Principles of American Democracy
What is the supreme law of the land?
The Constitution
Who makes federal laws?
Congress
Senate and House (of Representatives)
(U.S. or national) legislature
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*
▪ April 15
Why did the colonists fight the British?
▪ because of high taxes (taxation without representation)
▪ because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)
▪ because they didn’t have self-government
Name one state that borders Mexico.
▪ California ▪ Arizona ▪ New Mexico ▪ Texas
What does the Constitution do?
- sets up the government
- defines the government
- protects basic rights of Americans
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
The Senate and House (of Representatives)
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
At age 18
Between age 18 and 26
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
What is the capital of the United States?*
Washington, D.C
We the People
How many U.S. Senators are there?
100
What is one reason colonists came to America?
▪ freedom
▪ political liberty
▪ religious freedom
▪ economic opportunity
▪ practice their religion
▪ escape persecution
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
▪ July 4, 1776
Where is the Statue of Liberty?*
▪ New York (Harbor)
▪ Liberty Island
[Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]
What is an amendmnet
- a change (to the Constitution)
- an addition (to the Constitution)
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
Six
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
Native Americans
American Indians
There were 13 original states. Name three.
▪ New Hampshire ▪ Massachusetts ▪ Rhode Island ▪ Connecticut ▪ New York ▪ New Jersey ▪ Pennsylvania ▪ Delaware ▪ Maryland ▪ Virginia ▪ North Carolina ▪ South Carolina ▪ Georgia
When do we celebrate Independence Day?*
July 4
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights
Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?
Elizabeth Warren
Ed Markey
What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
- Africans
- People from Africa
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
▪ The Constitution was written. ▪ The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.
Name two national U.S. holidays
▪ New Year’s Day ▪ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day ▪ Presidents’ Day ▪ Memorial Day ▪ Independence Day ▪ Labor Day ▪ Columbus Day ▪ Veterans Day ▪ Thanksgiving ▪ Christmas