Citizenship
Define the term "citizen." (SS.7.CG.2.1)
A person recognized under law as a member of a state/nation
Name one principle from ancient Rome, ancient Greece, or the Judeo-Christian tradition that influenced American government. (SS.7.CG.1.1)
What is... Examples: republicanism (Rome), democracy (Greece), moral/ethical laws (Judeo-Christian).
Name the document that declared the American colonies' independence from Britain. (SS.7.CG.1.5)
What is...Declaration of Independence.
Name the three branches of the U.S. government. (SS.7.CG.3.3)
Legislative, Executive, Judicial.
What is the purpose of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution? (SS.7.CG.1.8)
Preamble states goals such as "establish justice" and "secure the blessings of liberty."
Name one constitutional way a person can become a U.S. citizen. (SS.7.CG.2.1)
What is... By birth in U.S. (jus soli) or through naturalization (or citizenship through parents).
What is the "rule of law"? Give a short definition. (SS.7.CG.1.11)
What is...Rule of law = everyone, including leaders, must follow the law.
Give one grievance listed in the Declaration of Independence in your own words. (SS.7.CG.1.6)
Example grievance: taxation without representation.
Give one main function of the legislative branch. (SS.7.CG.3.7)
Make laws, declare war, approve budgets.
Name one right guaranteed by the First Amendment. (SS.7.CG.2.3)
Freedom of speech (or religion, press, assembly, petition).
Explain the difference between a responsibility and an obligation of citizenship and give one example of each. (SS.7.CG.2.2)
What is...Responsibility = voluntary (e.g., voting); obligation = required by law (e.g., paying taxes, jury duty).
Identify one idea from John Locke or Montesquieu that influenced the Founding Fathers and explain it in one sentence. (SS.7.CG.1.4)
What is... Locke: natural rights; Montesquieu: separation of powers.
Explain one major weakness of the Articles of Confederation that led to the Constitutional Convention. (SS.7.CG.1.7)
Weak federal government, no power to tax, no national judiciary or strong executive
Describe one power of the executive branch and one way it carries out that power. (SS.7.CG.3.8)
Executive enforces laws; example: President issues executive orders, enforces federal law through agencies.
Explain the amendment process in Article V in one or two sentences. (SS.7.CG.3.5)
Article V: amendment proposed by 2/3 of Congress or national convention and ratified by 3/4 of states.
Describe how fulfilling civic obligations and responsibilities can impact society. Provide one clear example. (SS.7.CG.2.2)
What is... Voting (responsibility) leads to representation that affects laws; paying taxes (obligation) funds public services.
List two documents (other than the U.S. Constitution) that shaped colonists’ views of government. (SS.7.CG.1.3)
What is... Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, English Bill of Rights, Common Sense
Contrast one key belief of the Federalists and one key concern of the Anti-Federalists about ratifying the Constitution. (SS.7.CG.1.10)
Federalists: strong central government; Anti-Federalists: wanted bill of rights and more state power.
Explain the role of the judicial branch in one sentence. (SS.7.CG.3.9)
Judicial interprets laws, resolves disputes, reviews constitutionality.
Choose one of these amendments—13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 24th, or 26th—and explain how it broadened political participation. (SS.7.CG.3.6)
13th abolished slavery; 14th guaranteed equal protection; 15th, 19th, 24th, 26th expanded voting rights by race, gender, poll tax abolition, and lowering voting age.
A student is born abroad to U.S. citizen parents. Explain whether that student is a U.S. citizen at birth and why. (SS.7.CG.2.1)
What is ... Yes — children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents may be U.S. citizens at birth due to law of blood.
Trace how the principle of separation of powers helps prevent abuse of government power, including one specific example of a check one branch has on another. (SS.7.CG.1.4; SS.7.CG.1.11)
What is... Separation of powers divides duties among branches; e.g., Congress makes laws, President can veto, courts can rule laws unconstitutional.
Describe how British policies before the Revolution contributed to colonists deciding to write the Declaration of Independence. Use one specific policy as evidence. (SS.7.CG.1.5)
Example: Intolerable Acts punished Massachusetts — increased colonial unity and calls for independence.
Describe how separation of powers and checks and balances limit government power, and give one specific example involving two branches. (SS.7.CG.1.9)
Example: Congress passes a law, President vetoes, courts review constitutionality — limits power.
Describe how the Bill of Rights safeguards individual rights and give one concrete classroom-level example of a right protected by the Constitution. (SS.7.CG.2.4; SS.7.CG.2.3)
First Amendment protects free speech—students can express opinions within certain school limits.