Civics Flashcards
What’s 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/ 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
press
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
President
the courts
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 Representatives)
(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
Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?*
Ted Cruz
John Cornyn
(Both Republican)
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.
Michael McCaul (R)
Who 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 United States now?*
Joe Biden
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
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 State
Secretary of Homeland Security
Secretary of Defense
What does the judicial branch do?
reviews laws
explains laws
resolves disputes (disagreements)
decides if a law goes against the Constitution
What is the highest court in the United States?
the Supreme Court
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
9
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts