Principles of American Democracy
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
speech
religion
assembly
press
petition the government
Name one branch or part of the government
Congress ▪ legislative ▪ President ▪ executive ▪ the courts ▪ judicial
What is the highest court in the United States?
the Supreme Court
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
eighteen (18) and older
What is one reason colonists came to America?
freedom ▪ political liberty ▪ religious freedom ▪ economic opportunity ▪ practice their religion ▪ escape persecution
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
Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
the President
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
serve on a jury ▪ vote in a federal election
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
What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
the Senate and House (of Representatives)
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the Speaker of the House
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
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
What is the economic system in the United States?
capitalist economy
market economy
How many U.S. Senators are there?
one hundred (100)
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
▪ to print money ▪ to declare war ▪ to create an army ▪ to make treaties
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 happened at the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitution was written. ▪ The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.
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 are two Cabinet-level positions?
Secretary of Agriculture ▪ Secretary of Commerce ▪ Secretary of Defense ▪ Secretary of Education ▪ Secretary of Energy ▪ Secretary of Health and Human Services ▪ Secretary of Homeland Security ▪ Secretary of Housing and Urban Development ▪ Secretary of the Interior ▪ Secretary of Labor ▪ Secretary of State ▪ Secretary of Transportation ▪ Secretary of the Treasury ▪ Secretary of Veterans Affairs ▪ Attorney General ▪ Vice President
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
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
(James) Madison ▪ (Alexander) Hamilton ▪ (John) Jay ▪ Publius