Principles of American Democracy
What is the supreme Law of the Land?
The Constitution
What are two parts of the US Congress?
▪ the Senate and House (of Representatives)
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).
What is one reason colonists came to America?
▪ freedom ▪ political liberty ▪ religious freedom ▪ economic opportunity ▪ practice their religion ▪ escape persecution
Name one U.S. territory.
▪ Puerto Rico ▪ U.S. Virgin Islands ▪ American Samoa ▪ Northern Mariana Islands ▪ Guam
What is an amendment?
- a change (to the Constitution)
- an addition (to the Constitution)
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
- checks an balances
- separation of power
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*
▪ April 15
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
What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*
▪ fought for civil rights ▪ worked for equality for all Americans
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
Bill of Rights
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
Bonus: We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
▪ six (6)
▪ two (2)
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
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
Bonus: When was the Constitution written?
▪ The Constitution was written.
▪ The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.
Bonus: 1787
Who did the United States fight in World War II?
- Japan, Germany, and Italy
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
- announced or Independence (from Great Britain)
- declared our independence (from Great Britain)
-said the united states is free (from Great Britain)
Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?*
Bonus: Name your U.S. Representative.
Kelly Ayote
Maggie Goodlander
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*
▪ serve on a jury
▪ vote in a federal election
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
▪ fought for women’s rights ▪ fought for civil rights
Who was President during World War I?
Bonus: Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II? ▪
▪ (Woodrow) Wilson
Bonus: ▪ (Franklin) Roosevelt
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
▪ life
▪ liberty
▪ pursuit of happiness
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
▪ four hundred thirty-five (435)
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
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 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