Principles of American Government
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
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).
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 is the name of the national anthem?
▪ The Star-Spangled Banner
What is the economic system in the United States?*
▪ capitalist economy ▪ market economy
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
▪ four hundred thirty-five (435)
Name one right only for United States citizens.
▪ vote in a federal election ▪ run for federal office
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
Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
Cherokee ▪ Navajo ▪ Sioux ▪ Chippewa ▪ Choctaw ▪ Pueblo ▪ Apache ▪ Iroquois ▪ Creek ▪ Blackfeet ▪ Seminole ▪ Cheyenne ▪ Arawak ▪ Shawnee ▪ Mohegan ▪ Huron ▪ Oneida ▪ Lakota ▪ Crow ▪ Teton ▪ Hopi ▪ Inuit
What does the Constitution do?
▪ sets up the government
▪ defines the government
▪ protects basic rights of Americans
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
▪ (because of) the state’s population ▪ (because) they have more people ▪ (because) some states have more people
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
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
▪ World War II
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
▪ the Louisiana Territory ▪ Louisiana
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
▪ life ▪ liberty ▪ pursuit of happiness
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
▪ 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 ▪ Attorney General ▪ Vice President
What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
▪ give up loyalty to other countries ▪ defend the Constitution and laws of the United States ▪ obey the laws of the United States ▪ serve in the U.S. military (if needed) ▪ serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed) ▪ be loyal to the United States
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
▪ War of 1812 ▪ Mexican-American War ▪ Civil War ▪ Spanish-American War
Name two national U.S. holidays.
▪ New Year’s Day ▪ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day ▪ Presidents’ Day ▪ Memorial Day ▪ Independence Day ▪ Labor Day ▪ Columbus Day ▪ Veterans Day ▪ Thanksgiving ▪ Christmas
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
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government? What is one power of the states?
one power of the federal government?
▪ to print money ▪ to declare war ▪ to create an army ▪ to make treaties
one power of the states?
▪ provide schooling and education ▪ provide protection (police) ▪ provide safety (fire departments) ▪ give a driver’s license ▪ approve zoning and land use
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 was President during World War I?
▪ (Woodrow) Wilson
When was the Constitution written?
▪ 1787