US Citizenship Civics Test Vocabulary (copy)

Republic

The form of government that the United States operates under.

Capitalism

The economic system of the United States.

Supreme Law of the Land

The U.S. Constitution is considered this.

Functions of the U.S. Constitution

Forms the government and protects basic rights of Americans.

'We the People'

The opening phrase of the U.S. Constitution representing the concept of self-government.

Core Principles

Liberty and equality are key ideas in America's founding documents.

Rule of Law

The principle that everyone must follow the law.

E pluribus unum

The nation's first motto, meaning 'We all become one.'

Federalist Papers

Writings that supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution and helped people understand it.

Congress

The legislative branch of the federal government responsible for writing laws.

U.S. Senate

Composed of 100 senators, each state has 2 senators.

Term Length of Senators

Senators serve for 6 years.

House of Representatives

Composed of 435 voting members, serving for 2 years.

Current Speaker of the House

Mike Johnson.

President of the United States

The leader of the executive branch.

Powers of the President

Includes signing bills into law, vetoing bills, and appointing federal judges.

Presidential Term Limit

A president can serve only two terms, established by the 22nd Amendment.

Judicial Branch

Responsible for reviewing laws, including the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court Seats

There are 9 seats on the Supreme Court.

Current Chief Justice

John Roberts.

Separation of Powers

Divides government into three branches: Congress, the president, and the courts.

10th Amendment

States powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people.

Bill of Rights

Protects the basic rights of Americans.

Rights of All Residents

Rights include freedom of expression, speech, and religion.

Naturalization

The process by which foreign-born individuals become United States citizens.

Declaration of Independence

Written by Thomas Jefferson, declaring freedom from Britain.

Emancipation Proclamation

Document that freed the slaves.

Susan B. Anthony

Leader of the women's rights movement in the 1800s.

World War I

U.S. entered to support the Allied powers and led to women's voting rights.

Civil Rights Movement

Fought to end racial discrimination, led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr.

American Flag

Has 50 stars representing the states and 13 stripes representing the original colonies.