Citizenship
What is the definition of a "citizen" in the United States?
A "citizen" in the United States is a legal member of the country with rights and responsibilities under the law.
What is a constitutional republic?
A constitutional republic is a form of government in which representatives are elected by the citizens to make laws and decisions, and the government operates under a constitution that protects individual rights.
What was the primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
The primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to declare the American colonies free from British rule and to outline the principles of individual rights.
What is the Bill of Rights?
The Bill of Rights is a collection of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution that outline individual rights and freedoms.
Who was John Locke, and what was his contribution to political thought?
John Locke was a philosopher whose ideas about natural rights and government by consent deeply influenced the Founding Fathers.
What are two obligations of U.S. citizens?
Two obligations of U.S. citizens are to pay taxes and to serve on a jury when called.
How does a constitutional republic differ from a monarchy?
A constitutional republic differs from a monarchy in that power is held by elected representatives rather than a single hereditary ruler.
Name one grievance listed in the Declaration of Independence.
One grievance listed in the Declaration of Independence is the imposition of taxes without consent.
How does the U.S. Constitution protect individual rights?
The U.S. Constitution protects individual rights by limiting government powers and ensuring that citizens have rights such as freedom of speech and religion.
Describe Montesquieu's view on the separation of powers.
Montesquieu's view on the separation of powers proposed that government should be divided into branches to prevent any one group from gaining too much power.
What responsibilities do U.S. citizens have in their community?
Responsibilities of U.S. citizens include voting, staying informed about community issues, and participating in civic activities.
Name one advantage of a constitutional republic over a dictatorship.
One advantage of a constitutional republic over a dictatorship is that it allows for citizen participation in government and protects individual freedoms.
How did British policies lead to the writing of the Declaration of Independence?
British policies, such as taxation without representation and restrictions on trade, led to colonial dissatisfaction and the desire to declare independence.
What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation included a lack of a strong central government, inability to levy taxes, and difficulty in passing laws.
How did Enlightenment ideas influence the Founding Fathers?
Enlightenment ideas influenced the Founding Fathers by promoting concepts of individual rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
How do the obligations of citizenship impact society as a whole?
Obligations of citizenship help maintain a functioning democracy and ensure that citizens are actively engaged in their government.
What role do citizens play in a representative government?
Citizens play a role in a representative government by voting for their representatives and participating in civic activities.
What role did Thomas Jefferson play in the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
Compare the viewpoints of Federalists and Anti-Federalists regarding the Constitution.
Federalists supported the ratification of the Constitution and a strong central government, while Anti-Federalists opposed it, fearing it would threaten individual liberties without a Bill of Rights.
What is the social contract theory proposed by Locke?
The social contract theory proposed by Locke suggests that governments are formed by the consent of the governed to protect their natural rights.
Explain the constitutional means of becoming a U.S. citizen
The constitutional means of becoming a U.S. citizen include birthright citizenship, naturalization, or having U.S. citizen parents.
Analyze how the U.S. Constitution safeguards liberty compared to other forms of government.
The U.S. Constitution safeguards liberty by establishing a system of checks and balances that prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
Analyze the impact of the Declaration of Independence on American society.
The Declaration of Independence had a profound impact on American society by inspiring democratic movements and establishing the ideal of government based on the consent of the governed.
Explain how the U.S. Constitution was created to address the issues of the Articles of Confederation.
The U.S. Constitution was created to address the issues of the Articles of Confederation by establishing a stronger federal government with the power to tax, regulate commerce, and enforce laws.
Explain how Enlightenment ideas affected the writing of the U.S. Constitution.
Enlightenment ideas affected the writing of the U.S. Constitution by emphasizing liberty, equality, and justice, leading to the establishment of a government that respects individual rights.