WINGS EOC TUTORING

Foundations: Background to American History

American Revolution

Americans won their independence during the American Revolution

Jonathan Trumbull was the only colonial governor to side with the colonists

John Peter Muhlenberg was a Protestant minister who recruited soldiers and rose to the rank of general

Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson

Issued on July 4, 1776Based on the concepts of John LockeExplained the reasons for splitting with Great

BritainPurpose of government is to protect

individuals unalienable rights to “life liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness.”

These rights can not be taken away.

Signers of the Declaration of Independence

John Hancock: President of the 2nd Continental Congress. Boston Merchant. His signature has become an icon.

Benjamin Rush: Father of American Medicine. Favored the education of women.

Charles CarrollJohn Witherspoon

U.S. Constitution

First national government established by the new United States was a weak association. (Articles of Confederation)

US Constitution established the basic structure of our national government

Created a national executive, a two-house legislature (Congress) and a national judiciary.

John Jay was the nation’s first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Principles of Government

Limited government - There are some things our government can not do.

The separation of power – National government is divided into three branches (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)

Federalism – Our government has two layers (Federal and state)

Checks and balances – No one branch has more power than the other two

Popular sovereignty – We elect our representatives (people have the power)

The Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights was added to the constitution in the form of the first ten amendments to further protect individual rights from government abuse.

First Amendment protects the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and the right of citizens to petition their government

Second Amendment protects the right of citizens to bear arms

Third Amendment says that government cannot “quarter” soldiers in private homes without their consent.

Bill of Rights Continued

Fourth Amendment protects people from “unreasonable searches”.

Fifth Amendment protects individuals from double jeopardy and from being forced to incriminate themselves, and further guarantees citizens “just compensation” for property taken by government’s right of eminent domain.

Sixth Amendment guarantees those accused of a crime a fair and public trial by a jury and the assistance of a lawyer

Bill of Rights Continued

Seventh Amendment guarantees jury trials in some civil cases.

Eighth Amendment prevents judges from setting bail that is too high, or from inflicting “cruel and unusual” punishments.

Ninth Amendment lists certain rights and does not deny other rights.

Tenth Amendment reserves powers not granted to the federal government

Alexis de Tocqueville

Frenchman who came to US to study American culture

1831Identified several characteristics in Americans

that were not present in Europeans. Egalitarianism: Belief in the equality of all peoples Populism: Participation of the common people in political

life Liberty: Protection against tyrannical government. Individualism: No hereditary distinctions and individuals

believed they could rise in society. Laissez-faire: Government was limited in their control of

society and the economy.

After the Civil War

Thirteenth Amendment: Ends slaveryFourteenth Amendment: All citizens

guaranteed “due process” and “equal protection” by the state governments

Fifteenth Amendment: Prohibits denying individuals their voting rights on the basis of race.

Mottos

1782 “E Pluribus Unum” Out of Many comes one.

1956 “In God We Trust” Courts have ruled that its meaning is ceremonial, not religious.