Test Flashcards
What is the supreme law of the land
The constitution
What does the constitution do?
Sets and defines the government
The idea of self government is in the first 3 words of the constitution. What are these words?
We the people
The idea of self government is in the first 3 words of the constitution. What are these words?
We the people
What is an amendment?
A change or addition of the constitution
What do we call the first 10 amendments of 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?
Announce our independence from
Great Britain
Declare our independence
Said that the United States is free
What are 2 rights in the Declaration of Independence
Life
Liberty
Pursuit of happiness
What are 2 rights in the Declaration of Independence
Life
Liberty
Pursuit of happiness
What is freedom of religion
You can practice any religion or no religion
What is the economic system in the US
Capitalist
What is the rule of law
Everyone must follow the law
Leaders must obey the land
Government must obey the law
No one is above the law
Name one branch or part of the government
Congress
legislative, president, executive, the courts, judicial
What stops one branch of the government from becoming too powerful?
Checks and balances
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
The president
Who makes federal laws?
Congress
What are two parts of the US Congress
The Senate and House of Representatives
How many US senators are there?
100
US senators last how many years?
6
Who is one of your US states senators now?
D.C. does not have voting representation in the U.S. Senate
The house of representative has how many voting members
435
The house of representative has how many voting members
435
Name your US representative
Eleanor Norton
Who does a US senator represents
All of the people of the state
Why do some states have more representatives than more states?
Because of the states population, they have more people
We elect a president for how many years
4
We elect a president for how many years
4
In what month do we vote for a president
November
Who’s the prez now
Joe Biden
Who’s the vice prez
Kamala Harris
If the prez can’t serve, who becomes the prez
The vice prez
If the prez and vice prez can’t serve, who’s next?
The speaker of the house
(Mike Johnson)
Who is the commander in chief of the military?
The president
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 president cabinet do
Advice the prez
What are two cabinet level positions
Secretary of State
Secretary of Treasure
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Commerce
Secretary of Defense
Secretary of Education
Secretary of Energy
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Secretary of Homeland Security
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary of the Interior
Secretary of Labor
Secretary of State
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of the Treasury Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Attorney General
Vice President
What does the judicial branch does?
Reviews and explains laws
Resolves disputes
Decides if a law goes against the constitution
What is the highest court in the United States
The supreme court
How many justices are in the Supreme Court
9
Who is the chief justice of the US now
John Roberts
What is one power of the federal government
declare a war
print money
create an army
make treaties
What is one power of the states
Give a drivers license
Who’s the governor of your state now?
DC doesn’t have a governor
Who’s the governor of your state now?
DC doesn’t have a governor
Capital of your state?
DC doesn’t have a capital
2 major political parties in the US
Republican and Democratic
Who is the speaker of the House of Representatives
Mike Jonson
4 amendments to the constitution about who can vote
Citizens 18+ can vote
Free to vote
Any citizen can vote (M or W)
A male of any race can vote
4 amendments to the constitution about who can vote
Citizens 18+ can vote
Free to vote
Any citizen can vote (M or W)
A male of any race can vote
Responsibility for the US citizens
Serve on a jury
Vote in federal election
Responsibility for the US citizens
Vote in federal election
Serve on a jury
Responsibility for the US citizens
Serve on a jury
Vote in federal election
Name a right only for US citizens
Vote
run for federal office
Rights of everyone living in the US
Freedom of speech
Freedom of expression
Freedom of assembly
freedom to petition the government freedom of religion
Right to bear arms
What do we show loyalty when we say the pledge of allegiance
The United States
The flag
Promises you make when you become a US citizen
Be loyal to the US
Obey the law of the US
Give up loyalty to other countries
Defend the constitution and laws of the US
Serve in the US military
Serve (do important work for) the nation
How old go citizens have to be to vote
18+
Ways Americans can participate in their democracy
Voting
Run for office
Join a political party
Help with a campaign
Join a civic group
Join a community group
Give an elected official your opinion on an issue
Call Senators and Representatives
Publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
Write to a newspaper
When is the last day you can send in your taxes
April 15
When is the last day you can send in your taxes
April 15
when must all men register for the selective service
18
18-26
Why did the colonist come to America
Freedom
Political liberty
Religious freedom
Economic opportunity
Practice their religion
Escape persecution
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived
Native Americans
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived
Native Americans
What groups of people was taken to America and sold as slaves
Africans
What groups of people was taken to America and sold as slaves
Africans
Why did the colonist fight the British
High taxes
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted
July 4, 1776
What are the 13 original states
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
What happened at the constitutional convention
The constitution was written by the founding fathers
When was the constitution written
1787
The federalist papers supported the passage of the US constitution
Name the writers
Alexander Hamilton
James Madison
John Jay
Publius
What is Ben Franklin famous for
US dimplomat
Oldest member of the constitutional convention
First postmaster general of the US
Writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac”
Started the first free libraries
Who is the father of our county
George Washington
1st prez
George Washington
1st prez
George Washington
What territory did the US buy from France in 1803
Louisiana
Name 1 war fought by the US in the 1800
War of 1812: US vs Great Britain
Mex-American War: US expanding across North America
Civil War: The north vs the south. Mainly over slavery.
