Early American History +5US Citizenship · Citizenship · English

In 1607, England created its first permanent settlement in North America, called Jamestown, beginning the Colonial Period (1607–1775). Many colonists came seeking economic opportunities such as cheaper farmland and valuable metals like gold. Early years were difficult with deaths from hunger, disease, cold, and conflicts with Native Americans.

• ✓Jamestown (1607) was England's first permanent settlement in North America
• ✓The Colonial Period lasted from 1607 to 1775
• ✓Many Jamestown colonists came for economic opportunities
• ✓England created 13 colonies in North America during the Colonial Period

England created 13 colonies on the East Coast of North America. In 1620 the Pilgrims founded Massachusetts, many seeking religious freedom. In 1707, England and Scotland united to become Great Britain, so after 1707 the colonies were part of Great Britain. The Colonial Period ended when the colonies declared independence in 1776.

• ✓The 13 original colonies were New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia
• ✓The Pilgrims founded the Massachusetts colony in 1620 seeking religious freedom
• ✓England and Scotland united to form Great Britain in 1707

In the 1400s, European countries developed ocean-crossing ships. Spain was the first country to send ships across the Atlantic Ocean. By the 1500s, Spain had created colonies across North and South America, and countries like France, Portugal, and England soon followed.

• ✓Spain was the first country to send ships across the Atlantic Ocean
• ✓By the 1500s Spain had created colonies across North and South America
• ✓France, Portugal, and England also created colonies in the Americas

Native Americans (also called American Indians) lived in North and South America for about 20,000 years before Europeans arrived. There were many tribes, each with its own culture, religion, traditions, language, and government. More than 50 million Native Americans lived in the Americas, with over 10 million in the land that became the United States. Millions died from European diseases and wars after Europeans arrived.

• ✓Native Americans lived in the Americas for around 20,000 years before Europeans arrived
• ✓Native Americans are also called American Indians
• ✓Each Native American tribe had its own culture, religion, language, and form of government
• ✓Millions of Native Americans died from diseases brought by Europeans and from wars

As colonists profited from crops like tobacco and cotton sold to England, they needed more farm labor. European countries brought people from Africa and sold them as slaves. The first group of enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown in 1619 and were forced to work on farms in terrible conditions. An 'enslaved person' is someone forced to work with no freedom.

• ✓The first enslaved Africans were brought to Jamestown in 1619
• ✓Enslaved people were forced to work with no freedom
• ✓Colonists grew crops like tobacco and cotton for sale to England

Four amendments to the Constitution address who can vote.

• ✓Citizens eighteen (18) and older can vote
• ✓You don't have to pay a poll tax to vote
• ✓Any citizen can vote (women and men); a male citizen of any race can vote

Some activities are limited to U.S. citizens only.

• ✓Citizens can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury
• ✓These rights belong to U.S. citizens

Everyone living in the U.S. has fundamental rights, regardless of citizenship.

• ✓Rights include: freedom of expression, speech, assembly, to petition the government, and religion
• ✓The right to bear arms is also a right of everyone living in the U.S.

The Pledge shows loyalty to the nation; new citizens make promises in the Oath of Allegiance.

• ✓The Pledge of Allegiance shows loyalty to the United States and the flag
• ✓Oath promises: give up loyalty to other countries, defend the Constitution, obey U.S. laws, serve in the military/nation if needed, be loyal to the United States

There are multiple pathways to U.S. citizenship.

• ✓Be born in the U.S. under conditions set by the 14th Amendment
• ✓Naturalize, or derive citizenship under conditions set by Congress

Americans can participate civically and serve their country in many ways.

• ✓Civic participation: vote, run for office, join a political party or civic group, contact elected officials, write to a newspaper
• ✓Serving country: vote, pay taxes, obey the law, serve in the military, run for office, work for government

Paying federal taxes and registering for Selective Service are important civic obligations.

• ✓Paying taxes is required by law, funds the federal government, required by the 16th Amendment, and is a civic duty
• ✓Men age 18-25 must register for Selective Service: required by law, civic duty, makes the draft fair if needed

Responsibilities reserved only for U.S. citizens include serving on a jury and voting in a federal election.

• ✓Serving on a jury is a citizen-only responsibility
• ✓Voting in a federal election is a citizen-only responsibility

Rights reserved only for U.S. citizens include voting in a federal election and running for federal office.

• ✓Voting in a federal election is a citizen-only right
• ✓Running for federal office is a citizen-only right

Promises made when becoming a citizen include giving up loyalty to other countries, defending the Constitution and laws, obeying the laws, serving in the military or nation if needed, and being loyal to the U.S.

• ✓Give up loyalty to other countries and be loyal to the U.S.
• ✓Defend and obey the Constitution and laws of the United States

Four amendments address voting rights: citizens 18 and older can vote; no poll tax required; any citizen can vote (women and men); a male citizen of any race can vote.

