G8 Social Studies ESSA #1 24-25

The founding documents of the United States, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, outline the core principles and values that guide our country. These documents have had a profound impact on the political and civic institutions that shape our daily lives. Understanding the significance of these foundational texts is crucial for active and informed citizenship.

• Bill of Rights

• 4. Political parties, ___________, and the judicial system are all examples of civic institutions.

• Declaration of Independence

• 1. The _____________ __ __________________ declared the 13 colonies independent from Great Britain (England).

• engage

• 5. Voting, serving on a jury, and participating in community organizations are ways to _______ in civic life.

• Congress

• 3. The ___ __ ______ protects the basic rights and freedoms of American citizens.

• Constitution

• 2. The ___________ establishes the structure and powers of the federal government.

What positive outcome do we get from our Constitution's "checks and balances" system?

• It allows each branch to do whatever it wants at any time.

• It ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful.

• It gives the executive branch more power than the other two branches.

• It gives the legislative branch less power than the other two branches.

According to the "Declaration of Independence", what is the role of government?

• To enforce strict rules and regulations on people's behavior.

• To secure the natural rights of individuals (including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness).

• To make sure that all citizens are paid equally (regardless of the job they have).

• To keep a king/queen in power without consulting the people directly.

Select all answers that apply. 

What were some of the major problems with the "Articles of Confederation"? 

• The government had no power to "enforce" laws that it created, so no state had to actually follow those laws.

• There was no strong leader (like a President) that could make decisions that need to be made fast. 

• It gave the government WAY TOO MUCH POWER. It ended up making stricter laws than England (the country the colonists had just rebelled from).

• The government had no power to tax the citizens, so it could not raise money to do basic functions (like raise an army or pay off the nation's debt).

What role does the rule of law play in democratic governments?

• It allows the executive branch to ignore judicial decisions.

• It ensures that no branch of government or individual can ignore our laws. 

• It grants the legislative branch power to decide what is constitutional or not. 

• It allows the judicial branch to make their own laws (instead of Congress).

What distinguishes a dictatorship from other forms of government?

• Dictatorships allow free elections and protect individual rights.

• Dictatorships tend to be one person in charge that has total power to do whatever they want. 

• Dictatorships usually focus on economic equality and individual freedoms. 

• Dictatorships have limited power over most government decisions that are made. 

Why was the "U.S. Constitution" created in the first place?

• The founding fathers realized that the Declaration of Independence was not a strong enough document to get total support to rebel against England.

• The founding fathers realized that they needed a government that was exactly as strict and powerful as England.

• The founding fathers realized that the “Articles of Confederation” was a perfect document, but it needed a clearer name in order to get popular support.

• The founding fathers realized that the “Articles of Confederation” was not a strong enough plan for a government to effectively run the nation.

What role do political parties play in our government?

• They allow everyone's voice to be heard equally during elections.

• They oversee every decision that is made by ALL members of government.

• They help organize voters based on common ideas about government.

• Every citizen MUST choose a party in order to vote. 

Examine the diagram.

Hobbes and Locke both would complete the diagram above with which word or phrase?

• Nation

• Preamble

• Social Contract

• Direct Democracy

Directions: Read the following scenario, then choose the option that best applies to the scenario. 

Congress passed a law that makes it illegal to use a certain pesticide (bug poison) on farms that produce food that will be sold in supermarkets. In response, the state of Georgia passed a new law that allows for the use of the same pesticide that was recently banned by Congress. 

According to the U.S. Constitution, which of the following would be the most accurate outcome to this situation?

• The Supreme Court would force Georgia to follow the Congress’ law based on the Constitutional principle of “federalism.”

• The President would veto Georgia’s law–forcing them to follow the law passed by Congress based on the Constitutional principle of “checks and balances.”

• The Supreme Court would allow Georgia to keep their law–but ONLY in the borders of that state alone based on the Constitutional principle of “popular sovereignty.”

• Congress would ask the American people to vote on which law they would prefer based on the Constitutional principle of “popular sovereignty.”