AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
What is the form of government of the United States?
• Republic
• Constitution-based federal republic
• Representative democracy
Name the three branches of government.
• Legislative, executive, and judicial
• Congress, president, and the courts
There are four amendments to the U.S. 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 colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.
• Freedom
• Political liberty
• Religious freedom
• Economic opportunity
• Escape persecution
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C.
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
What part of the federal government writes laws?
• (U.S.) Congress
• (U.S. or national) legislature
• Legislative branch
Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.
• Give up loyalty to other countries
• Defend the (U.S.) Constitution
• Obey the laws of the United States
• Serve in the military (if needed)
• Serve (help, do important work for) the nation (if needed)
• Be loyal to the United States
Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
• High taxes
• Taxation without representation
• British soldiers stayed in Americans’ houses (boarding, quartering)
• They did not have self-government
• Boston Massacre
• Boston Tea Party (Tea Act)
• Stamp Act
• Sugar Act
• Townshend Acts
• Intolerable (Coercive) Acts
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
• New York (Harbor)
• Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]
How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
• Amendments
• The amendment process
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
• Attorney General
• Secretary of Agriculture
• Secretary of Commerce
• Secretary of Defense
• Secretary of Education
• Secretary of Energy
• Secretary of Health and Human Services
• Secretary of Homeland Security
• Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
• Secretary of the Interior
• Secretary of Labor
• Secretary of State
• Secretary of Transportation
• Secretary of the Treasury
• Secretary of Veterans Affairs
• Vice President (of the United States)
What is one way Americans can serve their country?
• Vote
• Pay taxes
• Obey the law
• Serve in the military
• Run for office
• Work for local, state, or federal government
The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.
• (Battle of) Bunker Hill
• Declaration of Independence
• Washington Crossing the Delaware (Battle of Trenton)
• (Battle of) Saratoga
• Valley Forge (Encampment)
• (Battle of) Yorktown (British surrender at Yorktown)
Name three national U.S. holidays. *
• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
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.
Why is the Electoral College important?
• It decides who is elected president.
• It provides a compromise between the popular election of the president and congressional selection.
What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?
• Vote
• Run for office
• 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)
• Contact elected officials
• Support or oppose an issue or policy
• Write to a newspaper
There were 13 original states. Name five.
• New Hampshire
• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island
• Connecticut
• New York
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Delaware
• Maryland
• Virginia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Georgia
What is the name of the national anthem?
The Star-Spangled Banner
There are three branches of government. Why?
• So one part does not become too powerful
• Checks and balances
• Separation of powers
What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
• (It states that the) powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
• Required by law
• Civic duty
• Makes the draft fair, if needed
Why did the United States enter the Persian Gulf War?
• To force the Iraqi military from Kuwait
The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?
• Out of many, one
• We all become one