1. WINGS EOC TUTORING Foundations: Background to American History

2. American Revolution Americans won their independence during the American Revolution Jonathan Trumbull was the only colonial governor to side with the colonists John Peter Muhlenberg was a Protestant minister who recruited soldiers and rose to the rank of general

3. Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson Issued on July 4, 1776 Based on the concepts of John Locke Explained the reasons for splitting with Great Britain Purpose of government is to protect individuals unalienable rights to “life liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness.” These rights can not be taken away.

4. Signers of the Declaration of Independence John Hancock: President of the 2 nd Continental Congress. Boston Merchant. His signature has become an icon. Benjamin Rush: Father of American Medicine. Favored the education of women. Charles Carroll John Witherspoon

5. U.S. Constitution First national government established by the new United States was a weak association. (Articles of Confederation) US Constitution established the basic structure of our national government Created a national executive, a two-house legislature (Congress) and a national judiciary. John Jay was the nation’s first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

6. Principles of Government Limited government - There are some things our government can not do. The separation of power – National government is divided into three branches (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) Federalism – Our government has two layers (Federal and state) Checks and balances – No one branch has more power than the other two Popular sovereignty – We elect our representatives (people have the power)

7. The Bill of Rights The Bill of Rights was added to the constitution in the form of the first ten amendments to further protect individual rights from government abuse. First Amendment protects the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and the right of citizens to petition their government Second Amendment protects the right of citizens to bear arms Third Amendment says that government cannot “quarter” soldiers in private homes without their consent.

8. Bill of Rights Continued Fourth Amendment protects people from “unreasonable searches”. Fifth Amendment protects individuals from double jeopardy and from being forced to incriminate themselves, and further guarantees citizens “just compensation” for property taken by government’s right of eminent domain. Sixth Amendment guarantees those accused of a crime a fair and public trial by a jury and the assistance of a lawyer

9. Bill of Rights Continued Seventh Amendment guarantees jury trials in some civil cases. Eighth Amendment prevents judges from setting bail that is too high, or from inflicting “cruel and unusual” punishments. Ninth Amendment lists certain rights and does not deny other rights. Tenth Amendment reserves powers not granted to the federal government

10. Alexis de Tocqueville Frenchman who came to US to study American culture 1831 Identified several characteristics in Americans that were not present in Europeans.  Egalitarianism: Belief in the equality of all peoples  Populism: Participation of the common people in political life  Liberty: Protection against tyrannical government.  Individualism: No hereditary distinctions and individuals believed they could rise in society.  Laissez-faire: Government was limited in their control of society and the economy.

11. After the Civil War Thirteenth Amendment: Ends slavery Fourteenth Amendment: All citizens guaranteed “due process” and “equal protection” by the state governments Fifteenth Amendment: Prohibits denying individuals their voting rights on the basis of race.

12. Mottos 1782 “E Pluribus Unum” Out of Many comes one. 1956 “In God We Trust” Courts have ruled that its meaning is ceremonial, not religious.