U.S. Government Principles and Documents

14th amendment

• The 14th Amendment abolished slavery.
• The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship and equal protection under the law.
• The 14th Amendment grants the right to vote.
• The 14th Amendment establishes the presidency.

Declaration of Independence

• The Declaration of Independence was written by George Washington.
• 1. unalienable rights-rights that cannot be taken away; belief in consent of the governed; other nations recognized U.S. as a country; inspired others to question their governments

• The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1775.
• The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1783.

Principles of the constitution

• single-party rule
• unlimited government
• absolute monarchy
• Popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances.

Individualism

• Altruism
• 1. Americans were self-sufficient in creating the life they wanted; one of five democratic principles as observed by Tocqueville

• Collectivism
• Conformity

Populism

• Nationalism
• Socialism
• Libertarianism
• Americans of various backgrounds could participate in government, not just the elite; one of five democratic principles as observed by Tocqueville

E pluribus unum

• Unity in diversity
• From one, many
• One for all, all for one
• Out of many, one

Civic responsibilities

• Voting, serving on juries, and being informed about government issues.

• Avoiding community discussions
• Participating in non-civic activities
• Ignoring local laws

Gilded age

• The Industrial Revolution
• The Progressive Era
• The Roaring Twenties
• 1. businesses became wealthy; corrupt government officials supported business-first policies

1. Electricity

• Resistance
• 1. made manufacturing more efficient; light bulb led to more

  hours of work = more production

• Albert Einstein

• Light

1. Railroads

• Buses
• 1. provided farmers and ranchers access to distant markets; allowed Americans to settle the West; Bessemer steel provided stronger and cheaper materials to build

• Subways
• Trains