hen in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
1. worldview - a belief system whereby one understands or interprets the world and interacts with it. A biblical worldview is one in which all of life is understood and lived on the facts, truth, and principles of Scripture.
2. secular - apart from religion/God
3. humanism - worldview that views man as the measure of all things. The concept of secular humanism is a belief system that denies the reality of God and absolute truth while exalting man and his own abilities and relative truth and knowledge as all that is needed.
4. natural law/rights - legal theory that states that law is set and rights are guaranteed by that which is natural or inherent (within) the nature of man and applies to all human beings. Theists hold that these natural law/rights are given by God while atheists hold that these concepts are simply natural to mankind as a result of their humanity alone and are a product of natural evolutionary causes.
5. positive law - legal theory that states that law is set and rights are given by human beings alone and are based on individual belief and circumstances.
6. absolute truth - belief that Truth exists which is derived from God, eternal, and applies to all people in all circumstances and situations.
7. moral relativism - belief that moral truth is not absolute, but relative, changing according to personal opinion, circumstance, and situation. Derived from the mind and reason of man alone and not to God.
8. divine law - law derived from God, independent of the will and opinion of man. Allies to all people everywhere at all times.
9. unalienable - that which cannot be taken away justly. Refers to rights and freedoms given by the Creator in the Declaration of Independence (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness)
10. alienable - that which can be taken away. Refers to guarantees that are govern by man/government - while important, they can and do change or can and are taken away.
11. civil rights/liberties - rights and freedoms given by civil authorities/government. These rights and freedoms protect the individual from unfair governmental practices and guarantee equality under law. Because they are given by man, these guarantees are alienable.
12. Rex Lex - ancient doctrine stating that the king is law - absolutely in power and control - the king is nor bound by law, but is above the law and makes and applies law to his subjects/slaves as he decrees. Upholds idea that some are by nature better than others, that equality under God and law does not exist, and that God appoints some to rule over others without their consent based on his choice - the divine right of kings.
13. Lex Rex - political concept first put forth by Samuel Rutherford in 1644, stating that the law is king. The teaching states that the law is absolutely in power and control - the king, subjects, and slaves are all under the authority of the law. Upholds biblical idea that all are created equal in the sight of God
14. materialism - belief that the only thing that exists is matter and that all matter, phenomena, and causes are natural. Matter is the only substance - there is no spiritual aspect to life and no supernatural.
15. theism - belief in God (from Greek theos - God)
16. atheism - belief in no God (a- no; theos - God)
17. deism - belief that God created all things, then withdrew from his creation and allowed all things to operate by natural process. Belief that God does not intervene directly in the lives of individuals or in creation itself.
18. monotheism - belief in one God
19. polytheism - belief in many gods
20. pantheism - belief that God or gods are in all things and as such creation itself or that which is natural should be worshipped.
21. social compact - idea that government structure should be based on a concept that those in authority are placed in that position by the consent of the governed. Government is of, by, and for the people
22. federalism - system of government whereby power is given by the consent and elective choice of the people and divided from a federal or central power to a state and then a local authority. In addition to this separation of power, each level of government is then broken into branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) of power and responsibility. As a result, power is checked and balanced so that power is limited. More than anything else, the founders feared unlimited, unchecked power and tried to limit power as much as possible.
23. legislative branch - makes the law
24. executive branch - enforces the law
25. judicial branch - interprets the law
26. religious freedom clause of first amendment - ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibit the free exercise thereof’
27. The first part of the clause is known as the establishment clause. The second part of the clause is known as the free exercise clause
28. Separation of church and state - concept first written by Thomas Jefferson in a private letter to a Baptist congregation in Danbury, Conn. advocating a wall of separation between church and state. Jefferson’s original idea and the purpose of the first amendment was to guarantee religious freedom by not allowing the federal government (and he hoped state governments eventually also) to touch it in any way. This concept is now used to separate church/religion from many areas of life and culture by law.
