Civics
Unit I: Foundations of American Democracy
In addition to meeting the daily Learning Targets, here’s
what you need to know for this unit. To best prepare for
the quiz and other assessments, know the terms and be
able to explain the concepts and themes without looking at
your notes.
TERMS
informed electorate
democracy
majority rule
compromise
free enterprise (free
market/capitalism)
limited government
representative
government
natural rights
inalienable rights
unalienable rights
state of nature
social contract
Magna Carta
due process
Petition of Right
English Bill of Rights
charter
bicameral
unicameral
Boston Massacre
Tea Act
Intolerable Acts
Stamp Act
First and Second
Continental
Congress
confederation
Albany Plan of Union
popular sovereignty
Articles of
Confederation
ratification
Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
Connecticut Compromise
Three-Fifths
Compromise
Federalist
Anti-Federalist
separation of powers
checks and balances
veto
judicial review
federalism
amendment
Bill of Rights
division of powers
delegated powers
implied powers
inherent powers
reserved powers
exclusive powers
concurrent powers
Supremacy Clause
CONCEPTS AND THEMES
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Definition, characteristics, and ideals of American democracy
Roots of democracy
Enlightenment thinkers and their influence on American democracy and the Constitution
Goals and purposes of American government, including clauses from the Preamble
7 pillars of the Constitution (know what they mean and be able to apply them)
Influence of the Magna Carta, Petition of Right, and English Bill of Rights on American ideas
about government and freedom
Events leading up to the Declaration of Independence (the docudrama John Adams is
helpful here)
British policies and colonial reactions as causes and effects of the American Revolution
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Different plans and compromises in creating the Constitution, including the Constitutional
Convention and ratification
Positions of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist debates