Civics
Blackline Masters
Table of Contents
Name of Activities / Page NumberAnalysis of Articles of the US Constitution / 3
Articles of Confederation Opinionnaire Worksheet / 4
The Bill of Rights / 5
Branches of Government Opinionnaire / 6
Classifying Governments Chart / 7
Classifying Policy Issues / 8
Classifying Rights and Answers / 9-10
Constitutional Analysis / 11
Democrat or Republican / 12
Democrat or Republican Issues / 13
Document Summaries Worksheet / 14-15
Fundamental Principles Word Grid / 16
Governmental Functions / 17
Governmental Powers / 18
Interest Groups and Political Parties Word Grid / 19
Mayflower Compact Worksheet / 20
Political Ideology Word Grid / 21
Propaganda Technique Comparison / 22
RAFT Writing / 23
Types of Government Systems / 24
Vocabulary Card on the Principles of Government / 25
What Are your Opinions About Foreign Policy? / 26
Analysis of Articles IV, V, VI, and VII
of the United States Constitution
Summarize Articles IV, V, VI, and VII in your own words in the space provided.
Article IV. Relationships between states and the federal government
What does full faith and credit mean?
Why is it important that citizens in one state have the rights of citizenship in all other states?
What is extradition?
How did the Constitution treat runaway slaves?
Why is it important that every state have a republican form of government?
______
______
Article V. Amending Process
What are the two ways amendments to the Constitution may be proposed?
What are the two ways amendments to the Constitution may be ratified?
Why did the Founding Fathers make the amending process so difficult?
______
Article VI. Legal Status of the Constitution
Why was it necessary for the new government to pay its debts?
How does the phrase supreme law of the land define power relationships between federal and state governments?
Why would government officials need to take an oath?
Why would there be no religious tests in order to be a government official?
______
Article VII. Ratification
How many states needed to ratify the Constitution before it would go into effect?
______
Articles of Confederation Opinionnaire Worksheet
Read through the summaries of the provisions of the Articles of Confederation below. Indicate whether each provision strengthened (S) or weakened (W) the national government provided for under the Articles of Confederation. In the space provided under each provision, explain why you made that choice and how the United States Constitution corrected the problem.
1. The Articles created a loose confederation of independent states that gave limited powers to a central government. Circle S W ______
2. The national government created a single house of Congress. Circle S W
______
3. Each state would have one vote. Circle S W
______
______
4. A unanimous vote was needed to amend the Articles. Circle S W
______
______
5. Each state coined its own money. Circle S W ______
______
6. Nine of thirteen states must agree to laws. Circle S W
______
______
7. No federal courts were created by the Articles. Circle S W
______
______
8. No executive existed under the Articles. Circle S W
______
______
9. Collection of taxes was unenforceable. Circle S W
______
______
Blackline Masters, Civics Page 23
Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum, Revised 2008
The Bill of Rights
Identify the following freedoms and rights with the specific amendments in the Bill of Rights:
Amendment Number Freedom or Right
_____ (1) freedom of speech
_____ (2) freedom of religion
_____ (3) freedom of the press
_____ (4) freedom of assembly
_____ (5) right to petition government
_____ (6) right to bear arms
_____ (7) freedom from quartering soldiers
_____ (8) freedom from unreasonable
searches
_____ (9) freedom from unreasonable
seizure
_____ (10) indictment by grand jury before
trial
_____ (11) no double jeopardy
_____ (12) protection from self-
incrimination
_____ (13) due process
_____ (14) eminent domain compensation
_____ (15) right to a speedy trial
_____ (16) right to a public trial
_____ (17) right to trial by jury of one’s
peers
_____ (18) right to confront witnesses
_____ (19) right to counsel
_____ (20) right to jury trial in civil cases
_____ (21) protection from excessive bail
or fines
_____ (22) no cruel or unusual punishment
_____ (23) rights not listed are retained by
people
Opinionnaire
Have students complete the following opinionnaire. Students will discuss their answers following completion of the opinionnaires.
