North Carolina History, Government, Politics and Economy
~Unit 4~
Part 1: The Foundation of North Carolina’s Government, Ch. NC5
North Carolina’s Beginnings
 Colonial North Carolina
 North Carolina is Founded
 ___________________________
 1587: ______________________
 1607: Jamestown
 By the mid-1600s, some settlers moved southward into modern North Carolina
 1663: England’s King Charles II rewarded eight loyal supporters with pieces of land within
Virginia territory
 The land came to be known as Carolina, from the Latin Carolus, meaning
“_________________________.”

A Region of Geographic Diversity
 ______________________ Colony
 Western border stretched to the __________________________
 ______________________ climate
 Fertile soils that were excellent for ___________
 _______________________________________________________________
 Large _____________________________were common and used___________________ labor

Settling North Carolina
 1650ish: First English settlers settled on the coastal plain and the_________________________
regions (100-150 miles inland). The most fertile soil is found in this region.
 1700s: settlers began moving west into the __________________________ region. The soil in
the piedmont is much rockier and not conducive to large plantations. Small farms were built.
 In the early 1800s, settlers began moving into the western most region of Carolina, the
__________________________region. Native American groups had lived in this region for
thousands of years.
 A Spirit of Independence Grows
 The eight people who were granted land of Carolina were called __________________________They set
up a government their colony.
 Governor
 _________________________by the proprietors
 Legislature
 ______________________by the colony’s voters
 _______________________ between the governor and the legislature were common

Culpeper’s Rebellion
 England placed a new tax on____________________
 Many colonists argued that the tax was__________________________
 Led by _______________________________, the angry colonists forced the governor from
office and started their ________government in 1677.


This new government lasted for ___________________ until the proprietors were able to
regain control.
The Regulation
 1729: England’s King George II_____________________ back all of the land of North Carolina
from the proprietors.
 North Carolina became a__________________ colony that was ruled by the king and his
governors. ___________________________ was common.
 In response to high taxes and fees, groups of angry colonists formed groups called
___________________________ to protest and harass officials.
 1771: a militia sent by Governor ______________________________________________
crushed a group of Regulators in what came to be known the
_____________________________________________________
 Many Regulators will eventually become ______________________________ during the quest
for independence.
 Revolution and Statehood
 In August 1774, North Carolina was the_______________ of thirteen colonies to defy its governor and
call an independent assembly. This assembly chose delegates for the soon to occur First Continental
Congress.

In October 1774, a women’s group met in Edenton, North Carolina to protest all things “British,”
including tea, fashion, etc. This protest became known as the “_________________________________.”

Open Rebellion Breaks Out
 May 1775, NC’s royal governor, _________________________, was losing control of the
colony. He and his family fled for safety at a British fort.
 At the same time, a group of North Carolinians met in Mecklenburg County and declared the
royal authority invalid.
 ____________________________________________
 Josiah Martin was driven out of the Colony but was able to organize a group of British soldiers
and loyalists.
 A battle took place at _____________________________________________________ and the
NC patriots defeated the loyalists.
 News of the victory boosted patriot cause throughout NC.

The Halifax Resolves
 The Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge helped end hopes of a peaceful solution to the conflict with
Great Britain.
 NC Patriots_________________________ the conflict on Parliament and local governors.
 With this in mind, NC patriots met in Halifax in April 1776 where they agreed on the
__________________________________________________________
 The Halifax Resolves recommended that all the colonies declare themselves independent
from Great Britain.
 This was this ____________ such document issued by a British colony.

NC’s Western Lands
 With independence, it was feared that North Carolina was too__________________, as settlers
on the western side of the mountains felt too far away from their fellow citizens.
 In the 1780s, they attempted to make a new state, called _______________________________.
This attempt failed.
 In 1789, North Carolina gave its western lands to the federal government.
 This land eventually became ___________________________________________.

