Principles of US Democracy
religion, speech, assembly, press, petition the government
What are two parts of the US Congress?
the Senate and House (of Representatives)
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
the flag
the US
When was the declaration of independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s
War of 1812
Mexican-American War
Civil War
Spanish-American War
What is the supreme law of the land?
Who makes federal laws?
Congress
Senate and House (of Representatives)
(U.S. or national) legislature
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
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 did Susan B. Anthony do?
fought for women’s rights
fought for civil rights
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
checks and balances
separation of power
What are two rights of everyone living in the US?
freedom of expression ▪ freedom of speech ▪ freedom of assembly ▪ freedom to petition the government ▪ freedom of religion ▪ the right to bear arms
Who wrote the declaration of independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Name one American Indian Tribe in the US.
Cherokee ▪ Navajo ▪ Sioux ▪ Chippewa ▪ Choctaw ▪ Pueblo ▪ Apache ▪ Iroquois ▪ Creek ▪ Blackfeet ▪ Seminole ▪ Cheyenne ▪ Arawak ▪ Shawnee ▪ Mohegan ▪ Huron ▪ Oneida ▪ Lakota ▪ Crow ▪ Teton ▪ Hopi ▪ Inuit
What is the economic system of the United States?
capitalist economy
market economy
What does the judicial branch do?
▪ reviews laws ▪ explains laws ▪ resolves disputes (disagreements) ▪ decides if a law goes against the Constitution
What are the two responsibilities that is only for United States citizens?
serve on a jury
vote in a federal election
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
(James) Madison
(Alexander) Hamilton
(John) Jay ▪ Publius
Who was President during World War I?
Woodrow Wilson
What does the constitution do?
sets up the government
defines the government
protects basic rights of Americans
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).
What is ONE thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
U.S. diplomat
oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
first Postmaster General of the United States
writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac”
started the first free libraries
Who did the United States fight in World War II?
Japan, Germany, and Italy