Founding Documents
According to the Constitution’s preamble, what are the first three words that express the idea of self-government?
What is "We the People"
Name one branch or part of the U.S. government.
What is "Congress/Legislative, President/Executive, Courts/Judicial"
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? Name any one
What is Speech / religion / assembly / press / petition the government
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Who is Thomas Jefferson
What is the capital of the United States?
What is Washington, D.C.
What important document announced the United States’ independence from Great Britain in 1776 and lists rights including “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”?
What is "the Declaration of Independence"
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
Who is "the President"
What are two rights that everyone living in the United States has?
What is Freedom of expression, speech, assembly, petition, religion, bear arms
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? Include month, day, and year.
What is July 4, 1776
Where is the Statue of Liberty located? Give any acceptable location in the document.
New York (Harbor) — Liberty Island (also acceptable: New Jersey; on the Hudson)
What is the supreme law of the land?
What is "the Constitution"
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
What is "checks and balances or separation of powers."
Name one responsibility that is only for U.S. citizens.
What is serve on a jury; vote in a federal election
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
What is War of 1812; Mexican-American War; Civil War; Spanish-American War
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
What is Because there were 13 original colonies
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
What is "the Bill of Rights"
Under the Constitution, name one power that only the federal government has.
What is to print money or declare war or create an army or make treaties
Describe one promise you make when you become a U.S. citizen.
What is: give up loyalty to other countries; defend the Constitution; obey laws; serve in the military if needed; be loyal to the U.S.
What was one important thing Abraham Lincoln did? Give two possible answers.
Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation); preserved the Union; led the U.S. during the Civil War
Name one state that borders Canada.
What is Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Alaska (any one)
Define 'amendment"?
What is "an amendment is a change or addition to the Constitution"
Explain the process by which a bill becomes a law, including what happens if the President vetoes it.
What is Bill passes both Houses, presented to President; signs to become law or veto; Congress can override veto with two-thirds in both Houses; if President does not return in 10 days (excluding Sundays) it becomes law unless Congress adjourns.
List and briefly explain two of the four amendments that expanded voting rights (for example: lower voting age, elimination of poll tax, women’s suffrage, racial voting rights).
What is : 18+ can vote (26th), no poll tax (24th), women can vote (19th), any race can vote (15th) — teacher should verify phrasing.
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s and identify the U.S. President during World War I.
What is : World War I (President Woodrow Wilson); World War II (President Franklin D. Roosevelt)
Name two national U.S. holidays.
What are Any two: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas