American Government
What is the supreme law of the land?
The Constitution
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
▪ speech
▪ religion
▪ assembly
▪ press
▪ petition the government
What is the economic system in the United States?
▪ capitalist economy
▪ market economy
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).
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
▪ July 4, 1776
What does the Constitution do?
Sets up the government.
Defines the government.
Protects the basic rights of the government.
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
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.
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
▪ serve on a jury
▪ vote in a federal election
There were 13 original states. Name three.
▪ New Hampshire
▪ Massachusetts
▪ Rhode Island
▪ Connecticut
▪ New York
▪ New Jersey
▪ Pennsylvania
▪ Delaware
▪ Maryland
▪ Virginia
▪ North Carolina
▪ South Carolina
▪ Georgia
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We The People
What is freedom of religion?
▪ You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
Name one branch or part of the government.
▪ Congress
▪ legislative
▪ President
▪ executive
▪ the courts
▪ judicial
Name one right only for United States citizens.
▪ vote in a federal election
▪ run for federal office
When was the Constitution written?
1787
What is an amendment?
▪ a change (to the Constitution)
▪ an addition (to the Constitution)
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
▪ life
▪ liberty
▪ pursuit of happiness
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
▪ checks and balances
▪ separation of powers
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
▪ The United States
▪ The flag
Who was the first President?
George Washington
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
The bill of rights.
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
▪ announced our independence (from Great Britain)
▪ declared our independence (from Great Britain)
▪ said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
The president
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
▪ because there were 13 original colonies
▪ because the stripes represent the original colonies