| What is the form of governmet in 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
• Social Contract |
| How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution? | • Amendments
• The amendment process |
| What does the Bill of Rights protect? | •Rights of Americans
•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 |
| The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document? | Declaration of Independence |
| 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. |
| Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one. | • Declaration of Independence
• Articles of Confederation
• Federalist Papers
• Anti-Federalist Papers
• Virginia Declaration of Rights
• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
• Mayflower Compact
• Iroquois Great Law of Peace |
| There are three branches of government. Why? | • So one part does not become too powerful
• Checks and balances
• Separation of powers |
| Name the three branches of government. | • Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
• Congress, President, and the Courts |
| The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government? | Executive branch |
| What part of the federal government writes laws? | • Congress
• Legislature
• Legislative branch |
| What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress? | Senate and House (of Representatives) |
| Name one power of the U.S. Congress. | • Writes laws
• Declares war
• Makes the federal budget |
| How many U.S. senators are there? | One hundred (100) |
| How long is a term for a U.S. senator? | Six years |
| Who is one of your state’s U.S. senators now? | Answers will vary. [District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories should the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. senators.] |
| How many voting members are in the House of Representatives? | Four hundred thirty-five (435) |
| How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives? | Two years |
| Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators? | To more closely follow public opinion |