29. Declaration of Independence - established government on basis of ideals founded in Judeo-Christian worldview. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, but he drew from many sources and wanted it to be ’an expression of the American mind,” a summary of what Americans thought as a whole. It asserted that: 1. law and rights are established in God 2. Equality and justice for all under all is possible because all men are created equal in the eyes of God. 3. Natural law and rights are given to all by God as gifts and thus are unalienable (cannot be taken away rightly) It was to be a government of laws, not men. 4. The purpose of government is not to give, but to guarantee and secure these rights
5. If government fails to do this, it is the right and the duty of the people to change their government to secure these rights 6. Governments are established and maintain power through the consent of the governed, not by force.
30. US Constitution - 1. established a representative form of government based in law upon the ideals stated in the Declaration. 2. Established government of, by, and for the people - power is vested in the people. 3. The people agree or consent to be governed by elected representatives under a federal system of federal, state, and local levels. Separate branches are established to further divide power and responsibilities 4. Equal justice under law is guaranteed and the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. 5. Established a system of checks and balances and separation of powers to create a limit on governmental power.
31. politics - the process of applying of values and benefits with authority upon society
32. government - a structure of power that creates, enforces, and interprets the laws of society
33. totalitarianism - a form of government that controls all areas of life in a nation or state.
34. anarchy - the condition of having no government or law. Each member of society governs themselves alone.
35. democracy - a form of government in which political authority is vested in the people (from demos - people and kratos - authority)
36. republic - form of government in which sovereignty rests with the people who then elect people to represent them in lawmaking and decision making (sometimes referred to as representative democracy)
37. majority - more than 50% while a plurality is the highest # or % of votes gained, not necessarily a majority.
38. minority rights - the concept that all citizens should be protected in rights and liberties by the majority
39. pluralism - a view that sees politics as a continuing conflict between interest groups where compromise is a key
40. hyperpluralism - a situation where interests groups grow so powerful that they dominant politics and focus on their own goals rather than the common good.
41. liberty - the greatest freedom for individuals that is consistent with the freedom of others
42. equality - concept that all people are of equal worth
43. equal justice under law - concept that all citizens have an equal right to fair treatment, or due process, under the laws established.
44. popular sovereignty - the concept that all political power rests with the people.
45. state - a group of people occupying a specific area and organized under one government (state or nation)
46. ratify - formally approve
47. judicial review - the power of the Supreme Court of the US to decide upon the Constitutionality of laws and governmental decisions/actions.
48. supremacy clause - the Constitutional provision that makes the federal Constitution superior to state and local law or 'the supreme law of the land.'
49. commerce clause - section of the Constitution which gives the federal Congress the power to regulate trade between states and with foreign countries.
50. incorporation - theory that applies most of the Bill of Rights to the states through the 14th amendment.
51. Five freedoms of the 1st amendment - religion, speech, press, assembly, petition
52. unprotected speech - speech that is not allowed due to it's harmful nature.
53. primary election - election within party to determine general election candidate for the party. In some states, only those registered in that party can vote.
54. general election - election involving candidates from different parties.
Societies governed by a biblical worldview WILL produce freedom with form - liberty within a structure of laws and responsibilities under God and based on eternal law and Truth the result = Freedom!
Societies governed by a humanist worldview WILL produce chaos and slavery - moral relativism will create a society with laws and rights based on the power and will of the state - power will be corrupted and abused and chaos and disregard for authority will be created ( lawlessness and anarchy) This WILL lead to an acceptance of more and eventually TOTAL power being brought to bear on all of society (totalitarianism) The result = Slavery!
Some of the founders were Christian believers, but virtually ALL of the founders had a great respect for Biblical principles and knew that they were founding their freedoms, rights, and government on Biblical principles and truth. In 1776, 99% of the American people identified themselves as being Christian - the Christian worldview prevailed throughout society and culture.
Humanists have used a strategy to transform America’s foundation from a Biblical worldview to a Humanist worldview. To do this, they have: 1. taken control of the educational system and established a humanist curriculum 2. Used laws and court decisions to restrict religious freedom and promote humanistic values 3. Spread their humanist beliefs through media and entertainment and 4. Spread their humanist beliefs in certain churches, causing some churches to adopt a humanistic philosophy
Between 1620 and 1787, the colonies established over 100 government charters written as social compacts of community based on Christian principles with God as witness to their actions and commitments.
