Study Guide: Civics EOC Exam
John Locke: What ideas is he known for?

Natural Law/Rights

Government protects Life, liberty and property.

Influenced the Declaration of Independence
What is the social contract?
People gave away power to rule and some rights, but get back protection from the government
Montesquieu: How did he influence the “Founding Fathers?”

His Separation of powers will convince the founders to separate the government into three
parts. The Legislative, Executive and Judicial
What are three concepts found in the Magna Carta that influenced the Founding Fathers?

Limited Government

Trial by Jury

Stronger control by Parliament
List two rights that are found in the English Bill of Rights that are found in the US Bill of Rights:

Freedom of Speech First Amendment

No Cruel and Unusual Punishment 8th Amendment
Name two concepts in the Mayflower Compact that influenced the Founding Fathers:

Self-Government

Rule of Law (no One is above the law)
What did Thomas Paine's Common Sense influence the Founding Fathers to do?
Declare their Independence from Great Britain
List three things that the British did that made the Colonists angry?

Stamp Act

Quartering Act

Tea Act
Who was the "Grievances" of the Declaration of Independence addressed to? The king of England
George III
What rights did Thomas Jefferson say every American is entitled to in the Declaration of
Independence? Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness
Which Enlightenment philosopher influenced Jefferson in the "Natural Rights" section of the
Declaration of Independence? John Locke
List three weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation:

No power to tax

Could not regulate trade

Could not enforce laws
List the goals of the Preamble and describe what they mean:

We the people-popular sovereignty

A more perfect union- make a better country

Establish justice- fairness and equality-courts

Ensure domestic tranquility- keep the peace

Provide for the common defense-military

Promote the general welfare- help the people

Secure the blessings of liberty- freedom

To ourselves and posterity- Forever
Define: Separation of Power:
To divide the government into three separate, yet equal parts. The legislative, judicial, and executive
branches.
Define Checks and Balances:
Each branch of government has certain powers that will keep the other branches equal
Provide an Example of Checks and Balances for each branch:

Legislative- Makes the laws of our nation and confirms the president’s nominations

Executive- Enforces the laws. The president can veto laws passed by congress.

Judicial- Interprets the law. Can declare laws and actions as unconstitutional
Define the Rule of Law: Protects citizens from abuses of power by leaders following the law. No one is
above the law.
What President demonstrated the Rule of Law: Richard Nixon
List two “sources” of American Law:

Code of Hammurabi

English Common Law
List four “types” of law:

Civil Disputes between individuals

Criminal- Breaking the law

Constitutional Powers of the government

Military- Rules for soldiers
Which Amendment defined citizenship?
The 14th amendment
List five “qualifications” for becoming a naturalized citizen:

Be at least 18 years of age

Be a lawful resident

Have lived in the U.S. for five years

Be of good moral character

Know basic English
What are the two ways to become a natural born citizen?

Law of Soil anyone born on U.S. soil is a citizen

Law of Blood- anyone born abroad to US parents is a citizen.
List the six steps to become a naturalized citizen:
1. Live in the U.S. for five years
2. Fill out an application for citizenship
3. Fingerprint and background check
4. Interview
5. Pass the Civics and English test
6. Take the Oath of Allegiance
List four “obligations” of US citizens:
1. Obey the law
2. Pay Taxes
3. Serve on a Jury
4. Defend the Nation
List four “responsibilities” of citizenship:
1. Vote
2. Attend Civic Meeting
3. Petition the government
4. Run for Political Office
List the 10 Amendments in the Bill of Rights:
1. Freedom of speech, religion, assembly, press, and petition
2. Right to bear arms
3. No quartering of soldiers
4. Privacy and protection from unlawful search and seizure
5. Right of persons accused of a crime. No self-incrimination
6. Rights of persons on trial for a crime. You have the right to know who is testifying against you.
7. The right to a jury trial in civil cases
8. No cruel and unusual punishment/excessive bail
9. Rights kept by the people. Just because the right is not listed doesn’t mean you don’t have it.
10. Powers not listed as belonging to the national government shall be for the states (Reserved Powers)
Define the following Amendments:
13thAbolished slavery
14th Citizenship defined, Due process, Equal Protection
15th Black men could vote
19th: Women’s suffrage (vote)
24th: Abolished Poll Taxes ( It was supposed to keep poor people from voting)
26th: Lowered voting age to 18
List the outcomes of the following Landmark Supreme Court Cases:
Marbury v. Madison Established Judicial Review
Plessy v. Ferguson: Separate but Equal is allowed
Brown v. Board of Education: Segregation is unlawful
Gideon v. Wainright: If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided by the state.
Miranda v. Arizona: Must be informed of your constitutional rights 5th the right to remain silent and 6th
the right to an attorney
In re’ Gault: Juveniles have the same rights as adults such as having a lawyer, confronting witnesses, no
self-incrimination
Tinker v. Des Moines: Students have the right to free speech and this includes more than words.
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier: There are limits to free speech in school and would put limits on the Tinker
decision
US v. Nixon: Rule of Law, not even the president is above the law.
Bush v. Gore: Stops recount of presidential vote in Florida with Bush winning
Describe the following Political Parties:
Democrats: Donkey



