The Constitution
What is the supreme law of the United States?
the Constitution
What is an amendment?
an addition (to the Constitution)
Name one branch or part of the government.
▪ Congress/legislative
▪ President/executive
▪ the courts/judicial
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
▪ American Indians
▪ Native Americans
What is the capital of your state?
St. Paul, Minnesota
What is one right or freedom protected by the First Amendment?
▪ speech
▪ religion
▪ assembly
▪ press
▪ petition the government
What does freedom of religion mean?
▪ You can practice any religion
▪ You can practice no religion
Who is in charge of the federal executive branch?
the President
What is one reason colonists came to America?
▪ freedom
▪ political liberty
▪ religious freedom
▪ economic opportunity
▪ practice their religion
▪ escape persecution
Who is represented by a U.S. Senator?
all people of the state
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
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
Who makes federal laws?
▪ Congress,
▪ Senate and House (of Representatives), or
▪ Legislature (U.S. or national)
What do we call people who were taken from Africa to America and sold into bondage?
slaves
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
▪ (because of) the state’s population
▪ (because) they have more people
▪ (because) some states have more people
What does the Constitution do?
▪ sets up the government,
▪ defines the government, and
▪ protects basic rights of Americans
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
▪ provide schooling and education
▪ provide protection (police)
▪ provide safety (fire departments)
▪ give a driver’s license -4-
▪ approve zoning and land use
What does the judicial branch do?
▪ reviews laws
▪ explains laws
▪ resolves disputes (disagreements)
▪ decides if a law goes against the Constitution
Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
▪ slavery
▪ economic reasons
▪ states’ rights
What is one promise made by people when they become naturalized United States citizens?
▪ 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 do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
the Bill of Rights
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 stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
▪ checks and balances
▪ separation of powers
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
▪ fought for women’s rights
▪ fought for civil rights
Name 1 of the 11 federally recognized American Indian tribes, bands, or communities in the Minnesota.
▪ Red Lake Nation
▪ White Earth Nation
▪ Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
▪ Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
▪ Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
▪ Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
▪ Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
▪ Prairie Island Indian Community
▪ Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
▪ Upper Sioux Community
▪ Upper Sioux Community
▪ Lower Sioux Indian Community