The Declaration of Independence established, for the first time in world history, a concept of universal, God - given, natural rights
Jefferson stated that the declaration was not based on his opinions and beliefs alone, but summarized the sentiments and beliefs of all of the American people. He called it , "an expression of the American mind."
The population of the colonies in 1776 was approximately 3 million, 99% of whom were protestant Christians. The concepts of freedom, equality, independence from unfair or tyrannical earthly power, and dependence upon God and His Truth came directly from Christian principles and the religious excitement and spiritual movement known as the First Great Awakening. This movement of God occurred in the colonies between roughly 1730-1760
The founders knew that they were establishing ideals and forms of government rooted in God, absolute truth, and universal, natural law. Their understandings were impacted by ancient writers and governments and by reason; however, the founding of America was certainly NOT based upon a concept of secular humanism, polytheism, pantheism, atheism, or the beliefs of Islam. Any support for a secular society and government was totally foreign to public beliefs at the time of the founding.
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is Lord of ALL of life, including politics and government. In Romans 13, the Bible calls for men to be mindful and respectful of authority; however, if the law and will of man is not in obedience to the law and will of God, it is the obligation of man to resist unjust law. (ex. Moses, Daniel and his three friends, Peter and John, the early church, etc...)
The founders believed that the key to freedom was to limit power and to promote religion and morality
To limit power, the founders:
1. created a system of federalism that divided power vertically between federal, state, and local governments. There are over 80,ooo separate governments in the US today.
2. divided power horizontally into three branches of power and responsibility - executive, legislative, and judicial. This is known as the concept of separation of powers.
3. established the ability and responsibility of branches to check and balance on another in many different areas. Examples of this include: The executive branch appoints judges, but the legislative branch must approve the appointments. The legislative branch makes the laws, but the executive veto or nullify the proposed law. The legislative branch can then override the executive ceto with a 2/3 vote of both houses of Congress.
4. A bicameral (two houses) Congress was established to distribute state power and to create a system whereby proposed laws would move slowly through the Congress, allowing for debate and amendments.
5. the federalist system was designed to limit central power and give most authority to state and local governments and provide maximum individual liberty.
6. A Bill of Rights was established in the US Constitution to guarantee these individual rights and liberties and to limit central power. The US Constitution would not have been ratified by 3/4 of the states had the founders not promised to include a Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was approved by the very first Congress (1791)
7. The Constitution allows for changes or amendments if needed - the process is difficult, but not impossible. The Constitution has 27 amendments (out of over 10,000 proposed). 2/3 of both houses of Congress must vote for a proposed amendment and 3/4 of the states must ratify.
8. Frequent elections were established on all levels to hold elected officials accountable to the public on a regular basis.
9. Stated that God, not government, is the source of natural and individual rights and liberty - Government is to be the guarantor of natural and individual rights. If it ever destroys or harms these rights, it is the duty of the people to oppose and change it.
10. The founders encouraged the promotion of religion and morality among the people because it restricted the natural sinful impulse of man to be selfish and corrupt. The greatest guarantor of religious liberty was the religious clauses of the first amendment.
The clauses had the same goal - to promote religious freedom and religious exercise and to limit governmental power over religion and conscience.
To promote religion and morality, the founders established:
First Amendment religious clauses: "Congress (national legislature)shall make no law respecting an ESTABLISHMENT of religion, or prohibit the FREE EXERCISE thereof..."
