All posts in Civics and Reading A
Civics History Review Part 2
Read the questions below. Can you remember the answer?
After you answer the question, think about the connection that question and answer has to history. What time is it from?
Drag and drop each question to the time period in history:
- Before 1776
- 1776-1799
- 1800-1899
- 1900-2001
You can see the questions here:
- What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
- Who was the first President?*
- Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
- Who was President during World War I?
- When do we celebrate Independence Day?
- Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
- What did the Declaration of Independence do?
- What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*
- What did Susan B. Anthony do?
- What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
- Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
- Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
- Why did the colonists fight the British?
- What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
- What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
- During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
- The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
Civics History Review Part 1
Read the questions below. Can you remember the answer?
After you answer the question, think about the connection that question and answer has to history. What time is it from?
Drag and drop each question to the time period in history:
- Before 1776
- 1776-1799
- 1800-1899
- 1900-2001
You can see the questions here:
- Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
- When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
- What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
- Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
- Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
- Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
- Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
- What is one reason colonists came to America?
- Who did the United States fight in World War II?
- Who is the “Father of Our Country?”
- What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?
- When was the Constitution written?
- What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
- There were 13 original states. Name three.
- What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
- What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
New laws for a new country
The United States won the Revolutionary war in 1783. After that, the new United States needed new laws. George Washington and other leaders did not want to copy the laws of Great Britain.
In 1787, representatives from the 13 new United States came together for a special meeting. They came together to write a new constitution for the new country.
How can you remember this year? For example, can you remember something that happened in 1987?
They called this meeting the constitutional convention. In 1787, the constitution was written.
When was the Constitution written? –> 1787
What founding document was written in 1787? –> The Constitution
George Washington was the leader of the Constitutional Convention in Pennsylvania. Representatives from the 13 states worked for almost 4 months to write the constitution.
They talked, wrote, argued, and voted. Small states wanted a Senate with 2 senators from every state. Large states wanted a House of Representatives based on the population.
Some leaders wanted to continue slavery. Some wanted to make it illegal. Unfortunately, the constitution made slavery a legal part of the United States.
In September 1787, the representatives made the final changes. In the end, the Constitution was written at the Constitutional Convention.
(100) What happened at the Constitutional Convention? –>The founding fathers wrote the constitution / The Constitution was written.
After the constitution was written, every state voted to agree or disagree with it. Every state’s congress had a vote. But, many people didn’t want a new constitution.
Some leaders from the Constitutional Convention wrote to support the new constitution. This writing was called The Federalist Papers. They explained why the US needed this constitution.
John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton wrote the Federalist Papers. They also used the name Publius. Alexander Hamilton wrote most of the papers: 51 out of 85.
There is only one question about the Federalist Papers. When you hear “Federalist Papers,” you can think about this song:
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. –> Alexander Hamilton / John Jay / James Madison
Why were the Federalist Papers important? –> They supported passing the constitution
Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one. –> One of the writers of the Federalist Papers
Why did the United States need a new constitution? Before the Constitution, the US didn’t have a clear system. States did not agree about important things like money, the military, or elections.
Also, many people wanted to protect Americans’ basic rights. For example, people wanted the right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
The Constitution was a plan to set up the government. It explains the system of government. It also protects the basic rights of Americans.
What does the Constitution do? –> It sets up the government / It protects the basic rights of Americans.
Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does. –> forms the government / protects the rights of the people
The Constitution has the idea of self-government in the first three words: We the people. Self-government means a government by the people, of the people, and for the people.
It means we have a democracy, and we elect representatives. After the Constitutional Convention, the 13 states all agreed to use the new Constitution. It became the supreme law of the land.
In the laws of 1789, only men with property could vote. Washington became the first president in 1789, and the United States has continued to use the constitution since then.
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? –> We the people
The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean? –> Self-government
- When was the Constitution written?
- What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
- The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
- What does the Constitution do?
- The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
1800s History
Civics Review
- What did the Declaration of Independence do?
