American Government: American Democracy & Rights
What does the Constitution do?
▪ sets up the government ▪ defines the government ▪ protects basic rights of Americans
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
▪ the Vice President
Who was the first President?
▪ (George) Washington
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
▪ the Civil War ▪ the War between the States
When do we celebrate Independence Day?
July 4
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
life, liberty, pursuit of happiness
What are the two major political parties in the United States?
Democratic and Republican
What is one reason colonists came to America?
▪ freedom ▪ political liberty ▪ religious freedom ▪ economic opportunity ▪ practice their religion ▪ escape persecution
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
▪ fought for women’s rights ▪ fought for civil rights
What is the capital of the United States?*
▪ Washington, D.C.
What is the economic system in the United States?
capitalist economy, market economy
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
▪ provide schooling and education ▪ provide protection (police) ▪ provide safety (fire departments) ▪ give a driver’s license ▪ approve zoning and land use
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 did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*
▪ fought for civil rights ▪ worked for equality for all Americans
What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
▪ Atlantic (Ocean)
What are two rights or freedoms from the First Amendment?
▪ speech ▪ religion ▪ assembly ▪ press ▪ petition the government
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
four hundred thirty-five (435)
What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
▪ U.S. diplomat ▪ oldest member of the Constitutional Convention ▪ first Postmaster General of the United States ▪ writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac” ▪ started the first free libraries
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
▪ freed the slaves ▪ freed slaves in the Confederacy ▪ freed slaves in the Confederate states ▪ freed slaves in most Southern states
Name four state that borders Canada.
Maine ▪ New Hampshire ▪ Vermont ▪ New York ▪ Pennsylvania ▪ Ohio ▪ Michigan ▪ Minnesota ▪ North Dakota ▪ Montana ▪ Idaho ▪ Washington ▪ Alaska
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
▪ twenty-seven (27)
What are three 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
There were 13 original states. Name five.
▪ New Hampshire ▪ Massachusetts ▪ Rhode Island ▪ Connecticut ▪ New York ▪ New Jersey ▪ Pennsylvania ▪ Delaware ▪ Maryland ▪ Virginia ▪ North Carolina ▪ South Carolina ▪ Georgia
Name two American Indian tribes in the United States.
▪ Cherokee ▪ Navajo ▪ Sioux ▪ Chippewa ▪ Choctaw ▪ Pueblo ▪ Apache ▪ Iroquois ▪ Creek ▪ Blackfeet ▪ Seminole ▪ Cheyenne ▪ Arawak ▪ Shawnee ▪ Mohegan ▪ Huron ▪ Oneida ▪ Lakota ▪ Crow ▪ Teton ▪ Hopi ▪ Inuit
Name five national U.S. holidays.
▪ New Year’s Day ▪ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day ▪ Presidents’ Day ▪ Memorial Day ▪ Independence Day ▪ Labor Day ▪ Columbus Day ▪ Veterans Day ▪ Thanksgiving ▪ Christmas