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
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
serve on a jury ▪ vote in a federal election
What is one reason colonists came to America?
freedom ▪ political liberty ▪ religious freedom ▪ economic opportunity ▪ practice their religion ▪ escape persecution
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
World War I ▪ World War II ▪ Korean War ▪ Vietnam War ▪ (Persian) Gulf War
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
the Bill of Rights
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
the President
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
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
Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
Franklin Roosevelt
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
speech ▪ religion ▪ assembly ▪ press ▪ petition the government
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
the Senate and House (of Representatives)
What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
give up loyalty to other countries ▪ defend the Constitution and laws of the United States ▪ obey the laws of the United States ▪ serve in the U.S. military (if needed) ▪ serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed) ▪ be loyal to the United States
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Who did the United States fight in World War II?
▪ Japan, Germany, and Italy
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
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
four hundred thirty-five (435)
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
the United States ▪ the flag
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
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
World War II
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
twenty-seven (27)
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
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)
What year was the Constitution written?
1787
Who was President during World War I?
(Woodrow) Wilson