CIVICS EXAM TEST PREP MODULE 1

Colonists came to America for __.

Religious freedom, to escape persecution, political freedom, and economic opportunity.

What established self-government in the 1600s?

The Mayflower Compact.

The Revolutionary War began in __.

1775.

Taxation without representation was the colonists' reason to fight the British due to __.

High taxes.

The act of the British army staying in colonists' houses is known as __.

Quartering.

Who wrote 'Common Sense' encouraging colonies to fight for egalitarian government?

Thomas Paine.

When was the Declaration of Independence accepted by the Second Continental Congress?

July 4th, 1776.

What does the Declaration of Independence state about rights?

It includes rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson.

What are the Articles of Confederation?

The original plan for government of the US but lacked a strong national government.

What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution.

The Constitution was written in __.

1787.

The first three words of the Constitution, 'We the People,' emphasize __.

Self-governance.

What are the Federalist Papers?

85 essays written to support the passage of the US Constitution.

What did Anti-Federalists oppose?

The Constitution due to fear of a strong federal government.

What is Federalism?

A balance of power between the states and federal government.

What are amendments?

Changes or additions to the Constitution.

How many total amendments are there in the Constitution?

27.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution ratified in 1791.

What is guaranteed by the 1st Amendment?

Freedom of expression (speech, religion, assembly, press, petition).

What does the 2nd Amendment protect?

The right to keep and bear arms.

What does the 3rd Amendment prohibit?

Quartering of soldiers in private homes.

What protection does the 4th Amendment provide?

Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures.

What rights does the 5th Amendment establish?

Rights related to grand jury, due process, self-incrimination, and double jeopardy.

What does the Miranda Law require?

Requires police to inform detainees of their rights to silence and legal counsel.

What does the 6th Amendment guarantee?

The right to a fair and speedy public trial by jury.

What is the purpose of the 7th Amendment?

Ensures the right to trial by jury in certain civil cases.

What does the 8th Amendment prohibit?

Excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.

what was the 9th amendment

protects rights not enumerated in the constitution

What does the 10th Amendment reinforce?

The principle of federalism.

what was the 11th amendment

makes states immune from suits from out of state citizens and foreigners not living within state borders

what was the 12th amendment

revised the procedure for electing the President and Vice President, allowing for separate votes in the Electoral College.

what was the 13th amendment

Abolished slavery in the United States.

What does the 14th Amendment define?

Citizenship and includes various protections such as equal protection.

What does the 15th Amendment prohibit?

Denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or servitude.

what was the 16th amendment

Authorized federal income tax.

what was the 17th amendment

Established the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote.

what was the 18th amendment

Prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages; later repealed by the 21st amendment

What does the 19th Amendment guarantee?

The right to vote cannot be denied based on sex.

what was the 20th amendment

changes the date on which the terms of the president and vice president begin and end, moving inauguration to January 20.

what was the 21st amendment

It repealed the 18th Amendment, thus allowing the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages.

What was the Louisiana Purchase?

The acquisition of the Louisiana territory from France in 1803.

What does the 22nd Amendment limit?

The number of times a person can be elected president.

what was the 23rd amendment

grants the district of columbia electors in the electoral college

what was the 24th amendment

prohibits revocation of voting rights due to the nonpayment of a poll tax or any other tax

what was the 25th amendment

establishes the procedures for presidential succession and disability.

what was the 26th amendment

lowers the voting age to 18 years

what was the 27th amendment

limits congressional pay increases until the next election.

Who was the first president?

George Washington.

What is the role of the Executive Branch?

To enforce laws passed by Congress. (president and the cabinet)

what do presidential powers include

ability to sign treaties, set national policies, and selects ambassadors

who is the commander in chief of the military

president (but only congress declares war)

when is the president voted for

on the tuesday after the first monday in november

if president and vice president cant serve then who does

the Speaker of the House

What is the main role of the Legislative Branch?

To make laws.

what are the two houses of the legislative branch

The two houses of the legislative branch are the Senate and the House of Representatives.

senate

100 senators (2 per state); 6 year terms

house of representatives

435 members; 2 year terms

What is the purpose of the Judicial Branch?

To decide if laws and actions comply with the Constitution.

how many justices on the supreme court

9

What does the Constitution say about the powers of the federal government?

The federal government has powers like printing money, declaring war, and making treaties.

who was thomas jefferson

author of declaration of independence

who wote the emancipation proclamation

Abraham Lincoln

who was the president during ww1

Woodrow Wilson

who was the president during the great depression and ww2

Franklin D. Roosevelt

who was benjamin franklin

us diplomat; oldest member of the constitutional convention

who was susan b anthony

fought for women’s rights against slavery

who was martin luther king jr

leader of the civil rights movement