U.S. Citizenship Civics: History & Geography
English · 50 cards
Official USCIS 2025 (128-question) civics test: American History, Geography, Symbols & Holidays. Verify changing officials at uscis.gov.
-
Who is the Chief Justice of the United States now?
John Roberts (John G. Roberts, Jr.) (Answer changes — verify the current officeholder.)
-
How long do Supreme Court Justices serve?
(For) life Until retirement Until they die
-
Name one power that is only for the federal government.
Print paper money Mint coins Declare war Create an army Make treaties Set foreign policy
-
Name one power that is only for the states.
Provide schooling and education Provide protection (police) Provide safety (fire departments) Give a driver's license Approve zoning and land use
-
What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment?
It states that the powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
-
Who is the Governor of your state now?
Answers will vary. (D.C. residents should answer that D.C. does not have a Governor.) (Answer changes — verify the current officeholder.)
-
What is the capital of your state?
Answers will vary by state. (D.C. residents answer that D.C. is not a state and has no capital. U.S. territory residents name the capital of the territory.)
-
There are four amendments to the U.S. Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
Citizens 18 and older (can vote). A citizen of any race can vote. You don't have to pay a poll tax to vote. Both men and women can vote.
-
Who can vote in federal elections, run for federal office, and serve on a jury in the United States?
Citizens Citizens of the United States U.S. citizens
-
Name three rights of everyone living in the United States.
Freedom of expression / speech / assembly / petition / religion The right to bear arms
-
There are several ways for people to participate in their democracy. Name two.
Vote Run for office Join a political party Join a civic group / community group Publicly support or oppose an issue Call Senators and Representatives Write to a newspaper
-
What are two ways that Americans can serve their country?
Vote Pay taxes Obey the law Serve in the military Run for office Work for local, state, or federal government
-
Why is it important to pay federal taxes?
Required by law All people pay to fund the federal government. It is a civic duty.
-
It is important for all men age 18 through 25 to register for the Selective Service. Name one reason why.
Required by law It provides troops in case of a military draft. It makes the draft fair, if there is one.
-
The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.
Freedom Political liberty Religious freedom Economic opportunity To escape persecution
-
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians Native Americans
-
What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
Africans People from Africa
-
What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?
American Revolution The (American) Revolutionary War War for (American) Independence
-
Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
High taxes / taxation without representation The British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering). They didn't have self-government.
-
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
(Thomas) Jefferson
-
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
-
Name one founder of the United States.
George Washington Thomas Jefferson James Madison Benjamin Franklin Alexander Hamilton John Adams
-
There were 13 original states. Name five.
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia (name any five)
-
What founding document was written in 1787?
The (U.S.) Constitution
-
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
(James) Madison (Alexander) Hamilton (John) Jay Publius
-
Why is Benjamin Franklin famous?
Founded the first free public libraries First Postmaster General of the United States Writer of "Poor Richard's Almanac" U.S. diplomat Oldest member of the Constitutional Convention
-
George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.
"Father of Our Country" First President of the United States General of the Continental Army President of the Constitutional Convention
-
Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.
Writer of the Declaration of Independence Third President of the United States Doubled the size of the U.S. (Louisiana Purchase) First Secretary of State Founded the University of Virginia
-
James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.
"Father of the Constitution" Fourth President of the United States Writer of the Federalist Papers
-
Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.
First Secretary of the Treasury Writer of the Federalist Papers Helped establish the First Bank of the United States Aide to General George Washington
-
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
Louisiana Territory Louisiana
-
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
War of 1812 Mexican-American War Civil War Spanish-American War
-
Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
The Civil War
-
The Civil War had many important events. Name one.
(The Battle of) Fort Sumter Emancipation Proclamation (The Battle of) Gettysburg The surrender at Appomattox The assassination of Abraham Lincoln
-
Abraham Lincoln is famous for many things. Name one.
Freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation) Saved (or preserved) the Union Led the U.S. during the Civil War 16th President of the United States Delivered the Gettysburg Address
-
What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
Freed the slaves Freed slaves in the Confederacy / in most Southern states
-
What U.S. war ended slavery?
The Civil War
-
What amendment gives citizenship to all persons born in the United States?
The 14th Amendment
-
When did all men get the right to vote?
After the Civil War During Reconstruction (With) the 15th Amendment 1870
-
Name one leader of the women's rights movement in the 1800s.
Susan B. Anthony Elizabeth Cady Stanton Sojourner Truth Harriet Tubman Lucretia Mott Lucy Stone
-
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.
World War I World War II Korean War Vietnam War (Persian) Gulf War
-
Why did the United States enter World War II?
(Bombing of) Pearl Harbor Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor To support the Allies (England, France, and the Soviet Union)
-
Franklin Roosevelt was President during two major events. Name one.
The Great Depression World War II
-
Who was President during World War I?
(Woodrow) Wilson
-
When did all women get the right to vote?
1920 (With) the 19th Amendment
-
What was the Cold War about? / Who did the United States fight in the Cold War?
Communism / The Soviet Union (USSR) and China
-
What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
(The) civil rights (movement)
-
Martin Luther King, Jr. is famous for many things. Name one.
Fought for civil rights Worked for equality for all Americans Delivered the "I Have a Dream" speech
-
What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
Terrorists attacked the United States.
-
What is the capital of the United States?
Washington, D.C.
Related decks