- What does the Constitution do?
- When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
- When was the Constitution written?
- Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
- What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
- What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
- What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
Reading and Civics
The Revolutionary War between the new United States and Great Britain ended in 1783. The leaders of the new country came together and wrote the constitution in 1787.
George Washington was elected president twice, for 8 years. After him, John Adams became president. They both worked hard to help the new country stay together.
In 1800, Thomas Jefferson ran for president. Before that, he was a representative from Virginia, and helped write the Declaration of Independence.
Jefferson was also the governor of Virginia and the first Secretary of State. He won the election of 1800 and became president in 1801.
One thing he wanted to do was to make the United States a bigger country. At this time, the United States had 16 states, but the Mississippi River was the western border.
The western side of the Mississippi river was called the Louisiana Territory. It was claimed by France. The name Louisiana comes from Louis (Luis), the name of the king of France.
This huge amount of land now includes Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and parts of New Mexico and Texas.
Thomas Jefferson made an offer to buy the rights to the Louisiana Territory from France. The United States bought the rights to the Louisiana territory from France in 1803 for $15 million.
The Louisiana Territory doubled the size of the new United States. But, this did not include any deal with the Native Americans who lived in the territory.
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? –> Louisiana
Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and believed that all people have the right to life and liberty. He believed that slavery was wrong, but he did not work to stop it.
And, he owned 600 slaves in his lifetime. One of his slaves, Sally Hemings, had several of his children. However, more and more people in the United States wanted to end slavery.
The United States stopped new slaves from coming into the country in 1821, but there were still millions of people without freedom. Some Americans wanted to free all the slaves.
Susan B. Anthony was one American who worked to end slavery. She organized meetings, spoke, wrote, and created a newspaper. She wanted all people to be free and have the same civil rights.
Unfortunately, women did not have the same rights as men in the 1800s. Women did not have the right to vote.
Susan B. Anthony fought for women’s rights, too, and she even voted illegally in 1872. She was arrested and ordered to pay $100, but she never paid the fine.
What did Susan B. Anthony do? –> Fought for women’s rights.
Name one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s. –> Susan B. Anthony
In 1812, there was more war with England. One man saw a terrible fight all night long. But in the morning, the US flag was still there.
He wrote a poem called The Star Spangled Banner. The Star Spangled Banner means “the flag with a lot of stars.”
The Star Spangled Banner became a very popular song. It became the national anthem for the United States. You can hear it before important events and sports games.
What is the name of the national anthem? –> The Star Spangled Banner
But what about the millions of slaves in the US in the 1800s? The evil problem of slavery was like a bomb waiting. And in 1861, the bomb went off.
We call this time The Civil War.
Questions
- What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
- What did Susan B. Anthony do?
- What is the name of the national anthem?
Independence
Every country has a special day to celebrate that country. Sometimes it is the country’s birthday. Sometimes it is for a revolution.
In the United States, we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th. It is a holiday to celebrate U.S. independence. Some people call it “the country’s birthday.”
When do we celebrate Independence Day?* –> July 4th (July fourth)
What is Independence Day? (128) –> The country’s birthday / A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence
British Colonists came to America for freedom. But, the colonies were still part of the British Government.
The British Government and the King of England chose the leaders of the colonies. Many colonists wanted to choose their own leaders.
The British Government and the King of England made taxes higher and higher. More and more colonists were unhappy with the government.
More and more American colonists made a new government. Each colony had representatives in this congress. Soon, they made an army.
They started a revolution to make changes in North America. They fought the British because of high taxes and because they wanted to choose their own leaders.
Why did the colonists fight the British? –> High taxes
Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain. –> High taxes
The British did not want to make changes to the 13 colonies. The British military and government fought back.
More and more colonists wanted to make a new country. They wanted to be free from Great Britain and the king of England.
So, they wrote the Declaration of Independence. It said that the United States is free from British control. It says that all people are created equal, and that kings do not have the right to control people.
