Civics Questions Flashcards
What does the Constitution do
Sets up the government
What is the supreme law of the land
The Constitution
The idea 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 first 10 amendments to the Constitution
The bill of rights
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment
Freedom of 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 and liberty
What is freedom of religion
You can practice any religion or not practice any religion
What is the economic system in the United States
Market economy
What is the rule of law
Everyone must follow the law
Name one branch or part of the government
Legislative Congress
What’s 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
What are the two parts of the US Congress
The Senate and House of Representatives
How many United States senators are there
100
We elect a United States Senator for how many years
6
The House of Representatives has how many voting members
435
We elect a United States representative for how many years
2
Who does a United States senator present
All the 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
Barack Obama
What is the name of the vice Pres. of United States now
Joe Biden
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 presidents cabinet do
Advises the president
What are two cabinet level positions
Secretary of defense and Secretary of State
What does the judicial branch do
Explains laws
What is the highest court in United States
Supreme Court
How many justices are on the Supreme Court
9
Who Is the Chief Justice of United States now
John Roberts
Under our constitution some powers belong to the federal government what is one power of the federal gov.
Print money
Under our constitution some powers belong to states what is one power of the states
Give a driver’s license
What are the two major political parties in the u.s.
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 now
John boehner
There are four amendments to the Constitution about Who can vote..describe one
The 26th amendment- citizens 18 and older can vote
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens
Serve on a jury
Name one right only for United States citizens
Run for federal office
What are two rights of everyone living in the United States
Freedom of expression and freedom of speech
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance
Flag
What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen
Be loyal to the United States
How old do citizens have to be to vote for president
18
What Are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy
Vote and run for office
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms
April 15
When Must all men register for selective service
At age 18
What is one reason colonists came to America
Freedom
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived
Native Americans
What group of people was taken to America and Sold as slaves
Africans
Why did the colonists fight the British
Because of high taxes (taxation without representation)
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 York New Jersey Virginia Georgia
What happened at the Constitutional convention
The Constitution was written
When was the Constitution written
1787
The Federalist papers supported the passage of the United States constitution. name one of the writers.
James Madison
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 United States buy from France in 1803
Louisiana
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s
Civil war
Name the United States 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 (Emancipation Proclamation)
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do
Freed the slaves
What did Susan B Anthony do
Fought for woman’s rights
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s
World War I
Who was president during World War I
Woodrow Wilson
Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II
Franklin Roosevelt
Who did the United States fight in World War II
Japan, Germany, and Italy
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general, what war was he in.
World war 2
During the Cold War what was the main concern of the United States
Communism
What movement tried to end racial discrimination
Civil rights movement
What did Martin Luther King Jr. Do
Fought for civil rights
One major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States
Terrorists attacked the United States
Name one American Indian tribe in the u.s.
Crow
Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States
Mississippi River
What ocean is on the west coast of the United States
Pacific Ocean
What ocean is on the East Coast of United States
Atlantic Ocean
Name one United States territory
Puerto Rico
Name one state that borders Canada
Michigan
Name one state the borders Mexico
Texas
What is the capital of the United States
Washington DC
Where is the Statue of Liberty
New York (harbor)
Why does the flag have 13 stripes
Because they were the 13 original colonies
Why does the flag have 50 stars
Because there are 50 states
What is the name of the national anthem
The Star-Spangled Banner
When do we celebrate Independence Day
July 4
Name two national US holidays
New Year’s Day and Christmas