USCIS Civics Naturalization Test Flashcards

A comprehensive vocabulary review of all 100 civics questions and answers covering American Government, American History, and Integrated Civics for the naturalization test.

The Constitution

The supreme law of the land in the United States.

Functions of the Constitution

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

"We the People"

The first three words of the Constitution, which express the idea of self-government.

Amendment

A change or an addition to the Constitution.

The Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution.

First Amendment Freedoms

Rights protected by the First Amendment: speech, religion, assembly, press, and petition the government.

Constitutional Amendments (Total)

Twenty-seven (27) amendments in the United States Constitution.

Declaration of Independence

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

Rights in the Declaration of Independence

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Freedom of Religion

The right allowing anyone to practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

U.S. Economic System

A capitalist economy or market economy.

"Rule of Law"

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

Branches of the Government

The three parts of the U.S. government: Congress (legislative), President (executive), and the courts (judicial).

Checks and Balances

The constitutional mechanism (along with separation of powers) that stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Executive Branch Leadership

The President, who is in charge of the executive branch.

Federal Lawmakers

Congress, the Senate and House (of Representatives), or the U.S./national legislature that makes federal laws.

U.S. Congress (Components)

The two parts that make up Congress: the Senate and House of Representatives.

U.S. Senators (Total)

One hundred (100) total members serving in the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Senator Term Length

Six (6) years.

State U.S. Senators

Elected officials who represent all people of a state in the Senate (residents of D.C. and U.S. territories have no U.S. Senators).

House of Representatives Voting Members

Four hundred thirty-five (435) voting members.

U.S. Representative Term Length

Two (2) years.

U.S. Representative

An elected member of the House of Representatives representing a congressional district (territories have nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners).

Representation of a U.S. Senator

All people of the state.

House Apportionment

The principle that some states have more Representatives than other states because of the state's population and having more people.

Presidential Term Length

Four (4) years.

Presidential Election Month

November, the month in which citizens vote for President.

President of the United States

The official head of state and head of government serving at the time of the eligibility interview.

Vice President of the United States

The second-highest executive official serving at the time of the eligibility interview.

Presidential Succession (First in Line)

The Vice President, who becomes President if the President can no longer serve.

Presidential Succession (Second in Line)

The Speaker of the House, who becomes President if both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve.

Commander in Chief

The role of the President as the supreme commander of the U.S. military.

Signing Bills into Law

The constitutional authority of the President to approve bills passed by Congress so they become laws.

Presidential Veto

The power of the President to reject and refuse to sign bills passed by Congress.

The President's Cabinet

An official executive body whose primary function is to advise the President.

Cabinet-Level Positions

Executive posts including the Vice President, Attorney General, and Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, the Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, the Treasury, and Veterans Affairs.

The Judicial Branch

The branch of government that reviews laws, explains laws, resolves disputes (disagreements), and decides if a law goes against the Constitution.

The Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States court system.

Supreme Court Justices

The jurists who serve on the highest court of the United States.

Chief Justice of the United States

The highest-ranking judicial officer who presides over the U.S. Supreme Court.

Federal Powers

Powers assigned by the Constitution to the federal government: to print money, declare war, create an army, and make treaties.

State Powers

Powers retained by the states under the Constitution: provide schooling and education, provide protection (police), provide safety (fire departments), give a driver’s license, and approve zoning and land use.

Governor

The head of the executive branch of a state government (D.C. residents note that D.C. does not have a Governor).

State Capital

The municipality designated as the seat of government for a state (D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital).

Major U.S. Political Parties

The Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

Political Party of the President

The political party affiliation of the sitting President of the United States.

Speaker of the House of Representatives

The presiding officer and leader of the United States House of Representatives.

Voting Amendments

Four constitutional amendments defining who can vote: citizens 18 and older can vote; elimination of poll taxes; any citizen can vote regardless of sex (women and men); and male citizens of any race can vote.

Responsibilities Exclusive to U.S. Citizens

Civic duties restricted only to U.S. citizens: serving on a jury and voting in a federal election.

Rights Exclusive to U.S. Citizens

Rights reserved only for citizens of the United States: voting in a federal election and running for federal office.

Rights of Everyone Living in the United States

Freedoms enjoyed by all residents: freedom of expression, speech, assembly, petition the government, religion, and the right to bear arms.

The Pledge of Allegiance

A formal recitation showing loyalty to the United States and the flag.

Naturalization Oath Promises

Commitments made upon becoming a U.S. citizen: give up loyalty to other countries, defend the Constitution and laws, obey the laws, serve in the military (if needed), do important work for the nation (if needed), and be loyal to the United States.

