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