Name 1 war fought by the US in the 1800
Civil War
War of 1812
Mex-American War
US war between the north & the south
The civil war
US war between the north & the south
The civil war
Reasons of the civil war
Slavery
State’s rights - to have slaves
Economic reasons - north was industrial (tariffs and infrastructure development) south was agrarian (cotton exports & slaves labor)
Reasons of the civil war
Slavery
State’s rights - to have slaves
Economic reasons - north was industrial (tariffs and infrastructure development) south was agrarian (cotton exports & slaves labor)
Name 1 important thing Abraham Lincoln did
Freed slaves
(emancipation proclamation)
Saved the union
Led the US 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 a war fought in the 1900’s
World War 1
World War 2
Korean War
Vietnam war
Gulf war
Name a war fought in the 1900’s
World War 1
World War 2
Korean War
Vietnam war
Gulf war
Who was the president during world war 1??
Woodrow Wilson
Who was the president during the great depression and ww2?
Franklin Roosevelt
Who did the US fight in WW2
Japan, Germany & Italy
Before he was president, Eisenhower was a general, what war was he in?
World War 2
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?
Communism
What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
Civil rights movement
What did Martin Luther King Jr do?
Fought for civil rights
Work for equality for all Americans
What major event happened on 9/11
Terrorists attacked the US
Name one American Indian tribe in the US
Cherokee
Navajo
SIOUX
Chippewa
Choctaw
Pueblo
Apache
Iroquois
Cheyenne
Blackfeet
Seminole
Creek
Arawak
Shawnee
Mohegan
Huron
Oneida
Lakota
Crow
Teton
Hopi
Inuit
What are the longest rivers in the US
The Missouri River
The Mississippi River
What ocean is on the west coast of the US
Pacific ocean
Name one US territory
Puerto Rico
US Virgin Islands
American Samoa
Northern Mariana Islands
Guam
Name one state that borders Canada
New York 🗽
Maine
New Hampshire
Vermont
New York
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Michigan
Minnesota
North Dakota
Montana
Washington
Idaho
Alaska
Name one state that borders Mexico
California
Arizona
New Mexico
Texas
What is the capitals of the US
Washington DC
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York Harbor
Liberty Island
On the Hudson River
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
Because there were 13 original colonies
The stripes represent the 13 original colonies
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
There are 50 states, each star represents a state.
What is the name of the national anthem?
The star-spangled banner
What is the name of the national anthem?
The star-spangled banner
What is the name of the national anthem?
The star-spangled banner
When is Independence Day?
July 4
Name two national US holidays
Thanksgiving
Christmas New Years Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Presidents’ Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
What does the Constitution do?
sets and defines the government
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 or addition 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?
freedom of speech
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
declared our independence from Great Britain
United States is free
Name two national U.S. holidays.
Thanksgiving
Christmas
• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Presidents’ Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans Day
When do we celebrate Independence Day?
July 4
What is the name of the national anthem?
The Star-Spangled Banner
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
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
• because there were 13 original colonies
• because the stripes represent the original colonies
Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.
• Missouri (River)
• Mississippi (River)
What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
Pacific (Ocean)
What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
Pacific (Ocean)
What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?
Atlantic (Ocean)
Name one U.S. territory.
Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• American Samoa
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Guam
Name one state that borders Canada.
New York
• Maine
• New Hampshire
• Vermont
• Pennsylvania
• Ohio
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• North Dakota
• Montana
• Idaho
• Washington
• Alaska
Name one state that borders Mexico.
Texas
• California
• Arizona
• New Mexico
What is the capital of the United States?
• Washington, D.C.
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
• New York (Harbor)
• Liberty Island
Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
• Cherokee
• Navajo
• Sioux
• Chippewa
• Choctaw
• Pueblo
• Apache
• Iroquois
• Creek
• Blackfeet
• Seminole
• Cheyenne
• Arawak
• Shawnee
• Mohegan
• Huron
• Oneida
• Lakota
• Crow
• Teton
• Норі
• Inuit
What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
• Terrorists attacked the United States.
What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?
fought for civil rights
• worked for equality for all Americans
What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
civil rights
movement
During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
Communism
During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
Communism
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
World War II
Who did the United States fight in World War II?
Japan, Germany, and Italy
Who did the United States fight in World War II?
Japan, Germany, and Italy
Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
Franklin Roosevelt
Who was President during Word War 1?
Woodrow Wilson
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s
• World War I
• World War II
• Korean War
• Vietnam War
• (Persian) Gulf War
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
Fought for women’s rights
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
freed the slaves
What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?
freed the slaves
Emancipation Proclamation
saved (or preserved) the Union
led the United States during the Civil War
What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?
• freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
• saved (or preserved) the Union
• led the United States during the Civil War
Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
slavery
• economic reasons
• states rights
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
the Civil War
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s
Civil War
• War of 1812
• Mexican-American War
• Spanish-American War
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
Louisiana
Who was the first President?
George Washington
Who is the Father of Our Country?
George Washington
Who is the “Father of Our Country?
• George Washington
What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
U.S. diplomat
• oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
• first Postmaster General of the United States
• writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac”
• started the first free libraries
What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
U.S. diplomat
• oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
• first Postmaster General of the United States
• writer of “Poor Richard’s Almanac”
• started the first free libraries
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
Alexander Hamilton
• James Madison
• John Jay
• Publius
When was the Constitution written?
1787
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitution was written by the Founding Fathers.
There were 13 original states. Name three.
• New Hampshire
• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island
• Connecticut
• New York
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Delaware
• Maryland
• Virginia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Georgia
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
• Thomas Jefferson
Why did the colonists fight the British?
high taxes
(taxation without representation)
• because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)
• because they didn’t have self-government
Why did the colonists fight the British?
because of high taxes
What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
• Africans
• people from Africa
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
• American Indians
• Native Americans
What is one reason colonists came to America?
freedom
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
When they turn 18 years old
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?
April 15
What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
vote
run for office
• join a political party
• help with a campaign
• join a civic group
• join a community group
• give an elected official your opinion on an issue
• call Senators and Representatives
• publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
• write to a newspaper
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
• eighteen (18) and older
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
• eighteen (18) and older
What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
be loyal and obey the laws of the United States
• give up loyalty to other countries
• defend the Constitution and laws of the United States
• serve in the U.S. military (if needed)
• serve (do important work for) the nation
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
the United States
• the flag
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
• the United States
• the flag
What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
freedom of speech
freedom of religion
freedom of expression
freedom of assembly
freedom to petition the government
the right to bear arms
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*
vote
in a federal election
serve on a jury
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
Voting
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them?
Citizens 18 and older can vote
• 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).
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Mike Johnson
What is the political party of the President now?
Democratic Party
What is the capital of your state?
Washington, D.C. is not a state, so it doesn’t have a capital.
Who is the Governor of your state now?
Washington, D.C. does not have a governor since it is not a state. Instead, it is governed by a mayor. The current mayor of Washington, D.C., is Muriel Bowser (as of 2024).
What is the capital of your state?
D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital.
What is the capital of your state?
D.C. is not a state and does not have a capital
Who is the Governor of your state now?
District of Columbia residents should answer that D.C. does not have a Governor. Instead, it is governed by a mayor. The current mayor of Washington, D.C., is Muriel Bowser.
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
give a driver’s license
provide schooling and education
• provide protection (police)
• provide safety (fire departments)
• approve zoning and land use
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
give a driver’s license
Provide schooling and education
• provide protection (police)
• provide safety (fire departments)
• approve zoning and land use
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
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
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
9
What is the highest court in the United States?
The Supreme Court
What does the judicial branch do?
Reviews and explains laws
What does the judicial branch do?
reviews and explains laws
• resolves disputes (disagreements)
• decides if a law goes against the Constitution
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Commerce
• Secretary of Defense
• Secretary of Education
• Secretary of Energy
• Secretary of Health and Human Services
• Secretary of Homeland Security
• Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
• Secretary of the Interior
• Secretary of Labor
• Secretary of State
• Secretary of Transportation
• Secretary of the Treasury
• Secretary of Veterans Affairs
• Attorney General
• Vice President
What does the President’s Cabinet do?
• advises the President
What does the President’s Cabinet do?
• advises the President
Who vetoes bills?
• the President
Who signs bills to become laws?
• the President
Who signs bills to become laws?
• the President
Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
• the President
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
• the Speaker of the House
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
Kamala Harris
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
Kamala Harris
What is the name of the President of the United States
Joe Biden
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
Joe Biden
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
November
We elect a President for how many years?
4 years
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
• (because of) the state’s population
• (because) they have more people
• (because) some states have more people
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
• all people of the of the state
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
• all people of the of the state
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
• all people of the of the state
Name your U.S. Representative.
Eleanor Norton
(Does not have a voting representative in Congress)
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
2 years
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
435
How many U.S. Senators are there?
100
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
The Senate and House of Representatives
Who makes federal laws?
Congress
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
the President
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
• the President
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
• checks and balances
• separation of powers
Name one branch or part of the government.
Congress
• legislative
• President
• executive
• the courts
• judicial
What is the “rule of law”?
Everyone must follow the law
What is the economic system in the United States?
capitalist economy
What is freedom of religion?
• You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
• life
• liberty
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
Declared our independence from Great Britain
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
• announced our independence (from Great Britain)
• declared our independence (from Great Britain)
• said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
freedom of speech
▪ religion
▪ assembly
▪ press
▪ petition the government
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
▪ the Bill of Rights