• ✓Citizens 18 and older can vote
• ✓No poll tax is required and any citizen regardless of race or sex can vote

Rights for everyone living in the U.S. include freedom of expression, speech, assembly, petition, religion, and the right to bear arms.

• ✓Rights include freedom of speech, expression, assembly, and religion
• ✓Rights include freedom to petition the government and to bear arms

When we say the Pledge of Allegiance, we show loyalty to the United States and to the flag.

• ✓The Pledge shows loyalty to the United States
• ✓The Pledge shows loyalty to the flag

Citizens must be eighteen (18) years old and older to vote for President.

• ✓Voting age is 18 and older
• ✓This applies to voting for President

Americans can participate by voting, joining a political party, helping with a campaign, joining civic/community groups, giving officials their opinion, calling Senators and Representatives, supporting/opposing issues, running for office, and writing to a newspaper.

• ✓Voting and joining a political party are ways to participate
• ✓Running for office and contacting officials are ways to participate

The last day to send in federal income tax forms is April 15.

• ✓Federal income tax forms are due by April 15
• ✓This is an annual deadline

All men must register for the Selective Service at age eighteen (18), specifically between ages 18 and 26.

• ✓Men must register at age 18
• ✓Registration applies between ages 18 and 26

Four constitutional amendments address who can vote. These extended voting rights over time: citizens 18 and older can vote; no poll tax is required; any citizen can vote (women and men); and a male citizen of any race can vote.

• ✓Citizens 18 and older can vote and cannot be required to pay a poll tax
• ✓Voting rights extend to any citizen regardless of race or sex

Certain responsibilities and rights are reserved only for U.S. citizens. Responsibilities only for citizens are serving on a jury and voting in a federal election. Rights only for citizens are voting in a federal election and running for federal office.

• ✓Responsibilities only for citizens: serve on a jury and vote in a federal election
• ✓Rights only for citizens: vote in a federal election and run for federal office

The last day to send in federal income tax forms is April 15. All men must register for the Selective Service at age 18, between the ages of 18 and 26. Citizens must be 18 and older to vote for President.

• ✓Federal income tax forms are due April 15
• ✓Men must register for Selective Service at age 18 (between 18 and 26)

Everyone living in the United States, whether citizen or not, has certain rights. These include freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to petition the government, freedom of religion, and the right to bear arms.

• ✓Rights of everyone include freedom of speech, expression, assembly, petition, and religion
• ✓The right to bear arms applies to everyone living in the U.S.

When saying the Pledge of Allegiance, we show loyalty to the United States and to the flag. When becoming a citizen, promises made include giving up loyalty to other countries, defending the Constitution and laws, obeying the laws, serving in the military or nation if needed, and being loyal to the United States.

• ✓The Pledge of Allegiance shows loyalty to the United States and the flag
• ✓Citizenship promises include giving up loyalty to other countries and defending the Constitution

Americans can participate in their democracy in many ways: voting, joining a political party, helping with a campaign, joining a civic or community group, giving an elected official an opinion, calling Senators and Representatives, publicly supporting or opposing a policy, running for office, and writing to a newspaper.

• ✓Voting and joining a political party are ways to participate in democracy
• ✓Calling Senators/Representatives and running for office are forms of participation

Four amendments concern who can vote: citizens 18 and older can vote (26th), no poll tax required (24th), any citizen regardless of sex can vote (19th), and a male citizen of any race can vote (15th).

• ✓Citizens 18 and older can vote; no poll tax is required
• ✓Any citizen can vote regardless of race or sex

Only citizens of the United States can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury.

• ✓Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections and run for federal office
• ✓Only U.S. citizens can serve on a jury

Rights of everyone living in the United States include freedom of expression, speech, assembly, petition, and religion, and the right to bear arms.

• ✓Rights include freedom of speech, assembly, petition, and religion
• ✓Rights include freedom of expression and the right to bear arms

The Pledge of Allegiance shows loyalty to the United States and the flag. In the Oath of Allegiance, new citizens promise to give up loyalty to other countries, defend the Constitution, obey U.S. laws, serve in the military or nation if needed, and be loyal to the United States.

• ✓The Pledge shows loyalty to the United States and the flag
• ✓Oath promises: give up foreign loyalty, defend the Constitution, obey laws, serve if needed
• ✓Question 66 is a 65/20 asterisk question

People become U.S. citizens by being born in the United States under the 14th Amendment, by naturalization, or by deriving citizenship under conditions set by Congress.

• ✓Citizenship is obtained by birth (14th Amendment), naturalization, or derivation
• ✓Derived citizenship follows conditions set by Congress

Civic participation examples include voting, running for office, joining a political party or civic group, helping campaigns, contacting officials, and writing to newspapers. Americans can serve by voting, paying taxes, obeying the law, serving in the military, running for office, or working in government.

