FCLE 161 questions Flashcards
1
Q
What is the supreme law of the land
A
The constitution
2
Q
What does the constitution do?
A
sets up the government
defines the government
protects basic rights of Americans
3
Q
The idea of self-government is in the first
three words of the Constitution. What are
these words?
A
We the people
4
Q
What is an amendment?
A
a change (to the Constitution)
an addition (to the Constitution)
5
Q
What do we call the first ten amendments
to the Constitution?
A
The Bill of Rights
6
Q
What is one right or freedom from the
First Amendment?*
A
Speech
Religion
Assembly
Press
Petition the government
7
Q
How many amendments does the Con-
stitution have?
A
twenty-seven (27)
8
Q
What did the Declaration of Indepen-
dence do?
A
announced our independence (from
Great Britain)
declared our independence (from Great
Britain)
said that the United States is free (from
Great Britain)
9
Q
What are two rights in the Declaration of
Independence?
A
life
liberty
pursuit of happiness
10
Q
What is freedom of religion?
A
You can practice any religion, or not
practice a religion.
11
Q
What is the economic system in the Unit-
ed States?*
A
capitalist economy
market economy
12
Q
What is the “rule of law”?
A
Everyone must follow the law
Leaders must obey the law
Government must obey the law
No one is above the law
13
Q
Name one branch or part of the govern-
ment.
A
Congress
legislative
President
executive
the courts
judicial
14
Q
What stops one branch of government
from becoming too powerful?
A
checks and balances
separation of powers
15
Q
Who is in charge of the executive
branch?
A
the President
16
Q
Who makes federal laws?
A
Congress
Senate and House (of Representatives)
(U.S. or national) legislature
17
Q
What are the two parts of the U.S. Con-
gress?*
A
the Senate and House (of Representa-
tives)
18
Q
How many U.S. Senators are there?
A
100
19
Q
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many
years?
A
six (6)
20
Q
Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators
now?*
A
Marco Rubio
21
Q
The House of Representatives has how
many voting members?
A
435
22
Q
We elect a U.S. Representative for how
many years?
A
two (2)
23
Q
Name yourU.S. Representative.
A
Donna Shalala
24
Q
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
A
all people of the state
25
Why do some states have more Repre-
sentatives than other states?
(because of) the states population
(because) they have more people
(because) some states have more peo-
ple
26
We elect a President for how many
years?
four (4)
27
In what month do we vote for President?*
November
28
What is the name of the President of
theUnited States now?*
Donald J Trump
29
What is the name of the Vice President
of the United States now?
Mike Pence
30
If the President can no longer serve, who
becomes President?
The Vice President
31
If both the President and the Vice Presi-
dent can no longer serve, who becomes
President?
The speaker of the House
32
Who is the Commander in Chief of the
military?
the President
33
Who signs bills to become laws?
the President
34
Who vetoes bills?
The President
35
What does the President's Cabinet do?
advises the President
36
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
Secretary of Housing and Urban Devel-
37
are positions?
opment
38
What does the judicial branch do?
reviews laws
explains laws
resolves disputes (disagreements)
39
What is the highest court in the United
States?
the Supreme Court
40
How many justices are on the Supreme
Court?
nine (9)
41
Who is the Chief Justice of the United
States now?
John Roberts (John G. Roberts, Jr.)
42
Under our Constitution, some powers
belong to the federal government. What
is one power of the federal government?
To print money
To declare war
To create an army
To make treaties
43
Under our Constitution, some powers
belong to the states. What is one power
of the states?
Providing schooling and education
Provide protection (police)
Provide safety (fire departments)
Give a driver's license
Approve zoning and land use
44
Who is the Governor of your state now?
Ron DeSantis
45
What is the capital of your state?*
Tallahassee
46
What are the two major political parties
in the United States?*
Democratic and Republican
47
What is the political party of the Presi-
dent now?
Republican Party
48
What is the name of the Speaker of the
House of Representatives now?
Nancy Pelosi
49
There are four amendments to the Con-
stitution about who can vote. Describe
one of them.
