U.S. Government Basics
This document, written in 1787, is the foundation of U.S. law.
What is the Constitution?
In Model Congress, students write and present these, which propose new laws.
What are bills?
This person was the second President of the United States.
Who is John Adams?
This part of the Constitution begins with the words “We the People.”
What is the Preamble?
This branch of government makes the laws.
What is the legislative branch?
This is the term for a person who speaks in favor or against a bill during debate.
What is a delegate?
This U.S. President issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.
Who is Abraham Lincoln?
This amendment guarantees freedom of speech, press, and religion.
What is the First Amendment?
Name the two chambers of Congress.
What are the Senate and the House of Representatives?
The set of rules followed to keep debate organized and fair is called this.
What are parliamentary procedures (or Robert’s Rules)?
This President signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law.
Who is Lyndon B. Johnson?
The Constitution divides power between federal and state governments. This system is called what?
What is federalism?
The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional is called this.
What is judicial review?
In Congress, this is the minimum number of members needed to conduct official business.
What is a quorum?
This landmark Supreme Court case established “separate but equal” in 1896.
What is Plessy v. Ferguson?
This landmark case established judicial review in 1803.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
This clause in the Constitution gives Congress the power to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its duties.
What is the Elastic Clause (or Necessary and Proper Clause)?
This motion ends debate on a bill and calls for an immediate vote.
What is moving to the previous question?
This amendment lowered the U.S. voting age to 18.
What is the 26th Amendment?
This amendment, ratified in 1913, created the federal income tax.
What is the 16th Amendment?