American Government Flashcards
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?
twenty-seven (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
What stops 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?*
the Senate and House (of Representatives)
How many U.S. Senators are there?
one hundred (100)
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
six (6)
Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?*
Richard J. Durbin (D) Mark Kirk (R)
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
four hundred thirty-five (435)
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
two (2)
Name your U.S. Representative.
Bob Dold (R) Luis Gutierrez (D)
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
all people of the state
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
(because of) the state’s population
(because) they have more people
(because) some states have more people
We elect a President for how many years?
four (4)
In what month do we vote for President?*
November
What is the name of the President of the United States now?*
Barack Obama
Obama
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Joe Biden
Biden
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?
the Supreme Court
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
nine (9)
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts (John G. Roberts, Jr.)
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 Constitution, 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?
Bruce Rauner (R)
What is the capital of your state?*
Springfield
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?
(John) Boehner
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
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 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 assembly freedom to petition the government freedom of worship 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 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
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*
eighteen (18) and 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 eighteen (18) between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)
