Arkansas Civics Exam Study Guide

What is the supreme law of the land

The Constitution

What the Constitution does

Set up and define the government and protect the basic rights of Americans

We the People

The idea of self-government that is in the first three words of the Constitution

Amendment

a change or addition to the Constitution

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution

Rights/freedoms of the First Amendment

Speech, Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition the Government

27

Amount of amendments of the Constitution

Declaration of Independence

Declared our independence from Great Britain

Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness

Rights declared in the Declaration of Independence

Freedom of Religion

A person can practice any religion, or no religion

Capitalist or Market Economy

The economic system in the United States

Rule of Law

the idea that everyone, including leaders, must obey the law

Branches of the Government

Legislative, Executive, Judicial

Checks and Balances

Stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful

The President

In charge of the executive branch

Congress

Makes federal laws

The Senate and House of Representatives

the two parts of the U.S. Congress

100

How many Senators that are in Congress

6 years

how long Senators are elected for

One of Arkansas' 2 U.S. Senators

Tom Cotton, John Boozman

435

Number of Voting Members of the House of Representatives

2

Number of years a U.S. Representative is elected

One of the 4 U.S. Representatives from Arkansas

Steve Womack, French Hill, Rick Crawford, Bruce Westerman

Who does a U.S. senator represents?

All the people of the state he or she is elected from

Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?

because some states have more people than other states

The President is elected for how many years?

4

In what month do we vote for President?

November

What is the name of the President of the United States right now?

Donald Trump

What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

Mike Pence

If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

The Vice President

If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

The Speaker of the House

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 does the President's Cabinet do?

Advise the President

What are two Cabinet-level positions?

Secretary of Education , Attorney General

What does the judicial branch do?

Review laws, resolve disputes, decide if a law goes against the Constitution

What is the highest court in the United States?

The Supreme Court

How many justices on the Supreme Court?

9

Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?

John Roberts

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. Name one.

Print money, declare war, create an army, make treaties

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. Name one

Provide schooling and education, provide safety and protection, give a driver's license, approve zoning and land use

Who is the Governor of your state now?

Asa Hutchinson

What is the capital of your state?

Little Rock

What are the two major political parities in the United States?

Democratic and Republican

What is the political party of the President now?

Republican

What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

Paul Ryan

There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Is this statement true or false?
"Anyone who has lived here for at least 18 years can vote.

False/not correct

What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?

Serve on a jury.

Name one right only for United States citizens.

Vote in a federal election

What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

Freedom of religion and freedom to petition the government

What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

The flag (representing the United States)

What is not a promise that you make when you become a United States citizen?

To speak only English

How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?

18

What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

Vote, help with a campaign

When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?

April 15

When must all men register for the Selective Service?

at age 18

What is not a reason colonists came to America?

Better retirement benefits

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

Native Americans/American Indians

What group of people were taken to America and sold as slaves?

Africans

What is not a reason the colonists fought the British?

Because of restricted access to the Mississippi River

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

Name three of the original 13 colonies

Massachusetts, New York, Virginia

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

The Constitution was written

When was the Constitution written?

1787

Name one of the writers of The Federalist Papers which supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution.

James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay

What is not something Benjamin Franklin is famous for?

Saying "Give me liberty or give me death.

Who is the "Father of Our Country"?

George Washington

Who was the first president?

George Washington

What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?

The Louisiana Territory

Name one war war fought by the United States in the 1800s

The Civil War

Name the U.S. War between the North and the South

The Civil War

What was not a factor leading to the Civil War?

Environmental Concerns

What is not an important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?

Fought in the Revolutionary War

What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

Freed the slaves in the Confederate States

What did Susan B. Anthony do?

Fought for women's rights

Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s

World War II

Who was President during World War I?

Woodrow Wilson

Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?

Franklin Roosevelt

Who did the United States fight in World War II?

Japan, Germany

Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general.What war was he in?

World War II

During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

Communism and the Soviet Union

what movement tried to end racial discrimination?

The Civil Rights Movement

What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?

fight for civil rights

What major event happened on September 11, 2001?

Terrorists attacked the United States

What is an American Indian tribe in the United States?

Navajo

What is the longest river in the United States?

Mississippi

What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?

Pacific Ocean

What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

Atlantic Ocean

What is not a U.S territory?

Great Britain

What is a state that does not border Canada?

Kansas

What is a state that does not border Mexico?

Florida

What is the capital of the United States?

Washington, D.C.

Where is the Statue of Liberty?

New York

Why does the flag have 50 stars?

Because there is one star for each state.

Why does the flag have 13 stripes?

Because there were 13 original colonies

What is the name of the national anthem?

The Star-Spangled Banner

When do we celebrate Independence Day?

July 4

What is not an official U.S. holiday?

Halloween