basic citizen info Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
What does the Constitution do?
▪ sets up the government
▪ defines the government
▪ protects basic rights of Americans
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
the Bill of Rights
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
speech
▪ religion
▪ assembly
▪ press
▪ petition the government
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
twenty-seven (27)
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)
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
life
▪ liberty
▪ pursuit of happiness
What is the economic system in the United States?*
capitalist economy
▪ market economy
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
checks and balances
▪ separation of powers
How many U.S. Senators are there?
one hundred (100)
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
four hundred thirty-five (435)
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
Secretary of Agriculture
▪ Secretary of Commerce
▪ Secretary of Defense
▪ Secretary of Education
▪ Secretary of Energy
▪ Secretary of Health and Human Services
▪ Secretary of Homeland Security
▪ Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
▪ Secretary of the Interior
▪ Secretary of Labor
▪ Secretary of State
▪ Secretary of Transportation
▪ Secretary of the Treasury
▪ Secretary of Veterans Affairs
▪ Attorney General
▪ Vice President
What does the judicial branch do
reviews laws
▪ explains laws
▪ resolves disputes (disagreements)
▪ decides if a law goes against the Constitution
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal
government?
to print money
▪ to declare war
▪ to create an army
▪ to make treaties
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states
provide schooling and education
▪ provide protection (police)
▪ provide safety (fire departments)
▪ give a driver’s license
▪ approve zoning and land use
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
There were 13 original states.
New Hampshire
▪ Massachusetts
▪ Rhode Island
▪ Connecticut
▪ New York
▪ New Jersey
▪ Pennsylvania
▪ Delaware
▪ Maryland
▪ Virginia
▪ North Carolina
▪ South Carolina
▪ Georgia
When was the Constitution written?
1787
he Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers
(James) Madison
▪ (Alexander) Hamilton
▪ (John) Jay
▪ Publius
war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
War of 1812
▪ Mexican-American War
▪ Civil War
▪ Spanish-American War
What did Susan B. Anthony do?
fought for women’s rights
▪ fought for civil rights
