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?
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 Representative)
- (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?
100
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
6 years
Which is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?
- Peters, Gary (Democrat)
- Stabenow, Debbie (Democrat)
The House of Representative has how many voting members?
435 members
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
2 years
Name your U.S. Representative.
- Dan Benishek
- Bill Huizenga
- Justin Amash
- John Moolenaar - Bath rep
- Daniel Kildee
- Fred Upton
- Tim Walberg
- Mike Bishop - Lansing rep
- Sander Levin
- Candice Miller
- Dave Trott
- Debbie Dingell
- John Conyers Jr.
- Brenda Lawrence
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
In what month do we vote for President?
November
What is the name of the President of the U.S. now?
Barack Obama
What is the name of the Vice President of the U.S. now?
Joseph R. Biden Jr.
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes the 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?
- review 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
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 Constitution, some powers belong to the state. 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?
Governor Rick Snyder (Republican)
What is the capital of your state?
Lansing, MI
What are the two major political parties in the United States?
Democratic and Republican
What is the political party of the President now?
Democratic
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Paul D. Ryan
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
- Citizens 18 and older.
- You don’t have to pay to vote.
- Any citizen 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?
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 18
- between 18 and 26
