Wiedza o USA (Q Set 1)

What does the US border to the east and to the west?

The Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

What economic, political, and physical advantages does being bordered by the oceans provide? (provide one example for each category of advantages).

Economic: Trade and commerce through major ports (e.g., New York, Los Angeles).

Political: Natural defense barrier, reducing the risk of land invasions.

Physical: Access to abundant marine resources and moderate coastal climates.

Enumerate the Great Lakes.

Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario.

Which river is the traditional dividing line between the East and the West of the US?

The Mississippi River.

What is the highest peak in the USA?

Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) in Alaska, standing at 20,310 feet (6,190 meters).

Which state is the largest and which is the smallest?

Alaska is the largest and Rhode Island is the smallest.

What is the Pacific Ring (or Rim) of Fire?

It is a region around the Pacific Ocean with high volcanic and earthquake activity due to tectonic plate movements.

Provide 3 names for the US Flag.

The Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, and The Star-Spangled Banner.

In the American seal, where is the number 13 represented? What is the significance of the colors of the seal?

The number 13 appears in the 13 stars, 13 stripes, 13 arrows, 13 olive leaves, and 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum"—symbolizing the original 13 colonies.

Red: valour and bravery,

White: purity and innocence,

Blue: vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

What did Hernando Cortes discover in Mexico in 1519 and why was it important?

He discovered the Aztec Empire and later conquered it, claiming Mexico for Spain. This was significant because it led to Spanish colonization and the vast expansion of Spain’s wealth through gold and silver.

Which of the first British colonies disappeared and what was the only trace left behind?

The Roanoke Colony disappeared, and the only clue left was the word "Croatoan" carved into a tree.

Name the first two successful British colonies in America.

Jamestown (1607) in Virginia and Plymouth Colony (1620) in Massachusetts.

What is the Mayflower Compact? Provide four reasons why the Mayflower Compact was significant.

The Mayflower Compact (1620) was an agreement signed by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower to establish self-governance in Plymouth.

1. It established the principle of self-government.

2. It introduced the idea of majority rule.

3. It laid the foundation for democratic governance in America.

4. It was a social contract that helped maintain order in the colony.

What was the Stamp Act? Why did the Stamp Act prompt the acts of resistance before the American Revolutionary War?

The Stamp Act (1765) was a British tax on all printed materials in the colonies.

It led to resistance because it was seen as "taxation without representation," violating the rights of the colonists.

What event is referred to as the Boston Tea Party?

The Boston Tea Party (1773) was a protest where American colonists, dressed as Mohawk Indians, dumped British tea into Boston Harbor to oppose the Tea Act.

What was referred to as “the Intolerable Acts” or “the Coercive Acts”?

A series of punitive laws passed by Britain in 1774 to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, including closing Boston Harbor and revoking colonial self-government.

Who were the Minutemen?

Colonial militia who were ready to fight at a minute’s notice during the Revolutionary War.

What is Paul Revere famous for?

His "Midnight Ride" (April 18, 1775), warning the colonists that "The British are coming!" before the battles of Lexington and Concord.

When did the Battle of Bunker Hill Take place?

June 17, 1775 (though fought mostly on Breed’s Hill).

Who was on the drafting committee of the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston.

When did the American Revolutionary War take place?

1775–1783.

What document is referred to as the first constitution of the United States?

The Articles of Confederation (ratified in 1781).

What were two important compromises that were reached while creating the Constitution? What were they about?

The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise): Created a bicameral legislature (House based on population, Senate with equal representation).

The Three-Fifths Compromise: Counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

What were the Federalist Papers?

A series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, advocating for the ratification of the Constitution.

Who was the first president of the United States of America?

George Washington (1789-1797).

How many amendments are there in the Bill of Rights?

10.

What main elements does the Constituion consist of?

Preamble, Articles (7 total), and Amendments (27 total).

How can the Constitution be amended? What is the process?

Amendments must be proposed by either:

• Congress (2/3 vote in both houses), or

• A Constitutional Convention (called by 2/3 of states).

• Must then be ratified by 3/4 of state legislatures or conventions.

What is the First Amendment about?

Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

What is the Second Amendment about?

The right to bear arms.

What did the Fourteenth Amendment do?

Granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.

Which amendment guaranteed women the right to vote?

19th Amendment (1920).

Which amendment freed the slaves?

13th Amendment (1865).

Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?

26th Amendment (1971).

How can an amendment be nullified?

By passing another amendment (e.g., the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment’s prohibition on alcohol).

What are the enduring principles of the Constitution?

• Popular sovereignty (power from the people),

• Limited government (government has only the powers given to it),

• Separation of powers (legislative, executive, and judicial branches),

• Checks and balances (each branch can limit the others),

• Federalism (power shared between states and the federal government),

• Judicial review (courts can declare laws unconstitutional),

• Individual rights (protected freedoms, like in the Bill of Rights).

What is the highest court in the United States?

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).

Who heads the Department of Justice?

The Attorney General.

Who is designated as the President of the Senate by the Constitution?

The Vice President of the United States.

How many members does the House of Representatives have?

435 members.

What is gerrymandering? What is its purpose?

The manipulation of district boundaries to favor a political party, often leading to unfair election advantages.

Can a bill become a law without the consent of the President? If so, how?

Yes, if Congress overrides a presidential veto with a 2/3 majority vote in both houses.

Choose one of the executive orders and write who signed it and what it was about.

Example: Executive Order 9066 (signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt) authorized the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII.

What is the symbol of the Democratic party and what is the color associated with the Republican party?

Democratic Party: Donkey (blue),

Republican Party: Elephant (red).

What is referred to as the President’s Cabinet?

A group of advisors heading executive departments (e.g., Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense).

Enumerate three independent agencies included in the executive branch.

• Federal Reserve (Fed) (monetary policy),

• NASA (space exploration),

• CIA (intelligence gathering).

What are the differences between caucuses and primaries? (Include information about the process, timing, accessibility, delegate allocation)

• Caucuses: Public, community-based meetings where participants debate and vote. They are usually earlier in the election cycle.

• Primaries: Secret ballot elections, either open (any voter) or closed (only party members). Some primaries use winner-take-all, others use proportional allocation.

When is the presidential election day?

The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November (every four years).

How does the Electoral College system work?

• Each state gets electors equal to its total number of Congress members (Senators + Representatives),

• Most states use a winner-take-all system,

• A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win.

When does the presidential term start?

January 20th (Inauguration Day).

What is the difference between a presidential executive order, a presidential memorandum, and a presidential proclamation?

• Executive Order: Has the force of law but does not require congressional approval,

• Presidential Memorandum: Similar to an order but does not need to be published,

• Presidential Proclamation: Often ceremonial or symbolic (e.g. Thanksgiving Day).

What is the State of the Union speech?

A yearly speech by the President to Congress, outlining national priorities and policies.

What are the offenses for which the president can be impeached according to the Constitution?

Treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

What are the four main steps of the impeachment process?

• Investigation by the House of Representatives.

• House votes on articles of impeachment (majority needed).

• Senate trial (Chief Justice presides if it’s a president).

• Senate votes (2/3 majority needed for removal).