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

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
  • judicial
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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 Representative)
  • (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

100

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19
Q

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

A

6 years

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20
Q

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

A
  • Peters, Gary (Democrat)

- Stabenow, Debbie (Democrat)

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21
Q

The House of Representative has how many voting members?

A

435 members

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22
Q

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

A

2 years

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23
Q

Name your U.S. Representative.

A
  1. Dan Benishek
  2. Bill Huizenga
  3. Justin Amash
  4. John Moolenaar - Bath rep
  5. Daniel Kildee
  6. Fred Upton
  7. Tim Walberg
  8. Mike Bishop - Lansing rep
  9. Sander Levin
  10. Candice Miller
  11. Dave Trott
  12. Debbie Dingell
  13. John Conyers Jr.
  14. Brenda Lawrence
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

27
Q

In what month do we vote for President?

A

November

28
Q

What is the name of the President of the U.S. now?

A

Barack Obama

29
Q

What is the name of the Vice President of the U.S. now?

A

Joseph R. Biden Jr.

30
Q

If the President can no longer serve, who becomes the 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
  • review laws
  • explains laws
  • resolves disputes (disagreements)
  • decides if a law goes against the Constitution
38
Q

What is the highest court in the United States?

A

the Supreme Court

39
Q

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

A

nine

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 state. 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

Governor Rick Snyder (Republican)

44
Q

What is the capital of your state?

A

Lansing, MI

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

47
Q

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

A

Paul D. Ryan

48
Q

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

A
  • Citizens 18 and older.
  • You don’t have to pay to vote.
  • Any citizen can vote.
  • A male citizen of any race can vote.
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 worship
  • 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

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 18

- between 18 and 26