What Are Your Opinions About the Branches of Government?
Directions: After each statement, write SA (strongly agree), A (agree), D (disagree), or SD (strongly disagree). Then in the space provided, briefly explain the reasons for your opinions.
1. The executive branch is the most powerful branch of our government._____
Your reasons:
2. The legislative branch is the most powerful branch of our government._____
Your reasons:
3. The judicial branch is the most powerful branch of our government._____
Your reasons:
Classifying Governments Chart
Democracy / Aristocracy / AutocracyClassifying Policy Issues
Mark the following political actions as:
D=domestic or F=foreign or B=both
____ Income tax rates are reduced by Congress.
____ Tariffs are increased on steel imports.
____ The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) is passed.
____ The North American Free Trade Agreement (1994) is signed.
____ The federal government borrows money to cover deficit spending.
Classifying Rights
Rights of Citizens / Personal / Political / EconomicClassifying Rights
Rights of Citizens / Personal / Political / Economicdue process / X
free speech / X
purchase of goods / X
voting / X
free association / X
pay taxes / X
jury trial / X
assembly / X
join political party / X
open business / X
religion / X
driver’s license / X
Constitutional Analysis
Article I, U.S. Constitution
Article I creates a national legislature that represents the people in making rules governing the country. The article has ten (10) sections. In the spaces provided below, write a summary of each section in your own words.
Section 1. Congress
What does vested mean?
______
Section 2. House of Representatives
Who can vote for House members?
What are the qualifications for a member to be elected?
What does sole power of impeachment mean?
What is enumeration?
Why did some people count differently?
How many representatives does each state have the right to elect?
What is their term of office?
______
Democrat or Republican
Students should use books or the Internet to find numbers to complete the following chart. Totals should be placed in each category.
Democrat / Republican / OtherLouisiana’s two U.S. Senators
Louisiana’s U.S. Representatives
Democrats in the Louisiana House
Republicans in the Louisiana House
Democrats in the Louisiana Senate
Republicans in the Louisiana Senate
Democrats in the U. S. House of Representatives
Republicans in the U. S. House of Representatives
Democrats in the U. S. Senate
Republicans in the U. S. Senate
States with Republican Governors
States with Democratic Governors
States with a Democratic Legislature (both houses)
States with a Republican Legislature (both houses)
States with a divided Legislature
Democrat or Republican Issues
Have students place a (D) for Democratic Party or an (R) for Republican Party in front of statements or political issues that best describe their principles. Students may interview parents or a political party member to assist them in completing the form.
____Government should protect social security as it is.
____Government should protect the life of a fetus. (Right to life)
____Government should increase the amount of money spent on national defense.
____Government should give women the right to choose. (Pro-choice)
____Government should privatize part of social security.
____Government should raise taxes to meet the social and economic needs of citizens.
____Private organizations should provide for the social and economic needs of
citizens.
____Government should reduce taxes to promote the economy.
____Government should reduce taxes at all income levels.
____Government should reduce taxes on lower and middle income families.
____Government should regulate the way people use the environment.
____Government should set aside public lands for public use. (National forests and parks)
Document Summaries
Describe how each of the following documents contributed to the establishment of a limited government in the United States.
* * * * *
Magna Carta
The Magna Carta was the charter of English political and civil liberties granted by King John at Runnymede, England, in June of 1215. The document limited the king’s power and is therefore considered the beginning of constitutional government in England. The most notable of rights guaranteed is trial by jury.
* * * * *
English Bill of Rights (Rights of Englishmen)
The Rights of Englishmen were derived from the Magna Carta and verified in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Essentially, the English parliament, in offering the throne to William of Orange in 1688, demanded that the king approve a bill of rights for all Englishmen, which became known as the English Bill of Rights in 1689. These rights included the following:
· The king could not suspend the laws.
· Only parliament could tax and expend money.