Ratifying the Constitution
 The Articles of Confederation was too weak and__________________ as our nation’s first
government.
 Several North Carolinians helped shape the new Constitution, partially by demanding a Bill of
Rights.
 In 1789, North Carolina___________________ the United States Constitution.
 Their focus now was turned towards creating their own_________________ government.
North Carolina’s Constitution
 Calling for a Constitutional Convention
 In October 1776, a statewide election chose ____________________ for a constitutional convention.
 Delegates met in ___________________and they borrowed knowledge, ideas and language from other
state constitutions to draft their own.
 In December 1776 the North Carolina Constitution was ____________________. The delegates voted on
it and it was put into effect.
 North Carolina’s citizens _________________________________________ on the constitution.
 North Carolina’s Constitution

__________________ – opening sentence that defines the intent of the document

“We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of nations,
for the preservation of the American Union and the existence of our civil, political and religious liberties,
and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those blessings to us and our
posterity, do, for the more certain security thereof and for the better government of this State, ordain and
establish this Constitution.”

Article I = _____________________________
 Similar to the US Constitution’s Bill of Rights
 Outlines the rights of citizens.
 _______ sections and ensures rights like free elections, religious liberty, freedom of speech/press,
and the right to an education

Other Articles:








Article II: legislative branch
Article III: executive branch
Article IV: judicial branch
Article V: finance
Article VI: suffrage and eligibility
Article VII: local government
Article VIII: corporations
Article IX: education





Article X homesteads and exemptions
Article XI: punishments, corrections,
and charities
Article XII: military forces
Article XIII: conventions, constitutional
amendment and revision
Article XIV: miscellaneous
 Major Principles found in the NC Constitution…
 Separation of Powers
 Popular Sovereignty
 Protection of individual rights
 Freedom from government abuses
 Government secures peace, provides defense, and promotes general welfare
 Key Rights and Responsibilities granted to the government of North Carolina:
 Establishment of a publically supported system of education
 Public ________________________
 Public ________________________


The University of North Carolina was established in 1789. It is the oldest public
university in the nation.
Creation of local government
 Cities, towns, and counties
***In looking at federal vs. state government, there is 1 Major Difference!.....THE AMENDMENT PROCESS!***
 US Constitution
 Changes are always attached at the end as amendments
 NC Constitution
 Changes are ________________________________into the document
 This means they are drafted into the document as if they were originally part of it.
 How Amendments can happen in NC:
 Can be changed and amended by a constitutional convention of the people, or by legislative initiative
 Constitutional Convention
 A special meeting called for the purpose of revising or amending the constitution
 If ______ of each house of the General Assembly agree then it goes to the voters
 If the public then votes “yes” then they hold a convention of elected delegates
 If the delegates say “yes”, then it is presented to the citizens for another vote called
a_______________________
 If the majority votes yes on the referendum, then it is _______________________________
 Other ways to change the NC Constitution…
 Amendments can also be introduced by legislative initiative
 ___________ vote of both houses of the General Assembly vote in favor of presenting the
proposed amendment to voters without a convention.
 The proposed amendment is presented to the _______________in the form of a referendum
 History of the North Carolina Constitution
 Has had 3 constitutions:
 1776 – too much power given to the legislative branch and not enough to the governor. The
governor’s term was lengthened to___________ years.
 1868 – left the Union, joined the Confederacy and then after the Civil War they drafted this
version. Under this version, the governor’s term grew to ____________years.
 1971 – NC drafted and ratified its current constitution. With this version, the public school year
was lengthened from six months to ________ and the ability of the governor to to_______and
raise money was changed.
Part Two: North Carolina State Government, Ch. 11
Section 1: State Government vs. Federal Government
 All 50 individual state governments must work together with the one federal government.
 No state law can go against a federal law.
 The concept of sharing power is known as_________________.
 The North Carolina State Constitution divides government into three branches, just like the federal government.
 Legislative Branch
 The only state legislature in the country that is not bicameral, like the U.S. Congress is the state
of _______________________
 Executive Branch
 Judicial Branch
 All are headquartered in _______________, the state capital city. The North Carolina Capital
Building was completed in 1840.
 The office of the governor is located within the ________________________________.
Section 2: North Carolina Legislature
 The Legislative Branch
 Organizing the ________________________________
 Bicameral
 ______________________________________________________________________
 Main goal is to make laws
 The General Assembly cannot make laws by itself. The governor must sign acts of the legislature
in order for it to become law.
 The General Assembly has the role of amending the state constitution.
 _____________ member House of Representatives
 _______ member Senate