Meaning: The FEDERAL Congress only was forbidden by law to be able to establish a national church. States could, and did, establish state churches - 9 of the colonies had established state churches by law in 1775 and others had tests of faith that people had to pass before being able hold elected office. These practices ended in all states by 1833 as the number of churches and denominations increased. The ending of these established churches and tests allowed for more religious freedom, diversity, and practice. The original intent of both religious clauses of the first amendment was to PROMOTE and encourage religious freedom by prohibiting the FEDERAL government form interfering in theses issues in ANY way. Thus, the clauses should not be in conflict with each other, but today, secularists have been able to change the original purpose and intent of the establishment clause through unwise court rulings and unwise laws. The establishment clause is now used on any and every type of religious expression, thus the establishment clause is being used to limit or restrict the free exercise of religion - this was never the intention - upholding one clause should not negate the other, but today, laws and court decisions are used in such a way as to secularize society as much as possible
All of the founders were not believing Christians, but ALL of them held a belief in the truths and teachings of a Christian worldview. They ALL agreed:
1. God created all men equal in value - all men were created in the image of God.
2. God gave to all men certain unalienable rights - natural rights endowed by the Creator.
3. The greatest of all individual rights was thre right to conscience - the ability to reflect upon and choose for oneself without limit on religious issues.
4. All men are by nature corrupt, selfish, sinful, and apt to abuse power.
5. Power must be limited in all civil institutions, church and state alike.
6. Good order and equal justice under law is a pillar of freedom (Lex Rex) Government should be one of laws, not men.
7. Religion, morality, and virtue are pillars of freedom - a secular state or nation could not long survive. To remove God and Christian principles from government and society would remove the limits upon power and lead to chaos and slavery.
US Constitution - established a republican form of government based in law and upon the foundation and ideals found in the Declaration of Independence. It is a federalist system based on a government of, by, and for the people. The people govern themselves through elected representatives. It is a government where power comes from the people - the government rules only by the consent or permission of the governed, not by force.
The creation of the Constitution entailed hours of debate and compromise, and even when it was completed, some delegates were unhappy with it. The task of fixing the ailing Confederate government was not complete yet; each state had to ratify, or approve, the Constitution. Basically, people divided into two groups, the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. Each of their viewpoints is worth examining, as they both have sound reasoning.
The Anti-Federalists did not want to ratify the Constitution. Basically, they argue that:
- It gave too much power to the national government at the expense of the state governments.
- There was no bill of rights.
- The national government could maintain an army in peacetime.
- Congress, because of the `necessary and proper clause,' wielded too much power.
- The executive branch held too much power.
Of these complaints, the lack of a bill of rights was the most effective. The American people had just fought a war to defend their rights, and they did not want a intimidating national government taking those rights away again. The lack of a bill of rights was the focus of the Anti-Federalist campaign against ratification.
The Federalists, on the other hand, had answers to all of the Anti-Federalist complaints. Among them:
- The separation of powers into three independent branches protected the rights of the people. Each branch represents a different aspect of the people, and because all three branches are equal, no one group can assume control over another.
- A listing of rights can be a dangerous thing. If the national government were to protect specific listed rights, what would stop it from violating rights other than the listed ones? Since we can't list all the rights, the Federalists argued that it's better to list none at all.
Overall, the Federalists were more organized in their efforts. By June of 1788, the Constitution was close to ratification. Nine states had ratified it, and only one more (New Hampshire) was needed. To achieve this, the Federalists agreed that once Congress met, it would draft a bill of rights. Finally, New York and Virginia approved, and the Constitution was a reality. Interestingly, the Bill of Rights was not originally a part of the Constitution, and yet it has proved to be highly important to protecting the rights of the people.
The three most important words in the Constitution are "We the People."
