Principles of American Democracy
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
▪ speech
▪ religion
▪ assembly
▪ press
▪ petition the government
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
The President
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 one reason colonists came to America?
▪ freedom
▪ political liberty
▪ religious freedom
▪ economic opportunity
▪ practice their religion ▪ escape persecution
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
▪ the Louisiana Territory
▪ Louisiana
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
How many U.S. Senators are there?
One hundred (100)
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).
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
(Thomas) Jefferson
Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
▪ slavery
▪ economic reasons
▪ states’ rights
What is the supreme law of the land?
The Constitution
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
▪ provide schooling and education
▪ provide protection (police)
▪ provide safety (fire departments)
▪ give a driver’s license ▪ approve zoning and land use
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
▪ the United States
▪ the flag
When was the Constitution written?
1787
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
▪ freed the slaves
▪ freed slaves in the Confederacy
▪ freed slaves in the Confederate states
▪ freed slaves in most Southern states
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?
Answers will vary*
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
▪ at age eighteen (18)
▪ between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)
Who was the first President?
(George) Washington
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 “rule of law”?
▪ Everyone must follow the law.
▪ Leaders must obey the law.
▪ Government must obey the law.
▪ No one is above the law.
In what month do we vote for President?
November
Name one right only for United States citizens.
▪ vote in a federal election
▪ run for federal office
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
▪ American Indians
▪ Native Americans
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
▪ fought for women’s rights
▪ fought for civil rights