Citizen 18 and older
You don't have to pay (a poll tax) to vote
Any citizen can vote (women and men
can vote)
A male citizen of any race (can vote)
50
What is one responsibility that is only for
United States citizens?*
Serve on a jury
vote in a federal election
51
Name one right only for United States
citizens.
vote in a federal election
run for federal office
52
What are two rights of everyone living in
the United States?
Freedom of expression
Freedom of speech
Freedom of assembly
Freedom to petition the government
Freedom of religion
The right to bear arms
53
What do we show loyalty to when we say
the Pledge of Allegiance?
The United States
The flag
54
What is one promise you make when you
become a United States citizen?
give up loyalty to other countries
defend the constitution and laws of the
United States
Obey the laws of the United States
Serve in the U.S military( if needed)
Serve (do important work for) the nation
be loyal to the United States
55
How old do citizens have to be to vote for
President?*
18 and older
56
What are two ways that Americans can
participate in their democracy?
vote
join a political party
help with a campaign
join a community group
join a civic group
run for office
write to a newspaper
57
When is the last day you can send in
federal income tax forms?*
April 15
58
When must all men register for the Se-
lective Service?
at age 18
btw 18 and 26
59
What is one reason colonists came to
America?
freedom
political liberty
religious freedom
economic opportunity
practice their religion
escape persecution
60
Who lived in America before the Euro-
peans arrived?
American Indians
Native Americans
61
What group of people was taken to
America and sold as slaves?
Africans
people from Africa
62
Why did the colonists fight the British?
because of high taxes (taxation without
representation)
because the British army stayed in their
houses (boarding, quartering)
because they didn't have self-govern-
ment
63
Who wrote the Declaration of Indepen-
dence?
(Thomas) Jefferson
64
When was the Declaration of Indepen-
dence adopted?
July 4, 1776
65
There were 13 original states. Name
New Jersey
66
three.
Pennsylvania
67
What happened at the Constitutional
Convention?
The Constitution was written.
The Founding Fathers wrote the Consti-
tution.
68
When was the Constitution written?
1787
69
The Federalist Papers supported the
passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name
one of the writers.
James Madison
Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
Publius
70
What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is
famous for?
first Postmaster General of the United
States
writer of "Poor Richard's Almanac"
started the first free libraries
71
Who is the "Father of Our Country"?
George Washington
72
Who was the first President?
(George) Washington
73
What territory did the United States buy
from France in 1803?
Louisiana
The Louisiana Territory
74
Name one war fought by the United
States in the 1800s.
Civil war
War of 1812
Mexican-American war
Spanish-American war
75
Name the U.S. war between the North
and the South.
the Civil War
the War between the States
76
Name one problem that led to the Civil
War.
slavery
economic reasons
states' rights
77
What was one important thing that Abra-
ham Lincoln did?*
Freed the slaves (Emancipation Procla-
mation)
saved (or preserved) the union
led the United States during Civil war
78
What did the Emancipation Proclama-
tion do?
freed the slaves
freed slaves in the Confederacy
freed slaves in the Confederate states
freed slaves in most Southern states
79
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
fought for women's rights
fought for civil rights
80
Name one war fought by the United
States in the 1900s.*
World War 1
World War 2
Korean war
Vietnam war
(Persian) Gulf war
81
Who was President during World War I?
(Woodrow) Wilson
82
Who did the United States fight in World
War II?
Japan, Germany, and Italy
83
Before he was President, Eisenhower
was a general. What war was he in?
World War 2
84
During the Cold War, what was the main
concern of the United States?
Communism
85
What movement tried to end racial dis-
crimination?
civil rights (movement)
86
What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?
fought for civil rights
worked for equality for all Americans
87
What major event happened on Septem-
ber 11, 2001, in the United States?
Terrorists attacked the United States
88
Name American Indian tribe in the
Pueblo
89
one
United States.
Apache
90
Name one of the two longest rivers in the
United States.
Missouri (river)
Mississippi (River)
91
What ocean is on the West Coast of the
United States?
Pacific (ocean)
92
What ocean is on the East Coast of the
United States?
