Principles of American Democracy
What is the supreme law of the land?
The Constitution
What are 2 of the President's responsiblities?
Commander in Chief of the military
signs bills to become laws?
vetoes bills
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
▪ serve on a jury
▪ vote in a federal election
Name one U.S. territory.
▪ Puerto Rico
▪ U.S. Virgin Islands
▪ American Samoa
▪ Northern Mariana Islands
▪ Guam
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 do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights
Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now? How many years are senators elected for?
NY: Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand
6
What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
▪ give up loyalty to other countries
▪ defend the Constitution and laws of the United States ▪ obey the laws of the United States
▪ serve in the U.S. military (if needed)
▪ serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)
▪ be loyal to the United States
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
▪ because there were 13 original colonies
▪ because the stripes represent the original colonies
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
▪ speech
▪ religion
▪ assembly
▪ press
▪ petition the government
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
435
What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
▪ vote
▪ join a political party
▪ help with a campaign ▪ join a civic group
▪ join a community group
▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue
▪ call Senators and Representatives
▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
▪ run for office
▪ write to a newspaper
What is the name of the national anthem?
▪ The Star-Spangled Banner
Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
▪ slavery
▪ economic reasons
▪ states’ rights
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
What are 2 powers that belong to the Federal Gov and 2 powers that belong to the states?
Federal: ▪ to print money
▪ to declare war
▪ to create an army
▪ to make treaties
State: ▪ provide schooling and education
▪ provide protection (police)
▪ provide safety (fire departments)
▪ give a driver’s license
▪ approve zoning and land use
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
April 15
Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.
▪ Missouri (River)
▪ Mississippi (River)
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
World War II
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
What are two 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 are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
▪ Citizens eighteen (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 two 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
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