Student Name:
Student ID:
Dear parents/guardians,
Next year in Social Studies your child will be taking the Civics End of Course
Assessment. To better ensure his/her success, it is HIGHLY recommended that this
summer packet be completed. Students who complete summer packet will be
receiving extra credit in their 2016-2017 Civics Class. You will also note possible
school supplies and resources that will be utilized in the upcoming school year.
We look forward to a successful and educational year. See you next year!
Regards,
The W.R. Thomas Civics Team
What will I learn in Civics in the first 9 weeks?
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
WHAT IS CIVICS?
 Purpose of Government
 Rule of law
 U.S. Citizenship
 Civic Roles, Rights and Responsibilities
FOUNDATIONS OF GOVERNMENT:
 Enlightenment ideas of John Locke and Montesquieu
 Influence from England’s early government
i. Magna Carta
ii. English Bill of Rights
iii. Mayflower Compact
iv. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
 Declaration of Independence
 Colonial Complaints
 Specific Grievances vs. Natural Rights
CREATING THE US CONSTITUTION:
 Articles of Confederation
i. Debt
ii. Shay’s Rebellion
iii. Weaknesses
 Constitutional Convention
i. Plans
ii. Compromises
 Federalists vs Anti-Federalists
POLITICAL PARTICIPATION:
 Current Political Party ideals
i. Communist
ii. Democratic
iii. Libertarian
iv. Republican
v. Socialist
 Qualification/experience
 issue-based platforms of candidates for political office
 Election/Voting process (mock election)
MONITORING GOVERNMENT:
 Media Influence
 Interest Group Influence
i. Political Action Committees
ii. Special interest groups and lobbying
 Individual Influence (watchdog)
 Media/ Political Communication (Bias, symbolism and propaganda )
Basic Civics School Supply List
** NOTE: Additional supplies will be needed depending on the teacher/class your child is
placed in.
College Rule Notebook Paper
1 Ream of white or colored computer paper
1 box of Markers or coloring pencils
Headphones (for tablet use)
2 GB (minimum) Flash drive
Blue or black ink pens
2 mechanical pencils --or-- 2 pencils w/ sharpener (must be #2)
1 Checking Pen (ink must either be: red, green, purple or pink)
1 Highlighter
Optional Textbook Resource: Students will be given the opportunity to purchase a Civics
End of Course Exam workbook for $15.
Summer Activity Timeline:
June Activities
July Activities
August Activities
Register on www.icivics.org Go to:
Get school supplies during
- Click Join iCivics
http://www.americanhistor TAX FREE WEEKEND:
- Register as a student y.si.edu/citizenship/
August 5th –7th 2016
(you will need to
Take the sample
remember your
Citizenship test.
email, username,
and password)
Play games on
Play games on
Play games on
www.iCivics.org
www.iCivics.org
www.iCivics.org
(play 2-3 games per week) (play 2-3 games per week) (play 2-3 games per week)
Watch at least one Movie each month and complete movie reviews attached for the
selected movie. You can choose from the movies below. You need to pick at least
one per month of summer vacation. Extra credit will be offered for reviews
completed.
o Robin Hood (2010)
o Bridge of Spies (2015)
o National Treasure (2004)
o Lincoln (2012)
o 12 Angry Men (1957 or 1997)
Movie Review: Robin Hood (2010)
BEFORE THE MOVIE
Highlight your 3 favorite characters based on their description
Robin Hood is a fictional character who, returning from fighting in the Crusades, finds
that his familial land has been appropriated by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham. A master
archer, Robin joins forces with a band of renegades (his "Merry Men") and attempts to
end the reign of the Sheriff. (Played by Russell Crowe)
Richard the "Lionheart" (1157-1199) was the third of five sons born to Henry II of England
and Eleanor of Aquitaine, but was the older of the only two to survive their father (the
other being John). He led several rebellions against his father. Richard was crowned
king of England in 1189, and reigned until his death in 1199.
