STAAR Review 1

I.

Influences on the Declaration

A. _____________________________ influenced the writing of the
Declaration of Independence with his idea of
_______________________________.
B. Locke believed that the ___________________________was
supposed to protect an individuals unalienable or natural rights.
C. Locke stated these rights were
__________________________________________________ that
cannot be taken from you without due process.

II. The Declaration of Independence

A. In ________ the 2nd Continental Congress began discussing the
idea of declaring independence from England.
B. Thomas Jefferson was appointed to head a committee to draft a
statement of independence from England.
C. July 4, 1776, the final draft was approved:
1. It explained why we should be free.
2. It listed the grievances (complaints) we had with King
George III and Englands Parliament.
3. It declared our independence!

III. Signers of the Declaration

A. 56 men met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to sign the Declaration of
Independence on July 4, 1776.
B. These men acted courageously, because the act of signing the
Declaration was treason and was punishable by hanging.

C. ______________________________ made his signature so large

that even the King of England could read it without his glasses.
1. Hancock was the President of the Congress and the first
version of the Declaration only carried Hancocks
signature when it was sent to the 13 Colonies.
2. Hancocks name became 2nd only to Washington's as a
symbol of freedom and independence.
D. ______________________________ is sometimes known as the
Father of American Medicine. He supported educating women
and helped fund an African-American church.
E. _____________________________ a wealthy businessman, he
helped support Revolution with his own money. He also supported
Catholics, that freedom of religion thing.
F. ______________________________ a church minister supported
independence, he was quoted as saying ;
1. America was not only ripe for independence, it was in
danger of rotting for want of it.

IV. The Constitution

A. The ______________________________________ stated the goals
of the Americans as they fought for freedom.
B. It promised a system of government that promoted
_________________________________________ of individual
rights, based on the desires of the people.
C. It would be the _____________________________ that would turn
these goals into a concrete system of government.
D. The Constitution wasnt the first government the USA established.
E. Originally the colonies were ruled by a loose agreement called the
________________________________________
F. The Articles of Confederation was an experiment in government
that _____________, it gave too much power to the
______________ governments and not enough to the
_____________ government.
G. In 1787 the ______________________ wrote the
______________________________, this document established the
basic structure of our government.
H. It created a government in which the people hold the power, they
elect their own representatives, as shown in the first three words.
1. ________________________________

I. Remember, before the Revolution, the American colonists were not

____________________ in the government.
J. The founding forefathers wanted to create a government that was
strong enough to ___________ our nations interests and to
promote our general ____________.
K. They gave national (federal) government many powers and they
made the federal law _____________over any state law.
L. Thats why the Constitution is often called the 1. __________________________
M. The Constitution is divided into 3 parts.
N. ___________________________
1. Introduction explains goals of Constitution.
2. The part we all know because it starts with We the
People
O. ___________________________
1. Seven Articles establish the different parts of government
and the power and responsibilities of each branch.
P. _____________________
1. The changes that have been made
2. First Ten Amendments aka Bill of Rights
3. 17 Amendments have been added over last 200+ years for
a total of 27 Amendments
Q. The Constitution set up our government with 3 branches.
1. Legislative Executive - Judicial

V.

Principles of The Constitution

A. _____________________________ powers are limited by the
Constitution. King John signed Magna Carta in 1215 limiting the
powers of the ruler.
B. _____________________________ the people hold the power
and give the government its power. We consent to be governed.
C. __________________ power is divided between the national
government and the states. Some are shared, some only for national
government, some only for the states.
D. ______________________ federal government is divided into
three separate branches.
E. ______________________ prevents any one branch from
becoming too powerful, each branch can stop or check the other
two.

F. ____________________ Constitution allows for changes or

amendments to adapt to changing times and events.
1. The 1st 10 are the Bill of Rights.
2. There has been 27 all totaled

VI. The Bill of Rights

A. When the Constitution was first created in 1787, not everyone
thought it did enough to protect our _______________________.
B. The _________________________ helped convince many that the
Constitution would work.
C. To make sure of everyones support, when the Continental
Congress met again in 1789 they added ten amendments to aid in
_____________________________________________________.
D. These _________________________ became known as the
___________________________

VII. The Bill of Rights

A. 1st Amendment
1. ____________________
a. many who came to America came for religious freedoms,
they didnt want to be told by their government what they
had to believe in.
2. _____________________
a. Protects our freedom to say or write most things.
b. You cannot be jailed for criticizing your government, as
was formerly done.
c. BUT, you cannot create a clear and present danger with
your speech that might harm others, such as yelling fire
in a crowded place.
3. _____________________
a. Allows newspapers, radio, television, or the internet to
write or publish what they want to without fear of
punishment.
b. People need a free press in a democracy to be informed
voters!
4. _________________________

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

a. During the Revolution it was illegal to gather in groups

of more than three, we now have the right to peaceful
assembly.
5. ________________________
a. You have the right to write to government officials asking
them to change a law or create a law without fear of
punishment.
___________________________________
1. People have a right to bear arms.
2. a well regulated military is necessary to the security of a free
state.
_______________________________________
1. During Revolution the King placed troops in homes of
civilians at the homeowners expense.
2. This prevents the government from placing soldiers in a
civilians home.
The 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th Amendments prohibits government
officials from taking away a persons life, liberty or property
without following certain fair and reasonable procedures.
__________________________________________
1. Colonists were smuggling products so as not to pay the British
taxes,
2. British government officials would randomly search a
colonists property looking for smuggled goods.
3. Now a judge has to sign a search warrant before your
property can be legally searched
th
5 - A person cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without
___________________. Certain legal procedures must be carried
out before a person can be punished.
1. _______________________ gives government the right to
take private property for public use, but they must give you fair
compensation (payment) for the property. Like taking your
home to build a road.
2. _______________________ cannot be tried for the same
crime twice. Like OJ Simpson.
3. _______________________ is required to issue an indictment
before you can be tried for a serious crime.
4. ________________________ cannot be forced to testify
against yourself. Supreme Court ruling of Miranda v.

G.

H.

I.

J.

Arizona says you must be informed of your rights or what you

say cannot be used.
_____________________________________
1. Must be told of charges against them
2. Right to a trial by jury
3. Right to be represented by a lawyer
_____________________________________
1. No high bail
2. Punishment must fit the crime
3. No cruel punishments
4. No torture
______________________________
1. Just because the Constitution doesnt list a right doesnt mean
we dont have it.
2. the people have all rights not specifically given to the
government.
_____________________________
1. The federal government has only those powers specifically
given to it in the Constitution.
2. All other powers are reserved for the states or the people!

10th Amendment