128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 Version) - Key Terms & Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering major terms, foundational documents, historical figures, constitutional amendments, and civics principles from the 2025 USCIS 128 Civics Test study guide.

65/20 Special Consideration

A provision allowing applicants who are 65 years old or older and have been living in the U.S. as lawful permanent residents for 20 or more years to study a simplified list of 20 marked civics questions and take the oral test in the language of their choice.

U.S. Constitution

The supreme law of the land, written in 1787, which forms the government, defines its parts and powers, and protects the rights of the people.

"We the People"

The opening words of the U.S. Constitution that express the principles of self-government, popular sovereignty, consent of the governed, and the social contract.

Bill of Rights

The amendments to the U.S. Constitution that protect the basic rights of Americans and people living in the United States.

Declaration of Independence

The founding document written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted on July 4, 1776, announcing that the American colonies were free from British control and identifying inherent rights such as Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

Rule of Law

The principle that everyone must follow the law, leaders and government must obey the law, and no one is above the law.

Capitalism

The free market economic system of the United States.

Separation of Powers

The division of the U.S. government into three distinct branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) with checks and balances to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful.

Legislative Branch

The law-making branch of the national government, comprised of the U.S. Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives), which writes laws, declares war, and makes the federal budget.

Executive Branch

The branch of government led by the President of the United States, including the Cabinet and federal departments and agencies, responsible for enforcing laws.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government consisting of the Supreme Court and federal courts that reviews laws, explains laws, resolves legal disputes, and decides if laws violate the U.S. Constitution.

U.S. Senate

One of the two parts of the U.S. Congress, made up of 100 members (two senators per state) who serve six-year terms representing all citizens of their state.

U.S. House of Representatives

The branch of Congress consisting of 435 voting members who serve two-year terms representing citizens in their congressional districts, with state representation based on population.

Great Compromise

Also known as the Connecticut Compromise, the agreement that established equal representation for every state in the U.S. Senate regardless of size.

22nd Amendment

The constitutional amendment that limits the President of the United States to serving a maximum of two terms to prevent executive power from becoming too concentrated.

President's Cabinet

An advisory body composed of executive department heads (such as the Attorney General and various Secretaries) and key officials who advise the President.

Electoral College

The body that decides who is elected president, providing a compromise between direct popular election and selection by Congress.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, consisting of nine seats where justices receive lifetime appointments and usually require five justices to decide a case.

10th Amendment

The amendment specifying that powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution belong to the states or to the people.

Oath of Allegiance

The formal promise made by new citizens during naturalization to renounce foreign loyalties, defend the U.S. Constitution, obey U.S. laws, and remain loyal to the United States.

16th Amendment

The amendment to the U.S. Constitution that authorizes federal income taxes to fund the federal government.

Selective Service

The system requiring all men aged 18 through 25 to register so that a military draft can be conducted fairly if needed.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and Publius to explain and support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Benjamin Franklin

A famous founding figure who served as a U.S. diplomat, inventor, first Postmaster General, co-writer of the Declaration of Independence, and founder of the first free public libraries.

George Washington

Known as the "Father of Our Country," he served as General of the Continental Army, President of the Constitutional Convention, and the first President of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson

The author of the Declaration of Independence, first Secretary of State, third President of the United States, founder of the University of Virginia, and architect of the Louisiana Purchase.

James Madison

Known as the "Father of the Constitution," he was a co-author of the Federalist Papers and served as the fourth President of the United States during the War of 1812.

Alexander Hamilton

The first Secretary of the Treasury, co-author of the Federalist Papers, aide to General Washington, and founder of the First Bank of the United States.

Louisiana Territory

The vast territory purchased by the United States from France in 1803 under Thomas Jefferson, which doubled the land size of the nation.

Emancipation Proclamation

An executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War that declared slaves in the Confederate states and most Southern regions to be free.

14th Amendment

The constitutional amendment defining U.S. citizenship to include all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction.

15th Amendment

The amendment passed in 1870 during Reconstruction after the Civil War that granted all male citizens the right to vote regardless of race.

19th Amendment

The constitutional amendment ratified in 1920 following World War I that extended voting rights to all women in the United States.

Great Depression

The longest economic recession in modern history, initiated by the stock market crash of 1929 (The Great Crash).

Dwight Eisenhower

World War II General, 34th President of the United States during the Korean War, and signor of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 that created the Interstate System.

Cold War

A period of intense geopolitical rival conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR/Russia) centered around stopping communism and avoiding nuclear war.

Civil Rights Movement

A social movement dedicated to ending racial discrimination and achieving equality for all Americans, led by figures like Martin Luther King, Jr.

"E Pluribus Unum"

The first motto of the United States, meaning "Out of many, one."

Memorial Day

A national U.S. holiday dedicated to honoring soldiers who died while serving in military service.

Veterans Day

A national U.S. holiday dedicated to honoring all people who have served in the U.S. military.