Principles of American Government
System of Government
Rights and Responsibilities
Colonial Period and Independence
1800s
100

What is the form of government of the United States?

  • Republic
  • Constitution-based federal republic
  • Representative democracy
100

Name the three branches of government.

  • Legislative, executive, and judicial
  • Congress, president, and the courts
100

What is one way Americans can serve their country?

  • Vote
  • Pay taxes
  • Obey the law
  • Serve in the military
  • Run for office
  • Work for local, state, or federal government
100

What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?

  • Africans
  • People from Africa
100

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

  • War of 1812
  • Mexican-American War
  • Civil War
  • Spanish-American War
200

How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?

  • Amendments
  • The amendment process
200

What part of the federal government writes laws?

  • (U.S.) Congress
  • (U.S. or national) legislature
  • Legislative branch
200

There are four amendments to the U.S. 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).
200

The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.

  • Freedom
  • Political liberty
  • Religious freedom
  • Economic opportunity
  • Escape persecution
200

Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.

  • Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
  • Saved (or preserved) the Union
  • Led the United States during the Civil War
  • 16th president of the United States
  • Delivered the Gettysburg Address
300

How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?

  • Twenty-seven (27)
300

What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

  • Senate and House (of Representatives)
300

Why is it important to pay federal taxes?

  • Required by law
  • All people pay to fund the federal government
  • Required by the (U.S.) Constitution (16th Amendment)
  • Civic duty
300

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

  • (Thomas) Jefferson
300

What U.S. war ended slavery?

  • The Civil War
400

Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

  • Equality
  • Liberty
  • Social contract
  • Natural rights
  • Limited government
  • Self-government
400

Name one power of the U.S. Congress.

  • Writes laws
  • Declares war
  • Makes the federal budget
400

How can people become United States citizens?

  • Be born in the United States, under the conditions set by the 14th Amendment
  • Naturalize
  • Derive citizenship (under conditions set by Congress)
400

The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

  • (James) Madison
  • (Alexander) Hamilton
  • (John) Jay
  • Publius
400

When did all men get the right to vote?

  • After the Civil War
  • During Reconstruction
  • (With the) 15th Amendment
  • 1870
500

There are three branches of government. Why?

  • So one part does not become too powerful
  • Checks and balances
  • Separation of powers
500

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

  • Four hundred thirty-five (435)
500

Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.

  • Give up loyalty to other countries
  • Defend the (U.S.) Constitution
  • Obey the laws of the United States
  • Serve in the military (if needed)
  • Serve (help, do important work for) the nation (if needed)
  • Be loyal to the United States
500

Why were the Federalist Papers important?

  • They helped people understand the (U.S.) Constitution.
  • They supported passing the (U.S.) Constitution.
500

The Civil War had many important events. Name one.

  • (Battle of) Fort Sumter
  • Emancipation Proclamation
  • (Battle of) Vicksburg
  • (Battle of) Gettysburg
  • Sherman’s March
  • (Surrender at) Appomattox
  • (Battle of) Antietam/Sharpsburg
  • Lincoln was assassinated.