Citizenship Flashcards
What is the supreme law of the land?
The Constitution
What does the Constitution do?
Sets up the Govt
Defines the Govt
Protects the rights of Americans
The idea of self govern is 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 10 amendments to the Constitution?
Bill of Rights
What is one right or freedom from the first amendment?
Speech Religion Assembly Press Petition the Govt
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
Announced our Independence (from GB)
Declared our Independence (from GB)
Said the U.S. is free (from GB)
What are two rights from the Declaration of Independence?
Life
Liberty
Pursuit to Happiness
What is freedom of religion?
You can practice any religion or not practice religion.
What is the economic system in the U.S.?
Capitalism
Market Economy
What is the “rule of law”?
You must follow the law
Leaders must obey the law
Govt must obey the law
No one is above the law
Name one branch or part of the Govt
Congress Legislative President Executive The courts Judicial
What stops one branch of Govt 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 Rep.
(U.S. Or national) Legislature
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
Senate
House of Rep.
How many U.S. Senators are there?
100
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
6
Who is one of your State Senators now?
Pat Roberts
Jerry Moran
The house of rep. has how many members?
435
We elect a U.S. Rep. for how many years?
2
Name your U.S. Rep.
Roger Marshall
Who does the U.S. Senator represent?
All people of the state
Why do some states have more representatives than others?
Population
We elect a president for how many years?
4-8 years
In what month do we vote for president?
November
What is the name of the U.S. President now?
Donald J. Trump
What is the name of the Vice President now?
Mike Pence
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
Vice President
If both pres and Vice President cannot be president, who does?
Speaker of the House
Who is Commander in Chief of the Military?
President
Who signs bills to become laws?
President
Who vetoes bills?
President
What does the presidents cabinet do?
Advise 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
Decides if law goes against the Constitution
What is the highest court in the United States?
Supreme Court
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
9
Who is the Chief Justice of the U.S.?
John Roberts
Under our Constitution, some power belongs to the federal Govt, what is one power of the federal Govt?
Print Money
Declare War
Create an Army
Make Treaties
Under our Cons, some power belongs to the states. What’s one power that belongs to the states?
Provide Schooling and Education Provide Protection (Police) Provide Safety Get a drivers license Approve zoning and land use
Who is Governor of your state now?
Sam Brownback
What is the capital of your state?
Topeka
What are the two major political parties in the U.S.?
Democrat and Republican
What is the political party of the president now?
Republican
What is the name of the Speaker of the House representative?
Paul Ryan
There are 4 amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
Citizens 18 and older can vote
You don’t have to pay a poll tax to vote
Any citizen can vote
A male citizen of any race can vote
What is one responsibility that is only for U.S. Citizens?
Serve on a jury
Vote in a federal election
Name one right only for U.S. Citizens
Vote for a federal election
Run for federal office
What are two right for anyone living in the U.S.?
Freedom of Expression Freedom of Speech Freedom of Assembly Freedom to Petition the Govt Freedom of Religion 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 U.S. Citizen?
Give up loyalty to other countries
Defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States
Obey the laws of the United States
Serve in the Military (if needed)
Serve (do important work) for the nation (if needed)
Be loyal to the United States
How old do you have to be to vote for President?
18
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 men register for Selective Service?
18
18-26
What is one reason colonists came to America?
Freedom Political liberty Religious freedom Economic opportunity Practice their religion Escape persecution
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians
Native Americans
What group of people were taken to America and sold as slaves?
Africans
People from Africa
Why did the colonists fight the British?
High taxes
British Army stayed in their houses
No self-govt
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
There were 13 original States. Name three.
New Hampshire Massachusetts Rhode Island Connecticut New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Delaware Maryland Virginia North Carolina South Carolina Georgia
What happened at the constitutional convention?
Constitution was written
When was the Constitution written?
1787
The Federal Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
James Madison
Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
Publius
What is one thing Benjamin Franklin was famous for.
U.S. Diplomat Oldest member of the Constitutional Convention First Postmaster General of the U.S. Writer of "Poor Richards Almanac" Started the first free liberties
Who is the father of our country?
George Washington
Who was our first president?
George Washington
What territory did the U.S. buy from France in 1803?
Louisiana Purchase
Name on war fought in the 1800’s.
War of 1812
Mexican-American War
Civil War
Spanish-American War
Name the war between the north and the south.
Civil War
Name one problem that led to the Civi War
Slavery
States rights
Economic Rights
What was one thing Abe Lincoln did?
Freed the slaves
Saved the Union
Led U.S. during the Civil War
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
Freed the slaves
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
Fought for Women’s rights.
Name one war fought in the 1900’s
WWI WWII Korean War Vietnam War Gulf War
Who was President during WWI?
Woodrow Wilson
Who was President during the Great Depression and WWII?
Franklin Roosevelt
Who did the U.S. fight in WWII?
Germany, Italy, Japan
Eisenhower was a General in what war?
WWII
Main concern during the Cold War?
Communism
What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
Civil Rights
What did MLK Jr. do?
Fought for civil rights
What happened 9/11?
Terrorist attack
Name one Indian tribe in the U.S.
Navajo
Cherokee
Pueblo
One of the longest rivers in the U.S.?
Missouri
Mississippi
Ocean on the west coast?
Pacific
Ocean on the east coast?
Atlantic
Name on US territory
Puerto Rico
Virgin Islands
Guam
One state that borders Canada?
Maine
New York
Alaska
One state that borders Mexico?
Texas
Arizona
California
New Mexico
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
13 original colonies
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
50 states
National Anthem?
Start Spangled Banner
When is Independence Day?
July 4
Two national holidays?
Christmas
Veterans Day
Memorial Day
