n-400 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 is an amendment
a change (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?
Declared our independence (from Great Britain)
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
Life, Liberty
What is freedom of religion?
you can practice any religion, or not practice a 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, executive, judicial
what stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
Separation of powers
who is in charge of the Executive branch?
the President
who makes federal laws?
Congress
what are two parts of the U.S. Congress
The Senate and House (of Representatives)
How many U.S. Senators are there?
100 (one hundred)
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
Six (6)
Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators?
Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
435 (Four hundred thirty five)
We elect the U.S. Representative for how many years?
2 (two)
name your U.S. Representative
Susan Bonamici
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
All 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 (four)
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 President of the United State now?
Joe Biden
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the Vice President
IF the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the Speaker of the House
Who is Commander in Chief of the military?
The President
Who signs bills to become laws?
The President
Who vetoes bills?
The President
Who does the President’s Cabinet do?
Advises the President
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Energy
What does the judicial branch do?
Explains laws, resolved disputes, decides if laws go against the constitution
What is the highest court in the United States?
The Supreme Court
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
9 (nine)
Wo is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal Government. What is one power of the federal government?
To print money, declare war, create army, make treaties
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
Provide protection (police), provide schooling and education, provide safety ( fire department) , approve zooming and land use, give drivers license
Who is the Governor of your state now?
John Kitzhaber
What is the capital of your state?
Salem
What are two major political parties in the United States?
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 of them.
Any citizen can vote, you don’t have to pay to vote, a male citizen of any race can vote, citizens 18 and older
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
Vote in the federal election
Name one right only for United States citizens?
vote in the federal election
What re two rights of everyone living in the United States?
Freedom of speech, Freedom of assembly
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
The United States
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 the President?
18 (eighteen)
What are two ways that Americans can participate in their Democracy?
Vote, join a political party
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
April 15
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
At age eighteen (18)
What is one reason colonists came to America?
Religious freedom, economic opportunity, religious freedom
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
Native Americans
What group of people was taken to American and sold as slaves?
African
Why did the colonists fight the British?
Because of high taxes (taxation without representation), the British army stayed in their houses,
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4th, 1776
There were 13 original states. Name three.
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
The constitution was written
when was the Constitution written?
1787
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
John Jay, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Publius,
What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
U.S. Diplomat, oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
Who is “Father of Our Country”?
George Washington
Who was the first President?
George Washington
What territory did the United States buy form France in 1803?
The Louisiana Territory
Name one war fought by the United states in the 1800’s?
Civil War
Name the U.S. war between the North and South.
Civil War
Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
Slavery
What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?
Freed the salves ( Emancipation Proclamation) , Saved (preserved) the Union, led United States 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 by the United States in the 1900’s
Wold War II
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 the World War II?
Japan, Germany, Italy
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What was was he in?
World War II
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
What major event happened on September 11, 2001 in the United States?
Terrorists attacked the United States
Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
Cherokee
Name one of the longest rivers in the United States.
Missouri River
What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
Pacific Ocean
What ocean is East Coast of the United States?
Atlantic Ocean
Name one U.S. territory.
Puerto Rico
Name one state that borders Canada.
New York
Name one state that borders Mexico.
California
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington D.C.
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York (Harbor)
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
Because there were 13 original colonies
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
Because there is one for each state
What is the name of the national anthem?
The Star-Spangled Banner
When do we celebrate Independence Day?
July 4th
Name two national U.S. Holidays
Thanksgiving, Christmas
Name one state that borders Canada.
New York
Name one state that borders Mexico.
California
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington D.C.
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York (Harbor)
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
Because there were 13 original colonies
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
Because there is one for each state
What is the name of the national anthem?
The Star-Spangled Banner
When do we celebrate Independence Day?
July 4th
Name two national U.S. Holidays
Thanksgiving, Christmas
