1. Supporting standards comprise 35% of the U. S. History Test 23 (B)

2. Supporting Standard (23) The student understands efforts to expand the democratic process. The Student is expected to: (B) Explain how participation in the democratic process reflects our national ethos, patriotism, & civic responsibility as well as our progress to build a “more perfect union”

3. National Ethos Ethos The distinctive, fundamental, character, spirit, or attitude of a people, culture, or era; the underlying sentiment that informs the beliefs, customs, or practices of a group or society; dominant assumptions of a people or period The character or disposition of a community, group, person, etc. The moral element in dramatic literature that determines a character’s action rather than her or her thought or emotions Ethos The distinctive, fundamental, character, spirit, or attitude of a people, culture, or era; the underlying sentiment that informs the beliefs, customs, or practices of a group or society; dominant assumptions of a people or period The character or disposition of a community, group, person, etc. The moral element in dramatic literature that determines a character’s action rather than her or her thought or emotions

4. The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims that “all men are created equal” and that they are “endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights” including “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

5. Patriotism Patriotism is generally cultural attachment to one’s homeland or devotion to one’s country, although interpretations of the term vary with context, geography and philosophy. It is a related sentiment to nationalism. The English term patriot is first attested in the Elizabethan era, via Middle French from Late Latin (6th century) patriota “countryman,” ultimately from Greek πατριώτης (patriōtēs) “countryman,” from πατρίς (patris), “fatherland.” The abstract noun patriotism appears in the early 18th century.

6. Civic responsibility, obligation, or duty has to do with the responsibilities of citizenship. Civic engagement or civic participation has been defined as “individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern.” The rights & opportunities conferred upon the citizen in a democratic society implies an obligation to participate in society’s political processes. The principle of civic engagement underscores the most basic principle of democratic governance, i.e. that sovereignty resides ultimately in the people (the citizenry). Civic engagement is about the right of the people to define the public good, determine the policies by which they will seek the good, and reform or replace institutions that do not serve that good. Civic engagement can also be summarized as a means of working together to make a difference in the civil life of our communities and developing the combination of skills, knowledge, values, and motivation in order to make that difference. It means promoting a quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes. CiviC Responsibility Civic responsibility, obligation, or duty has to do with the responsibilities of citizenship. Civic engagement or civic participation has been defined as “individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern.” The rights & opportunities conferred upon the citizen in a democratic society implies an obligation to participate in society’s political processes. The principle of civic engagement underscores the most basic principle of democratic governance, i.e. that sovereignty resides ultimately in the people (the citizenry). Civic engagement is about the right of the people to define the public good, determine the policies by which they will seek the good, and reform or replace institutions that do not serve that good. Civic engagement can also be summarized as a means of working together to make a difference in the civil life of our communities and developing the combination of skills, knowledge, values, and motivation in order to make that difference. It means promoting a quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes.

7. “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” “A more perfect union” The Preamble to the United States Constitution is a brief introductory statement of the Constitution’s fundamental purposes and guiding principles. It states in general terms, and courts have referred to it as reliable evidence of the Founding Fathers’ intentions regarding the Constitution’s meaning and what they hoped the Constitution would achieve.

8. Exercising our civil responsibility & our patriotism is a prerequisite to ensuring the fulfillment of our national ethos and guaranteeing the ongoing completion of a “more perfect union.”

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