Principles of American Democracy
What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
Name one branch or part of the government.
Congress
▪ legislative
▪ President
▪ executive
▪ the courts
▪ judicial
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
at age eighteen (18)
What is one reason colonists came to America?
freedom
▪ political liberty
▪ religious freedom
▪ economic opportunity
▪ practice their religion
▪ escape persecution
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
▪ the Louisiana Territory
▪ Louisiana
What does the Constitution do?
sets up the government, or
defines the government, or
protects basic rights of Americans
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
the President
Name one right only for United States citizens.
vote in a federal election
run for federal office
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians
▪ Native Americans
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
War of 1812
▪ Mexican-American War
▪ Civil War
▪ Spanish-American War
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
Who makes federal laws?
Congress
▪ Senate and House (of Representatives)
▪ (U.S. or national) legislature
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
eighteen (18) and older
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 was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?
freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
saved (or preserved) the Union
led the United States during the Civil War
What is an amendment?
a change (to the Constitution)
an addition (to the Constitution)
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
six (6)
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
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
(Thomas) Jefferson
Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
▪ slavery
▪ economic reasons
▪ states’ rights
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
speech, or
religion, or
assembly, or
press, or
petition the government
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
▪ all people of the state
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
April 15
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
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
▪ fought for women’s rights
▪ fought for civil rights