7th Grade Civics End of Course Exam
2015
Explain Montesquieu’s
idea of separation of
powers. How is this
evident in our
government?
Explain John Locke’s idea
of natural rights and
social contract. How is
the idea of social contract
evident in our system of
government?
Origins & Purposes of Gov’t:
Divide the powers of government into different branches so that one branch does
not become too powerful or tyrannical. Three Branches of Government outlined
in Constitution.
Natural rights – if you are born, there are certain rights you are guaranteed. Life,
Liberty, Pursuit of Property. Today, we have natural rights in our Declaration of
Independence (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness).
Social contract – same idea as consent of the governed. Preamble of Constitution
begins with “We the people”
What is the Magna
Carta? What important
principle did we adopt
from that document?
Explain Common Law.
“Great Charter” – King John of England forced to sign. Limited the rights of the
King!! Established principle of Rule of Law. Limited power of government.
What specific ideas
contained in the English
Bill of Rights influenced
our Founding Fathers?
Why are the Mayflower
Compact and the House
of Burgesses significant?
What was the main idea
of Thomas Paine’s
Common Sense?
Freedom from taxation without representation, from cruel & unusual punishment,
right to bear arms. By granting rights to people it limited power of government.
Define mercantilism.
Gain money through exporting more finished goods than importing. $ = Power
Explain how each of the
following played a role in
the causes to the
American Revolution:
Navigation Acts
Stamp Act
Tea Act
How did the phrase “No
taxation without
representation” apply?
Why were the
Townshend Acts called
the Intolerable Acts?
Navigation Acts: Enforced trade between colonies and England
Stamp Act: Taxes on various items in colonies without representation. Repealed
after protests.
Tea Act: Taxes on various items – led to Boston Tea Party. Not repealed.
Type of law that comes from judges’ decision that rely on precedent (previous
cases). Developed in England, influenced our judicial system today – precedent.
M.C. – self-government of the colonies; tradition of direct democracy
House of Burgesses – first representative legislature in North America
It just makes sense for the colonies to revolt from England and King George III and
to rule themselves. Deciding factor in the Second Continental Congress to sign the
Declaration of Independence.
England should not be allowed to tax the colonies if the colonies have no members
in Parliament.
Colonists named them the intolerable acts because they took away the rights of
the colonists (like no cruel and unusual punishment and illegal search and seizure).
How are natural rights
expressed in the
Declaration of
Independence? (identify
them)
Natural Rights vs. Role of
Government: found in
Declaration of
Independence.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident….” Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness.
John Locke.
Give at least four
grievances listed in the
Declaration of
Independence that
conflict with natural
rights? (hint: many are in
the Bill of Rights)
Dissolved representative assemblies in the colonies
Quartering troops
Imposing taxes without consent “No Taxation Without Representation”
Depriving trial by jury
What were the main
weaknesses of the
Articles of
Confederation?
Congress had no power to tax, to regulate trade, or to enforce its laws; the
national government lacked a national court system [judicial branch] and
central leadership [executive branch]; and changes to the Articles required
unanimous consent of the 13 states. Shays’ Rebellion
What is the purpose of
the preamble to the US
Constitution?
Explain why the phrase
“We the People” was
used to illustrate consent
of the governed.
List all six goals of the
preamble. (Remember
the song)
Outlines the goals of the Constitution.
Explain the concept of
“checks and balances”.
Give an example.
Each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others. This
way, no one branch becomes too powerful. Different than separation of powers.
1.
2.
3.
4.
People are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights;
Governments are instituted among men to secure these rights;
Governments derive their just powers from the consent of governed
Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it
is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new
government.
The people elect their leaders and therefore give them permission to rule. The
power of our government is with the people.
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish
justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general
welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
WHO HAS THE POWER?
Directions: Read the powers below and determine which branch of government has the power to complete that action.
EXECUTIVE
LEGISLATIVE (House of Rep/Senate)
JUDICIAL
35. Impeach the President
__________________________________
36. Conduct the Impeachment Trial
_________________________________
37. Pardon Criminals
__________________________________
38. Declare Laws Unconstitutional
__________________________________
39. Overturn lower court decisions
__________________________________
40. Appoint Supreme Court Justices
__________________________________
41. Introduce Tax Bills
__________________________________
42. Power of Veto
__________________________________
43. Propose Constitutional Amendments
__________________________________
44. Declare War
__________________________________
45. Negotiate Treaties
__________________________________
46. Send troops to a foreign country
__________________________________
47. Appoint Ambassadors
__________________________________
48. Approve Treaties and Appointments
__________________________________
Explain the two different
viewpoints of the
Federalists and the AntiFederalists. (specifically
about ratification)
Why did the AntiFederalists demand a Bill
of Rights?
Federalists – Ratify the Constitution
Anti-Federalists - Do not ratify the Constitution; add a Bill of Rights
Explain “Rule of Law”
No one is above the law, no matter who they are. Influences ‘Equal Protection & Justice
Under the Law’
Feared a strong central government would abuse its power against the states, like King
George III and Parliament did.
Roles, Rights, and Responsibilities of Citizens
th
Define citizenship as
stated in the 14th
Amendment.
Describe the process of
naturalization.
14 defines citizenships and protects rights; Done in response to the Black Codes after 13th
Amendment (freed the slaves). Defines two ways to be a citizen: native-born or naturalized.
Native-born is law of blood or law of soil.
Apply for permanent residency visa, apply for citizenship, get fingerprinted, interview, pass
tests on US History and English, take the oath of citizenship. 5 to 7 years.
Describe the difference
between a duty and a
responsibility.
Identify major
responsibilities of
citizens.
Identify major duties of
citizens.
Duty is something you have to do, responsibility is something you should do.
Identify the five freedoms
in the 1st Amendment.
Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly, Petition
voting, attending civic meetings, petitioning government, and running for office. Be
informed, help communities, respect and protect others rights.
Taxes, jury duty, obey the law, attend school, males register for selective service (in
case of a military draft.
WHICH AMENDMENT?
______Protection against Unreasonable Searches and
Seizures
______Protection against Excessive Bails and Fines
______Freedom of Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly,
& Petition
______Right to an attorney
______“Just in Case” Amendment
______Right to Bear Arms
______Protection against the Quartering of Soldiers
______Right to a Trial by Jury
______No Cruel and Unusual Punishment
______Eminent Domain – Taking private land for public
use
______Right to Remain Silent – Do not have to
incriminate yourself
______Right to know what you are being charged with
______States Rights
Explain whether the
Constitution was written
to protect the rights of
the government OR the
rights of the people.
Written to protect the rights of the people. Evidence: “We the People” – Social contract
theory.
Identify the two main
political parties of the
United States.
What is the main
difference between the
two parties when
concerning the amount
of social programs?
Democrats & Republicans
Constitutional
qualifications for
President.
Constitutional
qualifications for House
of Reps.
Constitutional
qualifications for Senate.
35, Native-Born Citizen, lived here for 14 years.
Identify different forms
of mass media that
politicians use to
influence your opinion.
What is the difference
between a lobbyist and a
political action
committee (PAC)?
Give at least three ways
citizens can influence
their elected officials.
TV, internet, radio, film, magazines, books, newspapers
How can bias and
propaganda influence
opinions?
Bias is a preference for or against something that won’t allow someone to make a fair
decision; propaganda is used to influence people’s opinions sometimes giving them a bias.
Both can affect a citizen’s decision making.
Democrats normally are in favor of higher taxes to pay for more social programs.
Republicans are normally in favor of fewer taxes and less social programs.
If a policy encourages more gov’t involvement, most likely a Democratic policy.
25, citizen for 7 years, live in state they want to represent
30, citizen for 9 years, live in state they want to represent
Lobbyist is paid to influence gov’t and the people from different groups; PAC collect money
to fund candidates.
$ Given directly to candidate is hard money; $ to PAC’s is soft money
Write them, petition, vote, call them, go to meetings
Organization and Function of Government
Compare different
forms of government
(direct
democracy,
representative
democracy,
monarchy, oligarchy,
autocracy,
dictatorship)
DD – citizens meet, talks and votes.
RD – citizens elect representatives to make decisions and vote for them.
Monarchy - rule by a king or queen (absolute vs. limited)
Oligarchy – rule by a small group of people
Dictatorship – rule by a single person or party
Autocracy – rule by a single person (similar to dictatorship)
Define federal,
confederal, and
unitary systems of
government.
Unitary – single centralized government (Parliament)
Confederal – alliance of independent states (AoC)
Federal – powers are divided between central gov’t and local govt’s (USA)
Parliament -
Identify the branches of
government along with
their corresponding
Article # in the
Constitution.
What are the main
powers/duties of the
Legislative Branch?
What are the main
powers/duties of the
Executive Branch?
What are the main
powers/duties of the
Judicial Branch?
