US Constitution
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights
What are the 3 branches of government?
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
18 years or older
Who was the first president of the United States?
George Washington
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27 amendments
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
checks and balances ▪ separation of powers
What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
▪ freedom of expression
▪ freedom of speech
▪ freedom of assembly
▪ freedom to petition the government
▪ freedom of religion
▪ the right to bear arms
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Who did the United States fight in World War II?
Japan, Germany, and Italy
What is the 4th Amendment to the Constitution?
Freedom from unreasonable search & seizure.
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
Senate & House of Representatives
What are three 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
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?
fought for civil rights ▪ worked for equality for all Americans
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People...
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
6 years
What is one promise 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
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
The Louisiana Territory
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. ▪ Leaders must obey the law. ▪ Government must obey the law. ▪ No one is above the law.
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
The Speaker of the House
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
April 15th
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
James Madison ▪ Alexander Hamilton ▪ John Jay
During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
Communism (stopping the spread of it)