American History & Symbols
Principles of American Democracy
System of Government
Rights and Responsibilitie
American History & Geography
100
Why do we celebrate on July 4th?
July 4th, 1776 is when representatives from the colonies signed The Declaration of Independence. It announced the Unites States' independence from Great Britain.
100
What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
100
Name one branch or part of the government.
▪ Congress
▪ legislative
▪ President
▪ executive
▪ the courts
▪ judicial
100
What are two rights identified in the 1st Amendment granted to 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
100
Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.
Missouri (River)
Mississippi (River)
200
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
It has 13 stripes representing the 13 original colonies that declared independence from Great Britain.
200
What is the economic system in the United States?
▪ capitalist economy
▪ market economy
200
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
▪ checks and balances
▪ separation of powers
200
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
200
Name one U.S. territory.
▪ Puerto Rico
▪ U.S. Virgin Islands
▪ American Samoa
▪ Northern Mariana Islands
▪ Guam
300
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
▪ the United States
▪ the flag
300
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
▪ life
▪ liberty
▪ pursuit of happiness
300
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
Six Years
300
There are four amendments to the Constitution identifying who can vote. Describe one of them.
▪ Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote). 26th Amendment 1971
▪ You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote. 24th Amendment 1964
▪ Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.) 19th Amendment
▪ A male citizen of any race (can vote). 15th Amendment 1870
300
What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
Atlantic
400
What does this flag represent, and what is the controversy associated with it?
The 13 stars in a circle symbolize the colonies' unity, while the 13 red and white stripes represent the colonies themselves. It symbolizes the ideals of freedom, liberty, and the creation of a new nation with its own distinct identity. However, due to its association with a period of widespread slavery, some people view it negatively, leading to controversy.
400
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
▪ the Bill of Rights
400
In what month do we vote for President?
November
400
When was the Treaty of Paris signed?
Bonus: Who was it signed by?
The Treaty was signed in 1783 at the end of the Revolutionary War when Great Britain accepted the loss to the original 13 United States of America.
It was signed by Great Britain.
400
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
500
What does this symbol mean? Bonus: When was it first used?
It is the United States Army's oldest symbol. The implied threat behind the slogan is that real harm will come to any person or group who might plan to step or tread on colonial Americans, in the same way that Prime Minister and Lord Frederick North had. He saw the 13 rattles as conveying how the colonies came together with unity during times of military action. It was first used in 1775 during the Revolutionary war.
500
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
▪ declared our independence (from Great Britain)
500
Who makes federal laws?
▪ Congress - Senate and House (of Representatives)
▪ (U.S. or national) legislature
500
Name one right only for United States citizens.
▪ vote in a federal election
▪ run for federal office
500
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence, and when was it adopted?
Thomas Jefferson July 4, 1776