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What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
What does the Constitution do?
▪ sets up the government ▪ defines the government ▪ protects basic rights of Americans
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) an addition (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 religion assembly press petition the government
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
announced our independence (from Great Britain) declared our independence (from Great Britain) said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
life liberty pursuit of happiness
What is freedom of religion?
You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
What is the economic system in the United States?
▪ capitalist economy ▪ market economy
What is the "rule of law"?
Everyone must follow the law. Leaders must obey the law. Government must obey the law. No one is above the law.
Name one branch or part of the government.
▪ Congress ▪ legislative ▪ President ▪ executive ▪ the courts ▪ judicial
Name one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
checks and balances separation of powers
Who is in charge of the executive branch
the president
Who makes federal laws?
Congress Senate and House (of Representatives) (U.S. or national) legislature
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
Senate and House of Representatives
How many U.S Senators are there?
100
We elect a U.S Senator for how many years?
6
Who is one of your state's U.S Senators now?
Elizabeth Warren Ed Markey
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
435
We elect a U.S Representatives for how many years?
2
Name your U.S. Representative.
Richard Neal
What does a U.S. Senator represent?
all people of the state
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
- because of states population
- because they have more people
- because some states have more people
We elect a President for how many years?
4 years
In what month do we vote for President?
November
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
If both the President and the 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 laws?
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
▪ Secretary of Commerce
▪ Secretary of Defense
▪ Secretary of Education
▪ Secretary of Energy
▪ Secretary of Health and Human Services
▪ Secretary of Homeland Security
▪ Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
▪ Secretary of the Interior
▪ Secretary of Labor
▪ Secretary of State
▪ Secretary of Transportation
▪ Secretary of the Treasury
▪ Secretary of Veterans Affairs
▪ Attorney General
▪ Vice President
What does the Judicial branch do?
reviews laws explains laws resolves disputes (disagreements) decides if a law goes against the Constitution
What is the highest court in the United States?
Supreme Court
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
9 justices
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 to declare war to create an army to make treaties
Under our Consitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
provide schooling and education provide protection (police) provide safety (fire departments) give a driver's license approve zoning and land use
Who is the governor of your state now?
Maura Healey
What is the capital of your state?
Boston
What are the two major political parties in the United States?
Democratic and Republican
What is the political party of the President now?
Democratic Party
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Kevin McCarthy
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
Citizens 18 and older can vote you don't have to pay (a poll tax) to vote Any citizen can vote (Women/Men can vote) A male citizen of any race (can vote)
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
serve on a jury vote in a federal election
Name one right only for United States citizens.
vote in a federal election run for federal office
What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
freedom of expression freedom of speech freedom of speech freedom of assembly freedom to petition the government freedom of religion the right to bear arms
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
the United States the Flag
What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
give up loyalty to other countries defend the constitution and laws of the United States obey the laws of the Unite States serve in the U.S military (if needed) serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed) be loyal to the United States
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
18 or older
What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
▪ vote ▪ join a political party ▪ help with a campaign ▪ join a civic group ▪ join a community group ▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue ▪ call Senators and Representatives ▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy ▪ run for office ▪ write to a newspaper
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
April 15
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
at age 18 between 18 and 26
What is one reason colonists came to America?
▪ freedom ▪ political liberty ▪ religious freedom ▪ economic opportunity ▪ practice their religion ▪ escape persecution
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians Native Americans
What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
Africans people from Africa
Why did the colonist fight the British?
- because of high taxes (taxation w/o representation)
- because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)
- because they didn't have self-government
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 Hampshire ▪ Massachusetts ▪ Rhode Island ▪ Connecticut ▪ New York ▪ New Jersey ▪ Pennsylvania ▪ Delaware ▪ Maryland ▪ Virginia ▪ North Carolina ▪ South Carolina ▪ Georgia
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
▪ The Constitution was written. ▪ The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution.
When was the Constitution written?
1787
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S Constitution. Name one of the writers.
- James Madison
-Alexander Hamilton
- John Jay
-Publius
What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
▪ U.S. diplomat ▪ oldest member of the Constitutional Convention ▪ first Postmaster General of the United States ▪ writer of "Poor Richard's Almanac" ▪ started the first free libraries
Who is the "Father of Our Country"?
George Washington
Who was the first President?
▪ (George) Washington
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
the Louisiana Territory Louisiana
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
- War of 1812
- Mexican American War
- Civil War
- Spanish American War
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
▪ the Civil War ▪ the War between the States
Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
▪ slavery ▪ economic reasons ▪ states' rights
What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?
- freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
- saved (or preserved) the Union
- led the United States during the Civil War
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
▪ freed the slaves ▪ freed slaves in the Confederacy ▪ freed slaves in the Confederate states ▪ freed slaves in most Southern states
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
▪ fought for women's rights ▪ fought for civil rights
Name one war fought by the U.S. in the 1900s.
World War I World War II Korean War Vietnam War (Persian) Gulf War
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?
civil rights movement