All posts in US Civics

Civics Review: The Declaration and Constitution

Reading and Civics

After Washington, Adams became president. After Adams, Thomas Jefferson became president.

Thomas Jefferson wanted the United States to get bigger and bigger.

The Louisiana Territory was 828,000 square miles of land. It was named after King Louis (Luis) of France.

In 1803, the United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France.

What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? –> Louisiana

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 and a song called “The Star Spangled Banner.”

The Star Spangled Banner means “the flag with a lot of stars.”

It was very popular. It became the national anthem for the United States.

What is the name of the national anthem? –> The Star Spangled Banner

African people were brought to the United States as slaves from 1619 to 1821.

Even after 1821, slavery continued in the south United States.

There were 4 million slaves in the United States. More and more, people said: “This is wrong. All people have the rights of life and liberty.”

• 

• 

These people wanted civil rights for all Americans. Civil rights means protecting the rights of all people.

One important civil rights leader was Susan B. Anthony. Susan B. Anthony fought for civil rights for all people, black and white.

Also, Susan B. Anthony fought for women’s rights. For example, in the 1700s and 1800s, women in the United States did not have the right to vote.

What did Susan B. Anthony do? –> Fought for women’s rights.

In 1920, Americans made a change to the constitution. The 19th (nineteenth) Amendment means that all women citizens of the United States get the right to vote.

---

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.

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?

Review: The Declaration of Independence

1. When do we celebrate Independence Day?
2. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
3. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
4. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
5. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

A new country

The Declaration of Independence said “the United States is free!”

But, Britain still wanted to keep the 13 colonies.

The British military sent more and more soldiers and ships to America.

The new United States fought the British military. We call this fight The Revolutionary War.

George Washington was the military leader for the United States. He was the general of the United States Army.

Washington was a hero and a strong leader during this difficult time. He was very, very popular with Americans.

He helped win the Revolutionary War, and he helped with the Constitutional Convention. We call him “the father of our country.”

Who is the “Father of Our Country”? –> George Washington

George Washington and the new US army fought the British for 8 years.

The US army won the war, and the British left the United States.

After the war, George Washington became the first president.

Who was the first president? –> George Washington

Benjamin Franklin also helped the new United States. He was a U.S. diplomat.

Benjamin Franklin went to France. After that, France helped the US fight the British.

What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for? –> US diplomat

The new country needed new laws, so the leaders wrote the Constitution. We often call these leaders the founding fathers of the United States.

What is the supreme law of the land? –> The Constitution

Can you answer these questions about the new United States?

1. Who is the “Father of Our Country”?
2. Who was the first President?*
3. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
4. What is the supreme law of the land?

Can you answer the civics questions about this information?

Civics and Reading: The United States is free

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 plans to overthrow the British Government. 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

Some colonists made a new government to fight the British and make a new country.

They made the Declaration of Independence. It said that the United States is free.

What did the Declaration of Independence do? –> It said the United States is free

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? –> Life and Liberty

Many American colonists talked about the ideas in the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? –> Thomas Jefferson

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.

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? –> July 4th, 1776

That’s why we celebrate Independence Day every July 4th. Be careful: we celebrate = in the present, every year.

When do we celebrate Independence Day?* –> July 4th (July fourth)

Civics Review

1. Why did the colonists fight the British?
2. When do we celebrate Independence Day?*
3. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
4. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
5. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
6. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

From Tuesday:

1. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
2. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
3. What is one reason colonists came to America?
4. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
5. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
6. There were 13 original states. Name three.

Reading and Civics

More than 15,000 years ago, people came to North America, Central America, and South America.

They spread all over America, and created many different cultures and civilizations.

These people were the Native Americans, or American Indians.

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? –> American Indians or Native Americans

There were thousands of different American Indian groups, called tribes.

Many tribes are still here today. More than 5 million Native Americans and mixed race Native Americans live in the United States now.

Each tribe has its own traditions, leaders, art, culture, and languages, too.

One example is the Pueblo tribe. Today, a Pueblo woman, Deb Haaland, is a US Representative in New Mexico. She was elected for the second time in November 2020.

In December 2020, Joe Biden chose her to be the next Secretary of the Interior. The Department of the Interior manages 507 million acres of land in the US. It is also responsible for relationships with Native Americans.

Extra information: Right now, the United States has 6 representatives in congress who are Native Americans. They are from New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Hawaii.

Name one American Indian tribe in the United States. –> Pueblo

People from Europe are called Europeans. Christopher Columbus was one of the first Europeans to come to America.

Europeans fought American Indians, took their land, and brought diseases. Some Europeans did business with the Indians, made friendships, and even married with them. But, millions of American Indians died from these problems.

Europeans started colonies in America. These were new cities, but they still had a connection to their home country.

For example, Spain, Portugal, and England started many colonies. The people who live in colonies were called colonists.

In England, the leader of the government was a king. The British king had a lot of power, and many people did not have freedom. We use the words British and English to describe the same place.

Many English people became colonists, and came to America for more freedom.

What is one reason colonists came to America? –> Freedom

On the other hand, many people lost their freedom in America. European businessmen took more than 12 million African people to North and South America and sold them as slaves.

What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves? –> African people

By the year 1700, America was home to Native Americans, colonists, and slaves. 13 British colonies in North America are now part of the United States.

We remember those 13 original colonies in the 13 stripes of the United States.

Why does the flag have 13 stripes? –> There were 13 original colonies

There were 13 original colonies that became states. Good news: you don’t have to remember all of them!

