Principles of American Democracy
What is the supreme law of the land?
The Constitution
Name one branch or part of the government
Congress (Legislative)
President (Executive)
The Courts (Judicial)
There are 4 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 is one reason colonists came to America?
▪ freedom ▪ political liberty ▪ religious freedom ▪ economic opportunity ▪ practice their religion ▪ escape persecution
Name one of the two longest rivers in the US
Missouri
Mississippi
What is an amendment?
A change/addition to the constitution
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
Checks and Balances
Separation of Powers
What is one responsibility that is only for US citizens?
Serve on a jury
Vote in a federal election
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians, Native Americans, First Peoples
What ocean is on the West Coast of the US?
Pacific
What do we call the first 10 amendments to the Constitution
The Bill of Rights
Who makes federal laws?
Congress, Senate & House, Legislature
What are 2 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
▪ because of high taxes (taxation without representation) ▪ because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering) ▪ because they didn’t have self-government
Name one US Territory
▪ Puerto Rico ▪ U.S. Virgin Islands ▪ American Samoa ▪ Northern Mariana Islands ▪ Guam
What is one right or freedom guaranteed in the 1st Amendment?
Speech, Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition the Government
What are the 2 parts of the US Congress?
The Senate & the House
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
April 15
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson
▪ Maine ▪ New Hampshire ▪ Vermont ▪ New York ▪ Pennsylvania ▪ Ohio ▪ Michigan ▪ Minnesota ▪ North Dakota ▪ Montana ▪ Idaho ▪ Washington ▪ Alaska
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
How many US Senators are there? How long do they serve?
100 & 6 years
When must all men register for the selective service?
At age 18, between 18 & 26
There were 13 original states. Name 3
▪ New Hampshire ▪ Massachusetts ▪ Rhode Island ▪ Connecticut ▪ New York ▪ New Jersey ▪ Pennsylvania ▪ Delaware ▪ Maryland ▪ Virginia ▪ North Carolina ▪ South Carolina ▪ Georgia
Name one state that borders Mexico
▪ California ▪ Arizona ▪ New Mexico ▪ Texas