Citizenship in the Nation Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are duties of citizens?

Obey laws, pay taxes, serve in the armed forces if called, serve on a jury or as a witness in court.

What does it take to be a good citizen?

Pay taxes, obey laws, respect others, be trustworthy, take responsibility for actions.

What did the Declaration of Independence do?

It declared independence from Great Britain, signed in 1776.

What did the Constitution do?

It gave us rights, organizes our government, and provides for a federal system. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Bill of Rights created?

It gave us rights that the Constitution did not explicitly have. Signup and view all the answers

What is the First Amendment?

Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Second Amendment?

Right to bear arms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Third Amendment?

No quartering of soldiers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Fourth Amendment?

Freedom of search, not without a warrant. Signup and view all the answers

Who needs to sign your warrant and why?

A judge, because they must be neutral. Signup and view all the answers

What do you need in order to search someone?

You need a good reason to. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Fifth Amendment?

Right to remain silent and you cannot be tried twice for the same crime. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Sixth Amendment?

Right to a speedy and public trial by a jury and to have an appointed lawyer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Eighth Amendment?

No cruel or unusual punishment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Tenth Amendment?

Powers Reserved to the States. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Thirteenth Amendment?

Abolished slavery. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Fourteenth Amendment?

Everyone who is a citizen is equally protected by the law. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Fifteenth Amendment?

You can vote regardless of race, color, or having been a slave. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Nineteenth Amendment?

Women's right to vote. Signup and view all the answers

What is the legislative branch?

The branch of government that makes the laws. Signup and view all the answers

What is the legislative branch made up of?

Senate and House of Representatives. Signup and view all the answers

How many senators does each state have?

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How many representatives does Minnesota have?

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What does the number of representatives depend on?

Population. Signup and view all the answers

Citizen involvement for legislative?

Writing letters to representatives and senators, meeting them in their office. Signup and view all the answers

What is the executive branch?

The branch that is responsible for carrying out the laws. Signup and view all the answers

What makes up the Executive Branch?

President. Signup and view all the answers

What does the president manage?

NASA, NOAA, FEMA, Marines, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Agriculture, Airports, national parks, national forest, education funding. Signup and view all the answers

What can the executive branch do to the legislative branch?

Veto laws. Signup and view all the answers

What is citizen involvement for the executive branch?

Join the armed services, write letters to the president. Signup and view all the answers

What is the judicial branch?

Interprets the laws. Signup and view all the answers

What is the judicial branch made up of?

Supreme Court (judges). Signup and view all the answers

What does the judicial branch do?

Holds criminal trials, civil trials, declares laws that are unconstitutional. Signup and view all the answers

What is citizen involvement for the judicial branch?

Serve on a jury trial. Signup and view all the answers

What can the legislative branch do to the executive branch?

Congress can override a presidential veto and impeach the president. Signup and view all the answers

How much of a vote is needed to override a president's veto?

A majority, Senate has to convict by 2/3 majority. Signup and view all the answers

What can the legislative branch do to the judicial branch?

Impeach judges. Signup and view all the answers

What can the Judicial Branch do to the Legislative Branch?

Declare laws unconstitutional. Signup and view all the answers

Who are senators elected by?

The people of their state. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Duties of Citizens

Citizens must obey laws and pay taxes.
Service in the armed forces is required if called upon.
Participation in jury duty or as a court witness is obligatory.

Characteristics of a Good Citizen

Good citizens are responsible, trustworthy, and respectful towards others.
Compliance with laws and tax obligations is essential.

Declaration of Independence

Declared independence from Great Britain in 1776.

Constitution

Established governmental structure and citizens' rights.
Introduced a federal system of governance.

Bill of Rights

Created to include individual rights not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

First Amendment

Guarantees freedoms related to religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Second Amendment

Affirms the right to bear arms.

Third Amendment

Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; warrants require probable cause.

Judicial Oversight of Searches

Search warrants must be signed by a neutral judge to ensure fairness.

Fifth Amendment

Grants the right to remain silent and protects against double jeopardy.

Sixth Amendment

Ensures the right to a speedy and public trial, and the right to an attorney.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

Tenth Amendment

States that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states.

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolished slavery in the United States.

Fourteenth Amendment

Guarantees equal protection under the law for all citizens.

Fifteenth Amendment

Ensures voting rights regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Nineteenth Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

Legislative Branch

Responsible for making laws.
Comprised of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Senate Representation

Each state has two senators, regardless of population.

House of Representatives

Minnesota has eight representatives.
The number of representatives per state is based on population.

Citizen Involvement in Legislature

Citizens can engage by writing letters to lawmakers and meeting representatives.

Executive Branch

Charged with enforcing laws.
Headed by the president.

President's Responsibilities

Manages various federal agencies, including NASA, NOAA, and military branches.

Legislative Interaction with Executive

The executive can veto laws passed by the legislative branch.

Citizen Involvement in Executive

Opportunities include joining the armed forces and writing letters to the president.

Judicial Branch

Interprets laws and administers justice.

Composition of the Judicial Branch

Comprised mainly of the Supreme Court and its justices.

Functions of the Judicial Branch

Conducts trials, both criminal and civil, and reviews the constitutionality of laws.

Citizen Involvement in Judiciary

Individuals can serve on jury trials.

Legislative Checks on Executive

Congress can override vetoes and has impeachment powers over the president.

Vote Requirements for Veto Override

A majority in both chambers is needed to override a veto; a two-thirds majority is required for impeachment.

Legislative Checks on Judicial

Congress has the authority to impeach judges.

Judicial Checks on Legislative

The judiciary can declare laws passed by the legislature unconstitutional.

Senatorial Elections

Senators are elected directly by the voters in their respective states.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key duties and characteristics of good citizenship with these flashcards. Gain insights into the responsibilities of citizens and the significance of the Declaration of Independence. Perfect for anyone looking to understand civic duties and rights.