Basic Principles of American Democracy
What is the supreme law of the land?
What is The Constitution
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
6 years
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
Eighteen (18) and older
Who was the first President?
(George) Washington
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York (Harbor), Liberty Island
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
Four hundred thirty-five (435)
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
Serve on a jury, vote in a federal election
When was the Constitution written?
1787
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
Because there were 13 original colonies
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
Speech, religion, assembly, press, petition the government
Speech, religion, assembly, press, petition the government
Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
The President
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
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
Name one U.S. territory.
Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam
What is the economic system in the United States?
Capitalist economy, market economy
What is the highest court in the United States?
The Supreme Court
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
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
(James) Madison, (Alexander) Hamilton, (John) Jay, Publius
Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.
Missouri (River), Mississippi (River)
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
Announced our independence (from Great Britain), declared our independence (from Great Britain), said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is 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 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
What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
U.S. diplomat, oldest member of the Constitutional Convention, first Postmaster General of the United States, writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac,” started the first free libraries
Name one state that borders Canada.
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Alaska