Civics EOC Review Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Civics EOC is a mandatory state test with around 55 questions.
• Covers cumulative material from the entire year.

Citizenship

• Definition: A citizen is defined by place of birth or law of soil (born in the U.S.), or through the law of blood (born to U.S. citizen parents).
• Naturalization Process:
  • Must be 18 years or older.
  • Live lawfully in the U.S. for five years with a green card.
  • File for citizenship and sign up for an interview.
  • Test on English, writing, civics.
  • Swear an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution.

Advantages of Citizenship

• The right to vote.
• Obtain a U.S. passport.
• Reunification of family.

Obligations and Responsibilities

• Obligations:
  • Obey laws, pay taxes, jury duty, sign up for selective service.
  • Failure leads to punishments like jail, fines, or community service.
• Responsibilities:
  • Encouraged to vote, stay informed, petition the government, and run for office.
  • No punishment for not fulfilling.

Forms of Government

• Anarchy: No one rules.
• Autocracy:
  • Absolute monarch.
  • Constitutional monarch.
  • Dictator/autocrat with unlimited power.
• Oligarchy: Few people rule, often a select group.
• Democracy:
  • Direct democracy: Citizens vote on all laws.
  • Representative democracy (U.S.): Elect representatives to make decisions.

Systems of Government

• Unitary System: Strong central government, weaker regional governments.
• Federal System: Central and regional governments share power equally (U.S. system).
• Confederal System: Weak central government, strong regional governments.
• Parliamentary System: Lawmakers chosen by citizens, then they choose the leader.

Enlightenment Influence

• John Locke:
  • Tabula rasa: Everyone born a blank slate.
  • Natural rights: Life, liberty, property.
  • Social contract: People give up some rights for government protection.
• Montesquieu:
  • Separation of powers to prevent tyranny.

Founding Documents and Figures

• Declaration of Independence (Thomas Jefferson):
  • Influenced by Locke's ideas.
  • Natural rights: Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.
  • Social contract theory.
  • List of grievances against King George III.
• Constitution (James Madison):
  • Separation of powers into three branches.

Historical Context

• Issues with British rule led to independence:
  • Taxation without representation.
  • Proclamation Line of 1763.
  • Boston Massacre.
• Important Documents:
  • Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, English Bill of Rights, Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

Conclusion

• The Declaration of Independence was a breakup letter with Britain.
• Encouragement to write personal declarations in toxic relationships.

This concludes the civics EOC review. Stay tuned for more review sessions.