Civics Basics
This is the study of the rights, duties, and responsibilities of citizens.
What is Civics?
Governments create these to keep order and make sure people follow rules.
What are laws?
In this government, the people vote for their leaders and have the power to make decisions.
What is a democracy?
This principle means that everyone, including government leaders, must follow the law.
What is the rule of law?
This document, written in 1776, declared the American colonies' independence from Great Britain.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This person was the first president of the United States and led the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
Who is George Washington?
In a democracy, citizens participate in this process to choose their leaders.
What is voting?
Governments provide services like education, roads, and healthcare to help people. These are called ____.
What are public services?
This type of government is led by a king or queen.
What is a monarchy?
The rule of law ensures that laws apply equally to all people. This means no one is above the law, not even ____.
Who are government officials?
This was the first constitution of the United States, but it was too weak and was replaced later.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
This Founding Father wrote the Declaration of Independence and became the third president of the United States.
Who is Thomas Jefferson?
This is the responsibility of citizens to follow rules and laws set by the government.
What is obeying the law?
Governments protect the rights of citizens from threats like crime and other countries. This is called ____.
What is protecting rights?
This type of government is led by one person or a small group with complete control, often by force.
What is a dictatorship?
The rule of law means that laws are fair and apply to everyone. This protects citizens from ____.
What is unfair treatment?
This important document, adopted in 1787, organizes the U.S. government and is still in effect today.
What is the U.S. Constitution?
This man helped secure French support during the American Revolution and was a key signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Who is Benjamin Franklin?
Citizens must do this to support the government financially.
What is paying taxes?
According to this idea, citizens agree to follow the law in exchange for protection from the government.
What is the social contract?
This form of government is controlled by a group of powerful people, not by one person.
What is an oligarchy?
In a country with the rule of law, laws must be clearly written and made available to the public. This ensures ____.
What is fairness?
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are known as this.
What is the Bill of Rights?
He is called the "Father of the Constitution" because he helped create the U.S. Constitution.
Who is James Madison?
This is the responsibility of citizens when they are asked to serve as jurors in court.
What is serving on a jury?
These people or organizations carry out and enforce the laws made by the government.
What are law enforcement agencies?
In this type of government, the leaders are often religious figures or laws are based on religious teachings.
What is a theocracy?
This is the goal of the legal system under the rule of law, which ensures that everyone is treated fairly in court.
What is impartiality?
This document explains why the colonies wanted to be free from Britain and outlines basic human rights.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This man wrote many of the Federalist Papers and was the first Secretary of the Treasury.
Who is Alexander Hamilton?
This right allows citizens to express their opinions and beliefs without fear of punishment.
What is freedom of speech?
Governments provide these to ensure that basic needs like water, electricity, and transportation are met.
What are public services?
This is a government where citizens vote directly on laws and issues.
What is a direct democracy?
The rule of law helps prevent this type of problem in government, where leaders take advantage of their power.
What is corruption?
This document was created to set up a stronger central government than the one established by the Articles of Confederation.
What is the U.S. Constitution?
This Founding Father was a key diplomat and helped negotiate the end of the Revolutionary War.
Who is Benjamin Franklin?