Atlantic (ocean)
93
Name one U.S. territory.
Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
American Samoa
Northern Mariana Islands
Guam
94
Name one state that borders Canada.
Michigan
95
Name state that borders Mexico.
Arizona
96
one
New Mexico
97
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C.
98
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York (Harbor)
Liberty Island
[Also acceptable are New Jersey, near
New York City, and on the Hudson (Riv-
er).]
99
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
because there were 13 original colonies
because the stripes represent the origi-
nal colonies
100
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
because there is one star for each state
because each star represents a state
because there are 50 states
101
What is the name of the national an-
them?
The Star-Spangled Banner
102
When do we celebrate Independence
Day?
July 4
103
Name two national U.S. holidays.
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Presidents' Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas
104
Brown V. Board of Education
1954 case that overturned Separate but
Equal standard of discrimination in edu-
cation.
Her family believed that the segregated
school system violated the 14th Amend-
ment and took their case to court.
105
Dred Scott V. Sanford
The case that ruled that slaves were
property and could not sue
Violated the 5th amendment
helped bring on the civil war
106
Gibbons V. Ogden
Regulating interstate commerce is a
power reserved to the federal govern-
ment
107
Gideon V. Wainwright
a landmark case in United States
Supreme Court history. In the case, the
Supreme Court unanimously ruled that
state courts are required under the Sixth
Amendment of the Constitution to pro-
vide counsel in criminal cases for defen-
dants unable to afford their own attor-
neys.
108
Hazelwood V. Kuhlmeier
School newspapers can be censored by
teachers and administrators
The journalism students felt that this cen-
sorship was a direct violation of their First
Amendment rights. The Supreme Court
decided that Principal Reynolds had the
right to such editorial decisions, as he
had "legitimate pedagogical concerns."
109
Korematsu V. US
1944 Supreme Court case where the
Supreme Court upheld the order provid-
ing for the relocation of Japanese Ameri-
cans. It was not until 1988 that Congress
formally apologized and agreed to pay
$20,000 2 each survivor
Korematsu argued that Executive Or-
der 9066 was unconstitutional and that
it violated the Fifth Amendment. The
Fifth Amendmentwas selected over the
Fourteenth Amendment due to the lack
of federal protections in the Fourteenth
Amendment. He was arrested and con-
victed.
110
Mapp V. Ohio
Established the exclusionary rule was
applicable to the states (evidence seized
illegally cannot be used in court)
Violation of the 4th amendment
111
Marbury V. Madison
This case establishes the Supreme
Court's power of Judicial Review
112
McCulloch V. Maryland
Maryland was trying to tax the national
bank and Supreme Court ruled that fed-
eral law was stronger than the state law
113
Miranda V. Arizona
as Supreme Court held that criminal sus-
pects must be informed of their right to
consult with an attorney and of their right
against self-incrimination prior to ques-
tioning by police.
114
New Jersey V. TLO
students may be searched without a war-
rant if there is "reasonable ground" for
doing SO.
argued her 4th amendment rights
Case topic: Student search and seizure
115
Plessy V. Ferguson
"separate but equal" doctrine supreme
court upheld the constitutionally of jim
crow laws
argued in court that the Act violated the
13th and 14th Amendments
116
Regents of the University of California V.
Bakke
A 1978 Supreme Court decision holding
that a state university could not admit
less qualified individuals solely because
of their race.
Violated the 14th amendment
117
Roe V. Wade
(1973) legalized abortion on the basis of
a woman's right to privacy
violated the guarantee of personal liberty
and the right to privacy implicitly guaran-
teed in the First, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth, and
14th Amendments
118
Texas V. Johnson
A 1989 case in which the Supreme Court
struck down a law banning the burning
of the American flag on the grounds that
such action was symbolic speech pro-
tected by the First Amendment.
119
Tinker V. Des Moines
Students have the right to symbolic
speech at school as long as it is not dis-
ruptive, protected but he 1st amendment
120
United States V. Nixon
U.S. Supreme Court case that limited ex-
ecutive privilege
121
Engel V. Vitale
banned formal prayer in schools, no "of-
ficial" religion
122
Wisconsin V. Yoder
Amish do not have to attend school after
8th grade - right to freedom of religion
123
New York Times V. US
The President argues that the publication
of the Pentagon Papers is in violation of
executive privilege.
