Wisconsin Civics Test
How many U.S. Senators are there?
100
When was the Constitution written?
1787
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
18 (oldest 26)
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?
18+
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe them.
18+, Women's right to vote, men from all race can vote, any citizen can vote
We elect a U.S. Rep for how many years?
2
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
We elect a President for how many years?
4
The House of Reps 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
What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
Africans
Name some states that border Canada.
Alaska, Washington, Montana, etc.
What is an amendment?
Alteration of the Constitution
What so we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
America and the flag
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
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
Barack Obama
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
Bill of Rights
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
Civil War
Name two national U.S. holidays.
Columbus Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day
During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?
Communism
Who makes federal laws?
Congress/House of Reps and Senate
What is the political party of the President now?
Democrat
What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?
Emancipation Proclamation
What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
Federalist/Free public libraries
Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
Franklin D. Roosevelt
What are the rights that are only for United States citizens?
Freedom to express yourself, Freedom to worship as you wish, Right to a prompt/fair trial by jury, Right to vote in elections for public officials, Right to apply for federal employment requiring U.S. citizenship, Right to run for elected office, Freedom to pursue "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Who is the "Father of Our Country"?
George Washington
Who was the first President?
George Washington
What are the two parts of Congress?
House of Reps and Senate
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the United States Constitution. Name the writers.
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay
Who did the United States fight in World War II?
Japan, Germany, and Italy
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States right now?
Joe Biden
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts
When do we celebrate Independence Day?
July 4
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
Liberty Island
What territory did the Untied States buy from France in 1803?
Louisiana Purchase
What is the capital of Wisconsin?
Madison
There were 13 colonies. Name them all.
Massachusetts, Georgia, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut
Name the four wars fought by the United States in the 1800s.
Mexican-American, Spanish-American, Civil War, and the War of 1812
Name the two longest rivers in the United States.
Mississippi and Missouri River
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
Native Americans
Name some states that border Mexico.
New Mexico, California, Arizona, etc.
In what month so we vote for President?
November
What are the responsibilities that are only for United States citizens?
Obeying laws, paying taxes, jury duty, serve as witness, register for the draft, and voting
Name some of the American Indian tribes in the United States.
Oneida, Cherokee, Blackfeet, Menominee
What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?
Pacific
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Reps now?
Paul Ryan
Why do some states have more Reps than other states?
Population
Name some of the U.S. territories.
Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, etc.
Who is the 8th Congressional District Rep for Wisconsin?
Reid Ribble
What are the two major political parties in the United States?
Republican and Democrat
What is the Governor of Wisconsin now?
Scott Walker
Name the problems that led to the Civil War.
Slavery, economics, states' rights
If both the President and the VP can no longer serve, who becomes President?
Speaker of the House
What are the rights or freedoms from the First Amendment?
Speech, Assembly, Press, Religion, or Petition
What is the name of the national anthem?
Star Spangled Banner
What is the highest court in the United States?
Supreme Court
Who are the Senators for Wisconsin?
Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
To represent the 50 states in the United States
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
To represent the original 13 colonies
What are some ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
Vote and campaign
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington D.C.
The idea of self-gov't is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We The People
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
Women's rights activist
Who was President during World War I?
Woodrow Wilson
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
World War I
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
World War II
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
Wrote the Constitution
What does the President's Cabinet do?
advise the President
What is the economic system in the United States?
capitalism/free market
What stops branches of gov't from becoming too powerful?
checks and balances/separation of powers
What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
civil rights movements
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
declare independence
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal gov't. What are the powers of the federal gov't?
declare war, make treaties, create an army, make money
What are some reasons colonists come to America?
economic opportunities, freedom, escape poverty
Name the three branches of gov't
executive, legislative, and judicial
Why did the colonists fight the British?
for freedom
What did Martin Luther King Jr. do?
fought for civil rights
What does the Constitution do?
foundation of gov't and protects rights
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
free slavery
What are the rights of everyone living in the United States?
freedom of expression, freedom of speech, right to bear arms, freedom to assembly, freedom to worship, freedom to religion, etc.
What are the three rights in the Declaration of Independence?
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
What is the "rule of law"?
no one is above the law
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What are some of those powers?
police, schools, social welfare, and pollution control
What does the judicial branch do?
reviews laws
What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York, United States
What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
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 are the Cabinet-level positions?
the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General.
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
the Vice President
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
the people of the state
What is freedom of religion?
to practice or not practice any religion
What are the promises you make when you become a United States citizen?
uphold the Constitution
