Principles of American Democracy
What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
Name one branch or part of the government.
Congress, Legislative, President, Executive, the Courts, Judicial
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
Citizens 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.
Name one Indian tribe 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
When do we celebrate Independence Day?
July 4
What does the Constitution do?
Sets up the government
Defines the government
Protects basic rights of Americans
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
Checks and Balances
Separation of Powers
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
Serve on a jury for federal court (CT allows people with green cards to serve on a jury for state court)
Vote in a federal election.
What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
Terrorists attacked the United States.
Name 2 national US holidays.
▪ New Year’s Day ▪ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day ▪ Presidents’ Day ▪ Memorial Day ▪ Juneteenth ▪ Independence Day ▪ Labor Day ▪ Columbus Day ▪ Veterans Day ▪ Thanksgiving ▪ Christmas
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution.
What are these words?
We the People
Who is in charge of the Executive Branch?
the President
Vote in a federal election.
Run for federal office.
What did Martin Luther King Jr do?
▪ fought for civil rights ▪ worked for equality for all Americans
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
▪ because there is one star for each state ▪ because each star represents a state ▪ because there are 50 states
What is an amendment?
A change to the Constitution
An addition to the Constitution
Who makes federal laws?
Congress
Senate and the House
US Legislature
What are TWO rights of 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
What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
▪ civil rights (movement)
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
▪ because there were 13 original colonies ▪ because the stripes represent the original colonies
What do we call the first ten (10) amendments to the Constitution?
the Bill of Rights
What are the two parts of the US Congress?
the Senate and the House (of Representatives)
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
the United States
the flag
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
What is the name of the national anthem?
Star Spangled Banner