What did the Declaration of Independence do? (100) –> It said the United States is free
What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain? –> Declaration of Independence
Why is the Declaration of Independence important? –> It says that the United States is free from British control / It says all people are created equal
The Declaration of Independence is a break-up letter with the British government and King of England. It has a list of all the problems with the British government.
It says that all people have the rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. The American colonists said that the British did not give them life or liberty.
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? (100) –> Life and Liberty
The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document? (128) –> The Declaration of Independence
Many American colonists talked about the ideas in the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
Jefferson was one of the founding fathers of America. This means he was one of the men who helped start the United States. Later, Jefferson became the third president of the United States.
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? (100 and 128) –> Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one. –> Writer of the Declaration of Independence
The new American congress had a vote to agree with the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th, 1776.
Be careful: was adopted = in the past, in history, in 1776.
(100 + 128) When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? –> July 4th, 1776
Civics Review
- When do we celebrate Independence Day?*
- Why did the colonists fight the British?
- What did the Declaration of Independence do?
- What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
- Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
- When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
128 questions:
- What is Independence Day?
- Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
- What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
- Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
- The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
- Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
- Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.
- When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
Life in the United States
Americans have many special days. Some days are for religion, like Christmas. Some days are to celebrate, like New Years Day.
The Unites States Government has 11 national holidays. On those days, government offices and schools are usually closed.
The full list of national holidays is:
- New Year’s Day on January 1st
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday of January
- Presidents’ Day on the third Monday of February
- Memorial Day on the last Monday of May
- Juneteenth on June 19th
- Independence Day on July 4th
- Labor Day on the first Monday of September
- Indigenous Peoples Day / Columbus Day on the second Monday of October
- Veterans Day on November 11th
- Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November
- Christmas Day on December 25th
In 2021, President Biden signed a bill to make a new federal holiday. This holiday is called Juneteenth, and it is celebrated on June 19th.
On June 19th, 1865, the United States army freed the slaves in Galveston, Texas. Since then, Juneteenth is a celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation and end of slavery in all of the United States.
Name two national U.S. holidays. –> Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Name three national U.S. holidays. –> Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day
We also have special days for responsibilities. One important responsibility is to pay taxes. It is important to pay taxes because it is required by law.
People in the US usually have to send in federal income tax forms on April 15.
(100)When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?* –> April 15th
Why is it important to pay federal taxes? –> Required by law
The economic system of the United States is a market economy. This is another name for a capitalist economy.
This means that people and businesses are free to buy and sell things.
What is the economic system in the United States?* –> Market Economy / Capitalist Economy
When there is a war or emergency, the government can ask young men to join the military. This is called the draft or Selective Service.
All men must register for the Selective Service from age 18 to 26. Even immigrants and refugees need to register.
Registration is free and quick. And, from age 18 to 26 is only 8 years. After that, most people don’t worry about this registration.
(100) When must all men register for the Selective Service? –> 18 to 26
It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why. –> Required by law
In many schools, every class begins with the Pledge of Allegiance. This is a promise of loyalty to the United States. Loyalty means love, and never leaving someone.
Here’s an example of the Pledge of Allegiance. Don’t worry! You don’t need to memorize the words.
When we say the Pledge of Allegiance, we show loyalty to the flag. This means we also show loyalty to the United States.
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? –> The flag / The United States
These people are making a different promise. They are taking the Oath of Allegiance. This is the promise to become a citizen.
The oath is long and difficult, but you don’t have to remember it 100%. You only have to repeat it. One thing you promise is to obey or follow the laws of the United States. You also promise to be loyal to the United States.
What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen? –> Obey the laws of the United States
Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance. –> Obey the laws of the United States / Be loyal to the United States
Every person born in the United States becomes a U.S. citizen. It’s in the constitution. When people take the oath and become a citizen, we say that they naturalize (nach-ral-eyes). The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service is in charge of the way that people naturalize.
