laws and actions taken by the states and local governments. Judicial review protects the rights of the people. 11. What are some limits on the powers of the federal courts? Federal judges can be impeached, and they do not have the power to enforce their decisions 12. What information will you find in Article II of the Constitution? Article II of the Constitution establishes the executive branch, and lists the powers and duties of the president. Article II also limits the powers of the president by making the president share most powers with Congress. 13. Explain four ways that congress can check the power of the president. 1. The senate must approve presidential appointments. 2. The senate must approve treaties. 3. Only congress can declare and wage war. 4. Congress can over-ride a presidential veto with 2/3 majority vote of both houses of congress
14. Who holds each of these offices in the United States today: the president, the vicepresident, the secretary of state, the secretary of the treasury, the secretary of defense, the attorney general? President: Barack Obama, Vice President: Joe Biden, Secretary of State: John Kerry, Secretary of Treasury: Jacob Lew, Secretary of Defense: Chuck Hagel, and Attorney General: Eric H. Holder Jr. 15. Define the term federalism. Why did the Framers choose a federal system of government? Federalism, or federal system, is a system of government in which power is divided between a national, state and local government. The Framers established a federal system of government to ensure that the people could keep the government from becoming too powerful and that the people would have a say in what both the state and federal governments do. 16. What requirements must Congressmen meet in order to qualify for office? How long can they stay in office? Senators must at least 35 years old, they must have been citizens of the U.S. for at least nine years, and they must live in the state that they represent. They are elected for sixyear terms, and may serve an unlimited number of terms. Representatives must be at least 25 years old, they must have been citizens for at least seven years, and they must live in the district they represent. They are elected for twoyear terms and may serve an unlimited number of terms. 17. What requirements must the president meet in order to qualify for office? How long can they stay in office? The president must be at least 35 years old, they must have been born in the United States, and they had to live in the United States for at least 14 years. They are elected for four-year terms, and they are limited to serving no more than two terms.
We the People Unit 4 1. List four benefits of freedom of expression. Give examples of each. Which do you things is most important? Why? Freedom of expression helps our democracy work well, helps us grow as individuals, helps us to advance knowledge, and helps to make peaceful change in society possible through the free exchange of information and new ideas. When we listen and share ideas, we understand different points of view, and can make choices that are more informed. 2. In what kinds of situations do you think it is fair and reasonable to limit freedom of expression? Accept reasonable answers that reflect time, place, and manner, like: A parent can t use profanity in a kindergarten classroom because it is in a place where little children are present, or speech that incites people to use violence is limited because it is harmful to the common good. 3. Suppose your teacher began the day by leading the class in a prayer. Would this violate your right to believe in any religion you wish, or no religion at all? Why or why not? Saying a prayer is a violation of our right to believe or not believe. Students are required to attend school and they are required to be in class at the time the prayer is being said. Students may feel coerced into participating in a religious belief even though they may not wish to recite the prayer. Also, saying a prayer during school hours in a public school promotes one belief over another and assumes that all students in the class would benefit by saying the prayer. 4. In what part of the Constitution will you find the right to freedom of religion? The right to freedom of religion is in the First Amendment. 5. What is the meaning of the establishment clause? Congress may not establish an official religion for our country or favor any one religion over others. 6. What is the meaning of the free exercise clause?
Congress may not stop you from holding any religious beliefs you choose or to have no religious beliefs at all. The government may not unfairly or unreasonably limit your right to practice any religious beliefs you wish. 7. Freedom of belief is an absolute right. What does this mean? There are two parts to the freedom of religion: the freedom to believe and the freedom to practice your beliefs. The U.S. Supreme Court has said that people have an absolute right to freedom of belief. Absolute means without any limit. Government may not limit your freedom of belief. 8. Can you think of any situations when the government would have the duty to restrict religious practices? Accept reasonable answers that refer to practices that are harmful to public health or the common good. 9. Is it constitutional if a new law in your state says you must go to a certain school because of your race? The law is unfair. Students are being separated from others without a good or fair reason. They are being treated unequally. 10. Is it constitutional if your town has a law that says you cannot live in a certain area because of your religion? This law is unfair. The people who practice the religion are being treated unequally. 11. Is it constitutional if your city police department will not allow women on the police force? This regulation is unfair. Government agencies may not discriminate against someone because of their gender. Men and women are not being treated equally by a government agency. 12. Is it constitutional if a man and woman work for the state government at the same jobs, and the man is paid much more than the woman is paid? Unless there is a good and fair reason for treating two people who are doing the same work differently, this practice is unfair. Some students may suggest that
perhaps the man had been working longer and that he receives more money based on his years of service. 13. Why was the Fourteenth Amendment added to the Constitution? The Fourteenth Amendment was added to the Constitution to prevent states from discriminating against African Americans. 14. What does equal protection of the laws mean? Equal protection of the laws means that states may not treat people differently unless they have a good and fair reason for doing so. 15. Why did the Fourteenth Amendment not immediately end unfair treatment of African Americans? After the Civil War, many Southern states passed laws that limited the rights of African Americans. Many people thought these state laws were unfair. The Supreme Court said it was not unfair for states to separate people according to race. The states could do so if the public places for each group were equal. For example, separate schools should have near the same quality of classrooms and teachers. 16. Why was the Brown v. Board of Education legal case so important? The Brown vs. Board of Education decision, by determining that segregation of the races in public schools was no legal, ended such segregation. It put a stop to the separate but equal doctrine established in 1896. 17. What was the Civil Rights Movement? Give some examples of how people of different races worked together to change unfair laws. The Civil Rights Movement, beginning in the 1950s, was a time when people worked together to change unfair laws. The people marched in the streets, wrote letters to Congress, held boycotts, and engaged in sit-ins. 18. Why was the Civil Rights Act of 1964 important? The Civil Rights Act ended segregation in public places such as restaurants, hotels, and movie theaters. It also mandated that employers could not discriminate against their employees because of their race, national origin, religion, or gender.
