US Government Assignment Guide and Key Points

 

Chapter 1 "Beginnings of American Government"

 

Lesson 1 "The Need for Rules and Laws"

Turn to page1 look at the picture on those pages read about it and the short introduction to chapter 1

Scan Pages 1-2; focus on the blue boxes, which contain the key vocabulary terms.

Scan Pages 2-3 for pictures and diagrams, read each of the captions.

Read Pages 2-3 (take notes of important ideas)

Do you know the answers to the questions on page 3? (See Key Points below for help)

Do you know the vocabulary words? (See Key Points below for help)

Take the quiz on Lesson 1 "The Need for Rules and Laws" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)

Review answers on the quiz and print it out. This will be very useful when you are studying for the test.

 

Lesson 1 Key Points

Vocabulary Terms

Community - the people living together in an area; a group of people who have a common interest

Government - Laws and customs people live by.

Combination - A grouping of people, things, or ideas that are joined together for a special reason

Custom - a common practice observed by many people.

Complicated - Difficult

Colonist - Person who lives in a new land but keeps ties with the home country.

Consider - to examine or think over carefully

Political - Having to do with government or the actions of the government.

Ancient - many years ago; belonging to early history.

 

Section Review Answers

  1. community
  2. combination, customs
  3. complicated
  4. considered
  5. political, ancient
  6. People are less likely to destroy or steal other people's property if they know they could be punished by law.
  7. Your answers will vary.

Did you learn these Objectives?

Are you able to describe the reasons rules and laws are needed?

Can you name reasons why the colonists wanted to break away from England?

 

 

Lesson 2 "The Peoples of Mesoamerica"

Scan Pages 4-5; focus on the blue boxes, which contain the key vocabulary terms.

Scan Pages 4-5 for pictures and diagrams, read each of the captions.

Read Pages 4-5 (take notes of important ideas)

Do you know the answers to the questions on page 5? (See Key Points below for help)

Do you know the vocabulary words? (See Key Points below for help)

Take the quiz on Lesson 2 "The Peoples of Mesoamerica" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)

Review answers on the quiz and print it out. This will be very useful when you are studying for the test.

 

Lesson 2 Key Points

Vocabulary Terms

democracy - a form of government in which citizens take part

Dictator - a person ruling with total control and power.

Revolt - to take a stand against a government or a cause

Assembly - a group gathered to discuss and pass laws.

Representative - a government in which officials are elected by people.

Republic - a government in which citizens elect people to speak and act for them.

Consul - Leader

Appoint - to name or choose a person for an office, but not by election.

Senate - a governing body that makes rules and laws.

Veto - the power of a person or group of people to reject or forbid a rule or law.

 

 

Section Review Answers

  1. Rome
  2. Greece
  3. Greece
  4. Rome
  5. Greece
  6. Although the common people lacked the power of wealth, they could strike down laws that could harm their rights.
  7. Your answer will very but it should be supported by your ideas.

Did you learn these Objectives?

Can you identify democratic ideas practiced in ancient Greece and Rome that influenced the American government?

 

 

Lesson 3 "Influence of the English Government"

Scan Pages 6-8; focus on the blue boxes, which contain the key vocabulary terms.

Scan Pages 6-8 for pictures and diagrams, read each of the captions.

Read Pages 6-8 (take notes of important ideas)

Do you know the answers to the questions on page 8? (See Key Points below for help)

Do you know the vocabulary words? (See Key Points below for help)

Take the quiz on Lesson 3 "Influence of the English Government" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)

Review answers on the quiz and print it out. This will be very useful when you are studying for the test.

 

Lesson 3 Key Points

Vocabulary Terms

Monarchy - rule by a royal family; the rulers are called king, queen, empress, or emperor

Generation - the people in each stage or step in a family's history; for example, a grandfather, a father, and a son are three generations

Decision - act of making up one's mind; judgment

Lawsuit - a question or case decided in a court of law.

Jury - a group of citizens chosen in a court to listen to both sides in a case and to make a decision.

Magna Carta - great charter; a document that grants rights.

Charter - written agreement

Parliament - A legislative body in England and some other countries.

Legislature - a group of people in a country or state with power to make laws.

petition - A written document or legal paper asking for a right or benefit from a ruler.

 

 

Section Review Answers

  1. dictatorship
  2. jury system
  3. House of Commons and the House of Lords
  4. Congress and state legislatures
  5. the Petition of Right or the English Bill of Rights
  6. A possible answer may be, Parliament, which has two parts like Congress; elected representatives; kings or dictators are similar to the President; and the system of law is similar to the U.S. grand jury system.
  7. This is your opinion. You should support your opinion with your beliefs.

Did you learn these Objectives?

Can you identify how basic rights developed in England?

Are you able to explain why the Magna Carta is an important document?

Are you able to identify English Parliament as a system that was a model for the American Government?

 

Lesson 4 "Influence of European Political Thinkers"

Scan Pages 9-11; focus on the blue boxes, which contain the key vocabulary terms.

Scan Pages 9-11 for pictures and diagrams, read each of the captions.

Read Pages 9-11 (take notes of important ideas)

Do you know the answers to the questions on page 11? (See Key Points below for help)

Do you know the vocabulary words? (See Key Points below for help)

Take the quiz on Lesson 4 "Influence of European Political Thinkers" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)

Review answers on the quiz and print it out. This will be very useful when you are studying for the test.