Presidential Voting Age

Eighteen (18) and older.

Democratic Participation

Ways Americans engage in democracy: voting, joining a party, helping with a campaign, joining a civic/community group, giving opinions to officials, calling representatives, supporting/opposing policies, running for office, or writing to a newspaper.

Federal Income Tax Deadline

April 15, the last day to send in federal income tax forms.

Selective Service Registration

The requirement that all men register for military service at age eighteen (18), or between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26).

Colonial Settlement Reasons

Reasons colonists came to America: freedom, political liberty, religious freedom, economic opportunity, practicing religion, and escaping persecution.

American Indians / Native Americans

The indigenous peoples who lived in America before the Europeans arrived.

Enslaved Africans

Africans or people from Africa who were taken to America and sold as slaves.

Causes of the Revolutionary War

Reasons colonists fought the British: high taxes (taxation without representation), quartering of soldiers in private homes, and lack of self-government.

Thomas Jefferson

The principal author who wrote the Declaration of Independence.

July 4, 1776

The exact date the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

Thirteen Original States

The original thirteen states: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Constitutional Convention

The historical convention held in Philadelphia where the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.

1787

The year in which the United States Constitution was written.

The Federalist Papers Writers

Authors who wrote essays supporting the passage of the Constitution: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and Publius.

Benjamin Franklin

A Founding Father famous for being a U.S. diplomat, oldest member of the Constitutional Convention, first Postmaster General, writer of "Poor Richard's Almanac," and founder of the first free libraries.

"Father of Our Country"

George Washington, recognized as the founding leader of the United States.

George Washington

The first President of the United States and "Father of Our Country."

Louisiana Territory

The vast territory bought by the United States from France in 1803.

19th-Century U.S. Wars

Wars fought by the United States during the 1800s: War of 1812, Mexican-American War, Civil War, and Spanish-American War.

The Civil War

The military conflict fought between the North and the South (also called the War between the States).

Causes of the Civil War

Key problems leading to the Civil War: slavery, economic reasons, and states' rights.

Abraham Lincoln

The 16th President who freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation), saved (preserved) the Union, and led the U.S. during the Civil War.

Emancipation Proclamation

An executive order issued by Lincoln that freed slaves in the Confederacy, Confederate states, and most Southern states.

Susan B. Anthony

A prominent reformer who fought for women's rights and fought for civil rights.

20th-Century U.S. Wars

Conflicts fought by the U.S. in the 1900s: World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and (Persian) Gulf War.

Woodrow Wilson

The President of the United States during World War I.

Franklin Roosevelt

The President who led the United States through both the Great Depression and World War II.

Axis Powers (WWII Opponents)

The coalition of Japan, Germany, and Italy fought by the United States in World War II.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

World War II military general who later became President of the United States.

Cold War Concern

Communism, which formed the main ideological concern of the United States during the Cold War.

Civil Rights Movement

The nationwide social movement that fought to end racial discrimination in the United States.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Leader who fought for civil rights and worked for equality for all Americans.

September 11, 2001

The date on which terrorists attacked the United States.

American Indian Tribes

Federally recognized tribes in the U.S., such as Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux, Chippewa, Choctaw, Pueblo, Apache, Iroquois, Creek, Blackfeet, Seminole, Cheyenne, Arawak, Shawnee, Mohegan, Huron, Oneida, Lakota, Crow, Teton, Hopi, and Inuit.

Longest U.S. Rivers

The Missouri River and the Mississippi River, the two longest rivers in the United States.

Pacific Ocean

The ocean located along the West Coast of the United States.

Atlantic Ocean

The ocean located along the East Coast of the United States.

U.S. Territories

Overseas territories belonging to the United States: Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.

States Bordering Canada

Northern states bordering Canada: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Alaska.

States Bordering Mexico

Southern states bordering Mexico: California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

Washington, D.C.

The capital city of the United States.

Statue of Liberty

A historic national monument situated in New York Harbor / Liberty Island (also accepted: New Jersey, near New York City, on the Hudson River).

Thirteen Stripes (U.S. Flag)

Symbolic stripes representing the 13 original colonies.

Fifty Stars (U.S. Flag)

Symbolic stars representing the 50 states, with one star for each state.

"The Star-Spangled Banner"

The official national anthem of the United States.

Independence Day

The national holiday celebrating independence, observed annually on July 4.

National U.S. Holidays

Federally recognized 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.