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100 Cards in this Set

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  • Back
What is the supreme law of the land?
The Constitution
What does the Constitution do?
-Set up the government
-Defines the government
-Protects basic rights of Americans
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the constitution. What are these words?
We the people
What is an amendment?
-A change to the constitution
-An addition to the constitution
What do we call the first ten amendments to the constitution?
the Bill of Rights
What is one right or freedom from the first amendment?
speech, religion, assembly, press, petition the government
How many amendments does the constitution have?
twenty-seven
What did the Declaration of independence do?
-announced our independence from Great Britain
-declared our independence from Great Britain
-said that the United States is free from Great Britain
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
-Life
-Liberty
-Pursuit of Happiness
What is freedom of religion?
You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion
What is the economic system in the United States?
-Capitalist economy
-Market economy
What is the "rule of law"?
-Everyone must follow the law.
-No one is above the law.
Name One Branch or part of the government?
Congress, legislative, president, executive, the courts, judicial
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
-check and balances
-separation of powers
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
the president
Who makes Federal Laws?
-Congress
-Senate and House of representatives
-U.S. or national legislative
What are two parts of the U.S. Congress?
The senate and House of representatives
How many U.S. Senators are there?
one hundred
We elect a U.S. Senate for how many years?
six
Who is your state's U.S. Senators now?
Barbara Boxer
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
four hundred thirty-five
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
two
Name your U.S. Representative.
Doris O. Matsui
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
all the people of the state
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
Because of the state's population
We elect a president for how many years?
four
In what month do we vote for President?
November
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
Barak Obama
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
Joe Biden
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
The vice president
If both the President and Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the Speaker of the House
Who is the Commander in Chief of the Military?
The President
Who signs bills to become laws?
The President
Who vetoes bills?
The President
What does the President's Cabinet do?
Advise the president
What are two cabinet-level positions?
Secretary of defense
Secretary of Commerce
What does the judicial branch do?
review laws, explain laws, resolve disputes, decides if a law goes against the constitution
What is the highest court in the United States?
The Supreme Court
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
nine
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
to print money
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the States. What is one power of the States?
providing school and education
Who is the Governor of your state Now?
Jerry Brown
What is the capital of your state?
Sacramento
What are two major political parties in the United States?
Republicans and Democrats
What is the political party of the president now?
Democratic Party
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Nancy Pelosi
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
Citizens 18 and over can vote
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
serve on a jury
Name one right only for United States citizens?
Run for federal office
What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
Freedom of expression
Freedom of speech
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The United States
What is one promise you can make when you become a United States citizen?
be loyal to the United States
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
eighteen and older
What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
-vote
-run for office
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
April 15
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
at age 18
What is one reason colonists came to America?
freedom
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
Native Americans
What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
Africans
Why did the colonists fight the British?
Because they didn't have self-government
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
The were 13 original states. Name Three
New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
The Founding Fathers founded the Constitution
When was the Constitution written?
1787
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
James Madison
What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
U.S. diplomat
Who is the "Father of our country"?
George Washington
Who was the first President?
George Washington
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
Louisiana
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s?
War of 1812
Name the U.S. war between the North and South
The Civil War
Name one problem that led to the Civil War
Slavery
What is one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?
freed the slaves
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
Freed the slaves
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
fought for women's rights
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s
Vietnam War
Who was the President During WWI?
Woodrow Wilson
Who was President During the Great Depression and World War II?
Franklin Roosevelt
Who did the United States fight in World War II?
Japan, Germany, Italy
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
World War II
During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
Communism
What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
Civil Rights
What did Martin Luther King Jr. Do?
Fought for civil rights
What major event happened on September 11, 2001?
Terrorists attacked the United States?
Name one American Indian tribe in the United States?
Cherokee
Name one of the longest rivers in the United States?
Mississippi River
What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
Pacific Ocean
What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
Atlantic Ocean
Name on U.S. territory
U.S. Virgin Islands
Name one state that border Canada
Minnesota
Name one state that borders Mexico
California
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington D.C.
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York Harbor
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
To honor the original 13 colonies
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
There are fifty states
What is the name of the national anthem?
the Star-Spangled Banner
When do we celebrate Independence Day?
July 4
Name two national U.S. Holidays
New Year's Day, Independence's Day