· There was freedom of speech in parliament.
· Bail was not to be excessive.
· Parliament was to meet regularly.
* * * * *
English Common Law
The common law legal system is a system of laws that originated and was developed in England. The laws are based on court decisions and the doctrines implied in those decisions. These laws are based on customs and usages rather
than on codified laws.
Document Summaries
* * * * *
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact of 1620 asserted the rights of American colonists under English Common Law. English kings argued that they should rule as absolute monarchs (autocrats) because they had divine right (i.e., they believed they were ordained as sovereign by God and the Church). The nobility and merchants argued that they had rights as Englishmen to choose representatives to parliament—a parliament that would control taxes. The Mayflower Compact was an expression by the Pilgrims who agreed to be governed under a compact (e.g., government by the consent of the governed).
* * * * *
Declaration of Independence
By 1775, the experience with British colonialism taught the American colonists that their rights as Englishmen were in competition with the power of the English king and parliament. Ideas expressed in the Declaration of Independence declared:
· The King had not protected Englishmen from their enemies.
· All men have unalienable rights (e.g., life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness).
· All men are equal before the law.
The rights of colonists had been violated by taxation and regulation by the English parliament without colonial representation in that legislative body (e.g., without consent of the governed).
* * * * *
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was America’s first plan of national government,put into effect in 1781. It loosely organized the former thirteen colonies into a confederation of thirteen states under a weak national government. It was replaced later by the federal government created under the U. S. Constitution in
1789.
Fundamental Principles Word Grid
Country / Rule of Law / Limited government / Consent of the governed / ConstitutionalismGovernmental Functions
* * * * *
Legislative Branch
Congress / Louisiana Legislature / Parish LevelHouse of Representatives: House of Representatives: Parish Council/:
Senate: Senate: Police Jury:
Majority Leaders: Majority Leaders:
Legislative Checks on Executive Legislative Checks on Executive
and Judicial Branches: and Judicial Branches:
* * * * *
Executive Branch
Federal Executive / Louisiana Executive / Parish ExecutivePresident: Governor: Parish President:
District Attorney:
Sheriff:
Vice-President: Lt. Governor:
Coroner:
Assessor:
Executive Checks on Judicial Executive Checks on Judicial
and Legislative Branches: and Legislative Branches:
U. S. Attorney General: Attorney General: Parish Attorney:
Executive Cabinet: Executive Cabinet:
* * * * *
Judicial Branch
Federal Courts / Louisiana Courts / Parish CourtsSupreme Court: Supreme Court:
Court of Appeals: Court of Appeals:
District Court: District Court: District Court:
Clerk of Court:
Judicial Checks on Executive Judicial Checks on Executive
and Legislative Branches and Legislative Branches:
Governmental Powers
Powers Reserved Concurrent Powers Congressional Powers
To the States (Shared)
______Delegated:
______
______
______Implied:
______
______
Interest Groups and Political Parties Word Grid
Search for the websites of the following special interest groups and associations. Assess the special interests of each group and fill in the blanks. Determine how each group aligns with political parties and check off the appropriate symbol:
R=Republican D=Democratic N=Neutral B=Both
Special Interest Group / R / D / N / BNational Education Association
Chambers of Commerce
Airline Pilots Association
Sierra Club
American Legion
National Rifle Association
American Automobile Association
American Association of Retired Persons
AFL-CIO
American Trial Lawyers Association
Mayflower Compact Worksheet
After reading and discussing the opening sentence of the Mayflower Compact, write a sentence describing how the colonists believed in the divine right of the English King. Mark words from the document that support your statement.
In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc.
______
Answer the questions that follow this quote from the Mayflower Compact.
Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick,
Where did the colonists plan to settle? ______
What did the colonists mean by “covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick”? ______
Which portions of the following quote from the Mayflower Compact would you cite to indicate that they recognized the:
rule of law ______
rights of Englishmen______
consent of the governed______
for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience.