Social Studies Bill of Rights and More Flashcards
What is the supreme law of the land
The Constitution
What’s an amendment
A change or add to the Constitution
What is the first 10 amendments called
The Bill of Rights
How many amendments are in the Constitution
27
What did the Declaration of Independence do
Declare American independence from Britain
What stops one branch of government from becoming too strong
Checks and balances
Who leads the executive branch
The president
What are the two parts of Congress
The senate and house of representatives
How many senators are there
100
How long is the term of a us representative
2 years
Why do some states have more representation in the house of representatives
They have higher populations, which means more representatives
What were the 13 original states?
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina
How many Supreme Court justices are there?
9 justices
Who is the current Chief Justice
John Roberts
Who is the current speaker of the House of Representatives
Mike Johnson
Why did the colonists wage war against the British
They wanted better rights and independence
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson
What is the capital of our state?
Sacramento
What territory did the US buy from France in 1803
The Louisiana Territory
What is one war that the US fought in during the 1800s
The war of 1812
What is one of the two longest rivers in the US
Missouri or Mississippi
What ocean is on the west coast of the US
Pacific Ocean
What is one US territory
Guam
What is the capital of the US
Washington, D.C.
What is the US national anthem
The star-spangled banner
What is the limit of senator and congresspeople terms
Infinite
What are the three branches of the government
Judicial, legislative, executive
When is the president elected
November
What month is the president’s inauguration
January
How many stripes are in the US flag and what do they represent
13 stripes which each represent one of the original 13 colonies/states
Who is the current vice president
Kamala harris
Who elects the president
The electoral college (the people vote)
Who makes the laws
The legislative branch
What are the two senators from our state currently
Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler
How long is an senator elected
6 year terms with 2 year rotations
Who is the present governor of New Jersey
Phil Murphy
Who is next in line for presidency after the president and vice president
The Speaker of the House
Which three countries were the US’s enemies during world war two
Japan, Germany, italy
What were the 49th and 50th states added to the us
Alaska and hawaii
What is one requirement for being president of the US
35 years old, US citizen for 14 years
Who selects Supreme Court justices
Judicial branch (president appoints)
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted
July 4th, 1776
Who was the president during the civil war
Abraham lincoln
What group advises the president
The cabinet of the united states
Which president is the “father of our country”
George washington
Which ship brought the pilgrims to america
The mayflower
What is the introduction to the constitution
The Preamble
Where is the white house
Washington, D.C.
Who is the commander in chief of the army
The president
What are the two major US political parties
Democrats and republicans
How many states are in the US
50
What is the first amendment
Protects freedoms of religion, press, speech, petition, and assembly
What is the second amendment
Right to bear arms
What is the third amendment
Protects against quartering/forced housing of soldiers
What is the fourth amendment
Protects against unwarranted/unreasonable searches and seizures
What is the fifth amendment
Protects rights of the criminally accused
What is the sixth amendment
Right to a speedy trial by jury in criminal cases
What is the seventh amendment
Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
What is the eighth amendment
Forbids excessive bail fines and cruel or unusual punishment
What is the ninth amendment
The rights of the people are not limited to those listed in the Constitution
What is the tenth amendment
Powers not delegated to the national government are reserved for the states or the people
What is the new jersey plan
The new jersey-drafted plan that supported small states which gave all states 1 vote and had a unicameral legislature.
What is the virginia plan
The virginia-drafted plan that supported large states which gave states more representation if they had a higher population and had a bicameral legislature.
What is the great compromise
The plan that created the senate and the house of representatives
What does the legislative branch do
Make laws
What does the executive branch do
Enforce laws
What does the judicial branch do
interpret laws
How many senators are there per state
2 senators
How many representatives are part of the house of representatives
435 representatives
What does the president do
Veto laws, grant pardons, and appoint federal judges
What are the supreme court justices
9 justices who are approved by the president
