Federal Government
State Government
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
100
This document is the supreme law of the land and establishes the basic structure of the U.S. federal government.
What is the Constitution?
100
This is the elected leader of a state.
What is a governor?
100
This is the commonly known name of the bicameral national legislature that makes America's laws.
What is Congress?
100
This person is the head of the executive branch and the chief executive of the United States.
Who is the president?
100
These offices are the core of the judicial branch, handling legal issues from national laws to traffic tickets.
What are courts?
200
These first ten amendments guarantee basic individual rights such as freedom of speech and religion.
What is the Bill of Rights?
200
These institutions are operated and funded by state and local governments.
What are schools?
200
This "upper house" of the national legislature has only 100 members (2 per state).
What is the Senate?
200
This #2 official in the executive branch has very few powers, but can break 50-50 ties in the Senate.
Who is the Vice President?
200
These justices have final say over nationwide legal questions, including famous issues like segregation, abortion, and gay marriage.
What is the Supreme Court?
300
The national government splits power with the state governments according to this principle.
What is federalism?
300
This is the elected leader of a city government.
What is a mayor?
300
This "lower house" is elected from 435 districts across the country, based on population size (~800,000 people each).
What is the House of Representatives?
300
This group of secretaries oversee government departments like the Department of Education, State, Agriculture, etc.
What is the Cabinet?
300
This legal action can be taken by anyone, against anyone, to seek compensation for injuries, accidents, abuse, or other disputes.
What are lawsuits?
400
This principle splits responsibilities between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches so that no single branch becomes too strong.
What is the separation of powers?
400
These 3,143 administrative units are the foundational piece of local governments across the country.
What are counties?
400
This official is the most powerful member of the legislative branch (and second in line to the presidency!)
Who is the Speaker of the House?
400
The executive branch has this power to refuse laws passed by the legislative branch.
What is veto power?
400
The judicial branch is responsible for sorting out these complaints about previous trials and sentences.
What are appeals?
500
These principles lets each branch of government limit or control the others in certain ways to avoid corruption and instability.
What are checks and balances?
500
This national health program for poor people is most states' largest expense.
What is Medicaid?
500
The legislative branch must pass these to create laws, fund government programs, and make the government operate.
What are bills?
500
The chief executive also has this title, as they are the ultimate authority for the US military.
What is the commander-in-chief?
500
This power allows the courts to strike down laws if they deem them unconstitutional.
What is judicial review?