Sir Godfrey a fictional nobleman of England, based on the character common in Robin
Hood tales named Sir Guy of Gisbourne, although he allies himself with John, he is a
traitor, plotting with the French
Lady Marian is the female companion to the legendary Robin Hood. (Played by Cate
Blanchett)
Prince/King John (1167–1216) was King of England from 1199 until his death. Apart from
entering popular legend as the enemy of Robin Hood, he is perhaps best-known for
having signed, a document which limited kingly power in England and which is
popularly thought of as an early step in the evolution of limited government.
William Marshall (1146-1219) was the son of John Marshall, a minor Anglo-Norman lord in
England
Eleanor of Aquitane (1122 –1204) was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women
in Western Europe during the High Middle Ages. As well as being Duchess of Aquitaine in
her own right, she was queen consort of France and queen consort of England. Her
sons, Richard and John were both Kings of England.
Friar Tuck is a companion to Robin Hood in the legends. He is a common character in
modern Robin Hood stories, which depict him as a jovial friar and one of Robin's Merry
Men.
Little John Companion of Robin Hood, he is the tallest and the largest member of the
band of Merry Men.
Will Scarlet Companion of Robin Hood
Alan-a-Dale Companion of Robin Hood
Sheriff of Nothingham One of the main villians from the Robin Hood stories.
Isabella of Angoulême (1188-1246) Countess of Angoulême in France and queen
consort of England as the second wife of King John. She was queen from August 24,
1200 until John's death on October 19, 1216. She had five children by the king including
his heir Henry who succeeded John as Henry III of England.
Sir Walter Loxley Father of Robert Loxley, and Father-in-law to Marian
Sir Robert Loxley Loxley is one of the locations claimed as the birthplace of Robin Hood.
The forest Loxley Chase extended as far south east as Nottinghamshire in the 12th
century where it joined up with Sherwood Forest. It is maintained that Robin of Locksley
or Robert Locksley was born in the area in 1160. SOURCE: www.imdb.com
DURING THE MOVIE
Answer the Questions
1. What happens in Nottingham at the beginning of the film?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Did Robin Longstride or, as he is better known, Robin Hood really ever exist?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Who is in control of the government in England while King Richard is on his way home
from his Crusade?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
4. How do Robin Longstride and King Richard first meet?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
5. What does Robin tell King Richard about their Crusade? Why did the Muslim woman
pity them?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
6. What are King Phillip of France and Godfrey conspiring to do?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
7. What happens to Richard while the English are seizing the castle?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
8. What does Robert Loxley ask of Robin Longstride?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
9. Who ends up with the King’s crown?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
10. What business does Lady Marian have with Friar Tuck?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
11. What does Longstride find written on Loxley’s sword when he inspects it on the ship?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
12. What “reward” does King John give Robin for delivering the news about the King?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
13. When the Sheriff of Nottingham tries to kiss Marian, what does she do?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
14. How does King John want to solve England’s debt/money problems?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
15. How does Marian find out that her husband has died?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
16. What does Walter Loxley ask Robin to do before dinner?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
17. What does Walter ask of Robin in exchange for his sword?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
18. Describe what you see as Marian and Robin ride through the manor.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
19. What is the first act we see of Robin Hood and his men stealing from the rich to feed
the poor?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
20. What has 18 legs and isn’t going anywhere?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
21. What happens to the people who cannot pay their taxes?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
22. What are the French planning to do?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
23. What advice does Marshall give to King John?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
24. Why does Godfrey intend to head to Nottingham?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
25. What does Walter tell Robin about his father?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
26. Why was Robin’s father killed?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
27. What does the baron tell King John about the laws?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
28. What does Robin tell his men the inscription of the statue means?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
29. Does it seem like John is being honest about creating the ‘Great
Charter’?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
30. Why does Walter attack Godfrey?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
31. How does Marian find out about Walter’s death?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
32. What happens on the beach?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
33. What happens to Godfrey?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
34. How does King John define divine right?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
35. What does the King declare about Robin ‘of the Hood’?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
AFTER THE MOVIE
Answer the Questions
** What year is King John eventually forced to sign the ‘Great Charter’? _________
** What was that ‘Great Charter’ Called? ____________________________________________
** What is the definition of Rule of Law?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
** Why was that ‘Great Charter’ considered rule of law?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Movie Review: Bridge of Spies (2015)
BEFORE THE MOVIE
Read the Movie Summary/Introduction
Bridge of Spies is a 2015 American historical drama-thriller film directed by Steven
Spielberg from a screenplay written by Matt Charman and Ethan Coen and Joel Coen.
