American Government
What is the supreme law of the land?
What is the Constitution?
Name the three branches of the government.
What is Legislative, Executive, and Judicial?
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 are two reasons colonists came to America?
▪ freedom
▪ political liberty
▪ religious freedom
▪ economic opportunity
▪ practice their religion
▪ escape persecution
Name two wars fought by the United States in the 1900s.
▪ World War I
▪ World War II
▪ Korean War
▪ Vietnam War
▪ (Persian) Gulf War
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
What is "We the People?"
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
What is Checks & Balances or Separation of Powers?
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
▪ serve on a jury
▪ vote in a federal election
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Who is Thomas Jefferson?
During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
What is communism?
What are three rights or freedom from the First Amendment?*
What is
▪ speech
▪ religion
▪ assembly
▪ press
▪ petition the government
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
What is 6 years?
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
There were 13 original states. Name three.
▪ New Hampshire
▪ Massachusetts
▪ Rhode Island
▪ Connecticut
▪ New York
▪ New Jersey
▪ Pennsylvania
▪ Delaware
▪ Maryland
▪ Virginia
▪ North Carolina
▪ South Carolina
▪ Georgia
What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
What is the civil rights (movement)?
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
What is 27?
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
What is population?
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
What is April 15?
When was the Constitution written?
What is 1787?
Name the two longest rivers in the United States.
▪ Missouri (River)
▪ Mississippi (River
What is the economic system in the United States?
What is capitalism/market economy?
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
What are two promises you make when you become a United States citizen?
▪ give up loyalty to other countries
▪ defend the Constitution and laws of the United States
▪ obey the laws of the United States
▪ serve in the U.S. military (if needed)
▪ serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)
▪ be loyal to the United States
Name two wars fought by the United States in the 1800s
▪ War of 1812
▪ Mexican-American War
▪ Civil War
▪ Spanish-American War
Name two U.S. territories.
▪ Puerto Rico
▪ U.S. Virgin Islands
▪ American Samoa
▪ Northern Mariana Islands
▪ Guam