You can remember the 3 NEW states: New York, New Jersey, and New Hampshire.

Or, you can remember the 3 beautiful sisters: Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

There were 13 original states. Name three. –> New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey

1. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
2. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
3. What is one reason colonists came to America?
4. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
5. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
6. There were 13 original states. Name three.

Civics Review: Oregon Leaders

Reading+Civics: Places

The Statue of Liberty is a famous place in New York.

Have you ever visited the Statue of Liberty?

Where is the Statue of Liberty? –> New York

The United States has many long rivers.

The number one longest river in the United States is the Mississippi.

Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States. –> Mississippi

Oregon, Washington, and California are states. They are part of the 50 United States.

Citizens in states can vote for president. But they also have to pay federal taxes.

• 

• 

The United States also has territories. Territories are not the same as states. For example, Puerto Rico is a territory with more than 3 million people.

They are part of the US, but the citizens there do not vote for president. But, they do not have to pay the same taxes.

• 

• 

Another US territory is Guam. It is an island in the Pacific Ocean with about 165,000 people.

Name one US Territory. –> Puerto Rico

The United States flag has 50 stars. Each star represents one state.

The flag has 50 stars because we have 50 states.

Why does the flag have 50 stars? –> Because we have 50 states

Review: Current Leaders

Reading+Civics: Places

What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States? –> The Pacific

The Atlantic Ocean is on the East Coast of the United States. It is too far away from us!

What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States? –> The Atlantic

The United States borders Canada. That means the US is next to Canada.

Canada is to the north of the United States. Many states border Canada.

Washington is one example of a state that borders Canada.

Name one state that borders Canada. –> Washington

The United States also borders Mexico.

Mexico is to the South of the United States.

4 states border Mexico. California is one state that borders Mexico.

Name one state that borders Mexico. –> California

Reading and Civics: Leaders

Congress has two parts: the Senate and the House.

The leader of the House of Representatives is called the Speaker of the House.

Right now, the Speaker of the House is Nancy Pelosi, from California.

What is the name of the Speaker of the House now? –> Nancy Pelosi

The highest court in the United States is the Supreme Court.

The leader of the Supreme Court is called the Chief Justice.

Right now, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is John Roberts.

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now? –> John Roberts

The leader of the federal government is the president.

The leader of a state is called the governor. In most states, we elect a governor for 4 years.

Extra information: In Vermont and New Hampshire, they elect a governor for only 2 years.

• 

• 

You need to know the governor of your state. Right now, the governor of Oregon is Kate Brown. In Washington state, the governor is Jay Inslee.

Who is the Governor of your state now? –> Kate Brown (Oregon)

Who is the Governor of your state now? –> Jay Inslee (Washington)

Every state has two senators who go to Washington D.C. They work in the Senate.

• 

• 

Senators work for all of the people in the state. You need to know at least one of the names of your state’s senators.

Oregon’s senators are Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley.

Washington’s senators are Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell.

Who is one of your state’s US Senators now? –> Ron Wyden or Jeff Merkley (Oregon) –> Patty Murray or Maria Cantwell (Washington)

Each state also has representatives in the House of Representatives.

Some states have more representatives because they have more people. For example, Oregon has 5 representatives. But, Washington state has 10 representatives.

If you don’t know who your representative is, you can check using your zip code or address on the US House website.

The representative for Portland, Gresham, and some other places is Earl Blumenauer.

The representative for Beaverton and Washington County in Oregon is Suzanne Bonamici.

• 

• 

If you live in Southwest Washington state, your representative is probably Jaime Herrera Beutler. She works for people in Vancouver, Longview, and other parts of Southwest Washington.

• 

• 

Name your US Representative. –> Earl Blumenauer (Portland), Suzanne Bonamici (Beaverton and Washington County), Kurt Schrader (Lake Oswego, Wilsonville, and farther south), Jaime Herrera Beutler (Southwest Washington)

The United States is a democracy. This means every person has a voice, and every citizen has a vote.

American citizens can do many things to be part of our democracy. They can participate in many ways.

For example, citizens can vote for leaders they like. In Oregon and Washington, citizens can also vote on new laws for the state.

Another way Americans can participate is calling or emailing your representative.

When you call your representative, you can tell them your opinion about important things. A good representative will listen to the people.

A bad representative will not get your votes in the next election. 🙂

What are 2 ways that Americans can participate in their democracy? –> Vote and Call your Representative

Civics Review

1. What is the capital of the United States?*
2. What is the capital of your state?*
3. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*
4. What is the political party of the President now?
5. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
6. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
7. Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
8. Who is the Governor of your state now?
9. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?*
10. Name your U.S. Representative.
11. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

Reading about Civics

The federal government meets in Washington, D.C. Congress meets here.

It is the capital of the United States. The president lives here. The supreme court is here, too.

But, it does not have a state. So, it does not have any senators or representatives.

The leader of the federal government is the president. We elect a president every four years.

When we have a new president, they start to work in January. Joe Biden became president on January 20th, 2021.

What is the name of the President of the United States now? –> Joe Biden / Biden

The two major political parties are Democratic and Republican.

What is the political party of the President now? –> Democratic / Democrat

The Vice President works with the President.

If the President can no longer serve, the Vice President becomes president.

Now, the Vice President is Kamala Harris. She is from California.

What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? –> Kamala Harris

Review

94. What is the capital of the United States?*

44. What is the capital of your state?*

28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*

46. What is the political party of the President now?

29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

Writing Practice