Second Semester Study Guide

8^th grade

I.  First Semester

          A.  Explain the factors behind the fall of the Roman Empire and the onset of the Middle Ages in Europe.

          B.  Describe the feudal system, including its origin and the effect it had on medieval life.

          C.  Why is the Battle of Hastings considered a turning point in English history?

          D.  What were the Crusades, and what was their impact on both Europe and the Middle East?

E.  How did events like the Black Death and the rise of trade and towns impact the    

     medieval economy and lead to the end of the feudal system?

II.  Renaissance, Reformation & Discovery          * review pages 433-496*

          A.  Explain the ideas behind humanism, and how it led to a cultural revolution.

          B.  What factors led to the birth of Renaissance ideas in Italy?

          C.  Describe how the art and architecture of the Renaissance differed from the art

                and architecture of the Middle Ages.

          D.  How has the modern world been shaped by the rebirth of ancient Greek and Roman ideas?

          E.  Explain the causes and effects of the Protestant Reformation and Catholic Counter Reformation, including the           

               religious wars that followed.

          F.  What factors helped Protestant ideas spread so rapidly?

          G.  Explain why Henry VIII separated from the Catholic Church and created the Church of England.

          H.  Analyze the long-term effects of the Reformation and Counter Reformation.

          I.   List and describe the various reasons for European colonization of the New World.

          J.  Compare and contrast the Spanish and English reasons and methods of colonization.

          K  Explain the long term effects of colonization in the New World.

          Terms:  Renaissance, humanism, classical, Lorenzo de Medici, Savonarola, Leonardo da Vinci,  Johann Gutenberg,      

                        secular, indulgences, Papal States, 95 theses, Council of Trent, Jesuits, inquisition, heretic,

                        Ignatius of Loyola, Edward VI, Mary I, Elizabeth I, Martin Luther, conquistadors, Spanish Armada, Huguenots,

                        Thirty Years’ War, Peace of Westphalia, Prince Henry the Navigator, Bartholomew Dias, Vasco de Gama,

    Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, Amerigo Vespucci, Hernando Cortes, Francisco Pizarro,

    papal line of demarcation, Treaty of Tordesillas, Jamestown, Plymouth, Puritans, Mayflower     

II. U.S. Government         

            A.  What were the major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

          B.  Why was it decided to hold a constitutional convention in 1787?

          C.  What was the major disagreement at the convention, and how was it settled?

          D.  What are the three branches of government, and what are their main functions?

          E.  What is meant by “separation of powers” in the U.S. Constitution?

          F.  Explain the concept of “checks and balances”, and give some examples.

          G.  Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

          H.  What are some ways that the Bill of Rights protects citizens from the government?

          I.   What freedoms are contained in the First Amendment, and what actions are not protected by it?

          J.   Explain the concept of due process, and give some examples of due process rights.

          K.   Who determines whether or not your constitutional rights have been violated by the government, and how is this    

                done?

          L.  Explain how some landmark rulings by the Supreme Court have helped define our rights.

          M.  Under what circumstances may the government put restrictions on free speech?

          N.  Explain the establishment and free exercise clauses concerning freedom of religion.

          O.  What does the Bill of Rights say about those powers not specifically delegated to the national government?

Terms:  Articles of Confederation, Shay’s rebellion, Federalists, Anti-Federalists, Virginia Plan, New Jersey Plan,

              Great Compromise, bicameral, slander, libel, federalism, preamble, amendment, ratify, veto, judicial review,        

              habeas corpus, ACLU, probable cause, double jeopardy, eminent domain, bail

IV. Arizona Government

          A.   What are the “progressive” elements of Arizona’s constitution, and why are they there?

B.  What are the leadership positions in the House and Senate, and what are their powers?

C. What are the main steps in making a law in the legislature?

D. What are the options of the governor after the legislature has approved a bill?

E.  What are the two kinds of initiative and how are they used?

F.  What are the three kinds of referendum and what is the purpose of each?

G. How does the recall system work?

Terms:  term, session, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, standing committees, pigeonholing,

              joint committees, special committees, conference committee, direct democracy, constitutional qualifications,

              political qualifications, committee chairperson