NC Legislative Leaders
 ___________________________ of the Senate
 _________________________of the House
Section 3: North Carolina’s Executive Branch
 State Executive Branch
 _________________________________
 State’s highest executive officer
 Prepare and recommends the state_____________to the General Assembly
 Makes sure state laws are properly executed
 Commander-in-chief of state military forces (_____________________________)
 Can call special sessions of the legislature
 Can veto legislation – not ________________until 1996
 4 year term – no more than 2 consecutive
 Governor also has a cabinet that he/she appoints

__________________
 ____________________ department heads

_______________________
 State’s second highest executive officer
 First in line to _______________________ the governor should he/she be unable to finish term.
 4 year term – no more than 2 consecutive

Purpose:
 enforce our laws

Who Does the Work?
 Governor
 Top executive branch office in the state
 Lieutenant Governor
 2nd highest executive branch office in the state
 Council of State
 Elected departments heads

Qualifications to Become Governor:
 ____________ years old
 Citizen of US for 5 years
 NC resident for 2 years
 No more than 2 consecutive terms!
o There is no __________________ on total terms.

The Duties and Powers of the Governor

Executive Roles
 Represent the state at public events and ceremonies
 Commands the National Guard and state police
 Executes laws
 Prepares the state ________________ and supervises spending
 Appoints some state officials which the Senate then confirms

Legislative Roles
 Proposes new laws
 Calls for special sessions
 _____________ bills or _____________them into law

Judicial Roles
 Has the power to
o ________________ criminals
o Commutes sentences
o Offers reprieves
Section 4: The Courts in North Carolina
 NC’s Judicial Branch
 Purpose: Interpret our laws
 Responsible for making sure the laws of the state are being properly applied and that legislation
passed by the General Assembly is consistent with the constitution.
 ______________________________
 Highest court in the state
 ____associate justices
 ____ chief justice
 North Carolina Court System
 Trial Division
 ________________________
 Misdemeanor criminal cases, most civil cases, juvenile and domestic matters
 ________________________
 Major criminal cases and civil cases involving over $10,000
 Appellate Division
 ________________________
 Hears appeals from District and Superior courts
 _________________________
 Highest court in the state and offers final interpretation
 Hears any appeals that involve the death penalty
 Important NC Supreme Court Cases
 Bayard v. Singleton
 (1787) NC Constitution______________ state law
 State v. Mann
 (1829) Authorized force from slave _________________ over slaves
 Leandro v. N.C.
 (2006) NC________________ have the right to a sound public education
Part Three: North Carolina Local Governments, Ch. 12
Section 1: Local Government in North Carolina
 Article VII of the NC Constitution states that the General Assembly shall provide for the organization
and government of __________________________________________________.
 ____________________________
 Serve as elected representatives on behalf of the county
 Responsible in making sure that the needs of the county are being met within the boundaries
of state law.
 ____________________________
 Appointed by the Board of Commissioners
 Makes sure policies are implemented properly
 __________ Counties of North Carolina
 _____________
 County’s chief law enforcement official
 Elected to_____ year terms
 Chris Hill
 The Lenoir County Sheriff’s Department is a 108 member office consisting of:
 67 sworn officers
 34 detention officers
 6 administrative support staff
 1 volunteer chaplain.
 Metropolis – a large city with a population of a _________________ or more
 City Government
 ____________ serves as the chief executive officer and shares power with the…
 ____________
 Alderman – a member of the city council
 Ordinances
 Laws passed by the city council and specific to a particular city
 ________________________________
 A city government that uses the mayor as the head of its government sharing power with the
city council
 ____________________________________
 Citizens elect the council and then they hire a city manager.
 Kinston City Government
 Mayor
 BJ Murphy
 City Council
 Mayor is a part of the council
 City Manager
 Tony Sears
 Director of Public Safety
 Hired by city council
 Answers to mayor or city council
 Bill Johnson
Section 2: Local Government Services and Revenue
 Local government has many responsibilities for their citizens. They oversee:
 __________________
 pre-school programs, public schools, community colleges
 ___________________
 Public hospitals, housing, health department
 __________________
 Emergency services, police, sheriff, fire department, EMS
 __________________
 Water, gas, electricity, water treatment, garbage collection
 __________________
 Zoning helps local governments plan and control land use in their communities
 All of these services require revenue. ($$$$)
 Local Government Revenue
 Just like individuals, governments have to stay on top of their ____________________ (money)
 The NC Constitution requires the government maintain a____________________ budget
 They do this through revenue and responsible spending
Section 3: Taxes/Fees and Fines
 _____________________
 A tax that people pay to the state based on a _______________ of their annual income
 ___________________income tax
 Requires corporations in NC to pay a percentage of their yearly____________________.
 ____________________
 Tax paid by those who _________ homes or land.
 The amount paid is determined by assessments
 Assessments
 Estimating the property’s ____________
 Usually by county or municipal governments
 __________________
 A tax that must be paid on what one inherits from someone who has ____________.
 _______________
 This tax is collected when a person dies.
 When someone dies, the assets and property that he/she leaves behind is called the estate.
 The value of the estate is assessed and a tax must be paid before it can then be
______________________ to the heir.
 _____________
 Tax on goods and services purchased by consumers
 _______________
 “________________hidden tax” – built into non-essential goods such as cigarettes and
alcohol.
 ____________________
 The state also raises money by charging a fee to get your permit and license.
 Driver’s license, fishing licenses, business licenses, building permits, etc.
 This money helps ________________ state and local government
 User fees
 Charged to people who use public facilities
 Picnic area at a _______________________________________
 Disposal fees
 Paid to state or local governments for removing waste
 _____________________________
 Impact fees
 Land developers pay this it is used to finance the____________________ or expansion of
government buildings.
 Fines


