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 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).
Why did the colonists fight the British?
▪ 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 of the two longest rivers in the United States.
▪ Missouri (River) ▪ Mississippi (River)
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
the Bill of Rights
How many U.S. Senators are there?
▪ one hundred (100)
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*
What is one reason colonists came to America?
▪ freedom
▪ political liberty
▪ religious freedom
▪ economic opportunity
▪ practice their religion ▪ escape persecution
What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
▪ Pacific (Ocean)
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
▪ life ▪ liberty ▪ pursuit of happiness
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
▪ six (6)
Name one right only for United States citizens.
▪ vote in a federal election
▪ run for federal office
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
(Thomas) Jefferson
Name one U.S. territory
▪ Puerto Rico
▪ U.S. Virgin Islands
▪ American Samoa
▪ Northern Mariana Islands ▪ Guam
What is the economic system in the United States?*
▪ capitalist economy ▪ market economy
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
(because of) the state’s population
(because) they have more people
(because) some states have more people
What are two 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
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
▪ The Constitution was written.
▪ The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.
What is the name of the national anthem?
▪ The Star-Spangled Banner
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)
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
▪ four hundred thirty-five (435)
What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
▪ vote
▪ join a political party
▪ help with a campaign
▪ join a civic group
▪ join a community group
▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue
▪ call Senators and Representatives
▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
▪ run for office ▪ write to a newspaper
What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
▪ U.S. diplomat
▪ oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
▪ first Postmaster General of the United States
▪ writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac”
▪ started the first free libraries
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).]