Principles of American Democracy
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
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
Who was President during World War I?
(Woodrow) Wilson
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
the Bill of Rights
Who makes federal laws?
Congress ▪ Senate and House (of Representatives) ▪ (U.S. or national) legislature
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
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
Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
(Franklin) Roosevelt
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
speech, religion, assembly, press, and to petition the government
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
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitution was written. ▪ The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
World War II
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the Speaker of the House
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
April 15
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
(James) Madison ▪ (Alexander) Hamilton ▪ (John) Jay ▪ Publius
What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
civil rights (movement)
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
twenty-seven (27)
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
to print money ▪ to declare war ▪ to create an army ▪ to make treaties
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 three American Indian tribes 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