Understanding the U.S. Constitution

U.S. Civics Study Notes

• The Supreme Law of the Land: The Constitution.
• Constitution's Function: Establishes the government, defines it, and protects American rights.
• Self-Government Phrase: "We the People."
• Amendment Definition: A change or addition to the Constitution.
• Bill of Rights: The first 10 amendments.
• First Amendment Rights: Speech, religion, assembly, press, and petitioning the government.
• Number of Amendments: Twenty-seven (27).
• Declaration of Independence Purpose: Declared independence from Great Britain.
• Declaration of Independence Rights: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
• Freedom of Religion: The right to practice any religion or no religion.
• U.S. Economic System: Capitalist or market economy.
• Rule of Law: Everyone must follow the law, including leaders and the government itself.
• Branches of Government: Congress (legislative), President (executive), and the courts (judicial).
• Checks and Balances: Prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful.
• Executive Branch Leader: The President.
• Lawmaking Branch: Congress (Senate and House of Representatives).
• Senate Members: One hundred (100).
• Senator Term Length: Six (6) years.
• House of Representatives Members: Four hundred thirty-five (435).
• Representative Term Length: Two (2) years.
• Senator Representation: All citizens of their state.
• Representative Representation Basis: State population.
• Presidential Term Length: Four (4) years.
• Presidential Election Month: November.
• Succession: If the President is unable to serve, the Vice President takes over.
• Further Succession: If both are unable, the Speaker of the House becomes President.
• Commander in Chief: The President.
• Bill Signing Authority: The President.
• Veto Power: The President.
• Presidential Cabinet Role: Advises the President.
• Cabinet Positions (Examples): Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Defense, etc.
• Judicial Branch Function: Reviews, explains, resolves disputes, and interprets laws regarding constitutional validity.
• Highest Court: The Supreme Court.
• Supreme Court Justices Number: Varies; check an updated source.
• Chief Justice: Varies; check an updated source.
• Federal Government Powers (Examples): Printing money, declaring war, creating an army, making treaties.
• State Government Powers (Examples): Education, police, fire departments, issuing driver's licenses, zoning.
• Two Major Political Parties: Democratic and Republican.
• Voting Age: Eighteen (18) and older.
• Citizenship Responsibilities (Examples): Serving on a jury, voting in federal elections.
• Citizenship Rights (Examples): Voting in federal elections, running for federal office.
• Rights for all Residents (Examples): Freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of assembly.
• Loyalty Oath: Loyalty to the United States.
• Oath of Citizenship (Part): Obey the laws and defend the Constitution.
• Tax Filing Deadline: April 15.
• Selective Service Age: Eighteen (18) to twenty-six (26).

American History

• Colonial Motivations (Examples): Freedom, political liberty, religious freedom, economic opportunity.
• Pre-European Inhabitants: American Indians/Native Americans.
• Slavery Victims: Africans.
• Colonial War Cause (Summarized): High taxes, quartering of troops, lack of self-government.
• Declaration of Independence Author: Thomas Jefferson.
• Declaration of Independence Adoption Date: July 4, 1776.
• Original States (Examples): New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island.
• Constitutional Convention Outcome: The writing of the Constitution.
• Constitution Creation Year: 1787.
• Federalist Paper Writers (Examples): James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Publius.
• Benjamin Franklin's Fame (Example): Diplomat, oldest member of the Constitutional Convention.
• "Father of Our Country": George Washington.
• First President: George Washington.
• Louisiana Purchase Acquisition: Louisiana Territory from France.
• U.S. Wars (Examples): War of 1812, Mexican-American War, Civil War, Spanish-American War.
• Civil War Designation: War between the North and South/War between the states.
• Civil War Causes (Example): Slavery, economic differences, states' rights.
• Abraham Lincoln's Actions: Freed slaves (Emancipation Proclamation), preserved the Union, and led the U.S. during the Civil War.
• Emancipation Proclamation Impact: Freed slaves in Confederate states.
• Susan B. Anthony's Work: Fought for women's rights.
• Important 20th-Century Wars (Example): World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War.
• World War I President: Woodrow Wilson.
• Great Depression/World War II President: Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• World War II Opponents: Japan, Germany, Italy.
• Eisenhower's Military Role: World War II General.
• Cold War U.S. Concern: Communism.
• Civil Rights Movement Goal: To end racial discrimination.
• Martin Luther King's Actions: Fought for civil rights, working for equality for all.
• September 11, 2001: Terrorist attack on the United States.
• Native American Tribes (Examples): Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux, etc.

Integrated Civics

• Major U.S. Rivers (Examples): Missouri River, Mississippi River.
• West Coast Ocean: Pacific Ocean.
• East Coast Ocean: Atlantic Ocean.
• U.S. Territories (Examples): Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Canada Bordering States (Examples): Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont.
• Mexico Bordering States (Examples): California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas.
• U.S. Capital: Washington, D.C.
• Statue of Liberty Location: New York Harbor/Liberty Island.
• Flag Stripe Explanation: Representing the original 13 colonies.
• Flag Star Explanation: Represents each state.
• National Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner.
• Independence Day Celebration: July 4.
• U.S. National Holidays (Examples): New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day.