Principles of American Democracy
What is the supreme law of the land?
The Constitution
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
Name one branch or part of the government.
Congress ▪ legislative ▪ President ▪ executive ▪ the courts ▪ judicial
The idea of self-government is in the first 3 words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
What do we call the first 10 amendments to the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
▪ checks and balances ▪ separation of powers
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
▪ speech
▪ religion
▪ assembly
▪ press
▪ petition the government
What is freedom of religion?
You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
the President
What is the economic system in the United States?*
▪ capitalist economy
▪ market economy
What does the Constitution do?
▪ sets up the government
▪ defines the government
▪ protects basic rights of Americans
Who makes federal laws?
▪ Congress ▪ Senate and House (of Representatives) ▪ (U.S. or national) legislature
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)
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
▪ life ▪ liberty ▪ pursuit of happiness
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*
The Senate and the House