What is the supreme law of the land?
the Constitution
What does the Constitution do?
established America's national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
We the People
What is an amendment?
A change or addition to the Constitution
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
bill of rights
What is one right or freedom from the first amendment?
freedom of speech
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27 amendments
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
Declared our independence from Great Britain
What are two rights in the Declaration of independence
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
What is the economic system in the United States?
capitalism
What is the "rule of law"?
Everyone must follow the law and no one is above the law
Name one branch or part of the government.
Legislative branch
what stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
checks and balances
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
the president
who makes federal laws
Legislative Branch
what are the two parts of the US congress
Senate and House of Representatives
how many US senators are there
100 senators
We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
6 years
Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now?
Bob Menendez
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
435
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
2 years
Name your US representative
Bill Pascrell
Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
a region of a state
Why do some states have more Representatives than other states?
Their Population
What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
Mike Pence
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve who becomes President?
Speaker of the House
Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
The President
What does the President's Cabinet do?
advises the President
What are two Cabinet-level positions?
Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense
What does the judicial branch do?
Interprets the laws
How many justices are 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. What is one power of the federal government?
power to coin money
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
power to establish marriage laws
What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
Paul Ryan
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
voting
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
18 years old
Why did the colonists fight the British?
because of high taxes
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
The federalists papers supported the passage of the US constitution Name one of the writers
Alexander Hamilton
Who was the first President?
George Washington
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
Louisiana
Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
slavery
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
freed the slaves
Name one of the longest rivers in the United States.
Mississippi River
Name one state that borders Canada.
Washington
What is the name of the national anthem?
The Star-Spangled Banner
Name two national U.S. holidays.
Thanksgiving and Christmas day