19. What does the right to due process mean? Due process means the right to be treated fairly by the government. The government must use fair procedures when gathering information and making decisions. 20. Explain how due process protects your rights to life, liberty, and property from unfair and unreasonable acts by people in government? The Fourteenth Amendment protects due process rights form infringement by state governments. The Fifth Amendment protects due process rights from being infringed upon by the national government. 21. How does the Fourteenth Amendment differ from the Fifth Amendment in what it says about due process? The Fourteenth Amendment protects due process rights from infringement by state governments. The Fifth Amendment protects due process rights from being infringed upon by the national government. 22. In the early years of our nation s history, why did the states give the right to vote only to white men who owned property? The Framers left the criteria for voting up to the states. The states had traditionally allowed only white men with property to vote; they continued that practice. They thought men who owned property would be more thoughtful about their votes. 23. Explain how African Americans men gained the right to vote. What laws had to be changed to make voting rights for African Americans fair? During the Civil Rights Movement, people of all races worked hard to make changes in unfair laws. They made speeches, engaged in boycotts, and marched in the streets. Their efforts resulted in the elimination of unfair laws like literacy tests, grandfather clause, and poll tax. 24. Explain how women gained the right to vote. Why do you think women were not given the right to vote in the first place? At a convention in New York in 1848, women met to coordinate their fight to gain the right to vote. The struggle was long and hard. Women picketed the White House and marched in the streets. They gave speeches and argued for
their right to vote. Women did not generally own property and traditionally had been viewed as having interest only related to the home. They were not considered able to deal with the complexities of politics and government or of making decisions that affected citizens. 25. Why was the right to vote given to eighteen-year-olds? During the 1960s and early 1970s, many young men were fighting in the Vietnam War. There was a movement of politically active young people who strongly opposed the war. People argued that if eighteen-year-olds were old enough to fight in a war, they were old enough to vote. In 1971, the Twentysixth Amendment was added to the Constitution. It gave citizens eighteen years or older the right to vote.
We the People Unit 5 1. What do citizens in the United States gain from our relationships with other countries of the world? What do citizens in other countries gain? Citizens in the United States might benefit from goods, services, or technology developed in other nations. Citizens in other nations benefit from U.S medical advances, humanitarian aid, or education for democracy. 2. Why is it important that countries be able to have a free exchange of ideas? The free exchange of ideas can promote solutions to cultural, economic, or environmental problems. 3. List some things that countries do to carry out their relationships with other countries. Countries work together to establish and provide humanitarian aid, become involved in trade with other nations, develop and sign treaties and agreements with other nations, and provide military support when needed. 4. What powers does the U.S. Constitution give the national government to deal with other nations? The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, approve treaties, approve ambassadors, raise and support armies, and punish piracies and crimes at sea. 5. List some ideas in the Declaration of Independence and in the Constitution and Bill of Rights that have influenced government in other countries. Examples include: power comes from the people; all people are political equals; the people consent to be governed; the government is not the master of the people; the purpose of government is to protect the rights of the people; a country s constitution is the higher law and everyone must obey it; and a country s constitution should include a list of the rights of the people. 6. What are some responsibilities of citizens? Why is fulfilling these responsibilities important?
Citizens have personal and civic responsibilities. They must know their rights and have the duty to fulfill the responsibilities that go with these rights. Fulfilling the responsibilities is necessary to a self-governing, free, and just society. 7. What are some responsibilities that go along with your right to free expression, freedom of religion, protection of the laws, due process of the laws, and the right to vote? The responsibilities that go along with these rights require that the rights of others be respected, that our democratic institutions be protected, that the dignity of all be considered, and that the common good should be acknowledged.\ 8. How can schools help students become good citizens? They can educated them in the principles of democracy, give them the opportunity to participate in student government, and inform them about current events in their community, state, country, and the world. 9. What are some ways you can participate in government now? Accept any reasonable responses. 10. Does a good citizen have a responsibility to try to improve the lives of people who need help? Why or why not? Accept any reasonable responses. 11. What responsibilities should a citizen take to protect or promote the welfare of people in other countries? Explain your position. Students should incorporate the ideas that our country and other countries of the world have relationships that affect the quality of life for citizens of all countries. 12. Why is it necessary that a citizen balance his or her self- interest within the common good? It is necessary because our form of government is based on the balance of these ideas. You cannot have the common good infringe on individual freedoms and you cannot have self-interest overwhelm the needs of the whole and still maintain a stable democratic government.