Principles of American Democracy

Question 1

What is the supreme law of the land?

Answer 1

the Constitution

Question 2

What does the Constitution do?

Answer 2

• sets up the government
• defines the government
• protects basic rights of Americans

Question 3

The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

Answer 3

We the People

Question 4

What is an amendment?

Answer 4

• a change (to the Constitution)
• an addition (to the Constitution)

Question 5

What do we call the first ten amendments
to the Constitution?

Answer 5

the Bill of Rights

Question 6

What is ONE right or freedom from the First
Amendment?*

Answer 6

speech
religion
assembly
press
petition the government

Question 7

How many amendments does the
Constitution have?

Answer 7

27

Question 8

What did the Declaration of Independence
do?

Answer 8

-announced our independence (from Great
Britain)
-declared our independence (from Great
Britain)
-said that the United States is free (from
Great Britain)

Question 9

What are TWO rights in the Declaration of
Independence?

Answer 9

life
liberty
pursuit of happiness

Question 10

What is freedom of religion?

Answer 10

You can practice any religion, or not practice
a religion.

Question 11

What is the economic system in the United
States?*

Answer 11

capitalist economy
market economy

Question 12

What is the “rule of law”?

Answer 12

Everyone must follow the law.
Leaders must obey the law.
Government must obey the law.
No one is above the law.