Founding Documents
What is the supreme law of the land?
The Constitution
What are the three branches of government?
Executive, Legislative, Judicial.
Who is known as the author of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C.
What is one way Americans can participate in their democracy?
Voting, running for office, contacting elected officials.
What year did the United States gain independence from Great Britain?
1776
What does the Constitution do?
1. Sets up the government
2. Defines the government
3. Protects the basic rights of Americans
(player must get at least one)
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
The President.
Who is known as the "Father of Our Country"?
George Washington
What do we call the first 10 amendments to the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights
What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
The Pacific Ocean
What is one reason colonists came to America?
Freedom, religious freedom, economic opportunity
What major event happened on September 11, 2001?
The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon
What are the first three words of the Constitution?
"We the People"
Who makes federal laws?
Congress (or)
The Legislature (or)
The House of Representatives & The Senate
Who was Benjamin Franklin?
A U.S. diplomat, inventor, and one of the Founding Fathers
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
Freedom of speech
What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
The Atlantic Ocean
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
At age 18
What war was fought between the North and South in the United States?
The Civil War
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
Declared independence from Great Britain.
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
The Senate and the House of Representatives
Who was President during the Civil War?
Abraham Lincoln
What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
To protect individual freedoms and rights.
Name one state that borders Canada
Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
What is one way you can express your opinion to the government?
Contacting elected officials, protesting, writing a letter, or joining a political party.
What was the main cause of the U.S. Civil War?
The issue of slavery and states' rights.
What are the three rights listed in the Declaration of Independence?
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
Two years.
Who was President during World War I?
Woodrow Wilson
What amendment gave women the right to vote?
19th Amendment
Name the four states that border Mexico.
California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas.
What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
Voting, running for office, contacting officials, joining a community group.
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
Spanish-American War, Philippine-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Bay of Pigs Invasion, Dominican Civil War, Grenada Invasion, Invasion of Panama, Gulf War, Somali Civil War / Operation Restore Hope.
What is the "rule of law"?
Everyone must follow the law, including leaders and government officials, and no one is above the law.
What does the judicial branch do?
Reviews laws, explains laws, resolves disputes, and decides if laws go against the Constitution.
Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
Franklin D. Roosevelt
What four rights are protected by the first amendment?
Freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition
Name one U.S. territory that is not Guam.
-American Samoa
-Northern Mariana Islands
-Puerto Rico
-U.S. Virgin Islands)
What is the "civil rights" movement?
A movement in the 1950s and 1960s to end racial segregation and discrimination, and to secure equal rights for African Americans.
What was the New Deal?
A series of government programs and policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to address the Great Depression.
Name one of the authors of the Federalist Papers.
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, or John Jay.
How many members does the House of Representatives have?
435.
Who was the main writer of the U.S. Constitution?
James Madison
What amendment abolished slavery?
13th Amendment
What is the longest river in the United States?
The Missouri
What are two responsibilities of U.S. citizens besides voting?
Serving on a jury, paying taxes, obeying laws, and defending the country if needed.
What was the outcome of the Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954?
The U.S. Supreme Court declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional