America's Political Heritage (Chapter 4) Exam Study Guide

Chapter 4: America's Political Heritage Civics

AMERICA’S POLITICAL HERITAGE (CHAPTER 4) Study Guide

Important Vocabulary Terms . Republic – a government in which citizens elect representatives to make laws . Direct Democracy – a form of government in which laws are made directly by the citizens . Constitution – a plan of government . Legislature – a group of people chosen to make laws . Tyranny – an abuse of power

American Rights (Colonial vs. Today) . John Peter Zenger  Understand that in Colonial America, under British rule, their was no freedom of speech, or freedom of the press, or right to a speedy trial (Zenger was kept in jail for 9 months!)

. Voting Rights  In Colonies: Only white men who owned land could vote, voting was done in public  Today: All people 18 years or older can vote, people of all races and wealth can vote, voting is done in private

European Influences on American Government . Ancient Greece – Gave America the idea of direct democracy where people have an influence in their government . Ancient Rome – Gave America the idea of having citizens choose representatives to speak for them in government . England – Gave America the idea that the leader of the government was not above the law, people should not be taxed without their consent, and that people accused of a crime should have a jury trial . John Locke – Said that all people have natural rights (life, liberty, and property) and that when the people no longer feel the government is acting in their favor they (the people) have the right to change their government . Baron de Montesquieu – Said the government should be split into three branches so one person does not get to much power and become a tyrant

Road to Independence . Lexington and Concord – was the first military battle of the Revolutionary War . First Continental Congress – tried to convince the British to respect the rights of the colonists (the British didn’t care, and didn’t listen) Chapter 4: America's Political Heritage Civics

. Second Continental Congress – adopted the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation . Articles of Confederation – the first ‘constitution’ of the United States Road to Independence Timeline Know the order in which the events that lead to American Independence occurred: 1. French and Indian War 2. First Continental Congress Meets (1774) 3. Thomas Paine writes Common Sense 4. Declaration of Independence is written (1776) 5. Articles of Confederation are ratified (1781)

French and Indian War . Was a war between Britain and the French and Indians . Britain won the war . Since Britain won land claims in North America changed  Britain gained large amounts of land . Guerrilla Warfare  The French used guerrilla warfare when fighting the British. They hid behind trees and wore camouflage clothing to blend in to their surroundings when attacking the British  The British fought in a European style. They stood on the battlefield in straight lines and fired at the enemy.  The British realized they had to change the way that they fought war in North America.

Declaration of Independence . Read over the Declaration of Independence . Was written mainly by Thomas Jefferson . It declared America’s Independence from Great Britain . It listed the complaints that the colonists had with Great Britain o Some were: King George refused to pass laws, he taxed without the consent of the colonists, and he declared war on the colonies

Revolutionary War . Sugar Act – a British tax placed on things like sugar and tea in the colonies . Stamp Act – a British tax placed on things like newspapers and legal documents in the colonies

Articles of Confederation . It was the first constitution of the United States . It created many problems in the young government (law and order was difficult to uphold) Chapter 4: America's Political Heritage Civics

. The States had more power than the national government (which was not a good thing) . It established a weak system of government o Congress Had Power To: Establish a Postal System, Create an Army and Navy, and Print and Borrow Money o Congress Had No Power To: Enforce Its Own Laws, Collect Taxes, and Raise or Draft Troops Into Service