Citizenship Flashcards
What is the supreme law of the land?
The Constitution
What does the Constitution do?
Sets up the government
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)
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
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
Declared our independence (from Great Britain)
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
- Life
2. Liberty
What is freedom of religion?
You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion
What is the economic system in the USA?
Capitalism
What is the rule of law?
Everyone must follow the law
Name one branch of government.
Congress
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
Separation of powers
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
The President
Who makes federal laws?
Congress
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
Who is the Senator of Texas?
Ted Cruz
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
435
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
2
Name your U.S. Representative.
Troy Nehls
What does a U.S. Senator represent?
All people of the state
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
Because they have more people
We elect a President for how many years?
4
In what month do we vote for President?
November
What is the name of the president of the USA?
Joe Biden
What is the name of the vice president of the USA?
Kamala Harris
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
2. Secretary of Education
What does the judicial branch do?
Reviews laws
What is the highest court in the USA?
The Supreme Court
How many justices are on the supreme court?
9
Who is the Chief Justice of the USA?
John Roberts
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
To print money
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
Provide schooling and education
Who is the governor of Texas?
Greg Abbott
What is the capital of Texas?
Austin
What are the two major political parties in the USA?
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?
Nancy Pelosi
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
Any citizen can vote
What is one responsibility that is only for U.S. citizens?
Vote in a federal election
Name one right only for U.S. citizens.
Vote in a federal election
What are two rights of everyone living in the USA?
- Freedom of speech
2. Freedom of religion
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The United States
What is one promise you make when you become a U.S. citizen?
Be loyal to the United States
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
18 or older
What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
- Vote
2. Run for office
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
April 15th
When must all men register for the selective service?
18 years old
What is one reason colonists came to America?
Freedom
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians
What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
Africans
Why did the colonists fight the British?
Because of high taxes
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4th, 1776
There were 13 original states. Name three.
- New York
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitution was written
When was the Constitution written?
1787
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
John Jay
What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
U.S. Diplomat
Who is the Father of Our Country?
George Washington
Who was the first President?
George Washington
What territory did the U.S. buy from France in 1803?
Louisiana
Name one war fought by the U.S. in the 1800s.
Civil War
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
Civil War
Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
Slavery
What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?
Freed the slaves
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
Freed the slaves
Name one war fought by the U.S. in the 1900s.
- World War I
2. World War II
Who was President during World War I?
Woodrow Wilson
Who was President during World War II?
Franklin Roosevelt
Who did the U.S. fight in World War II?
Japan, Germany, and Italy
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
World War II
During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the USA?
Communism
What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
Civil Rights
What did Martin Luther King Jr. do?
Fought for civil rights
What major event happened on September 11th, 2001?
Terrorists attacked the U.S.
Name one American Indian tribe in the USA.
- Creek
2. Crow
Name one of the two longest rivers in the USA.
Missouri River
What ocean is on the West Coast of the USA?
Pacific
What ocean is on the East Coast of the USA?
Atlantic
Name one U.S. territory.
Guam
Name one state that borders Canada.
New York
Name one state that borders Mexico.
Texas
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C.
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
Because there were 13 original colonies
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
Because there are 50 states
What is the name of the national anthem?
Star Spangled Banner
When do we celebrate Independence Day?
July 4th
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
Fought for civil rights
Name two national U.S. holidays.
- Thanksgiving
2. Christmas