How can people become United States citizens? –> Naturalize
Review
100 Questions:
- Name two national U.S. holidays.
- When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*
- What is the economic system in the United States?*
- When must all men register for the Selective Service?
- What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
- What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
128 Questions:
- Name three national U.S. holidays.
- Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
- What is the economic system in the United States?*
- It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
- What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
- Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.
- How can people become United States citizens? –> Naturalize
From the Cold War to 2001
Civics + Reading
After World War 2, the United States government was worried about the Soviet Union and Communism. This time is called “The Cold War.”
Communism means that the government owns almost everything. People cannot own property.
Communism is a different form of government than the US. The US has democracy and a market economy.
During the Cold War, the communist countries and capitalist countries fought to control the world.
The United States and Soviet Union did not fight directly, so we call it a “cold” war. The Soviet Union broke up in 1991.
During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States? –> Communism
During the Cold War, what was one main concern of the United States? –> Communism
Who was the United States’ main rival during the Cold War? –> The Soviet Union / Russia / USSR
The United States fought many wars to stop communism. United States leaders thought that communism would spread from one country to another country. The United States entered the Korean War from 1950 to 1954 to stop the spread of communism.
Leomonaci98 – Own work, Map of Korean war from May 1950 to July 1951, showing: Chinese and communist forces (Soviet Union) (light red) North Korean forces (red) South Korean, US and United Nations forces (green).
Why did the United States enter the Korean War? –> to stop the spread of communism
The United States entered the Vietnam war in the 1960s to stop the spread of communism. The United States exited the war in 1973, and left South Vietnam completely in 1975.
Why did the United States enter the Vietnam War? –> to stop the spread of communism
From The Civil War to the 1950s, most black people in America did not have equal rights.
White people used the law, education, and fear against black people and other racial groups. This was a terrible time of racial discrimination.
The Civil Rights Movement was a large group of protestors who tried to end racial discrimination. They protested, spoke, and got arrested.
What movement tried to end racial discrimination? –> The Civil Rights Movement
What did the civil rights movement do? –> Fought to end racial discrimination
One of the Civil Rights Movement leaders was Martin Luther King Jr. He fought for civil rights.
He fought for civil rights by speaking. He fought for civil rights by writing. He fought for civil rights by protesting. He fought for civil rights by using civil disobedience. He was arrested almost 30 times.
Because of his work, congress and the president passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to protect the civil rights of black people and people of all races.
What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?* –> Fought for civil rights
Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one. * –> Fought for civil rights
On April 4, 1968, King was killed by a white man. King was only 39 years old, but Americans will always remember him as a hero. We remember Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday in January.
The first national celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day was in 1986. You can see the love and spirit of Dr. King in this celebration from that year.
By Unknown author – http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu/image.php?id=957, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=485045
In 1990, the country of Iraq attacked and invaded the country of Kuwait. In 1991, the United States entered the Persian Gulf War to remove the Iraqi military from Kuwait.
Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War? –> To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait
Do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? That morning, terrorists attacked the United States.
They flew planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York. They flew a plane into the Pentagon, the main building for the military.
They tried to fly one more plane into the White House, but the people on the plane stopped the terrorists.
What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States? –> Terrorists attacked the United States
Name one U.S. military conflict after the September 11, 2001 attacks. –> War in Afghanistan / War on Terror / Iraq War
Review
- Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.*
- Who was President during World War I?
- Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
- Who did the United States fight in World War II?
- Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
- During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
- What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
- What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*
- What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
World War 1 and 2
History Review
- Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
- What is one reason colonists came to America?
- There were 13 original states. Name three.
- Why did the colonists fight the British?
- What did the Declaration of Independence do?
- Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
- What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
- What does the Constitution do?
- What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
- What is the name of the national anthem?
- Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
- What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
Unfortunately, the United States fought many wars from 1900-1999.
The United States fought in World War 1, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the first Gulf War.
(World War I means World War 1)
(World War II means World War 2)
World War I was in Europe, from 1914-1918. The United States joined world War I in 1917.