• ✓Civic participation includes voting, running for office, and contacting officials
• ✓Americans serve by voting, paying taxes, obeying laws, and serving in the military

Paying federal taxes is required by law and the Constitution (16th Amendment), funds the government, and is a civic duty. Men age 18 through 25 must register for Selective Service because it is required by law, a civic duty, and makes the draft fair if needed.

• ✓Paying federal taxes is required by law and the 16th Amendment
• ✓Men 18-25 must register for Selective Service, required by law and civic duty

The President is in charge of the Executive Branch. Other parts include the Vice President, the President's Cabinet, and the Executive Departments and agencies. The Founders limited the President's power so no one is above the law.

• ✓The President is in charge of the Executive Branch
• ✓The Executive Branch enforces federal laws
• ✓The Executive Branch includes the Vice President, Cabinet, and agencies

U.S. citizens vote for President in November, and the President is elected for four years. A person can only be elected President two times. The two major political parties are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

• ✓The President is elected for four years
• ✓We vote for President in November
• ✓A person can be elected President only two times
• ✓The two major political parties are Democratic and Republican

The Vice President works for the President, is President of the Senate, an advisor, and a Cabinet member. If the President can no longer serve, the Vice President becomes President. If both cannot serve, the Speaker of the House becomes President.

• ✓If the President can no longer serve, the Vice President becomes President
• ✓If both President and Vice President cannot serve, the Speaker of the House becomes President
• ✓The Vice President is President of the Senate

The President is in charge of the Executive Branch, which enforces laws and includes the Vice President, Cabinet, and Executive Departments and agencies.

• ✓The President is in charge of the executive branch (Question 15)
• ✓The Executive Branch enforces federal laws
• ✓The President must follow the rule of law (Question 12)

U.S. citizens vote for President in November. The President is elected for four years and can only be elected twice.

• ✓We vote for President in November (Question 27)
• ✓We elect a President for four years (Question 26)
• ✓A person can only be elected President two times
• ✓A President must be 35 years old and a U.S. citizen at birth

Today the two major political parties are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

• ✓The two major political parties are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party (Question 45)
• ✓The President is nominated by a political party

If the President can no longer serve, the Vice President becomes President. If both cannot serve, the Speaker of the House becomes President.

• ✓If the President can no longer serve, the Vice President becomes President (Question 30)
• ✓If both President and Vice President cannot serve, the Speaker of the House becomes President (Question 31)

A cabinet is a group of advisors who advise the President. Cabinet-level positions include the heads of Executive Departments, mostly called Secretaries. The head of the Department of Justice is the Attorney General, not a Secretary. Examples of agencies: FBI (Department of Justice), USCIS (Department of Homeland Security).

• ✓The Cabinet advises the President
• ✓Two Cabinet-level positions include Secretary of State and Attorney General (among many)
• ✓The head of the Department of Justice is the Attorney General
• ✓Most Executive Department heads are called Secretaries

The President is the Commander in Chief of the military (U.S. Armed Forces). Serving in the U.S. Armed Forces is voluntary, with over 2 million people serving. There are six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

• ✓The President is the Commander in Chief of the military
• ✓Serving in the U.S. Armed Forces is voluntary
• ✓There are six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces

The colonists went to war with Great Britain in 1775 mainly because they did not have self-government. Great Britain raised taxes on the colonies without allowing colonial representatives to vote. Colonists protested 'taxation without representation.' Britain then punished the colonies by raising taxes further and making colonial congresses illegal.

• ✓The colonists fought the British because they did not have self-government
• ✓Colonists protested 'taxation without representation'
• ✓The American Revolutionary War started in 1775
• ✓George Washington was named general of the colonial army

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, announcing independence from Great Britain, which is why we celebrate Independence Day on July 4. Thomas Jefferson wrote it. It states that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Adopting it created the United States of America, and the 13 colonies became the 13 original states.

• ✓The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776
• ✓Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence
• ✓It says everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
• ✓It announced independence from Great Britain and created the United States

The U.S. stopped fighting Great Britain in 1781 when the British Army surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown in Virginia. The war officially ended in 1783 when the U.S. and Great Britain signed a treaty in which Britain agreed the U.S. was an independent nation. Benjamin Franklin, a famous Founder and diplomat, negotiated the treaty.

• ✓The British surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781
• ✓The Revolutionary War officially ended in 1783 with a treaty
• ✓Benjamin Franklin negotiated the 1783 treaty with Great Britain
• ✓Benjamin Franklin was a diplomat, oldest member of the Constitutional Convention, first Postmaster General, and writer of Poor Richard's Almanac