I.
Chapter 2 We the People
A.
The American People
1.
Americans have many backgrounds and cultures
a)
Native Americans were the first people.
b)
Europeans and enslaved Africans came in the 1600s.
c)
Large numbers of people immigrated to US from all countries in the 1800s.
2.
Where Americans lived
a)
Up to 1800s most Americans lived in rural areas and lived on farms.
b)
By 1920 more Americans lived in urban areas or cities than on farms.
c)
In 1950s many families moved from cities to suburbs.
3.
Population has changed over the years.
a)
Increased
b)
More diverse or varied
c)
More urban than rural
d)
People have move from northern and central parts of the US to southern
and western areas.
B.
United States Government
1.
The Constitution
a)
The US was a new country in 1787.
b)
The Constitution set up a plan for our nation’s government.
c)
Our government is a republic because it gets its power from the people.
d)
The Constitution tells how our government is organized.
(1)
Three
Branches of Government
(a)
Legislative
Branch makes the laws and is led by the Senators.
(b)
The Executive
Branch carries out the laws and is led by the President of the US.
(c)
The Judicial
Branch makes sure the laws agree with the Constitution and is led by the Supreme
Court justices.
e)
The system of checks and balances does not allow one branch of
government to become too powerful.
f)
The Constitution gives the government the right to collect taxes to pay
the costs of running the government.
2.
Rights of all US citizens are stated in the Constitution.
a)
All citizens over 18 get the right to vote to choose leaders and make
decisions for our country.
(1)
The
person or idea that gets the most votes wins.
(2)
This is
majority rule.
(3)
It is
important to vote because people are using their power to govern themselves.
b)
The Bill of Rights is part of the Constitution and lists the right of all
Americans.
(1)
Freedom
of speech
(2)
Freedom
of the press
(3)
Freedom
of religion
(4)
The
right to petition to change a law
(5)
Trial by
a jury
C.
The United States has a free market economy.
1.
The people – not the government – own or manage the factors of
production that businesses need.
a)
Natural resources – land, water, minerals, fuels
b)
Capital resources - money
c)
Human resources – workers
2.
The main activities that make up the economy are producing, buying,
selling, and services.
3.
The goal of most businesses is making a profit.
a)
Supply and demand determine the cost of the product.
(1)
If
demand for a product is high it means many people want to buy the product.
(2)
You can
charge a higher price for the product.
(3)
You will
make a bigger profit.
4.
The main economic activity of the US as changed from agriculture in the
past, to manufacturing as cities grew, and now today to service industries.
5.
The global economy is the world market in which people and
businesses from all other countries buy and sell products and services.