Democracy
What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
The President
Name one right only for U.S. citizens.
vote in a federal election
run for federal office
What is one reason colonists came to America?
freedom ▪ political liberty ▪ religious freedom ▪ economic opportunity ▪ practice their religion ▪ escape persecution
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
Senate and House of Representatives
What is one promise you make when you become a U.S. citizen?
give up loyalty to other countries ▪ defend the Constitution and laws of the United States ▪ obey the laws of the United States ▪ serve in the U.S. military (if needed) ▪ serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed) ▪ be loyal to the United States
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians
What is the rule of law?
Everyone must obey the law.
What is an amendment?
A change (to the Constitution)
How many U.S. Senators are there?
100
18
Why did the colonists fight the British?
because of high taxes ▪ because the British army stayed in their houses ▪ because they didn’t have self-government
What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
Pacific Ocean
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
6 years
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
At age 18
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitution was written.
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York
New York Harbor
What is one freedom or right from the First Amendment?
speech ▪ religion ▪ assembly ▪ press ▪ petition the government
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
435
What are two ways Americans can participate in their democracy?
vote ▪ join a political party ▪ help with a campaign ▪ join a civic group ▪ join a community group ▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue ▪ call Senators and Representatives ▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy ▪ run for office ▪ write to a newspaper
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
James Madison
Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
Publius
What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
Terrorists attacked the United States