civics 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 do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights
What is an amendment?
a change to the Constitution
an addition to the Constitution
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
declared our independence
said that the US is free
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
life
liberty
pursuit of hapiness
What is freedom of religion?
you can practice any religion, or not practice a religion
What is the economic system in the US?
capitalist economy
What is the ‘rule of law’?
Everyone must follow the law
No one is above the law
Name one branch or part of the government
Congress
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
separation of powers
Who is in change of the executive branch?
the President
Who makes federal laws?
Congress
Senate and the house of representatives
US national legislature
What are the two parts of the US congress?
The Senate and the House of Representatives
How many US senators are there?
100
We elect US senators for how many year?
6 years
WHo is one of your state’s US senators now?
Kirsten Gillibrand
Chuck Schumer
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
435
We elect US representatives for how many years?
2 years
Name your US representative / congressman
Jerry Nadler
Who does a US Senator represent?
all of the people of the state
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
Because of the state’s population
We elect a President for how many years?
4 years
In what month do we vote for President?
November
What is the name of the President of the US now?
President Joe Biden
What is the name of the VP of the US now?
Kamala Harris
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the VP
If both the President and the VP can no longer serve, who becomes the 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?
advise the President
What are two Cabinet level positions?
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Defense
Vice president
What does the judicial branch do?
review laws
explains laws
resolves disputes
What is the highest court in the US?
the Supreme Court
How many justices are on the Supreme court?
9 justices