Principles of American Democracy
What does the Constitution do?
sets up the government ▪ defines the government ▪ protects basic rights of Americans
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
The President
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
serve on a jury ▪ vote in a federal election
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
What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
Terrorists attacked the United States.
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
Bill of Rights
Name two branches or parts of the government.
Congress ▪ legislative ▪ President ▪ executive ▪ the courts ▪ judicial
What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
freedom of expression ▪ freedom of speech ▪ freedom of assembly ▪ freedom to petition the government ▪ freedom of religion ▪ the right to bear arms
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*
fought for civil rights ▪ worked for equality for all Americans
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
speech ▪ religion ▪ assembly ▪ press ▪ petition the government
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*
House of Representatives and Senate
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
April 15th
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
fought for women’s rights ▪ fought for civil rights
Who did the United States fight in World War II?
Japan, Italy, and Germany
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)
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
▪ (because of) the state’s population ▪ (because) they have more people ▪ (because) some states have more people
What is one promise you make when you become a United States 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
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
War of 1812 ▪ Mexican-American War ▪ Civil War ▪ Spanish-American War
During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
communism
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
Speaker of the House
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote). ▪ You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote. ▪ Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.) ▪ A male citizen of any race (can vote).
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
freed the slaves ▪ freed slaves in the Confederacy ▪ freed slaves in the Confederate states ▪ freed slaves in most Southern states
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
▪ (James) Madison ▪ (Alexander) Hamilton ▪ (John) Jay ▪ Publius