Monday, September 14, 2009

Prep for Constitution Day #14

Today's Topic: the 13th and 14th Amendment

What is the opposite of a slave?

The 13th Amendment made slavery illegal in the United States.

VOANews The Complex Story of Abraham Lincoln and How He Saved the Union
The 16th president, born 200 years ago this Thursday, opposed slavery and led a civil war that ended it. Yet he originally thought the slave-holding states should be left alone.

VOANews: Making of the Nation
Every Thursday, Special English broadcasts a fifteen-minute program in a series about American history. There are many episodes about the issue of slavery that led to the Civil War.
  • 100:60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

  • 100:72. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

  • 100:73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.

  • 100:74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

  • 100:75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*

  • 100:76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

What is the opposite of a slave?

A Citizen!

The 14th Amendment defines the requrements for US Citizenship. Every person born in the United States is a citizen. An immigrant can become a naturalized citizen.

September 17th is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. In preparation, here are some practice interviews for each part of the N-400.

VOANews: New Civics Questions for US Citizenship Test
Officials announce the 100 questions (and answers) about history and government. The newly redesigned naturalization test will be given starting October 2008.
  • 49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*
  • 50. Name one right only for United States citizens.
  • 53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
Check out the National Constitution Center for more ideas about how to celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.

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