USH-American Values & Important Documents Vocabulary
The nation participates in the making of its laws by the choice of its legislators,(we elect Congress who makes laws) and in the execution of them by the choice of the agents of the executive government (we elect president who enforces laws); it may almost be said to govern itself.... —Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1835 Which constitutional provision (Amendment) did the most to advance the aspect of democracy Tocqueville describes?
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." Improve Democratic process-19th Amendment
The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States. —U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 2 What was the founding father's purpose of this article?
"To secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men (the representatives who are there to protect rights in Constitution), deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. (the people who elected them) " (popular sovereignty) We the people get to pick representatives-to represent the people of your community (district-House of Representative) or State (Senator)
3 branches of government
1. executive power, invested in the President 2. legislative power, given to Congress (the House of Representatives and the Senate 3. judicial power, vested in one Supreme Court and other federal courts system
Reconstruction Amendments AKA Post slavery Amendments
13th,14th, 15th Amendments
Progressive Amendments
16 Income tax-16 start working start paying TAXES 17 Direct election of Senators Seventeen-Senators 18 Prohibition- 18 year olds CAN'T DRINK ALCOHOL 19 Women's Suffrage- LADIES LAST of Prog Amendments
Declaration of Independence
1776 statement explaining why the colonies wanted independence from Britain. List of grievances- to support revolution for independence to become the US (later some of the worst grievances will be protected with the addition of the Bill of RIghts) American principles listed-"All men created equal", unalienable rights, popular sovereignty, Social contract between people & government-right to revolt if people's rights were violated Diplomatic Effect-it allowed foreign governments to officially recognize the United States.
Amendments
27 reforms or changes to US Constitution Way for the Constitution to grow and change when needed
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
3 Unalienable Rights that were listed in the Declaration that all humans receive from birth & can't be taken away
Egalitarianism
A belief in the EQUALITY of all people Idea in Declaration of Independence-"All men are created equal"
Popular Sovereignty
A belief that ultimate power resides in the people. PEOPLE POWER -The thinking is people CHOOSE Representative to govern how the people they represent think and believe.
Representative Democracy
A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people. If Constitutional Republic is not there..... 2nd BEST option for US Govt
Democracy in America
Book by Alexis de Tocqueville in the early 1830s, a classic account of Americas society in the midst of its political transformation.
Civil Liberties
Constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens (bill of rights)
14th Amendment
Declares that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection of the laws
"All men are created equal" reflects the Founders' commitment to which principle?
Egalitarianism
Liberty
FREEDOM from government control-have choices Your individual right found in the Bill of Rights (1st Amendment rights) & Free Enterprise System
Bill of Rights
First ten amendments to the Constitution- List of specific civil liberty protections & specifically due process (worst grievances now protected) Eminent Domain-govt can take property BUT has to pay you fairly for your property 9th & 10th guarantees any powers not listed in Constitution belong to the PEOPLE and STATES PURPOSE- LIMITS POWER OF FED GOVT-Keep the federal government from becoming TOO POWERFUL.
Alexis de Tocqueville (French guy)
French political writer noted for his analysis of American government (1805-1859) He wrote a two-volume book Democracy in America that contained insights and pinpointed the main principles that he observed that would make America great. (American principles vocabulary)
Laissez-faire
IDEA of LIMITED GOVERNMENT-HANDS OFF Policy that government should interfere as little as possible in the nation's economy. NOTICE connected to Individualism and freedom too
Where . . . the investigation is no longer a general inquiry into an unsolved crime but has begun to focus on a particular suspect, the suspect . . . has requested and been denied an opportunity to consult with his lawyer, and the police have not effectively warned him of his absolute constitutional right to remain silent, the accused has been denied "the Assistance of Counsel" in violation of the Sixth Amendment . . ( Bill of Rights case) —Escobedo v. Illinois, 1964 REMEMBER-Supreme Court cases are about whether something is Constitutional or breaking someone's constitutional rights What was one impact of this ruling?
Individual liberty-guaranteed in Constitution-Bill of Rights Due process guidelines were reexamined Right to an attorney Right to remain silent These will become Miranda Rights (1966) that they are told to you when you are arrested
As social conditions become more equal,(income gap closes-creation of middle class) the number of persons increases who, although they are neither rich enough nor powerful enough to exercise any great influence over their fellow-creatures, have nevertheless acquired or retained sufficient education and fortune to satisfy their own wants. They owe nothing to any man, they expect nothing from any man; they acquire the habit of always considering themselves as standing alone, and they are apt to imagine that their whole destiny is in their own hands . —Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1835 Which American value is described in this excerpt?
