AP Government and Politics Final Study Guide

What is the supreme law of the land?

the Constitution

What does the Constitution do?

sets up the government; defines the government; protects basic rights of Americans

The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

We the People

What is an amendment?

a change to the Constitution; an addition to the Constitution

What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

the Bill of Rights

What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?

speech; religion; assembly; press; petition the government

How many amendments does the Constitution have?

27

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

announced our independence from Great Britain; declared our independence from Great Britain; said the United States is free from Great Britain

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

life; liberty; pursuit of happiness

What is freedom of religion?

You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

What is the economic system in the United States?

capitalist economy; market economy

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

Name one branch or part of the government.

Congress; legislative; President; executive; courts; judicial

What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

checks and balances; separation of powers

Who is in charge of the executive branch?

the President

Who makes federal laws?

Congress; Senate and House of Representatives; national legislature

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

the Senate and House of Representatives

How many U.S. Senators are there?

100

We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

6

Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now?

Dave McCormick

The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

435

We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?

2

Name your U.S. Representative.

Brian Fitzpatrick

Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

all people of the state

Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

because of the state's population

We elect a President for how many years?

4

In what month do we vote for President?

November

What is the name of the President of the United States now?

Donald Trump

What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

JD Vance

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

the Vice President

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

the Speaker of the House

Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

the President

Who signs bills to become laws?

the President

Who vetoes bills?

the President

What does the President's Cabinet do?

advises the President

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Any two: Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, etc.

What does the judicial branch do?

reviews laws; explains laws; resolves disputes; decides if a law goes against the Constitution

What is the highest court in the United States?

the Supreme Court

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

9

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

John G. Roberts, Jr

What is one power of the federal government?

print money; declare war; create an army; make treaties

What is one power of the states?

provide schooling; police protection; fire protection; issue driver's licenses; approve zoning and land use

Who is the Governor of your state now?

Josh Shapiro

What is the capital of your state?

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

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

Democratic and Republican

What is the political party of the President now?

Republican

What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

Mike Johnson

Describe one amendment about who can vote.

Citizens 18 and older can vote; no poll tax; women and men can vote; citizens of any race can vote

What is one responsibility only for U.S. citizens?

serve on a jury; vote in a federal election

Name one right only for U.S. citizens.

vote in a federal election; run for federal office

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

freedom of speech; freedom of religion; freedom of assembly; freedom of expression; petition the government; bear arms

What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

the United States; the flag

What is one promise you make when you become a U.S. citizen?

defend the Constitution; obey laws; be loyal to the United States; serve if needed

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

18 and older

What are two ways Americans can participate in democracy?

vote; join a political party; help with campaigns; join civic groups; contact elected officials; run for office

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; between ages 18 and 26

What is one reason colonists came to America?

freedom; political liberty; religious freedom; economic opportunity; escape persecution

Who lived in America before Europeans arrived?

American Indians; Native Americans

What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

Africans

Why did the colonists fight the British?

high taxes; quartering soldiers; lack of self-government

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

There were 13 original states. Name three.

Any three of the original 13 states

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

The Constitution was written.

When was the Constitution written?

1787

Name one writer of the Federalist Papers.

James Madison; Alexander Hamilton; John Jay; Publius

What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

U.S. diplomat; first Postmaster General; writer of Poor Richard's Almanac; started free libraries

Who is the Father of Our Country?

George Washington

Who was the first President?

George Washington

What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

Louisiana Territory

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

War of 1812; Mexican-American War; Civil War; Spanish-American War

Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.

the Civil War

Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

slavery; economic reasons; states' rights

What was one important thing Abraham Lincoln did?

freed the slaves; preserved the Union; led the U.S. during the Civil War

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

freed the slaves

What did Susan B. Anthony do?

fought for women's rights; fought for civil rights

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.

World War I; World War II; Korean War; Vietnam War; Gulf 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?

Japan, Germany, and Italy

Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?

World War II

During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

Communism

What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

the civil rights movement

What did Martin Luther King Jr. do?

fought for civil rights; worked for equality

What major event happened on September 11, 2001?

Terrorists attacked the United States.

Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

Cherokee; Navajo; Sioux; Apache; Iroquois; Seminole; Hopi; and others

Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.

Missouri River; Mississippi River

What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?

Pacific Ocean

What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

Atlantic Ocean

Name one U.S. territory.

Puerto Rico; Guam; U.S. Virgin Islands; American Samoa; Northern Mariana Islands

Name one state that borders Canada.

Maine; New York; Pennsylvania; Michigan; Alaska; and others

Name one state that borders Mexico.

California; Arizona; New Mexico; Texas

What is the capital of the United States?

Washington, D.C.

Where is the Statue of Liberty?

New York Harbor; Liberty Island

Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

because there were 13 original colonies

Why does the flag have 50 stars?

because there is one star for each state

What is the name of the national anthem?

The Star-Spangled Banner

When do we celebrate Independence Day?

July 4

Name two national U.S. holidays.

Any two: New Year's Day, MLK Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.