American Government
What is the supreme law of the land?
The US Constitution
A president is elected every ________ years
4
Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?
US Citizens
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
What is Independence Day?
• A holiday to celebrate U.S. independence (from Britain)
• The country’s birthday
How are changes made to the Constitution?
Amendments
How many senators does each state have?
2
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The US / or the Flag
There were 13 original states. Name five.
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia,North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington DC
The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
The Declaration of Independence
The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?
The 22nd Amendment / To keep the president from becoming too powerful
Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
Funds the government/ OR civic duty/ OR required by law
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, (Persian) Gulf War
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
• New York (Harbor)
• Liberty Island [Also acceptable are New Jersey, near New York City, and on the Hudson (River).]
What is the economic system of the United States?
Capitalism / free market economy
How many seats are there on the Supreme Court?
9
What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?
Vote, Run for office, Join a political party, Help with a campaign, Join a civic group, Give an elected official your opinion (on an issue), Contact elected officials, Support or oppose an issue or policy, Write to a newspaper
Who was America's main rival during the Cold War?
USSR/Russia
Name three national U.S. holidays.
• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
How many amendments are there?
27
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
Attorney General / Secretary of Agriculture / Secretary of Commerce / Secretary of Education / Secretary of Energy / Secretary of Health and Human Services / Secretary of Homeland Security / Secretary of Housing and Urban Development / Secretary of the Interior / Secretary of Labor / Secretary of State / Secretary of Transportation / Secretary of the Treasury / Secretary of Veterans Affairs / Secretary of Defense / Vice-President / Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency / Administrator of the Small Business Administration / Director of the CIA
There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
Citizens eighteen and older can vote, You don’t have to pay to vote, women and men can vote, & a male citizen of any race can vote
When did the Great Depression start?
• The Great Crash (1929)
• Stock market crash of 1929
The Nation’s first motto was “E Pluribus Unum.” What does that mean?
• Out of many, one
• We all become one