American Government
Name one branch or part of the government.
* Congress
* Legislative
* President
* Executive
* The courts
* Judicial
What do we call the first 10 amendments in the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights.
We elect a President for how many years?
Four years.
What is ONE responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
Serve on a jury and vote in a federal election.
When do Americans celebrate the national holiday Independence Day?
July 4th.
Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.
Missouri River
Mississippi River
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
* Checks and balances
* Separation of powers
What is the supreme law of the land?
The Constitution.
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
The Vice-President.
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The flag and the United States.
What is one national holiday that honors the military?
Memorial Day and Veterans Day
What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
The Atlantic Ocean.
What is the "rule of law"?
1. Everyone must follow the law.
2. Leaders must obey the law.
3. The government must obey the law.
4. No one is above the law.
Under the U.S. Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is ONE power of the government?
The powers that belong to the federal government are to print money, declare war, create an army, and make treaties.
What does the President's Cabinet do?
The Cabinet advises the President.
There are 4 amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe ONE of them.
* Citizens over 18 years old and older can vote.
* You don't have to pay to vote.
* Any citizen, man or woman, can vote.
* A male citizen of any race can vote.
What is the name of the national anthem?
The Star-Spangled Banner.
Name one state that borders Mexico.
Arizona; California; New Mexico; Texas
What is the economic system in the United States?
The United States has a capitalist economy or market economy.
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
The Constitution has 27 amendments.
If both the President and the Vice-President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
The Speaker of the House.
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
Between 18 and 26 years old.
Why does the flag have 13 stripes and 50 stars?
The stripes represent the 13 original colonies and each star represents a state.
Name one U.S. territory.
American Samoa; Guam; Northern Mariana Islands; Puerto Rico; U.S. Virgin Islands
Who makes federal laws?
Congress which is the Senate and the House of Representatives. They are the known as the United States or national legislature.
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
1. Freedom of Speech
2. Freedom of Religion
3. Freedom of Assembly
4. Freedom of the Press
5. Freedom to petition the government.
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
Secretaries of: Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veteran Affairs.
Attorney General and Vice-President
What is ONE promise you make when you become a U.S. citizen?
* Give up loyalty to other countries.
* Defend the Constitution and laws of the U.S.
* Obey the laws of the U.S.
* Serve in the U.S. military (if needed)
* Serve the nation (do important work, if needed)
* Be loyal to the U.S.
Name two federally recognized national holidays.
New Year's Day; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; President's Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Thanksgiving; Christmas
Name one state that borders Canada.
Alaska; Idaho; Maine; Michigan, Minnesota; Montana; New Hampshire; New York; North Dakota; Ohio; Pennsylvania; Vermont; Washington