Alabama Civics Test- Boutwell 2025-2026

Why did the colonists fight the British?

because they were angry about taxation without representation

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

What does the Declaration of Independence do?

declared our independence from Great Britain

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

When do Americans celebrate Independence Day?

July 4th

What were the 13 original colonies?

Connecticut

Delaware

Georgia

Maryland

Massachusetts

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

South Carolina

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Virginia

What are the rights in the Declaration of Independence?

life

liberty

the pursuit of happiness

What year was the Constitutional Convention held?

1787

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

the Constitution was written

What was one thing Benjamin Franklin was famous for?

being the oldest member of the Constitutional Convention

Why were the Federalist Papers written?

to support the passage of the Constitution

Who wrote the Federalist Papers?

Alexander Hamilton

John Jay

James Madison

Who was the first President?

George Washington

What is George Washington considered?

the Father of our Country

What are the two major political parties in the United States?

Democratic and Republican

What do the 13 stripes on the United States flag represent?

the 13 original colonies

What do the 50 stars on the United States flag represent?

the 50 states

What is the national anthem of the United States?

The Star-Spangled Banner

What is the supreme law of the United States?

Constitution

What does the Constitution do?

sets up the government

What are the first three words of the Constitution?

We The People

What does "We The People" embody?

self government

What are America's government branches?

Legislative

Executive

Judicial

What keeps each branch of government from getting too powerful?

checks and balances

What does the Constitution protect?

private property

The Constitution protects private property, which is the basis of America's what?

capitalist economy

What is one power that belongs to the federal government?

declare war

What is one power that belongs to the states?

providing schooling and education

What is the division of power between the federal government and the state government called?

federalism

How did they change the Constitution

through amendments

How many amendments does the Constitution have?

27

What are the first 10 amendments called?

Bill of Rights

What do the Bill of Rights do?

protect individual liberties

What does the first amendment protect?

speech

religion

press

petition

assembly

What does freedom of religion mean?

you can practice any religion you want or not practice at all

How many amendments expanded voting rights

4

The 15th

The 19th

The 24th

The 26th

A citizen's rights to vote cannot be taken away based on what?

race

gender

age

financial status

What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

Senate and House of Representatives

What does the Senate and House of Representatives do?

make federal laws

What is the largest part of Congress?

the House of Representatives

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?

435

What is the number of the House of Representatives determined by?

each state's population

How long do members of the House of Representatives serve?

2 years

What is the smaller part in Congress?

Senate

How many voting members are in the Senate?

100

How many senators does each state have?

2

Who do senators represent?

entire state

How long is a Senator's term?

6 years

Who are Alabama's current Senators?

Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville

Who is in charge of the executive branch?

president

Who is the current president?

Donald Trump

What party is Donald Trump a member of?

Republican

How long do presidents serve?

4 years

What does the president do?

signs bills into law

veto bills

Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

president

What vote does Congress have to have to override the president's veto?

2/3 vote in both houses

What does the President's Cabinet do?

advises the President

If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

vice president

Who is the current vice president?

JD Vance

If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

Speaker of the House

Who is the current Speaker of the House?

Mike Johnson

What is the judicial branch?

federal court system

What is the highest court in the United States?

Supreme Court

What is the judicial branch's job?

resolve disputes and decide if a law goes against the Constitution

How many justices does the Supreme Court have?

9

Who is the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

John G. Roberts Jr.

Who is the governor of Alabama?

Kay Ivey

Who were the first to live in America?

Native Americans

What is one American Indian tribe in the United States?

Choctaw

Navajo

Cherokee

Chickasaw

Seminole

Sioux

Blackfeet

Creek

Why did colonists come to America?

religious freedom and economic opportunity

Where were slaves taken from?

Africa

In 1803, the U.S. bought what from France?

the Louisiana Territory

The White House was burned during what?

the War of 1812

What war was fought between the North and South?

Civil War

What was the main cause of the Civil War?

slavery

What did Abraham Lincoln create to preserve the union?

the Gettysburg Address

Who fought for women's rights?

Susan B. Anthony

What wars were fought by the U.S. during the 1800s

War of 1812

Mexican American War

Civil War

Spanish-American War

Who was President during World War I?

Woodrow Wilson

Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?

Franklin Roosevelt

Who did the United States fight in World War II?

Axis Powers

Japan

Germany

Italy

Who was a military general in World War II before he was president?

Dwight D. Eisenhower

What was the goal of the Civil Rights movement?

end racial discrimination

Who fought for Civil Rights?

Martin Luther King Jr.

What was one war fought by the United States in the 1900s?

Vietnam War

World War I

World War II

Korean War

Gulf War

The Vietnam War was the first war to be shown on what?

television

What was the main concern of the United States during the Cold War?

Communism

What happened on September 11, 2001?

terrorists attacked the United States

People living in America agree to abide by what?

rule of law

What is the "rule of law"?

everyone including leaders in the government must follow the law

In what month do we vote for President?

November

What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?

vote in a federal election

What is one right that is only for U.S. citizens?

running for federal office

What are some rights of everyone living in the United States?

freedom of speech

freedom of religion

Freedom of assembly

Freedom of the press

freedom of petition

When we say the Pledge of Allegiance, what are we showing our loyalty to?

the United States

What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?

defend the Constitution and laws of the United States

How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?

18

What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

voting and giving elected officials your opinions on issues

When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?

April 15

When must all men register for the Selective Service?

at age 18