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