UCIS Civics 2025

What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution

What does the Constitution do?

• Sets up the government

• Defines the government

• Protects the 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

• religions

• assembly

• press

• petition the government

How many amendments does the Constitution have?

27

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

Declared our independence 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

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 of the government.

• Congress

• Legislative

• President

• Executive

• the 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?

President

Who makes federal laws?

• Congress

• Senate and House of Representative

• US or national legislature

What are two parts of the US Congress?

Senate and House of representatives

How many US senators are there?

100

We elect a US senator for how many years?

6

Who is one of California’s US senators now?

Alex Padilla

The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

435

We elect a US representative for how many years?

2

Name your US Representative

Linda T. Sanchez

Who does a US senator represent?

All people of the state

Why do some states have more representatives than others states?

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 US president now?

Donald Trump

What is the name of Vice President now?

JD Vance

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

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?

President

Who signs bills to become laws?

President

Who vetoes bills?

President

What does the president’s cabinet do?

Advises the president

What are two Cabinet level positions

• Attorney general

• Vice president

What does the judicial branch do?

• reviews law

• Explains law

• Resolves disputes

• decides

What is the highest court in the US?

Supreme court

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

9

Who is the chief justice of the US now?

John Roberts

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?

Print money

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?

Provide schooling and education

Who is the governor of California?

Gavin Newsome

What is the capital of CA?

Sacramento

What are the two major political parties in the US?

Democratic and Republican

What is the political party of the President now?

Republican

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

Mike Johnson

There are 4 amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

• Citizens 18 and older can vote

What is one responsibility that is only for US citizens?

Serve on a jury

Name one right only for US citizens

Vote in a federal election

What are two rights of everyone living in the US?

• Freedom of speech

• Freedom of expression

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 US citizen?

• Obey the laws of the US

• Defend the constitution and laws of the US

How old do people have to vote for president?

18 and older

What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

• Vote

• Run for office

Last day you can send in federal income tax forms?

April 15

When must all men register for the selective service?

18 and 26

What is one reason colonists came to America?

Freedom

Who lived in America before Europeans arrived?

Native Americans

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

People from Africa

Why did colonists fight the British?

• High taxes

• British army stayed in their houses

• didn’t have self-government

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

There are 13 original states. Name three

• New York

• New Jersey

• Pennsylvania

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

• The constitution was wriiten

When was the Constitution written?

1787

The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the US Constitution. Name one of the writers.

Alexander Hamilton

What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

US diplomat

Who is the Father of our country

George Washington

Who was the first president ?

George Washington

What territory did the US buy from France in 1803

Louisiana Territory

Name one war fought by the US in the 1800s

Civil War

Name the US war between the north and south

Civil war

name one problem that led the Civil War

Slavery

What is one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?

Freed the slaves

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

Freed the slaves

What did Susan B. Anthony do?

Fought for women’s rights

Name one war fought by the US in the 1900s

World war I or II

Who was president during WWI

Woodrow Wilson

Who was president during the Great Depression and WWII?

Franklin Roosevelt

Who did the US fight in WWII

Japan, Germany, and Italy

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

WWII

During Cold war, what was the main concern of the US

Communism

What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

Civil rights movement

What did Martin Luther King, Jr., do?

Fought for civils rights

What major event happened on Sept. 11, 2001

Terrorists attacked the US

Name one American Indian Tribe in the US

Cherokee

Name one of the two longest rivers in the US?

Mississippi River

What ocean is on the West Coast of the US

Pacific Ocean

What ocean is on the East Coast of the US

Atlantic Ocean

Name one US Territory

Puerto Rico

Name one state that borders Canada

New York

Name one state that borders Mexico

California

Capital of the US

Washington, D.C

Where is the statue of Liberty

Liberty Island

Why does the flag have 13 stripes

Because there were 13 original colonies

Why does the flag have 50 stars?

Because there are 50 states

What is the name of the national anthem?

Star-Spangled banner

When do we celebrate Independence day?

July 4

Name two national holidays.

• New year’s day

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day