We the People
Unit 6
What does it Mean to be a Citizen?
Directions: After reading Lesson 33 and Lesson 2, complete the following prompts. You may type right on to this document
or complete on separate piece of paper.
Note: Definitions in the Lessons are better than the ones in the glossary.
Lesson 2:
1. What were some characteristics of the Roman Republic that have contributed to its stability?
2. What are the advantages of small, homogeneous communities? What are the disadvantages?
3. Why did the Founders consider Cincinnatus a model of civic virtue? What is the importance of civic virtue among leaders
and citizens?
4. Is there any relationship between the idea of civic virtue and the ideas expressed in the following quotation?
“I often wonder whether we do not rest our hopes too much upon constitutions, upon laws, and upon
courts. These are false hopes; believe me, these are false hopes. Liberty lies in the hearts of men and
women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it; no constitution, no law, no
court can even do much to help it. While it lies there, it needs no constitution, no law, no court to save
it.” - Justice Learned Hand in a speech “The Spirit of Liberty” – 1944
5. WDYT p. 15
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6. Do Hobbes’s idea about the establishment of authoritarian states to promote order, security, and peace have any relevance
today? Why or why not?
7. R&UTL
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3.
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8. Define the following terms:
Civic virtue
common good
Natural rights
social contract theory
state of nature
classical republicanism
Lesson 33
9. Why did the Founders believe religion and education were important for republican self-government?
10. How might participation in local government help people understand their rights and responsibilities?
11. WDYT p.246:
12. What is the meaning and significance of the nation’s motto E pluribus unum?
13. WDYT p.247:
14. WDYT p. 248
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15. WDYT p. 251
16. What obligation accompany the right to vote?
17. R & UTL p.252
5.
6.
18. Define the following terms:
Alien
citizen
Resident alien jus soli
enlightened self interest
jus sanguines
19. Research the following Supreme Court decisions:
naturalization