The film stars Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, and Alan Alda. Based on the 1960 U2 incident during the Cold War, the film tells the story of lawyer James B. Donovan who is
entrusted with negotiating the release of Francis Gary Powers—a pilot whose U-2 spy
plane was shot down over the Soviet Union—in exchange for Rudolf Abel, a captive
Soviet KGB spy held under the custody of the United States. Bridge of Spies - The name
of the film refers to the Glienicke Bridge, which connects Potsdam with Berlin, where the
spy exchange took place.
1957 - The Height of the Cold War. The United States and the Soviet Union Fear Each
other’s nuclear capabilities and intentions Both sides deploy spies and hunt for them.
DURING THE MOVIE
Answer Questions
1. At the start of the movie Rudolf Abel a soviet KGB spy is being followed by U.S.
agents. Abel goes to a park and is painting a picture of the Brooklyn Bridge. What does
Abel find under a park bench?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
note inside
2. When the U.S. agents confront Rudolf Abel in his apartment, why does Mr. Abel ask to
clean up his paints? He wants to
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
3. At the start of the movie James Donovan is an insurance attorney who is asked to
defend Rudolf Abel. Why is it important Rudolf be seen as getting a fair trial? American
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
4a. When James Donovan sits down to dinner with his family and tells them about the
Rudolf Abel case they compare Abel to the Rosenberg’s. Why does Donovan insist that
Rudolf Abel is not a traitor like the Rosenberg’s?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
4b. Who are the Rosenberg’s? Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were U.S. citizens who sold
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
5. Rudolf Abel has three official charges against him. 1) Conspiracy to transmit United
States defensive atomic secrets to the Soviet Union 2) Conspiracy to gather secrets and
… what is the third charge? Failing to
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
6. When Abel is arrested and interrogated, is he beaten? __________
7. What does the U.S. government offer Rudolf Abel if he cooperates with them? Money
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
8. Why is Rudolf Abel not alarmed by the fact that everyone in America is interested in
sending him to the electric chair? His response to Donovan is “Would it help?”
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
9. After taking lie detector tests and getting top level security clearance Gary Powers
and the other “drivers” are told what they will be doing in their new role of gathering
information. It is reinforced to them that they cannot be shot down and they cannot be
captured. What government agency are the drivers told they are working for? C.I.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
A.
10. How does the Judge respond to James Donovan’s request to delay the Trial? Not
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
is denied and the Judge expresses his hope for a conviction.
11. Who is following James Donovan in the rain? Why? C.I.A. agent Hoffman – wants
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Donovan to
12. How does Donovan respond? Donovan will follow the constitution and not violate
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
client privilege.
13. When the pilots are shown the U-2 at Peshawar air Station in Pakistan how are they
told to refer to the plane in the future? The Article.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
14. With an 80 foot wing span and a max speed of 430 MPH, what is the cruising altitude
of the airplane? 70,000 ft.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
15. With a 4500 millimeter lens X3, the camera on board the Article is 4X’s more powerful
than any other reconnaissance camera ever used. At 70,000 how many square miles of
territory and be photographed with one pass? 2000 square miles
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
16a. Why does James Donovan file a motion disputing the evidence gathered against
Rudolf Abel?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
16b. How does the court rule on this motion? The evidence against Abel was gathered
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
search warrant. The court denied the motion.
17. How were children in the 1950’s informed in school about the atomic bomb? Survival
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
18. How do people on the train respond to James Donovan when they realize he is
defending Rudolf Abel?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Disapproval and condemning looks
19. How does the Jury rule on the three counts against Rudolf Abel? Guilty on all three
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
20. Why does Rudolf Abel compare James Donovan to “The Standing Man”? He
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
fight on.
