Principles of 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 territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
• Louisiana Territory
• Louisiana
What is the supreme law of the land?
• (U.S.) Constitution
The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
• Executive branch
What are three 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
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
• American Indians
• Native Americans
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
• War of 1812
• Mexican-American War
• Civil War
• Spanish-American War
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
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
• The United States
• The flag
What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
• Africans
• People from Africa
The Civil War had many important events. Name one
• (Battle of) Fort Sumter • Emancipation Proclamation • (Battle of) Vicksburg • (Battle of) Gettysburg • Sherman’s March • (Surrender at) Appomattox • (Battle of) Antietam/Sharpsburg • Lincoln was assassinated.
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
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
• Senate and House (of Representatives)
How can people become United States citizens?
• Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment
• Naturalize
• Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress
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
What amendment says all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are U.S. citizens?
• 14th Amendment
How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
• Amendments
• The amendment process
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.
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
What founding document was written in 1787?
• (U.S.) Constitution
When did all men get the right to vote?
• After the Civil War • During Reconstruction • (With the) 15th Amendment • 1870