Article I – Legislative Branch (Congress)
Article II – Executive Branch (President)
Article III – Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)
Compare concurrent
powers, enumerated
powers, reserved
powers, and delegated
powers as they relate to
state and federal
government
Concurrent: powers shared by federal and state gov’ts – taxes
Enumerated (expressed, delegated): Powers given directly to federal gov’t in the
Constitution.
Reserved: Powers set aside by Constitution for the states & people (10th Amendment).
Describe the two ways
that an amendment may
be added to the US
Constitution.
Why is it purposefully
difficult to amend the US
Constitution?
1. Proposal: 2/3’s of Congress or States can suggest an Amendment.
2. Ratification: 3/4’s of State Legislatures or State Conventions vote to ratify.
Analyze the impact of
the 13th, 14th, 15th,
19th, 23rd, 24th, and
26th amendments on
participation of
minority groups in the
American political
process.
Make laws. Pass a budget for the gov’t. Approve presidential appointments/treaties.
Enforce laws. Seven different Presidential roles (e.g., Commander-in-Chief).
Interpret laws. Apply the law fairly to those accused.
The Constitution affects the laws of all of America – we are all impacted by any change, and
any change must be carefully considered.
13th – Freed slaves across the country (unlike Emancipation Proclamation)
14th – Defined citizenship, guaranteed due process & equal protection by the states.
15th – African-American men the right to vote (can’t discriminate based on skin color)
19th – Women’s right to vote.
23rd – DC gets three electoral votes
24th – eliminated the poll tax
26th – lowered voting age from 21 to 18 (Vietnam War)
What are the steps to
how a bill becomes a
law?
1) Idea 2) introduced & named in Congress (budget must start in HoR) 3) Sent to
committee & subcommittees 4) House/Senate Debate & Vote 5) Sent to other
house of Congress for steps 3&4 6)If approved, sent to President to sign or veto.
Congress can override the Prez veto with a ¾ vote
What are the major
leadership roles in
Congress?
What does the
President’s Cabinet do?
Senate: Vice Prez is President of Senate–President Pro Tempore–Majority/Minority Leaders
House of Reps: Speaker of the House, Majority/Minority Leaders
Identify the following
types of law:
Constitutional,
Statutory, Civil,
Criminal, Common
Constitutional: based on Constitution & Supreme Court – Highest, Supremacy Clause
Statutory: Most criminal laws, statutes are at a state level
Common: Based on judges decision (precedent) & common sense
Civil: dispute between people/groups/companies/organizations. Criminal: Crime committed
Identify the hierarchy of
three levels of courts.
What is the difference
between a trial court and
an appellate court?
SAD. Top to bottom: Supreme, Appeals, District
Marbury v. Madison
Established judicial review – ability to overturn congressional laws or executive actions.
Supreme Courts greatest power. Chief Justice John Marshall
Plessy v. Ferguson
Separate but Equal; Home Plessy, octaroon, rode all white rail car. Challenged law, lost and
ensured Jim Crow Laws were legal until Brown v. Board.
Brown v. Board
Separate is not Equal; schools must integrate; NAACP fought case with Thurgood Marshall
(future Supreme Court Justice). Violated equal protection of the 14th Amendment
Gideon v. Wainwright
Wainwright not given a lawyer after arrest because he couldn’t pay. Violates 6th
Amendment; Now defendants get a lawyer for free if they can’t afford one.
Miranda v. Arizona
Miranda did not know his rights & confessed. Violated 5th amendment, self-incrimination.
Now you are read your “Miranda Rights” if arrested.
Tinker v. Des Moines
Tinker family arrested for wearing armbands in school protesting Vietnam War. 1st
Amendment. They won, students have the right to wear them if they do not interrupt
school.
Students working on school newspaper cannot just publish anything they want – 1st
Amendment. School newspaper belongs to school, not kids. Limits free speech is ok.
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
What is the difference
between domestic policy
and foreign policy?
What are the main
differences between
NATO and the UN?
Advises the President in many areas (Secretary of State, Defense & Treasury first three).
Last one created was Dept. of Homeland Security following 2001 attacks.
Trial court are lowest level with original jurisdiction (district) – has a jury
Appellate have appellate jurisdiction and determine if the trial was fair, no jury, panel of
judges decide. Supreme court has both original and appellate jurisdiction
Domestic: Policies that affect what happens inside of our country.
Foreign: Policies that affects relationship between our country and other countries.
NATO – formed after WWII to fight against the spread of Communism in Europe.
UN – formed after WWII so countries can talk out their problems before going to war