Money paid as a ________________________for a crime or civil offense.
Other means of revenue
 State and municipal bonds
 State and local governments issue ___________ in exchange for cash.
 The government pays the buyer at a later date
 Intergovernmental revenue
 Money received from federal, state, or local governments in the form of______________ or
special payments
 Other Means of Revenue
 Federal grants in _________
 Money from federal government to help finance things like Medicaid, highways,
disaster relief, and special community programs.
 Sometimes the federal government will not pay a grant to persuade the state to ____________ a
certain policy.
 Ex: US government convinced states to raise the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 by
threatening to withhold highway funding.
 Conflict and Cooperation Between Governments
 Local governments often work _____________ on councils of government to complete
projects or address concerns that one government could not afford to manage on its own.
 Local governments sometimes come into ____________over economic issues.
 Local governments can turn to state government for help with major public projects.
 Some stat governments grant counties or municipalities home rule, or the right to write their
own charter.
 The federal and state governments will help local governments financially with problems that
affect the ________________________.
Part Four: The Economy and Careers in North Carolina, Ch. NC18
 Due to the efforts of entrepreneurs, workers, and the state government, North Carolina enjoys a
vibrant and diverse economy that provides good job opportunities.
 North Carolina is part of an economy that includes _______________________________________
_________________ in all parts of the world.
 Working in North Carolina
 Top 5 Agricultural Products
 ____________
 ______________________________
 ______________________________
 __________________________
 ______________________

Top 5 Exports by Industry
 ____________________
 _______________________
 __________________________________
 __________________
 _________________

Economic opportunity was one of the primary ___________________________for the men
and women who founded North Carolina.

North Carolina’s more traditional industries, such as
_________________________________________________________, continue to employ
many North Carolinians, though some manufacturing industries have slowed in recent years.

Industries such as _____________________________, information technology
and________________ have grown in recent years, helping to make North Carolina a major
recipient of venture capital.

North Carolina’s government works hard to encourage business and increase opportunity in
the state. For example, it helped establish __________________________________ to
encourage the biotechnology industry.

Individuals can increase their chances of success by cultivating the education and skills
employers want.
 North Carolina and the Global Economy
 In recent years, globalization has been a major factor shaping the economies of the United
States and North Carolina.

Facing competition from the ___________________, the United States has left behind a
history of protectionism to pursue free trade policies, resulting in agreements such as
____________________and CAFTA-DR.

North Carolina’s economy is globalized and depends on trade with foreign countries as well
as direct foreign_______________________________.

While globalization has helped create new opportunities, North Carolina has also had to make
some difficult ______________________.