U.S. Civics Preparation for the Naturalization Test

Collection of civics and history flashcards based on the 100 questions for the U.S. Naturalization Test.

Supreme law of the land

The Constitution of the United States.

The Constitution's function

Sets up the government, defines the government, and protects basic rights of Americans.

Self-government (first three words)

“We the People”

Amendment

A change or addition to the Constitution.

The Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution.

First Amendment freedoms

Speech, religion, assembly, press, and petition the government.

Number of amendments

$$27$$

Declaration of Independence

Announced our independence from Great Britain, declared our independence from Great Britain, and said that the United States is free.

Rights in the Declaration of Independence

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Freedom of religion

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

U.S. Economic system

Capitalist economy or market economy.

Rule of law

Everyone must follow the law, leaders must obey the law, government must obey the law, and no one is above the law.

Branches of government

Congress (legislative), President (executive), and the courts (judicial).

Checks and balances

A system that stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful; also known as separation of powers.

Legislative branch duties

Congress makes federal laws and is composed of the Senate and House (of Representatives).

Number of U.S. Senators

$$100$$

U.S. Senator term length

$6$ years.

House of Representatives membership

$435$ voting members.

U.S. Representative term length

$2$ years.

Representation of a U.S. Senator

A Senator represents all people of the state.

Proportional representation

Some states have more Representatives than other states because they have more people or a larger population.

Presidential term length

$4$ years.

Presidential election month

November

Presidential succession

If the President can no longer serve, the Vice President becomes President.

Double succession

If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, the Speaker of the House becomes President.

Commander in Chief

The President

President's Cabinet

Advises the President and includes positions such as the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Vice President.

Judicial branch duties

Reviews laws, explains laws, resolves disputes (disagreements), and decides if a law goes against the Constitution.

Highest court

The Supreme Court

Federal government powers

To print money, to declare war, to create an army, and to make treaties.

State government powers

Provide schooling and education, provide protection (police), provide safety (fire departments), give a driver’s license, and approve zoning and land use.

Political parties

Democratic and Republican

U.S. citizen responsibilities

Serve on a jury and vote in a federal election.

Rights of U.S. citizens

Vote in a federal election and run for federal office.

Rights of everyone living in the U.S.

Freedom of expression, speech, assembly, petition the government, religion, and the right to bear arms.

Loyalty in the Pledge of Allegiance

The United States and the flag.

Promises for new citizens

Give up loyalty to other countries, defend the Constitution, obey laws, serve in the military (if needed), serve the nation (if needed), and be loyal to the United States.

Voting age

$18$ and older.

Federal income tax deadline

April $15$

Selective Service registration

All men must register at age $18$ or between $18$ and $26$.

Colonial motivations

Freedom, political liberty, religious freedom, economic opportunity, practice religion, or escape persecution.

Pre-European inhabitants

American Indians or Native Americans.

Slaves in America

Africans or people from Africa.

Colonial conflict with Britain

Fought because of high taxes (taxation without representation), boarding and quartering of the British army, and lack of self-government.

Author of the Declaration of Independence

(Thomas) Jefferson

Declaration adoption date

July $4, 1776$

Constitutional Convention

The meeting in $1787$ where the Constitution was written by the Founding Fathers.

Federalist Papers authors

James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and Publius.

Benjamin Franklin's accomplishments

U.S. diplomat, oldest member of the Constitutional Convention, first Postmaster General, and writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac.”

Father of Our Country

(George) Washington

First President

(George) Washington

Louisiana Purchase

Territory the United States bought from France in $1803$.

Wars of the $1800\text{s}$

War of $1812$, Mexican-American War, Civil War, and Spanish-American War.

The Civil War

The war between the North and the South (the War between the States), caused by slavery, economic reasons, and states’ rights.

Abraham Lincoln's significance

Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation), saved or preserved the Union, and led the United States during the Civil War.

Susan B. Anthony's work

Fought for women’s rights and fought for civil rights.

President during World War I

(Woodrow) Wilson

President during the Great Depression and WWII

(Franklin) Roosevelt

United States' WWII enemies

Japan, Germany, and Italy.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

General during World War II before becoming President.

Cold War concern

Communism

Civil rights movement

A movement that tried to end racial discrimination.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Fought for civil rights and worked for equality for all Americans.

September $11, 2001$

Terrorists attacked the United States.

Longest U.S. Rivers

Missouri (River) and Mississippi (River).

U.S. West Coast Ocean

Pacific (Ocean)

U.S. East Coast Ocean

Atlantic (Ocean)

U.S. Capital

Washington, D.C.

Statue of Liberty location

New York (Harbor) or Liberty Island.

The U.S. Flag stripes

There are $13$ stripes because they represent the original colonies.

The U.S. Flag stars

There are $50$ stars because there is one star for each state.

National anthem

The Star-Spangled Banner

Independence Day

July $4$

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, and Christmas.