Individualism-self reliance ability Due to the freedoms you have to choose to educate and work hard to acquire the things or private property to meet individuals personal needs.
What was the most important diplomatic effect of the Declaration of Independence for the United States?
It allowed foreign governments to officially recognize the United States.
Commerce (buying & selling) makes men independent of each another, gives quite another idea of their personal value, persuades them to manage their own affairs, and teaches them to be successful. . . . No country in the world has a more lively or concerned feeling for property than the United States and nowhere else does the majority display less inclination toward those doctrines which threaten to impair in any way at all the manner in which property is owned. . — Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America Which value important to America's success as a constitutional republic is best illustrated in this excerpt?
Laissez-faire-hands off government-idea of limited government Free Enterprise AKA Capitalism is an important economic value to US too. Right to own property and freedom to make economic choices that are best for individual. Government-Leave my private property alone EXCEPTION 5th Amendment-Eminent Domain-Govt can take your property for common good of public BUT there must be JUST compensation for your property Buying and selling- hands off government- EXCEPTION-as long as there is competition-no monopolies/trusts- Antitrust Regulations NEEDED
When citizens can only meet in public for certain purposes, they regard such meetings as a strange proceeding of rare occurrence, and they rarely think at all about it. When they are allowed to meet freely for all purposes, they ultimately look upon public association as the universal, or in a manner the sole, means which men can employ to accomplish the different purposes they may have in view. —Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1840 Which value is best reflected in this excerpt?
Liberty-free assembly & free speech & petition -can make changes & speak out on topics as needed (your 1st Amendment rights-Bill of Rights)
"We the people of the United States" reflects the Founders' commitment to which principle?
Popular Sovereignty
Which of the following is an example of fulfilling a civic (people's govt-) responsibility? (when summoned you need to...)
Reporting for jury duty
What is the meaning of unalienable rights?
Rights that cannot be taken away or denied
Which action BEST prepares a responsible citizen (people's govt responsibility) to vote?
Staying informed about issues affecting the country and communities-You should be an informed voter
Civic Responsibilities
The duties related to being a citizen VOTING & being an informed voter Reporting Jury duty when you get notification
Eminent Domain (5th Amendment)
The right of a government to take away private property for public use, with payment of compensation (fair price) This is happening right now in JONES CREEK Government is taking land to widen hwy 36 Government is taking land to build HUGE electrical towers
Which action is the best example of civic (-people's govt) responsibility? (fulfill popular sovereignty obligation)
Voting on election day
Constitutional Republic (US has a "Cool Ride")
a democratic system with elected representatives in which the Constitution is the supreme law BEST option choice for US Govt
Democracy
a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. If Constitutional Rep nor representative Democracy 3rd BEST option for US Govt
13th Amendment
abolished slavery
Unalienable Rights
basic rights of the people that may not be taken away Life-Liberty-Pursuit of happiness
U.S. Constitution
document - fundamental laws and principles by which the United States is governed. Supreme rule of law Preamble, 7 articles, and 27 Amendments. Article 1-Legislative branch powers-given the most powers-most representative of the people (popular sovereignty & populism) becasue the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE is elected every 2 years & Senators every 6 years!
Due Process
fair treatment through the normal judicial system including events leading to arrest before going to court
Hence arises the maxim that everyone is the best and the sole judge of his own private interest, and that society has no right to control a man's actions, unless they are prejudicial to the commonwealth [good] or unless the commonwealth [good] demands his co-operation. This doctrine is universally admitted in the United States. —Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America Which U.S. government action is MOST CLOSELY based on this idea?
federal government passes laws to protect individual liberties. (Individualism & liberty) Exceptions- 1. Eminent Domain-5th amendment Govt can take your property but they must pay you for it 2. Something that protects the the common good of all the people. (like mandating we all wears masks-govt had to do something to protect more people from getting Covid even if it temporarily violated your individual right to choose)
Individualism
freedom of action for individuals instead government control. Ability to be self-reliant. Priority to one's own goals and defining one's identity in terms of personal attributes NOTICE Individualism and freedom go hand in hand
15th Amendment
gave African American men the right to vote
E pluribus unum
out of many, one (the motto of the US). 13 colonies become 1 country
Civil rights
rights of full citizenship and equality under the law Movements to force the government to "FIX "issues when they deny citizens their equality under the law
Populism
support for the concerns of ordinary people (Populist Party during Progressive Era and the party is still around today pushing for their concerns)
