U.S. Citizenship Civics: Government

• What is the form of government of 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 People should govern themselves (Example of) social contract

• How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?

  Amendments The amendment process

• What does the Bill of Rights protect?

  (The basic) rights of Americans (The basic) 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 no one branch becomes 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?

  (U.S.) Congress (U.S. or national) 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 (6) years

• Who is one of your state's U.S. Senators now?

  Answers will vary by state. (D.C. and U.S. territory residents may answer that they have no U.S. Senators.) (Answer changes — verify the current officeholder.)

• 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 (2) years

• Why do U.S. Representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. Senators?

  To more closely follow public opinion

• How many senators does each state have?

  Two (2)

• Why does each state have two senators?

  Equal representation (for small states) The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

• Name your U.S. Representative.

  Answers will vary. (Territories with nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners may name that person, or state they have no voting Representative.) (Answer changes — verify the current officeholder.)

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

  Mike Johnson (Answer changes — verify the current officeholder.)

• Who does a U.S. Senator represent?

  (All) citizens of (their) state The people of their state

• Who elects U.S. Senators?

  Citizens from their state

• Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?

  (All) citizens in (their) congressional district The people of their district

• Who elects members of the House of Representatives?

  Citizens from their (congressional) district

• Some states have more Representatives than other states. Why?

  (Because of) the state's population (Because) they have more people (Because) some states have more people

• The President of the United States is elected for how many years?

  Four (4) years

• The President of the United States can serve only two terms. Why?

  (Because of) the 22nd Amendment To keep the President from becoming too powerful

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

  Donald J. Trump / Donald Trump / Trump (Answer changes — verify the current officeholder.)

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

  JD Vance / J.D. Vance / Vance (Answer changes — verify the current officeholder.)

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

  The Vice President (of the United States)

• Name one power of the President.

  Signs bills into law Vetoes bills Enforces laws Commander in Chief (of the military) Chief diplomat Appoints federal judges

• Who is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?

  The President (of the United States)

• Who signs bills to become laws?

  The President (of the United States)

• Who vetoes bills?

  The President (of the United States)

• Who appoints federal judges?

  The President (of the United States)

• What does the President's Cabinet do?

  Advises the President

• Name two Cabinet-level positions.

  Any two of: Attorney General; Secretary of State; Secretary of Defense; Secretary of the Treasury; Secretary of Homeland Security; Secretary of Education; and the Vice President

• Why is the Electoral College important?

  It decides who is elected President. It is a compromise between the popular vote and Congress selecting the President.

• What is the highest court in the United States?

  The Supreme Court

• How many seats are on the Supreme Court?

  Nine (9)

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