Higher Taxes
Business Regulations
Help people in need with special programs
Republicans: Elephant

Less government programs

Lower Taxes

Less Business Regulation
Libertarians:

Maximum Freedom and limited government
Socialist:

Government controls business

Welfare programs to help people such as health care and education
Communists:

Workers and people control business

Most are dictatorships such as former Soviet Union and China
List the Constitutional Qualifications for the following offices:
President:

35 years of age resident for 14 years

“natural born” citizen

2 four year terms (22nd amendment)
House of Representatives:

25 years old and a resident of the state for 7 years

No Term limits
Senate:

30 years of age resident of the state for 9 years

No Term limits
Define the following:
Party Platform: The main goals and ideas of the party
Political Action Committee: Gives money and support to candidates they want to win
Bias: You have an opinion about an issue
Media Watching Role: The media reports on any issues that the citizens may need to know about
Propaganda: Information that is put out to persuade you
Public Policy: The government’s plan to fix an issue or problem
List 3 things each level of government is responsible for:

Military/Defense Foreign Trade
National Government

Education/Public Safety
State Government

Public Safety/Sanitation/local Safety
Local/County Government
What is a “domestic policy”? How our government will deal with issues and problems within our
country such as the economy.
What is a “foreign policy”? How our government will deal with problems and issues outside of our
country.
List the ways the President deals with foreign policy:

Signs treaties

Appoints Ambassadors

Appoints a Secretary of State

Serves as Commander in Chief

Chief Diplomat
List the ways Congress deals with foreign policy:

Confirms Treaties

Declares War

Provides money for other countries

Confirms ambassadors and Secretary of State
Define the following international organizations:
United Nations: an international group of nations that supports world peace and solving global
problems.
NATO: Defense alliance of European nations
NAFTA: Free trade zone of North America where goods may pass back and forth between Canada the
United States and Mexico
UNICEF: Helps children especially in places where there are large amounts of poverty.
International Court of Justice (World Court): A world court where countries can take their disputes
WTO- World Trade Organization Free Trade is the goal between nations
Red Cross: International aid to places where disaster strikes
NGOs: Non-Government organizations such as Save the Children and “Doctors without Borders”
What two wars fought in Europe and Asia where the last “declared wars”? World Wars I and II were
the last declared wars fought by the United States.
Name two “undeclared” wars? The Korean War and the Viet-Nam War
What was the decades long conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union referred to? The
Cold War.
What were the two conflicts with Cuba in the 1960s? The failed “Bay of Pigs” Invasion and the Cuban
Missile Crisis
What country were the two “Gulf Wars” fought against? Iraq
Define the following “forms” of government:
Direct Democracy: Everyone makes decisions involving the community. Came from the Greeks
Representative Democracy: Elected representatives make decisions for us. Republic from the Romans
Absolute Monarchy: King or Queen with unlimited (absolute) power
Constitutional Monarchy: King or Queen rules with limited power.
Communism: A more extreme version of socialism where the government controls all aspects of the
economy usually with complete power over the people.
Socialism: A form of government where the government controls many of the factories and industries of
a country. The former Soviet Union is an example along with Cuba.
Autocracy: Rule by one powerful individual such as a dictator Adolf Hitler
Oligarchy: Type of power where power is shared by a few individuals.
What “system” of government is power shared between the national and regional governments?
Federal system of government is where power is shared between the state and the national
government.
What system of government do the regional governments tell the central government what to do?
Confederal government (remember the Articles of Confederation?)
What system of government does the central government have all of the power? Unitary System
Who is the executive chosen by in a Parliamentary System? A Prime Minister
What are powers held by the national government called? Enumerated or Expressed powers
List some constitutional powers of the national government:

Tax

Print Money

Declare War

Make Treaties

Regulate Commerce

Impeach federal officials

Approve presidential appointments
List the three levels of Federal Courts:

District Court

Circuit Court of Appeals

Supreme Court
List the three levels of the Florida Court System:

County/Circuit court

District Court of Appeals

State Supreme Court
What are powers shared by the national and state governments called? Concurrent Powers
List three powers shared by the national & state governments:

Tax

Courts

Public Welfare
What are powers held by state governments called? Under the 10th Amendment powers held by the
state are called reserved powers
List three powers held only by state governments:

Marriage

Driver’s License

Public Safety
What do you call the system in which powers are shared by national and state governments? Federal
system
How are federal amendments made?

Both houses of Congress must adopt a propose amendment with a 2/3’s vote in both houses

¾’s of the state legislatures with have to approve the proposed amendment.
List the Steps through Congress for passing a law:
Complete the Chart Comparing the US & Florida Constitutions:
United States
Florida
Articles: Seven
Articles: 12
Size: 1 Large Page
Size: 80 Pages
Rights Contained in: A Bill of Rights 10
amendments
Rights Contained in:Florida Declaration of Rights
Specifics:
List three ways to amend the Florida Constitution

Ballot Intitiative Process

Constitutional Convention

Legisative Joint Resolution
List Services:
National: Postal Service-Environment-Interstate Highways
State-State Highways-Education-State Police
Local:Schools Local Roads Fire Department Library-Trash