 

Lesson 4 Key Points

Vocabulary Terms

Dishonest - not truthful; lying

Govern - to rule

Conflict - a fight, battle

Natural rights - rights of people such as life, liberty, and property.

Liberty - freedom.

 

 

Section Review Answers

  1. example: Without government there would be conflict and war; government should fight to protect its people.
  2. Locke's natural rights included life, liberty (freedom), and property.
  3. The main purpose of government was to bring about freedom, or liberty.
  4. Parliament protected citizens and treated them fairly.
  5. Alexis de Tocqueville came to the United States to see how democracy worked.
  6. They wanted to include the best political theories in the new American system of government.
  7. Writing down the laws is important because all people should have a clear, common, and c consistent understanding of their government's laws.
  8. Example: Yes, the ideas were liked because many people opposing the monarchs were interested in greater freedom and justice; No, the ideas were not liked because they often posed a threat to the rule of monarchs.

Did you learn these Objectives?

Are you able to explain the ideas of Niccolo Machiavelli and their influence?

Can you identify the political ideas of the English philosophers John Locke, Thomas Hobbes , and William Blackstone?

Are you able to explain how the French thinkers Baron De Montesquieu and Alexis de Tocqeville affected American democratic government?

 

Lesson 5 "Government in the American Colonies"

Scan Pages 12-14; focus on the blue boxes, which contain the key vocabulary terms.

Scan Pages 12-14 for pictures and diagrams, read each of the captions.

Scan for an read the short articles and questions in the olive/orange/brown/blue boxes that you find on Pages 12-14.

Read Pages 12-14(take notes of important ideas)

Do you know the answers to the questions on page 14? (See Key Points below for help)

Do you know the vocabulary words? (See Key Points below for help)

Take the quiz on Lesson 5 "Government in the American Colonies" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)

Review answers on the quiz and print it out. This will be very useful when you are studying for the test.

 

Lesson 5 Key Points

Vocabulary Terms

Contract - an agreement made by two or more persons

Loyal - faithful; true to a country or belief

National - having to do with the whole country or nation.

Religious - having to do with church practices

Strict - stern; not changing

Constitution - a plan for government.

Publish - to print information, such as a newspaper, magazine, or book.

Press - newspapers, magazines, and the people who work for them.

Criticize to put down or find fault with.

 

 

Section Review Answers

  1. fair laws, to choose leaders
  2. did not want to belong to Church of England or pay taxes
  3. Thomas Hooker
  4. constitution
  5. Massachusetts
  6. You should have included voting, electing representatives, free public schools, constitutional government, freedom of religion and the press, and free public education.
  7. Educated citizens make better choices for elected officials, laws, and in general living.

Did you learn these Objectives?

Can you identify the first colonial government?

Are you able to explain how the colonial constitution influenced the United States Constitution?

Are you able to identify the colonists' rights to a free press, to worship freely, and to public schooling?

Lesson 6 "American Colonies Join Together"

Scan Pages 15-17; focus on the blue boxes, which contain the key vocabulary terms.

Scan Pages 15-17 for pictures and diagrams, read each of the captions.

Scan for an read the short articles and questions in the olive/orange/brown/blue boxes that you find on Pages 15-17.

Read Pages 15-16(take notes of important ideas)

Do you know the answers to the questions on page 17? (See Key Points below for help)

Do you know the vocabulary words? (See Key Points below for help)

Take the quiz on Lesson 6 "American Colonies Join Together" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)

Review answers on the quiz and print it out. This will be very useful when you are studying for the test.

 

Lesson 6 Key Points

Vocabulary Terms

Interfere - to meddle in the business of others

Pamphlet - A printed paper

Legal document - an official paper having to do with rules and laws.

Minutemen - A group of armed men who fought in the Revolutionary War.

Organize - to arrange or set up a group effort.

Grievance - a complaint

 

 

Section Review Answers

  1. newspapers and pamphlets
  2. grievances
  3. british goods
  4. Second Continental Congress
  5. rights
  6. Your answers may very but some were still loyal to England.
  7. The other countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, and France had been warring with England off and on and this was their chance to come together against England. Also they could get American goods cheaper if the did not have to pay the English taxes.

Did you learn these Objectives?

Can you

 

 Preparing for Chapter 1 Test

Turn to Page 18 and read the article "The Political Ideas of John Locke".

Turn to Page 19 and read the Chapter 1 summary.

On page 20-21 you will find the Chapter 1 review, complete the review.

Check your answers with those in the Key Points.

Take the Chapter 1 Test "Beginnings of American Government"

Review the answers then print the results for your records.

 

Chapter 1 Review answers

  1. democracy
  2. monarchy
  3. Magna Carta
  4. rights
  5. Mayflower Compact
  6. Second Continental Congress
  7. Declaration of Independence
  8. A
  9. C
  10. B
  11. C
  12. D
  13. C
  14. Colonists wanted rights and freedoms that England refused to give them.
  15. The king could not stop the work of the government. People could ask the government for help. A person accused of a crime had the right to a jury trial.
  16. England was taxing the colonists and trying to gain more control.
  17. The Stamp Act was taxes for newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, calendars, and playing cards that the British force on the colonists.
  18. Answers will vary but may include: Rule by the people, elected representatives, and a senate are influences from Greece and Rome on American government.
  19. Answers again will vary but should include two houses of Parliament, elected representatives, or system of law.
  20. Answer will vary again but may include: England didn't want to give up the colonies because the colonies gave money to the king in the form of taxes.