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.* –> World War One
Woodrow Wilson was president from 1913 to 1921. Many people wanted the United States to support Great Britain and France. But, many people wanted the United States to avoid the war.
Woodrow Wilson told Americans he wanted to avoid the war. However, Germany attacked US ships in the Atlantic ocean.
By The New York Times (newspaper) – (May 8, 1915). “Lusitania Sunk by a Submarine, Probably 1,260 Dead”. The New York Times: 1., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79566618
The United States entered World War 1 because Germany attacked US ships. Woodrow Wilson was president during World War 1.
(100) Who was President during World War I? –> Woodrow Wilson
Why did the United States enter World War I? –> Because Germany attacked US ships
On October 29th, 1929 the Great Depression started in the United States. The Great Depression was the longest economic recession in modern history.
What was the Great Depression? –> Longest economic recession in modern history
The stock market crashed and many banks lost all their money. This was called “The Great Crash” or “The Crash of 1929” Millions of Americans lost all their money and their jobs.
When did the Great Depression start? –>Stock market crash of 1929 / The Great Crash
In this difficult time, Franklin Roosevelt ran for president. He helped start Social Security, food stamps, and many protections for all Americans.
Roosevelt was very popular because he helped Americans during the Great Depression. He was elected president four times! He was also president during World War II.
Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II? –> (Franklin) Roosevelt
He was still president on December 7, 1941, when the Navy of Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the United States joined the fight of World War II.
Why did the United States enter World War II? –> Pearl Harbor / Japan attacked Pearl Harbor
During World War II, the United States fought Japan, Germany, and Italy.
(100) Who did the United States fight in World War II? –> Japan, Germany, and Italy
Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, before the end of the war. Because Roosevelt could no longer serve, the vice president became the president.
One important general in World War II was Dwight D. Eisenhower. After the war, he ran for president. He was president from 1953 to 1961.
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in? –> World War II
Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one –> General in World War II
- Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.*
- Who was President during World War I?
- Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
- Who did the United States fight in World War II?
- Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
The Civil War
In the 1800s, the United States fought the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Spanish-American War, and the Civil War.
The most important war in the 1800s was the Civil War, or the war between the states.
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s. –> The Civil War
The Civil War was a fight between the North and the South from 1861 to 1865.
More people in the North wanted to end slavery. States in the South wanted to continue slavery.
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South. –> The Civil War
In many places, there were more slaves than citizens. You can find an interactive map of slave population in this link.
The problem of slavery led to the Civil War. More and more people wanted to stop slavery and free the slaves.
11 states in the south wanted to keep the system of slavery. They tried to leave the United States and make a new country.
Because the states in the south tried to leave, there was fighting and war. The Civil War led to the death of almost one million Americans.
Name one problem that led to the Civil War. –> Slavery
What U.S. war ended slavery? –> The Civil War
Abraham Lincoln was president of the United States during the Civil War. He worked to bring the North and South together again.
Lincoln helped make a law to stop slavery in the south. Lincoln signed the law. Today, we remember that Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves.
What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?* –> Freed the slaves
Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one. –> Freed the slaves
The name of Lincoln’s law was the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves.
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do? –> Freed the slaves
Lincoln and the government freed the slaves, but it took many years and more fighting. Americans changed the constitution with an amendment to make slavery illegal. Also, an amendment defined that all people born in the United States were citizens.
Finally, after the Civil War, the fifteenth amendment to the constitution said that men of any race or color can vote. Now, that is true for women also.
When did all men get the right to vote? –> After the Civil War / with the 15th Amendment / 1870
The North won the Civil War. But after the war, Abraham Lincoln was killed by an angry man from the South. We also say that Lincoln was assassinated (a – SA – si – nay – ted).
93. The Civil War had many important events. Name one. –> Lincoln was assassinated / Emancipation Proclamation
Civics Questions
- Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
- Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
- Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
- What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*
- What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?