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What is the form of government of the United States?
• Republic
• Constitution-based federal republic
• Representative democracy
What is the supreme law of the land?
(U.S.) Constitution
What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
• Declaration of Independence
Name the three branches of government.
• Legislative, executive, and judicial
• Congress, president, and the courts
Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
• Citizens from their (congressional) district
Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
Forms the government • Defines powers of government • Defines the parts of government • Protects the rights of the people
How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
• Amendments
• The amendment process
Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
• Equality • Liberty • Social contract • Natural rights • Limited government • Self-government
The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
• Executive branch
Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
• Citizens in their (congressional) district
• Citizens in their district
• People from their (congressional) district
• People in their district
The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?
• Self-government
• Popular sovereignty
• Consent of the governed
• People should govern themselves
• (Example of) social contract
How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
• Twenty-seven (27)
The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
• Declaration of Independence
What part of the federal government writes laws?
• (U.S.) Congress
• (U.S. or national) legislature
• Legislative branch
Who elects U.S. senators?
• Citizens from their state
Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.
• Declaration of Independence
• Articles of Confederation
• Federalist Papers
• Anti-Federalist Papers
• Virginia Declaration of Rights
• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
• Mayflower Compact
• Iroquois Great Law of Peace
What does the Bill of Rights protect?
• (The basic) rights of Americans • (The basic) rights of people living in the United States
What is the economic system of the United States?
• Capitalism
• Free market economy
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
• Senate and House (of Representatives)
Who does a U.S. senator represent?
• Citizens of their state
• People of their state
There are three branches of government. Why?
So one part does not become too powerful
• Checks and balances
• Separation of powers
Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
• It says America is free from British control.
• It says all people are created equal.
• It identifies inherent rights.
• It identifies individual freedoms.
What is the rule of law?
• Everyone must follow the law.
• Leaders must obey the law.
• Government must obey the law.
• No one is above the law.
Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
• Writes laws
• Declares war
• Makes the federal budget
Why does each state have two senators?
• Equal representation (for small states) • The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)