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What is the form of government of the United States?
Constitutional Federal Republic
What is the supreme law of the land?
The Constitution
Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
defines the fundamental law of the US federal government
The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?
The idea of self-government
How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
By the Congress
What does the Bill of Rights protect?
Civil rights and liberties
How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
27
Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
It marked a big step in the separation from Britain
What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
The Declaration of Independence
Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
God made us all equal, we are entitled to “life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness”, and checks and balances
The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
Declaration of Independence
What is the economic system of the United States?
Capitalism
What is the rule of law?
Everyone must follow the law
Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution.
Declaration of Independence
There are three branches of government. Why?
To ensure the separation of powers
Name the three branches of government.
Legislative, Judicial, Executive
The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
Executive
What part of the federal government writes laws?
Legislative
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
Senate and House of Representatives
Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
Writes laws
How many U.S. senators are there?
100
How long is a term for a U.S. senator?
6 years
Who is your US State Senator?
Tom Thillis
How many members are in the House of representatives?
435
How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
2 years
Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
They have more people
How many senators does each state have?
2
Why does each state have two senators?
To represent them in the whole Senate
Name your U.S. representative.
Ted Budd
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Nancy Pelosi
Who does a U.S. senator represent?
The State
Who elects U.S. senators?
The People
Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
Congressional District
Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
The people
Some states have more representatives than other states. Why?
Depends on the size of the state
The President of the United States is elected for how many years?
4 years
The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?
To prevent them from having too much power
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
Joe Biden
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
Kamala Harris
If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?
The Vice President
Name one power of the president.
Lead the military
Who is Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
The president
Who signs bills to become laws?
The President
Who vetoes bills?
The President
Who appoints federal judges?
The President
The executive branch has many parts.
The Cabinet
What does the President’s Cabinet do?
Advice the President
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
Secretary of State and Secretary of Labor
49 . Why is the Electoral College important?
They decide on the President
What is one part of the judicial branch?
The Supreme Court
What does the judicial branch do?
Resolves disputes and decides the constitutionality of federal laws
What is the highest court in the United States?
The Supreme Court
How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
Nine Justices
How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
Six Justices
How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
As long as they choose
Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
Removes them from political pressure
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John G. Roberts
Name one power that is only for the federal government.
Coin money
Name one power that is only for the states.
Ownership of Property
What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
Powers are for the states and the people
Who is the governor of your state now?
Roy Cooper
What is the capital of your state?
Raleigh
There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote.
The 19th- Women rights to vote
Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?
Men and women older than 18
What are the three rights of everyone living in the United States?
Life, liberty, and pursuit of happinness
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The United States
Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.
To protect the Constitution and laws from all enemies
How can people become United States citizens?
Birth or naturalization
What are two examples of civic participation in the United States?
Voting and volunteering
What are one-way Americans can serve their country?
Obeying the law and working in local
Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
It is used for improving roads and buildings
It is important for all men aged 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service.
To ensure that a future draft will be fair and equitable
The colonists came to America for many reasons.
Riches and hope for freedom of speech, religion, and slavery
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
The Native Americans
What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
The Africans
What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?
The Revolutionary War
Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
They didn’t want to be lead by a leader who didn’t live in the USA
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
1776
The American Revolution had many important events.
The Stamp Act
There were 13 original states.
North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland
What founding document was written in 1787?
The Constitution
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution.
Alexander Hamilton and James Madison
Why were the Federalist Papers important?
They help in understanding and interpreting the Constitution
Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things.
He invented the lighting rod
George Washington is famous for many things.
He was the first president of the United States
Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things.
Writing the Declaration of Independence
James Madison is famous for many things.
Father of the Constitution
Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things.
Founding father
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
The Mississippi River
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
Mexican-American War
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
The Civil War
The Civil War had many important events.
Battle of Fort Sumter
Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things.
Issued the Emancipation Proclamation
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
Freed the slaves
What U.S. war ended slavery?
The Civil War
What amendment gives citizenship to all persons born in the United States?
14th Amendment
When did all men get the right to vote?
15th Amendment
Name one leader of the women’s rights movement in the 1800s.
Susan B. Anthony
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
WW1 and WW2
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Flashcard (57)