Principles of American Democracy

Question 1

What is the supreme law of the land?

Answer 1

The Constitution

Question 2

What does the Constitution do? (SDP)

Answer 2

(1) sets up the government
(2) defines the government
(3) protects basic rights of Americans

Question 3

The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

Answer 3

We the people

Question 4

What is an amendment?

Answer 4

• a change (to the Constitution)
• an addition (to the Constitution

Question 5

What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

Answer 5

The Bill of Rights

Question 6

What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? (5)

Answer 6

(1) speech
(2) religion
(3) assembly
(4) press
(5) petition the government

Question 7

How many amendments does the Constitution have?

Answer 7

twenty-seven (27)

Question 8

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

Answer 8

(1) announced our independence (from Great Britain)
(2) declared our independence (from Great Britain)
(3) said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)

Question 9

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 9

• life
• liberty
• pursuit of happiness

Question 10

What is freedom of religion?

Answer 10

You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

Question 11

What is the economic system in the United States?

Answer 11

• capitalist economy
• market economy

Question 12

What is the ‘rule of law’

Answer 12

• Everyone must follow the law.
• Leaders must obey the law.
• Government must obey the law.
• No one is above the law.