21. Why does Donovan visit the Judge at his home? To talk to the Judge
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
about the Sentencing
22. Why does Donovan believe it is in the United States best interest not to execute
Rudolf Abel?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
in a similar situation in the near future.
23. How does Judge Mortimer Byers rule in the sentencing? Imprisonment
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
for 30 years
24. What happens to James Donovan’s home shortly after the sentencing?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Someone does a drive by shooting to intimidate Donovan and his family
25. Should it become necessary to abandon the aircraft over Soviet territory what
instructions are the pilots given? 2.5 explosive charge in the fuselage – destroy the plane
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
26. Why are the pilots given the silver dollar? It has a pin hidden inside it and if they
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
skin with it they will die instantly. Spend the dollar
27. When Powers is shot down, is he able to push the self-destruct button in the plane?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
No
28. How did the U.S. President attempt to explain the missing plane? A
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
NASSA weather plane had disappeared
29. How did the Supreme Court rule in Rudolf Abel’s Case? Against 5-4
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
30. What sentence does Francis Gary Powers receive from the Soviet Court?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
10 years of confinement with first 3 years in prison
31. Who was John Foster Dulles? Why does the Government what James Donovan to
negotiate the Trade? Secretary of State – Donovan is a private
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
32. What is happening in Berlin during this period? If Soviet Checkpoints continue to be
unsuccessful in preventing continued hemorrhaging to the West side what might the
Soviets build to prevent it? A wall
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
33. Why does the American Graduate student from Yale Frederic Pryor cross over to East
Germany? He is trying to help is girlfriend and her father
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
34. What happens to Mr. Donovan’s Coat when he gets to East Berlin? A
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
gang of boys steal it.
35. Who does Mr. Donovan meet at the Soviet Embassy? Rudolf Abel’s
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
family - wife, daughter and cousin
36. In the movie how is the Soviet treatment of Powers in prison portrayed? Powers is
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
poorly, Sleep deprived and interrogated constantly.
37. When Mr. Donovan is riding in Mr. Vogel’s car what happens? Mr. Vogel drives to
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
38. Mr. Donovan returns to East Germany to negotiate with the German leader. When
Mr. Donovan is asked to leave what message is given to the young aid? The deal
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
returned.
39. Why is it possible that Abel will be shot by the Soviets?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
If they believe Abel has given secrets to the west.
40. Following his return to Russia what happened to Rudolf Abel? Re
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
united with his wife and daughter
41. What happened to Gary Powers in 1977? Died in a
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
licopter crash
44. Where is Frederic L. Pryor currently Professor Emeritus of Economics? Swarthmore
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
45. What future President asked Mr. Donovan to undertake further negotiations on
behalf of the United States? Kennedy – Cuba – 1,113 prisoners fro
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
m the
Bay of Pigs invasion
Movie Review: National Treasure (2004)
Movie Review: Lincoln (2012)
BEFORE THE MOVIE
Read & Rewrite the Gettysburg Address
Note: “The Gettysburg Address” was delivered November 19, 1863?) By: president
Abraham Lincoln. Following the Battle of Gettysburg (Civil War) Abraham Lincoln gave
the Gettysburg Address during the dedication of the cemetery for Union soldiers who
fought and died in the battle. In the address Lincoln expressed the great need for
Americans to remember the sacrifice made by these soldiers.
Four score and seven years ago our fathers
brought forth, upon this continent, a new
nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to
the proposition that "all men are created
equal."
Now we are engaged in a great civil war,
testing whether that nation, or any nation so
conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure.
We are met on a great battle field of that war.
We have come to dedicate a portion of it, as a
final resting place for those who died here,
that the nation might live. This we may, in all
propriety do. But, in a larger sense, we can not
dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not
hallow, this ground—The brave men, living
and dead, who struggled here, have hallowed
it, far above our poor power to add or detract.
The world will little note, nor long remember
what we say here; while it can never forget
what they did here.
