AMERICAN GOVERNMENT Flashcards

1
Q

What is the supreme law of the land?

A

the Constitution

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2
Q

What does the Constitution do?

A

▪ sets up the government

▪ defines the government

▪ protects basic rights of Americans

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3
Q

The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

A

We the People

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4
Q

What is an amendment?

A

▪ a change (to the Constitution)

▪ an addition (to the Constitution)

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5
Q

What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

A

▪ the Bill of Rights

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6
Q

What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*

A

▪ speech
▪ religion
▪ assembly
▪ press
▪ petition the government

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7
Q

How many amendments does the Constitution have?

A

twenty-seven (27)

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8
Q

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

A

▪ announced our independence (from Great Britain)

▪ declared our independence (from Great Britain)

▪ said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)

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9
Q

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

A

▪ life
▪ liberty
▪ pursuit of happiness

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10
Q

What is freedom of religion?

A

You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

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11
Q

What is the economic system in the United States?*

A

▪ capitalist economy
▪ market economy

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12
Q

What is the “rule of law”?

A

▪ Everyone must follow the law.

▪ Leaders must obey the law.

▪ Government must obey the law.

▪ No one is above the law.

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13
Q

Name one branch or part of the government.*

A

▪ Congress
▪ legislative
▪ President
▪ executive
▪ the courts

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14
Q

What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

A

▪ checks and balances
▪ separation of powers

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15
Q

Who is in charge of the executive branch?

A

▪ The President

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16
Q

Who makes federal laws?

A

▪ Congress

▪ Senate and House (of Representatives)

▪ (U.S. or national) legislature

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17
Q

What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*

A

▪ the Senate and House (of Representatives)

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18
Q

How many U.S. Senators are there?

A

▪ one hundred (100)

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19
Q

We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

A

▪ six (6)

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20
Q

Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?*

A

Richard Durbin
or
Tammy Duckworth

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21
Q

The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

A

four hundred thirty-five (435)

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22
Q

We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?

A

two (2)

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23
Q

Name your U.S. Representative

A

Nikki Budzinski(Champaign-Urbana)
Robin L. Kelly (Rantoul

24
Q

Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

A

all people of the state

25
Q

Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

A

▪ (because of) the state’s population

▪ (because) they have more people

▪ (because) some states have more people

26
Q

We elect a President for how many years?

A

four (4)

27
Q

In what month do we vote for President?*

A

November

28
Q

What is the name of the President of the United States now?*

A

Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the President of the United States. ( Joe Biden - 2020-24)

29
Q

What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

A

Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the name of the Vice President of the United States. (Kamila Harris 2020-2024)

30
Q

If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

A

the Vice President

31
Q

If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

A

the Speaker of the House

32
Q

Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

A

the President

33
Q

Who signs bills to become laws?

A

the President

34
Q

Who vetoes bills?

A

the President

35
Q

What does the President’s Cabinet do?

A

advises the President

36
Q

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

A

▪ 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

37
Q

What does the judicial branch do?

A

▪ reviews laws
▪ explains laws
▪ resolves disputes (disagreements)
▪ decides if a law goes against the Constitution

38
Q

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

A

9 (Nine) - Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the number of justices on the Supreme Court.

39
Q

What is the highest court in the United States?

A

the Supreme Court

40
Q

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

A

John Roberts

41
Q

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal
government?

A

▪ to print money
▪ to declare war
▪ to create an army
▪ to make treaties

42
Q

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?

A

▪ provide schooling and education

▪ provide protection (police)

▪ provide safety (fire departments)

▪ give a driver’s license

▪ approve zoning and land use

43
Q

Who is the Governor of your state now?

A

J.B Pritzker

44
Q

What is the capital of your state?*

A

Springfield,IL

45
Q

What are the two major political parties in the United States?*

A

Democratic and Republican

46
Q

What is the political party of the President now?

A

Democratic (Party) - Visit uscis.gov/citizenship/testupdates for the political party of the President.

47
Q

What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

A

Mike Johnson

Johnson

James Michael Johnson (birth name)

(During a grace period ending December 1, 2023) Patrick McHenry

48
Q

There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

A

▪ Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).

▪ You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.

▪ Any citizen can vote. (Women and men

49
Q

What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*

A

▪ serve on a jury
▪ vote in a federal election

50
Q

Name one right only for United States citizens.

A

▪ vote in a federal election

▪ run for federal office

51
Q

What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

A

▪ freedom of expression
▪ freedom of speech
▪ freedom of assembly
▪ freedom to petition the government
▪ freedom of religion
▪ the right to bear arms

52
Q

What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

A

▪ the United States
▪ the flag

53
Q

What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?

A

▪ give up loyalty to other countries

▪ defend the Constitution and laws of the United States

▪ obey the laws of the United States

▪ serve in the U.S. military (if needed)

▪ serve (do important work for) the nation (if needed)

▪ be loyal to the United States

54
Q

How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*

A

eighteen (18) and older

55
Q

What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

A

▪ 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

56
Q

When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*

A

April 15

57
Q

When must all men register for the Selective Service?

A

▪ at age eighteen (18)
▪ between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)