American Government
52 questions
What is the form of government of the United States?
➜ Republic
➜ Constitution-based federal republic
➜ Representative democracy
What is the supreme law of the land?
➜ U.S. Constitution
Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
➜ Forms the government
➜ Defines powers of government
➜ Defines the parts of government
➜ Protects the rights of the people
The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?
➜ Self-government
➜ Popular sovereignty
➜ Consent of the governed
➜ People should govern themselves
➜ (Example of) social contract
How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
➜ Amendments
➜ The amendment process
What does the Bill of Rights protect?
➜ The basic rights of Americans
➜ The basic rights of people living in the United States
How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
➜ Twenty-seven (27)
Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
➜ It says America is free from British control.
➜ It says all people are created equal.
➜ It identifies inherent rights.
➜ It identifies individual freedoms.
What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
➜ Declaration of Independence
Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
➜ Equality
➜ Liberty
➜ Social contract
➜ Natural rights
➜ Limited government
➜ Self-government
What is the economic system of the United States?
➜ Capitalism
➜ Free market economy
What is the rule of law?
➜ Everyone must follow the law
➜ Leaders must obey the law
➜ Government must obey the law
➜ No one is above the law
Name one branch or part of the government.
➜ Congress
➜ President
➜ The courts
➜ Legislative branch
➜ Executive branch
➜ Judicial branch
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
➜ Checks and balances
➜ Separation of powers
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
➜ The President of the United States
Who makes federal laws?
➜ Congress
➜ Senate and House
➜ U.S. legislature
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
➜ Senate
➜ House of Representatives
How many U.S. senators are there?
➜ One hundred (100)
We elect a U.S. senator for how many years?
➜ Six (6)
Who elects U.S. senators?
➜ Citizens from their state
How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
➜ Four hundred thirty-five (435)
We elect a U.S. representative for how many years?
➜ Two (2)
Name your U.S. representative.
➜ Answers will vary depending on the state and district.
➜ Find your representative at www.house.gov
Who does a U.S. senator represent?
➜ All people of the state
Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
➜ To more closely follow public opinion
➜ To ensure representatives stay accountable to the people
The President of the United States is elected for how many years?
➜ Four (4)
The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?
➜ Because of the 22nd Amendment
Who is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
➜ The President
Who signs bills to become laws?
➜ The President
Who vetoes bills?
➜ The President
Who appoints federal judges?
➜ The President
What is the highest court in the United States?
➜ The Supreme Court
How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
➜ Nine (9)
How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
➜ For life
➜ They serve during good behavior
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
➜ James Madison
➜ Alexander Hamilton
➜ John Jay
What is one reason colonists came to America?
➜ Freedom
➜ Political liberty
➜ Religious freedom
➜ Economic opportunity
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
➜ American Indians
➜ Native Americans
What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
➜ Africans
➜ People from Africa
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
➜ Thomas Jefferson
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
➜ July 4, 1776
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
➜ Serve on a jury
➜ Vote in a federal election
Name one right only for United States citizens.
➜ Vote in a federal election
➜ Run for federal office
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
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
➜ The United States
➜ The flag
Name 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
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
➜ Eighteen (18) and older
What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
➜ Vote
➜ Join a political party
➜ Help with a campaign
➜ Join a civic group
➜ Join a community group
➜ Give an elected official your opinion
➜ Call Senators and Representatives
➜ Publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
➜ Run for office
➜ Write to a newspaper
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)
➜ Between eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26)
What is one reason colonists came to America?
➜ Freedom
➜ Political liberty
➜ Religious freedom
➜ Economic opportunity
➜ To escape persecution
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
➜ Native Americans
➜ American Indians
What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
➜ Africans
➜ People from Africa