It is rather for us, the living, we here be
dedicated to the great task remaining before us
—that, from these honored dead we take
increased devotion to that cause for which they
here, gave the last full measure of devotion—
that we here highly resolve these dead shall
not have died in vain; that the nation, shall
have a new birth of freedom, and that
government of the people by the people for the
people, shall not perish from the earth.
Rewrite in your own words:
Rewrite in your own words:
Rewrite in your own words:
DURING THE MOVIE
Lincoln Movie Analysis Report
Early in the “Lincoln” movie (Scene 7), President Lincoln provides a lengthy defense of
his wartime emancipation policy to his Cabinet when he encounters some objections to
the move toward abolition from Secretary of Interior John P. Usher. Read the following
excerpt closely and try to identify Lincoln’s key arguments:
I decided that the Constitution gives me war
powers, but no one knows just exactly what
those powers are. Some say they don’t exist. I
don’t know. I decided I needed them to exist
to uphold my oath to protect the Constitution,
which I decided meant that I could take the
rebels’ slaves from ‘em as property
confiscated in war. That might recommend to
suspicion that I agree with the rebs that their
slaves are property in the first place. Of
course I don’t, never have, I’m glad to see any
man free, and if calling a man property, or
war contraband, does the trick… Why I
caught at the opportunity.
Rewrite in your own words:
Now here’s where it gets truly slippery. I use
the law allowing for the seizure of property in
a war knowing it applies only to the property
of governments and citizens of belligerent
nations.
But the South ain’t a nation, that’s why I can’t
negotiate with ’em. So if in fact the Negroes
are property according to law, have I the right to
take the rebels’ property from ‘em, if I insist
they’re rebels only, and not citizens of a
belligerent country? And slipperier still: I
maintain it ain’t our actual Southern states in
rebellion, but only the rebels living in those states,
the laws of which states remain in force. The laws
of which states remain in force. That means, that
since it’s states’ laws that determine whether
Negroes can be sold as slaves, as property – the
Federal government doesn’t have a say in that,
least not yet (He glances at Seward) then Negroes
in those states are slaves, hence property, hence
my war powers allow me to confiscate ‘em as
such. So I confiscated ‘em. But if I’m a respecter
of states’ laws, how then can I legally free ‘em
with my proclamation, as I done, unless I’m
cancelling states’ laws? I felt the war demanded
it; my oath demanded it; I felt right with myself;
and I hoped it was legal to do it, I’m hoping still.
Rewrite in your own words:
Rewrite in your own words:
AFTER THE MOVIE
Answer Questions
1. What was the Emancipation Proclamation?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Why was the 13th amendment the only way to truly end slavery in the United
States?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
3. What were the social, political, economical, and cultural impacts of the 13th
amendment?
Social Impact
Political Impact
Economic Impact
Cultural Impact
Movie Review: 12 Angry Men (1957 or 1997)
BEFORE THE MOVIE
Read/Highlight About Time Period (Via Eisenhower)
A. During the 1950's observers began to refer to the United States as the world's first
affluent, or wealthy, society. They pointed out that the American economy had
gone beyond merely satisfying the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter. It now
produced an increasing volume and wide variety of "luxury" goods and services.
These benefits were widely distributed among a large number of Americans. Dwight
David Eisenhower, the supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe during 1944
and 1945, was America's greatest hero in the postwar years. In 1952, the
Republicans chose him to win the White House back after twenty straight years of
Democratic chief executives. No Republican had occupied the White House since
Herbert Hoover, whom much of the country had blamed for the crash and
Depression. In the 1952 election, Eisenhower soundly defeated liberal Democrat
Adlai E. Stevenson and went on to serve two terms in the White House. He left such
a mark that the 1950s became popularly known as the Eisenhower years or "the Ike
Age."
B. The period of Eisenhower's Presidency was a time of relative peace and national
unity. The Cold War eased, and the United States enjoyed a peak of postwar
prosperity, without serious inflation or unemployment. Most Americans supported
Eisenhower. They were attracted to his appealing fatherly image and regarded him
as a symbol of hope and confidence.
