Learn About the United States

What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

-Africans

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

-American Indians -Native Americans

What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

-Checks and Balances -Separation of Powers

There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

-Citizens eighteen (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).

Who makes federal laws?

-Congress -Senate and House of Representatives -U.S. or national legislature

Name one branch or part of the government.

-Congress -legislative -President -executive -the courts -judicial

What is the political party of the President now?

-Democratic party

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.

The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

-James Madison

Name two national U.S. holidays.

-New Year's Day -Memorial Day

Where is the Statue of Liberty?

-New York -Liberty Island

There were 13 original states. Name three.

-New York -New Jersey -Maryland

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

-The Constitution was written -The Founding fathers wrote the Constitution

What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

-The Louisiana Territory

What is an amendment?

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

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)

When must all men register for the Selective Service?

-at age 18 -between ages 18 and 26

What is the economic system in the United States?

-capitalist economy -market economy

What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?

-fought for civil rights -worked for equality for all Americans

Why did the colonists fight the British?

-high taxes -British army stayed in their houses -they didn't have self-government

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

-life -liberty -pursuit of happiness

What does the judicial branch do?

-reviews laws -explains laws -resolves disputes (disagreements) -decides if a law goes against the Constitution

What does the Constitution do?

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

What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?

-speech -religion -assembly -press -petition the government

Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

-state's population -they have more people -some states have more people

What do we show loyalty to when we say the pledge of Allegiance?

-the United States -the flag

Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

-there were 13 original colonies

What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

-vote -run for office

What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

When do we celebrate Independence Day?

July 4

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

Who is the Governor of your state now?

Rick Perry

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.

WWI

What does the President's Cabinet do?

advises the President

What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?

terrorist attacked the twin towers

Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

the President

Who signs bills to become laws?

the President

Who vetoes bills?

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 highest court in the United States?

the Supreme Court

If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

the Vice President

Who is in charge of the executive branch?

the president.

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?

to print money

How many amendments does the Constitution have?

twenty-seven (27)

How many U.S. Senators are there?

100

When was the Constitution written?

1787

How old do citizens have to be to vote for the President?

18

We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?

2

We elect a President for how many years?

4

The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

435

We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?

6

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

9

Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

All the people of the state.

When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?

April 15

What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

Atlantic Ocean

What is the capital of your state?

Austin, Texas

What is the name of the President of the United States now?

Barak Obama

Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

Cherokee

What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

Civil Rights Movement

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.

Civil War

Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.

Civil War

During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

Communism

What are the two major political parties in the United States?

Democratic and Republican

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

Freed the slaves

Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?

Franklin Roosevelt

Who is the "Father of Our Country"?

George Washington

Who was the first President?

George Washington

Who did the United States fight in World War II?

Japan, Germany, and Italy

What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

John Boehner

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

John Roberts

Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now?

Lamar Alexander

Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.

Missouri and Mississippi River

Name one state that borders Canada.

New York

In what month do we vote for President?

November

What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?

Pacific Ocean

Name one U.S. territory.

Puerto Rico

Name your U.S. Representative.

Randy Neugebauer

What are two cabinet-level positions?

Secretary of: -Agriculture -Defense

Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

Slavery

What is the name of the national anthem?

Star-Spangled Banner

Name one state that borders Mexico.

Texas

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

The Bill of Rights

What is the supreme law of the land?

The Constitution

What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

The Senate and House of Representatives

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

U.S. diplomat

What is the capital of the United States?

Washington, D.C.

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

We the People

What is freedom of religion?

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

Who was President during World War 1?

Woodrow Wilson

Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?

World War II

What did Susan B. Anthony do?

fought for civil and women's rights

What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?

freed the slaves

What is one reason colonists came to America?

freedom

What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

freedom of: -expression -speech

Why does the flag have 50 stars?

one star for each state

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?

provide protection

Name one right only for the United States citizens.

run for federal office

What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?

serve in the U.S. military

What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?

serve on a jury