Principles of American Democracy
What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
the President
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
▪ the United States
▪ the flag
Who is the “Father of Our Country”?
(George) Washington
Who was President during World War I?
(Woodrow) Wilson
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)
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
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
During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
Communism
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
the Bill of Rights
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
▪ serve on a jury
▪ vote in a federal election
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
(Thomas) Jefferson
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
World War II
What is the economic system in the United States?
▪ capitalist economy
▪ market economy
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts
What are two ways that 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
When was the Constitution written?
1787
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
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Mike Johnson
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).
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
▪ (James) Madison
▪ (Alexander) Hamilton
▪ (John) Jay
▪ Publius
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
Louisiana (Territory)