American Government

History

100

This year marks 250 years since the signing of the: 

Declaration of Independence 

200

The U.S. declared independence from who? 

Great Britain 

300

When electing presidents, the U.S. has red states, blue states, and swing states. Red states vote for which candidate? What about blue states? What about swing states?

Red = republican 

blue = democrats 

swing = either

400

Presidential elections are held every four years, when?

The first Tuesday in November 

500

When was the U.S. Constitution written, ratified, and in operation? 

Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789

The United States Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of government.

Bill of Rights

100

The Bill of Rights 

a. explains the rights of Congress and the rights of the president. 

b. guarantees citizens of the US specific individual rights and freedoms.

c. is part of the Declaration of Independence 

The Bill of Rights (b) guarantees citizens of the US specific individual rights and freedoms.

200

Which amendment protects the right to bear arms?

The second amendment 

300

What does it mean to plead the Fifth?

The right to remain silent. 

To refuse to answer questions or provide testimony. People invoke this right to protect themselves from self-incrimination, ensuring their silence cannot be legally used as evidence of guilt. 

400

Name 3 rights guaranteed by the First Amendment 

freedom of religion, speech, press, peaceful assembly, and petition the government

500

How many amendments are in the Bill of Rights, as ratified in 1791? List 5 of them. 

Ten: 

• First Amendment: Protects freedoms of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the government. 
• Second Amendment: Protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. 
• Third Amendment: Prohibits the forced quartering of soldiers in private homes during peacetime. 
• Fourth Amendment: Protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures and requires warrants to be supported by probable cause. 
• Fifth Amendment: Guarantees due process of law and protects against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and the seizure of private property for public use without just compensation. 
• Sixth Amendment: Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to legal counsel. 
• Seventh Amendment: Guarantees the right to a jury trial in federal civil cases. 
• Eighth Amendment: Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments. 
• Ninth Amendment: Clarifies that the rights of the people are not limited only to those specifically listed in the Constitution. 
• Tenth Amendment: States that any powers not explicitly delegated to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved to the states or to the people. 

Branches of Government

100

How many Supreme Court Justices are there?

9

200

I am the branch of government that makes sure that laws are obeyed and I command the armed forces. 

Executive Branch. 

300

The president may veto a ______ he doesnt like and send it back to Congress.

bill

Congress can attempt to overturn the veto, but this requires a two-thirds supermajority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. 

A bill becomes law once it has passed both legislative chambers and is signed by the President. 

400

The Legislative Branch is broken up into what 2 parts?  

Senate and House of Representatives

500

THERE ARE 2 QUESTIONS HERE ..... (1) Explain why the constitution has a system of checks and balances and (2) give a way the Executive Branch can limit the power of the Legislative Branch or Judicial Branch?

(1) To guard against any one branch becoming too powerful and (2) the Executive can veto laws made by the Legislative Branch and appoint the judges of the Supreme Court (Judicial Branch)

Republicans Vs Democrats

100

The NRA is an interest group that supports what policies and usually politicians belonging to what party?

The National Rifle Association lobbies against gun control restrictions and supports laws that expand or protect the rights of gun owners. The organization primarily aligns with and endorses conservative Republican politicians

200

What party advocates for more funding for Medicare, Medicaid, EBT (Food Stamps) 

Democrats 

300

Name three Democratic politicians 

Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton

400

How old is Donald Trump? 

80! 

500

List five U.S. states that usually vote for the Republican Presidential candidate

Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, and Alaska

Fill in the _________

100

The Executive Branch is headed by the _____________.

President

200

The House of Representatives consists of a total of __________ representatives divided among the fifty states by population

435

300

Senators are elected to serve ______ year terms. 

six 

400

The U.S. has a _________ government meaning it divides power between the central federal government and the individual state governments.

federalist 

500

Which state has the most electoral votes in the presidential election? Bonus point: How many electoral votes does a president need to be elected?

California has the most, with 54. 

The president needs 270 votes to win.