128 Civics Questions and Answers Test
When did the Great Depression start?
Stock market crash of 1929
Name one leader of the women's rights movement in the 1800s
Susan B. Anthony
What is Independence Day?
a holiday to celebrate US independence from Britain
What is Veterans Day?
a holiday to honor people in the US military
What is Memorial Day?
a holiday to honor soldiers who died in military service
What does the President's Cabinet do?
advises the president
Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
all people pay to fund the federal government
How are changes made the US constitution?
amendments
The Civil War had many important events. Name one.
battle of Fort Sumter
How can people become US citizens?
be born in the US
Why did the US enter WWI?
because Germany attacked US ships
Some states have more representatives that other states. Why?
because of the state's population
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
because there are 50 states
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
because there were 13 original colonies
Why did the US enter WWII?
bombing of Pearl Harbor
Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the US?
citizens
There are four amendments to the US Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
citizens 18 and older can vote
Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
citizens from their district
Who elects US senators?
citizens from their state
Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
citizens in their district
Who does a US senator represent?
citizens of their state
During the Cold War, what was one main concern of the US?
communism
Many documents influenced the US Constitution. Name one.
declaration of independence
The words "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" are in what founding document?
declaration of independence
What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
declaration of independence
Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.
emancipation proclamation
Name one power of the president.
enforce laws
Why does each state have two senators?
equal representation
Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.
equality and liberty
What is the rule of law?
everyone must follow the law
The President of the US is in charge of which branch of government?
executive branch
George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.
first president of the US
Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.
first secretary of the treasury
How long do Supreme Court justices serve?
for life
Martin Luther King Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.
fought for civil rights
What did the civil rights movement do?
fought to end racial discrimination
What is the economic system of the US?
free market economy
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
freed the slaves
The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.
freedom
What are three rights of everyone living in the US?
freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of assembly
Dwight Eisenhower is famous for many things. Name one.
general during WWII
Name one power that is only for the states.
give a driver's license
Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
Franklin Roosevelt
Name two promises that new citizens make in the Oath of Allegiance.
give up loyalty to other countries and defend the US constituion
Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
high taxes
Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.
inventor
Why is the electoral college important?
it decides who is elected president
Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
it freed the Americans from British control
Who is the governor of your state now?
Pete Ricketts
Who was the US' main rival during the Cold War?
Russia
What is the purpose of the 10th amendment?
it states that the powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people
What part of the federal government writes laws?
legislative branch
Name the tree branches of government.
legislative, executive, and judicial
Name one example of an American innovation.
light bulb
What was the Great Depression?
longest economic recession in modern history
The Nation's first motto was "E Pluribus Unum." What does that mean?
out of many, one
Name one power that is only for the federal government.
print paper money
Name one thing the US constitution does.
protects the rights of the people
What is the form of government of the US?
representative democracy
It is important for all men 18 through 21 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
required by law
What does the judicial branch do?
reviews laws
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
secretary of defense and secretary of education
The US constitution starts with the words "We the People." What does "We the People" mean?
self-government
What are the two parts of the US Congress?
senate and house of representatives
There are three branches of government. Why?
so one part does not become too powerful
What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the US?
terrorists attacked the US
When did all men get the right to vote?
the 15th amendment
Name the US war between the North and the South.
the Civil War
What US war ended slavery?
the Civil War
What is the name of the national anthem?
the Star-Spangled Banner
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
the US
What does the Bill of Rights protect?
the basic rights of Americans
The executive branch has many parts. Name one.
the president
Who appoints federal judges?
the president
Who is the Commander in Chief of the US military?
the president
Who signs bills to become law?
the president
Who vetoes bills?
the president
What is one part of the judicial branch?
the supreme court
What is the highest court in the US?
the supreme court
If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?
the vice president
Why were the Federalist Papers important?
they helped people understand the US constitution
Supreme Court justices serve for life. Why?
to be independent
Why did the US enter the Persian Gulf War?
to force the Iraqi from Kuwait
The President of the US can serve only two terms. Why?
to keep the president from becoming too powerful
Why do Us representatives serve shorter terms than US senators?
to more closely follow public opinion
Why did the US enter the Korean War?
to stop the spread of communism
Why did the US enter the Vietnam War?
to stop the spread of communism
What is one way Americans can serve their country?
vote
What are two examples of civic participation in the US?
vote and run for office
Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.
writer of the declaration of independence
Name one power of the US Congress.
writes laws
How many US senators are there?
100
What amendment gives citizenship to all person born in the US?
14th amendment
When did all women get the right to vote?
19th amendment
How many senators does each state have?
2
How long is a term for a member in the House of Representatives?
2 years
How many amendments does the US Constitution have?
27
The President of the US is elected for how many years?
4
How many voting members are the House of Representatives?
435
James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.
4th president of the US
How many Supreme Court justices are usually needed to decide a case?
5
How long is a term for a US senator?
6 years
How many seats are on the Supreme Court?
9
Name your US representative.
Adrian Smith
What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
Africans
What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?
American Revolution
The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.
Battle of Bunker Hill
Who is one of your state's senators now?
Ben Sasse
Name one American Indian tribe in the US.
Cheyenne
Name tree national holidays.
Christmas Day, Veterans Day, and Independence Day
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the US constitution. Name one of the writers.
James Madison
What is the name of the President of the US now?
Joe Biden
Who is the Chief of Justice of the US now?
John Roberts
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
What is the name of the Vice President of the US now?
Kamala Harris
What is the capital of your state?
Lincoln
What territory did the US buy from France in 1803?
Louisiana Territory
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives?
Nancy Pelosi
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
Native Americans
There were 13 original states. Name five.
New Hampshire, Connecticut, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
New York
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
What founding document was written in 1787?
US consitution
What is the supreme law of the land?
US constitution
Name one war fought by the US in the 1900s.
WWI
Name one US military conflict after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
War in Iraq
Name one war fought by the US in the 1800s.
War of 1812
What is the capital of the US?
Washington D.C.