- Defended right of free press
124
Schneck V. US
established the 'clear and present dan-
ger' test (1st amendment)
125
McDonald V. Chicago
Incorporated the 2nd Amendment right
to bear arms to the state and local gov-
ernment
126
Citizens United V. FEC
corporate funding of independent politi-
cal broadcasts can't be limited
127
Baker V. Carr
case that est. one man one vote. this de-
cision created guidelines for drawing up
congressional districts and guaranteed a
more equitable system of representation
to the citizens of each state
128
Shaw V. Reno
NO racial gerrymandering; race cannot
be the sole or predominant factor in re-
drawing legislative boundaries; majori-
ty-minority districts.
129
Declaration of Independence
Signed in 1776 by US revolutionaries;
it declared the United States as a free
state.
130
Articles of Confederation
Functions of national government
131
Brutus No. 1
dition, he objected to Congress's power
to tax and raise a standing army and to
the vast size of the proposed republic. He
felt this powerful new government would
supplant the states.
132
Constitution
A document which spells out the princi-
ples by which a government runs and the
fundamental laws that govern a society
133
Federalist No. 10
An essay composed by James Madi-
son which argues that liberty is safest
in a large republic because many in-
terests (factions) exist. Such diversity
makes tyranny by the majority more diffi-
cult since ruling coalitions will always be
unstable.
134
Federalist No. 51 (1788)
An essay written by James Madison
that explained how the structure of the
new government under the Constitution
would provide the necessary checks and
balances to keep the government from
becoming too powerful.
135
Federalist No. 70
Hamilton argues that a strong executive
is essential in the new government.
136
Federalist No. 78
argument by Alexander Hamilton that
the federal judiciary would be unlikely
to infringe upon rights and liberties but
would serve as a check on the other two
branches
137
Letter from Birmingham Jail
Letters written by MLK encouraging
non-violent protest against segregation
to break unjust laws
138
2nd Amendment
Right to bear arms
139
3rd Amendment
No quartering of troops
140
4th Amendment
Protection against Unreasonable Search
and Seizure
141
5th Amendment
Criminal Proceedings; Due Process; Em-
inent Domain; Double Jeopardy; Protec-
tion from Self incrimination
142
6th Amendment
The right to a Speedy Trial by jury, repre-
sentation by an attorney for an accused
person
143
7th Amendment
Right to jury in civil trials.
144
8th Amendment
No cruel or unusual punishment
145
9th Amendment
Citizens entitled to rights not listed in the
Constitution, Unenumerated Rights
146
10th Amendment
Powers not given to federal government
go to people and States
147
11th Amendment
One State cannot be sued by another
state
148
12th Amendment
separation of votes for President and
Vice President
149
13th Amendment (1865)
Abolishes and prohibits slavery
150
14th Amendment
Declares that all persons born in the U.S.
are citizens and are guaranteed equal
protection of the laws
151
15th Amendment (1870)
U.S. cannot prevent a person from voting
because of race, color, or creed
152
16th Amendment
Allows the federal government to collect
income tax
153
17th Amendment
Direct election of senators
154
18th Amendment
Prohibited the manufacture, sale, and
distribution of alcoholic beverages
155
19th Amendment
Gave women the right to vote
156
20th Amendment
(FDR) , change of dates for start of pres-
idential/congressional terms
157
21st Amendment
Amendment which ended the Prohibition
of alcohol in the US, repealing the 18th
amendment
158
22nd Amendment
Limits the president to two terms.
159
23rd Amendment
gave residents of Washington DC the
right to vote
160
24th Amendment
Abolishes poll taxes
161
25th Amendment
(1) Succession of VP if president dies
or become incapable to do his job.(2) if
there is no VP, president must appoint
one, and congress must approve
162
26th Amendment
Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18
163
27th Amendment
Limits the power of Congress to increase
its own salaries