C. Eisenhower wanted to be known as a President who was above politics and who
represented all Americans. Therefore, he did not try to be a strong and active
President like Roosevelt or Truman. Eisenhower used the powers of his office to set
broad policy guidelines. But he left the details to the White House staff and cabinet
members. Eisenhower also stressed a peaceful working relationship with Congress
and avoided open criticism of the Supreme Court, Modern Republicanism.
Eisenhower's approach to government was what he called "modern
Republicanism." This meant backing the basic New Deal reforms while opposing
more expansion of the federal government in social and economic affairs.
D. Above all Eisenhower supported a free-enterprise economy, in which business
could operate with a minimum of government interference. He also wanted to halt
the relentless growth of the federal government, and he suggested that the states
take over many of its existing programs. During his first term, Eisenhower set out to
achieve these goals. He promised to reduce government spending, balance the
federal budget, and cut taxes. However, new needs forced government spending
to increase. The largest increases were for defense, social security, and veterans
benefits. Eisenhower himself even reversed course and favored a limited growth of
federal involvement in housing, medical care, and education. For example, in 1955
he signed into law a housing act that financed the building of 45,000 new homes
E.
F.
G.
H.
over a four-year period.
Interested in creating favorable conditions for business growth, the Eisenhower
administration backed projects for improving water and highway transportation.
With the cooperation of Canada, construction was started on the Saint Lawrence
Seaway. By the time of its completion in 1959, the seaway had created an inland
waterway connecting ports in the Great Lakes region with the Atlantic Ocean. The
administration also promoted the Federal Highway Aid Act of 1956. This law
provided federal money for an interstate highway network linking the nation's major
cities. At completion, the network would consist of 42,000 miles (67,200 kilometers)
of highways. When Eisenhower left office in 1961, more than 7500 miles (12,000
kilometers) were already open to traffic. The Highway Act received strong support
from car manufacturers. It furthered the postwar boom in automobile production
and sales. As a result, the automobile became the chief means of transportation in
the United States.
During his first term, Eisenhower also carried out the government reorganization
begun under Truman. The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare was
created in 1953. Now there were two departments – the Department of Education
and the Department of Health and Human Services. The administration responded
to the threat of communism in its own way. It enforced a loyalty program in the
federal government. In 1954, with Eisenhower's support, Congress passed the
Communist Control Act. This law limited the legal rights of the American Communist
party and made membership in it virtually illegal.
The second Eisenhower term was less tranquil than the first. The United States faced
many serious problems at home and abroad. In the fall of 1956 American foreign
policy suffered major setbacks in the Suez and Hungarian crises. After the 1957
launch of Sputnik 1, many Americans wondered whether the United States was
losing its lead in science and technology to the Soviets. As a result, American
schools shifted their emphasis from the humanities to the sciences. At the same time
racial violence in various parts of the United States showed that real equality still
had to be won for many of the nation's citizens.
In 1959 two new states were added to the union. On January 3 Eisenhower issued a
proclamation making Alaska the 49th state – the first new state since Arizona and
New Mexico joined the Union in 1912. On August 21, Hawaii became the 50th state.
As Eisenhower's second term came to an end, he made it clear that, although he
was famous as a man of war, he wanted to be remembered as a President of
peace. In his January 1961 farewell address to the nation, he expressed his concern
about the growth of the "military-industrial complex," or the close involvement of
government and industry in preparing for war.
(Stephen B. Oates. Portrait of America. From Reconstruction to the Present. 1999. University of
Massachusetts: Boston, USA. - P. 316)
DURING THE MOVIE
Juror Characteristic & Argument Charts
Juror
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3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Juror Characteristics
Order
of
Voting
“Not
Guilty”
Use the chart to take notes about 5 of the arguments brought up during jury deliberation
in the movie:
Argument 1
Argument 2
Argument 3
Argument 4
Argument 5
AFTER THE MOVIE
Answer Question
What is the importance of the role of juries in the American Legal System?
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Turn in your
review to your
Civics Teacher
within the first
3 weeks of school!