These words establish the source of power and consent being in the people themselves - those in authority rule based on the consent or permission of the governed and not by privilege, right, or force. The preamble to the Constitution also reveals the six goals of the Constitution itself:
We the People of the United States, (1)in Order to form a more perfect Union, (2)establish Justice, (3)insure domestic Tranquility, (4)provide for the common defence, (5)promote the general Welfare, and (6)secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
America has done more to establish, preserve, and advance freedom than any other nation in history. America was the first nation to establish government, freedom, and liberty upon natural, God-given rights. The nation was founded and has championed the principles of freedom, absolute truth, equality of person, and equal justice under law based on a Christian worldview. America has offered and extended freedom to millions of people around the world and has given over a million of her citizens in death for freedom's sake. She has served as an inspiration, beacon and model to all those yearning to be free. America has given more humanitarian aid to people around the world than any other nation and has done more to advance the eternal ideals of freedom and liberty than any nation in history. America stands for the rights of all, equal justice for all under law, the rights of the individual, religious freedom and the value of all life. However, America is not perfect. In her history, she has committed four great national sins: 1. the removal of the American Indian from lands often in an unjust manner - America broke many of the promises given to the Indian. 2. the enslavement of African Americans in human bondage for 250 years 3. the killing of the unborn in abortion - since 1973, over 40 million children have been legally killed in the United States. 4. In the last 80 years, America has forgotten God, the greatest and most devastating sin of all. Interestingly, each of these sins relates to a misunderstanding and lack of appreciation concerning the value of each individual life and a forgetting of the Creator of life itself and His eternal principles.
If America was founded upon these eternal truths and the God who established them, what will happen to our nation when we move from that foundation and forget that God?
The Conventions of a number of the States having, at the time of adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added, and as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution;
Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States; all or any of which articles, when ratified by three-fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution, namely:
Amendment I - 5 Freedoms
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II - Right to Bear Arms
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III - No Quartering of Soldiers
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Amendment IV - Prohibtion of Illegal Search and Seizure
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V - Accused Rights of Due Process
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI - Trial Rights
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII - Civil Trials
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII - Prohition Against Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX - Implied Rights Retained by the People
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X - State's Rights
Amendment 11 - RESTRICTION OF LAWSUITS - ratified 1795 - persons living in a different state or foreign country cannot sue a state in federal courts.
Amendment 12 - ELECTORAL COLLEGE CORRECTIONS - ratified 1804 - this amendment was proposed and ratified after the controversial 1800 election between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. The amendment corrects some flaws in the electoral college process described in Article I of the Constitution. The amendment states that if no presidential candidate wins a majority (more than half) of the electoral college vote, then the House of Representatives, voting by state, (each state delegation gets one vote) choses the president and the Senate chooses the vice president.
Amendment 13 - ENDED SLAVERY IN ALL OF US - ratified 1865 - Constitutional amendment declaring slavery illegal everywhere in the United States of America. Amendment followed the American Civil War, which resulted in the death of over 620,000 Americans between 1861-1865.
Amendment 14 -- CITIZENSHIP AND DUE PROCESS TO BLACK AMERICANS - ratified 1868 - States that anyone born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States and that every citizen in every state is entitled to due process (equality and fairness under law) according to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Laws in every state legislature and the federal legislature must be enacted in a way that treats all people equally. This amendment has been used to apply the Bill of Rights in the federal Constitution to every state.
Amendment 15 -- VOTING RIGHTS GUARANTEED FOR BLACK AMERICANS - ratified 1870 -- Neither state governments nor the federal government can stop people from voting because of their race or restrict their vote because they were once slaves. This amendment was enforced in the 1870's, but then for almost 100 years, state laws were allowed to restrict or bar many citizens from voting. This process of discrimination was finally ended with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one hundred years after the end of the Civil War.
Amendment 16 -- INCOME TAX ALLOWED - ratified 1913 -- Congress has the authority to impose a tax on individual income.
Amendment 17 -- VOTING FOR SENATORS CHANGED TO POPULAR VOTE - ratified 1913 -- This amendment changed the voting for Senators to the federal Congress from state legislatures to a direct vote of the people. This changed Art I, Section 3 of the original Constitution. When there is an unexpected vacancy of a Senate seat (through retirement, impeachment, death, etc...), the state governor can appoint a temporary replacement until an election can be held to fill the position.
Amendment 18 -- PROHIBITION OF ALCOHOL - ratified 1919 -- Amendment banned the manufacture, sale, or transportation of alcohol within or into the United States. This amendment was known as Prohibition.
Amendment 19 -- WOMEN GIVEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN US ratified 1920 -- Gave women the right to vote (suffrage) in all of the United States.
