Principles of American Democracy: Constitution
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the people...
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
Senate + House of Representatives
Who is in charge of the Executive branch of government?
The President of the USA
What is the highest court in the United States?
The Supreme Court
What is the capital of your state?
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights
How many U.S. Senators AND Representatives are there respectively?
Senate: 100
House: 435
Every 4 years
How many justices serve on the highest court of the United States?
9
Who is the current Governor of your state?
Maura Healey
What does the Constitution do?
▪ sets up the government
▪ defines the government
▪ protects basic rights of Americans
What stops one branch of Gov't from becoming too powerful?
Checks and Balances or Separation of Powers
Name the current President AND Vice President
Donald Trump + JD Vance
What does the judicial branch do?
▪ reviews laws
▪ explains laws
▪ resolves disputes (disagreements)
▪ decides if a law goes against the Constitution
What are the two major political parties in the United States?
Democratic and Republican
▪ speech
▪ religion
▪ assembly
▪ press
▪ petition the government
How many years are senators and representatives elected for, respectfully (you must know both).
Senate: 6
Reps: 2
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President, and what is the current person in that position's name?
The Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson
Who is the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
Chief Justice John Roberts
Why does the US flag have 50 stars and 13 stripes?
Stars = current states
Stripes = original 13 colonies
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
Name one of your state's Senators AND your US Representative for your district .
Senators Elizabeth Warren or Ed Markey, and Rep. Bill Keating
Name THREE Cabinet level positions.
▪ Secretary of Agriculture
▪ Secretary of Commerce
▪ Secretary of Defense
▪ 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
▪ Attorney General
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What are two (2) specific powers of the federal government?
▪ to print money
▪ to declare war
▪ to create an army
▪ to make treaties
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What are two (2) powers of the states
▪ provide schooling and education
▪ provide protection (police)
▪ provide safety (fire departments)
▪ give a driver’s license
▪ approve zoning and land use