Principles of American Democracy
What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
▪ checks and balances ▪ separation of powers
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*
▪ eighteen (18) and older
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
▪ American Indians ▪ Native Americans
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
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
▪ the President
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
▪ the United States ▪ the flag
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
▪ (Thomas) Jefferson
Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
▪ (Franklin) Roosevelt
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
▪ We the People
In what month do we vote for President?*
▪ November
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*
▪ serve on a jury ▪ vote in a federal election
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
▪ July 4, 1776
During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
▪ Communism
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
▪ twenty-seven (27)
What is the highest court in the United States?
▪ the Supreme Court
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
▪ at age eighteen (18) ▪ between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)
When was the Constitution written?
▪ 1787
What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*
▪ fought for civil rights ▪ worked for equality for all Americans
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
▪ life ▪ liberty ▪ pursuit of happiness
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
▪ four hundred thirty-five (435)
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*
▪ April 15
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
Who did the United States fight in World War II?
▪ Japan, Germany, and Italy