American Democracy
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
Who signs bills to become laws?
The President
What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
Freedom of speech / Freedom of religion
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
Native Americans (or American Indians)
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
What does the Constitution do?
Defines the government.
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
The Speaker of the House (of Representatives)
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
the United States
What is one reason colonists came to America?
When was the Declaration of Independe adopted?
July 4, 1776
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
Life / Liberty / Pursuit of happiness
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
(Because) they have more people.
What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
Vote / Join a civic group
Why did the colonists fight the British?
Because they didn't have self-government.
When was the Constitution written?
1787
What is the "rule of law"?
No one is above the law.
Who makes federal laws?
Congress
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
At age 18
What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
Africans (or People from Africa)
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitution was written.
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
Said that the United States is free (from Great Britain).
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
To print money
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
Serve on a jury (or vote in a federal election)
There were 13 original states. Name three.
New York, New Jersey, Georgia.
(New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina)
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
(James) Madison