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
Name two rights of everyone living in the U.S.
freedom of expression
freedom of speech
freedom of assembly
freedom to petition the government
freedom of religion
the right to bear arms
Why did the colonists fight the British?
because of high taxes (taxation without representation)
because the British army stayed in their houses
because they didn’t have self-government
Name one state that borders Mexico
California
Arizona
New Mexico
Texas
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
The Senate and House of Representatives
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
18
Name one war fought by the U.s. in the 1800s
War of 1812
Mexican-American War
Civil War
Spanish-American War
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
because there were 13 original colonies
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
6 years
Name one responsibility that is only for US citizens
serve on a jury or vote in a federal election
When was the Constitution written and where?
1787 in Philadelphia
Name two national U.S. holidays
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Presidents’ Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas
What is the economic system in the United States?
capitalist economy, market economy
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
435 members
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The United States, The flag
Who was President during World War I?
Woodrow Wilson
Name one U.S. territory
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
American Samoa
Northern Mariana Islands
Guam
What is the “rule of law”?
Everyone must follow the law- no one is above the law
Name your U.S. Representative
George Latimer
Name one promise you make when you become a U.S. Citizen
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)
give up loyalty to other countries and be loyal to the United States
Who did the United States fight in World War II?
Japan, Germany, and Italy
Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States
Missouri (River)
Mississippi (River)