Principles of American Democracy
What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
What is the highest court in the United States?
the Supreme Court
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
- serve on a jury
- vote in a federal election
What is one reason colonists came to America?
freedom | political liberty | religious freedom
economic opportunity
practice their religion
escape persecution
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
- the Civil War
- the War between the States
What does the Constitution do?
- sets up the government
- defines the government
- protects basic rights of Americans
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
two (2)
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
April 15
Why did the colonists fight the British?
because of high taxes
because the British army stayed in their houses
because they didn't have self-government
Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
- slavery
- economic reasons
- states' rights
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
twenty-seven (27)
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
because of:
- the state's population
- they have more people
- some states have more people
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
- at age eighteen (18)
- between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
(Thomas) Jefferson
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
- War of 1812
- Mexican-American War
- Civil War
- Spanish-American War
What is the rule of law?
- Everyone must follow the law.
- Leaders must obey the law.
- Government must obey the law.
- No one is above the law.
Who signs bills to become laws?
the President
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
- the United States
- the flag
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
- The Constitution was written
- The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
- the Louisana Territory
- Louisana
What is the economic system in the United States?
- capitalist economy
- market economy
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
- checks and balances
- separation of powers
What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
freedom of:
expression, speech assembly, religion
freedom to petition the government
the right to bear arms
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?
- freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
- saved (or preserved) the Union
- led the United States during the Civil War