Dred Scott & Reconstruction
This 1857 Supreme Court ruling declared that Black people, free or enslaved, were not U.S. citizens.
What is the Dred Scott v. Sandford decision?
Taking this final legal pledge of loyalty to the United States is the very last step to becoming a citizen.
What is the Oath of Allegiance?
This term describes things a citizen must do by law, or else face a fine, jail time, or legal penalties.
What is an obligation? (Also accept duty)
This primary obligation keeps communities safe, maintains social order, and protects citizens' property rights.
What is obeying laws?
In this form of government, citizens elect representatives to make laws and govern on their behalf—and it's what the U.S. has.
What is a republic? (Accept representative democracy)
This Reconstruction Amendment permanently abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States.
What is the 13th Amendment?
To apply for citizenship, an applicant must be at least this old.
What is 18 years old?
This term describes actions a citizen should do voluntarily to support their community, with no legal penalties if left undone.
What is a responsibility?
Fulfilling this obligation is vital because these mandatory payments fund public schools, police departments, and roads.
What are taxes? (or paying taxes
This term describes a form of government where a single king or queen rules, and power is passed down through the family.
What is a monarchy?
This specific clause of the 14th Amendment directly overturned the Dred Scott ruling by making all people born in the U.S. citizens
What is the Citizenship Clause?
This standard identification document gives an immigrant official status as a permanent resident before they can apply for citizenship.
What is a Green Card?
Since voting is optional, it is classified as a civic activity under this specific categor
What is a responsibility?
This obligation guarantees an accused person's Constitutional right to a trial by a group of their peers.
What is jury duty? (or serving on a jury)
This term describes a type of government ruled by a small, powerful group of elite leaders rather than the general public.
What is an oligarchy?
This 15th Amendment milestone declared that the right to vote could not be denied based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
What is the 15th Amendment?
Before taking the oath, applicants must pass a test proving they can speak, read, and write in this language.
What is English?
Because you can be legally penalized or arrested if you refuse to do it, serving on a jury falls under this category.
What is an obligation? (or duty)
To assist with this obligation, the Selective Service system keeps a list of male citizens who can be called upon during a national emergency.
What is defending the nation?
In this type of government, the nation's legal system and laws are based entirely on religious teachings or a divine power
What is a theocracy?
Collectively, the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments are known by this specific era name in American history.
What is the Civil War Amendments? (Also accept Reconstruction Amendments)
Most permanent residents must live continuously in the United States for this many years before they are allowed to apply for citizenship.
What is 5 years?
While joining the military is a voluntary responsibility, males aged 18–25 must register for this system as a mandatory civic obligation.
What is the Selective Service?
If citizens refuse to fulfill their required duties, the safety and well-being of the whole community—known by this two-word phrase—will suffer.
What is the common good?
Meaning "rule by one," this broad umbrella term describes any government—like an absolute monarchy or a dictatorship—where one person holds all the power.
What is an autocracy?