U.S. Civics and Government Lecture Notes

A set of 100 question-and-answer flashcards covering key facts about U.S. civics and government, based on the provided lecture notes.

What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution

What does the Constitution do?

Sets up the government

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

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

How many amendments does the Constitution have?

Twenty-seven (27)

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

Declared our independence from Great Britain

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

Life and liberty

What is freedom of religion?

You can practice any religion, or not practice any religion

What is the economic system in the United States?

Capitalist economy

What is the “rule of law”?

Everyone must follow the law

Name one branch of the government.

Congress

What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

Separation of powers

Who is in charge of the executive branch?

The President

Who makes federal laws?

Congress

What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

The Senate and House of Representatives

How many U.S. Senators are there?

100

We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

Six

Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?

Cory Booker

The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

435

We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?

Two

Name your U.S. Representative.

Mikie Sherrill

Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

All people of the state

Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

Because of the state’s population

We elect a President for how many years?

Four

In what month do we vote for President?

November

What is the name of the President of the United States now?

Donald Trump

What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

JD Vance

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

The Vice President

If both the President and Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

The Speaker of the House

Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

The President

Who signs bills to become law?

The President

Who vetoes bills?

The President

What does the President’s Cabinet do?

Advises the President

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Commerce

What does the judicial branch do?

Reviews laws

What is the highest court in the United States?

The Supreme Court

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

Nine

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

John Roberts

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

To 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 your state now?

Phil Murphy

What is the capital of your state?

Trenton

What are the two major political parties in the United States?

Democratic and Republican

What is the political party of the President now?

Republican

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

Mike Johnson

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

Citizens eighteen and older can vote.

What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?

Serve on a jury

Name one right only for United States citizens.

Vote in a federal election

What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

Freedom of speech and religion

What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

The flag

What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?

Be loyal to the United States

How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?

Eighteen and older

What are two ways Americans can participate in their democracy?

Vote and Join a Political Party

When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?

April 15th

When must all men register for the Selective Service?

At age eighteen

What is one reason colonists came to America?

Economic opportunity

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

Native Americans

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

Africans

Why did the colonists fight the British?

Because of high taxes (taxation without representation)

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

There were 13 original states. Name three.

New Jersey, New York, and New Hampshire

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

The Constitution was written

When was the Constitution written?

1787

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

James Madison

What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

U.S. diplomat

Who is the “father of our country”?

George Washington

Who was the first President?

George Washington

What territory did the United States buy from the French in 1803?

Louisiana

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

War of 1812

Name the U.S. war between the North and South.

The Civil War

Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

Slavery

What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?

Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)

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 United States in the 1900s.

World War I

Who was President during World War I?

Woodrow Wilson

Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?

Franklin Roosevelt

Who did the United States fight in World War II?

Japan, Germany, and Italy

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

World War II

During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

Communism

What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

The Civil Rights movement

What did Martin Luther King Jr. do?

Fought for civil rights

What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?

Terrorists attacked the United States

Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

Hopi

Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.

Missouri or Mississippi

What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?

Pacific Ocean

What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

Atlantic Ocean

Name one U.S. territory.

Puerto Rico

Name one state that borders Canada.

New York

Name one state that borders Mexico.

California or Texas

What is the capital of the United States?

Washington, D.C.

Where is the Statue of Liberty?

New York Harbor

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?

The Star-Spangled Banner

When do we celebrate Independence Day?

July 4th

Name two national U.S. holidays.

New Year’s Day and Christmas