American Government and History Civics Review

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering U.S. government principles, systems, rights, responsibilities, history from the colonial period to the present, and national symbols.

Republic

The form of government of the United States, also described as a Constitution-based federal republic or a representative democracy.

U.S. Constitution

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

"We the People"

The first words of the U.S. Constitution that represent the concepts of self-government, popular sovereignty, and the consent of the governed.

Amendments

Official changes or additions made to the U.S. Constitution; there are currently $27$ of them.

Bill of Rights

The name given to the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution which protect the basic rights of Americans and people living in the United States.

Declaration of Independence

The founding document adopted on July $4$, $1776$, which stated the American colonies were free from British control and identified inherent rights such as Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

Capitalism

The economic system of the United States, also referred to as a free market economy.

Rule of Law

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

Checks and Balances

The system used to ensure that one branch of government does not become too powerful, related to the separation of powers.

Legislative Branch

The part of the federal government, consisting of the U.S. Congress, that writes laws, declares war, and makes the federal budget.

U.S. Senate

One part of Congress consisting of $100$ members—$2$ from each state—who serve for terms of $6$ years.

House of Representatives

The part of Congress with $435$ voting members who serve $2$-year terms to more closely follow public opinion.

Executive Branch

The branch of government in charge of the President of the United States, responsible for enforcing laws and commanding the military.

22nd Amendment

The amendment to the U.S. Constitution that limits the President to serving only two terms to prevent them from becoming too powerful.

President's Cabinet

A group of advisors to the President, including positions such as the Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Vice-President.

Electoral College

The system that decides who is elected president, serving as a compromise between popular election and congressional selection.

Judicial Branch

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

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, usually consisting of $9$ seats with justices who serve lifetime appointments.

10th Amendment

The amendment stating that powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.

Oath of Allegiance

The promise new citizens make to defend the U.S. Constitution, obey U.S. laws, and be loyal to the United States.

Selective Service

A required registration for all men age $18$ through $25$ to make the draft fair, if needed.

Thomas Jefferson

The third president of the United States and the primary writer of the Declaration of Independence who also doubled the size of the U.S. with the Louisiana Purchase.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay that supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution.

Louisiana Territory

The vast region the United States purchased from France in $1803$.

Civil War

The war fought between the North and the South from $1861$ to $1865$ that ended slavery and preserved the Union.

Emancipation Proclamation

The executive order issued by Abraham Lincoln that freed the slaves in the Confederate states.

14th Amendment

The amendment that defines U.S. citizenship as including all persons born or naturalized in the United States.

19th Amendment

The amendment passed in $1920$ following World War I that gave all women the right to vote.

Great Depression

The longest economic recession in modern history, which began with the stock market crash in $1929$.

Cold War

The period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR), where the main concerns were communism and nuclear war.

Civil Rights Movement

The social movement that fought to end racial discrimination and worked for equality for all Americans.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

A leader in the civil rights movement who worked to ensure people are judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

"E Pluribus Unum"

The nation's first motto, which means "Out of many, one."

Memorial Day

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

Veterans Day

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