Democracy in Jeopardy

Founding Principles

100

This branch of government is responsible for passing the laws.

Legislative Branch

200

The head of this branch of government is the President.

Executive Branch

300

This branch of government interprets the laws and applies them to specific cases.

Judicial Branch

400

This principle, created by the Founders, holds that the powers of the government should be divided and balanced among three branches of government. 

Separation of powers

500

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees this right, which is considered essential for a healthy democracy. 

Freedom of Speech

Amendments

100

This constitutional amendment guarantees freedom of speech.

1st

200

This amendment protects the right to a fair and speedy trial. 

7th

300

This amendment abolished slavery.

13th

400

This amendment established that anyone born in the U.S. or is naturalized is a citizen. 

14th

500

This amendment established that the president will take office on January 20 following an election. 

20th

Voting and Elections

100

This system, used in U.S. presidential elections, can lead to a president winning without the popular vote. 

Electoral College

200

This is the number of electoral votes a person needs to win the presidency.

270

300

True or False: If a candidate wins the popular vote for president in the U.S., the candidate becomes president.

False

400

This type of election, used in many states, and localities, allows voters to rank candidate rather than vote for just one person. 

Ranked-choice voting

500

This situation refers to laws and practices that make it harder for certain groups to vote.

Voter suppression

Government 101

100

This is the government where people rule themselves.

Democracy

200

The U.S. is this kind of government.

Representative Democracy

300

True or False: The president is directly elected in the U.S.

False

400

These are the three branches of the U.S. government.

Executive, Judicial, Legislative

500

These two bodies make-up the legislative branch.

House of Representatives and Senate

In General

100

This is the supreme law of the United States. 

The Constitution

200

What is the minimum age to apply to become a U.S. citizen?

18

300

This is the year the Constitution was written.

1787

400

This is the minimum age to become president.

35

500

Including Joe Biden this is the number of presidents the U.S. has had. 

46