Amendment 20 -- INAUGURATION DATE CHANGED - ratified 1933 -- Changes inauguration date for president and vice president from March 4 to January 20. Members of Congress assume office on Jan 3 after their election. If a president-elect dies before inauguration day, the vice-president-elect assumes the office of president. If an election is in dispute on inauguration day, the Congress may choose an acting president until the determination of a president can be made final.
Amendment 21 -- PROHIBITION REPEALED - ratified 1933 -- The ban on alcohol known as Prohibition (the 18th amendment) was repealed with the 21st amendment. States retain the right to regulate alcohol. This marks the only instance in which a previous amendment was repealed.
Amendment 22 -- TERM LIMIT FOR PRESIDENT - ratified 1951 -- No person can be elected to more than two terms as president. This amendment passed in reaction to Franklin Roosevelt being elected to four terms. If a person assumes the presidency and serves out less than two years of another person's term, that person can be elected twice. If a person assumes the presidency and serves out more than two years of another person's term, that person can be elected only once. (Essentially, this states that one person can serve no more than 10 years in office.)
Amendment 23 -- VOTING RIGHTS FOR WASHINGTON DC - ratified 1961 -- States that residents of Washington D.C. can vote in presidential elections and Washington DC has the number of electoral votes of the least populous state (currently 3 electoral votes)
Amendment 24 -- NO POLL TAX ALLOWED - ratified 1964 -- No person can be barred from voting because they have not paid a poll tax - a special tax on voters, used historically in the south to prevent black Americans from voting in elections
Amendment 25 -- RULES ON PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION - ratified 1967 -- States that if the president resigns, leaves, is removed, or dies, the vice president assumes the presidency. If a vice president resigns, leaves, is removed, or dies, the president can appoint a replacement, subject to the approval of a majority of both houses of Congress. The vice president and a majority of cabinet members can strip the POTUS of powers if they certify to Congress that the POTUS is incapable of doing his/her job. The POTUS can regain his/her power by notifying Congress that he/she is fit for work. If the vice-presiednt and a majority of the cabinet disagree, the POTUS retains his/her power unless 2/3 of both houses of Congress vote that he/she is unfit.
Amendment 26 -- VOTING AGE LOWERED TO 18 - ratified 1971 -- Reduced the minimum voting age in the United States from 21 to 18 for all federal, state, and local elections.
Amendment 27 -- LIMIT ON PAY INCREASES FOR CONGRESS - ratified 1992 -- States that pay rates of members of Congress cannot be changed until an election for the House of Representatives has occurred. This amendment prevents Congress from giving themselves an immediate pay increase. This amendment was first proposed with the original Bill of Rights, but was not ratified until 1992.
Important Court Cases
Dred Scott v Sanford 1857- citizenship of blacks/slaveryPlessy v Ferguson 1896 - separate but equal
Everson v Board of Education 1947 - applied the religious clauses of the 1st Amendment to the states for the first time
Brown v Board of Education 1954 - ended segregation in public schools
Engel v Vitale 1962 - removed mandated or organized prayer from public schools
Miranda v Arizona 1966 - rights of the accused
Bush v Gore 2000 - ended dispute over 2000 presidential election on basis of due process
Significance of Watergate - no one is above the law. power of the press. executive privilege. impeachment. trust in governmental autority
Civil Rights movement/civil disobedience - non violence. moral law vs civil law. heroes and sacrifice.
ESSAY Questions
1. one issue or concept/ideal you learned about this year
2. significance of the beginning of the Declaration of Independence to human freedom
3. significance of the preamble to the Constitution regarding the goals the founders set for the Constitution moving forward.
4. concept of limited government, why it's important and what the founders did to try to establish limits on power
5. Explain the significance of the Bill of Rights. why was it insisted upon and why is it so important. which of it's freedoms do you see as most important and why?
6. Discuss the goodness of America and all she has done to defend and advance freedom and then discuss her 4 great sins and what caused them.
7. Discuss the two schools of thought concerning the founding of America, the two worldviews we have discussed all year, and the two paths that those foundings and paths will lead us to as a nation.
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