Principles of American Democracy
What is the supreme law of the land?
What is the Constitution?
Name one branch or part of the government.
Legislative, President, Executive,
Congress, 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;
A male citizen of any race can vote
What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
civil rights
What is one reason colonists came to America?
freedom; political liberty; religious freedom; economic opportunity; practice their religion; escape persecution
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
there were 13 original colonies; represent the original colonies
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 & balances or Separation of powers
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
Serve on a jury; vote in a federal election
What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
Terrorists attacked the United States
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
Native Americans, American Indians
What is the name of the national anthem?
The Star-Spangled Banner
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
Name one right only for United States citizens.
vote in a federal election;
run for office
Name one American 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 ▪ Muckleshoot ▪ Puyallup ▪ look up a list if not listed
What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
Africans; people from Africa
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
one star for each state; there are 50 states
What is an amendment?
A change to the Constitution
Who makes federal laws?
Congress, Senate and House (of Representatives), US or national legislature
What are two rights (Freedoms) of everyone living in the United States?
freedom of expression, speech, assembly, to petition the government, religion; the right to bear arms
What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
Atlantic Ocean
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
When do we celebrate Independence Day?
July 4
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
The Senate and House of Reps
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
eighteen (18) and older
Name one state that borders Canada.
▪ Maine ▪ New Hampshire ▪ Vermont ▪ New York ▪ Pennsylvania ▪ Ohio ▪ Michigan ▪ Minnesota ▪ North Dakota ▪ Montana ▪ Idaho ▪ Washington ▪ Alaska
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Name two national U.S. holidays.
New Year's Day; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Presidents' Day; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Veterans Day; Thanksgiving; Christmas; Columbus Day; Juneteenth
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
speech, religion, assembly, press, to petition the government
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
six (6)
What is the economic system in the United States?*
capitalist, freemarket
Name one state that borders Mexico.
California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas
There were 13 original states. Name three.
New Hampshire ▪ Massachusetts ▪ Rhode Island ▪ Connecticut ▪ New York ▪ New Jersey ▪ Pennsylvania ▪ Delaware ▪ Maryland ▪ Virginia ▪ North Carolina ▪ South Carolina ▪ Georgia
What does the President’s Cabinet do?
advises the President
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?
Patty Murray, Maria Cantwell
What is the “rule of law”?
everyone must follow the law, leaders must obey the law, government must obey the law, no one is above the law
What is the capital of the United States?*
Washington, D.C.
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July, 4 1776
Who vetoes bills?
The President
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
announced colonists independence from Great Britain, declared our independence from Great Britain, said the United States is free from Great Britain
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
four hundred thirty-five (435)
What does the judicial branch do?
reviews laws; explains laws; resolves disputes; decides if a law goes against the Constitution
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
18 years old (to 26)
What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
U.S. diplomat; oldest member of Continental Convention; first Postmaster General of US; writer of "Poor Richard's Almanac"; started the first free libraries
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
Speaker of the House
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
two (2)
What is the highest court in the United States?
the Supreme Court
Who is the “Father of Our Country”?
George Washington
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitution was written; the Found Fathers wrote the Constitution
the President
What are the two major political parties in the United States?*
Democratic, Republican
What is the capital of your state?*
Olympia
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
9
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
The Louisiana Territory; Louisiana
When was the Constitution written?
1787
What is the political party of the President now?
Democratic