US Citizenship Test Study Guide

US Citizenship Test Study Guide

• Supreme Law of the Land: The Constitution

• Constitution's Purpose:

  • Establishes the government
  • Defines the government
  • Protects basic American rights

• Self-Government Phrase: "We the People"

• Amendments: Changes or additions to the Constitution

• Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments

• First Amendment Rights:

  • Speech
  • Religion
  • Assembly
  • Press
  • Petition the government

• Number of Amendments: Twenty-seven (27)

• Declaration of Independence:

  • Announced independence from Great Britain
  • Declared independence from Great Britain
  • Declared the U.S. free from Great Britain

• Declaration of Independence Rights:

  • Life
  • Liberty
  • Pursuit of happiness

• Freedom of Religion: The right to practice any religion or no religion

• Economic System: Capitalist or market economy

• Rule of Law:

  • Everyone must follow the law
  • Leaders must obey the law
  • Government must obey the law
  • No one is above the law

Branches of Government

• Branches: Congress, President, courts (or legislative, executive, judicial)

• Checks and Balances: Prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful

• Executive Branch Leader: The President

• Federal Laws Maker: Congress (Senate and House of Representatives)

• Parts of Congress: The Senate and House of Representatives

• Number of Senators: One hundred (100)

• Senator Term: Six (6) years

• House of Representatives Members: Four hundred thirty-five (435)

• Representative Term: Two (2) years

• Senator Representation: All people of the state

• Representatives based on: State population

• President Term: Four (4) years

• Election Month: November

• Succession: If the President cannot serve, the Vice President becomes President

• Military Commander in Chief: The President

• Bill Signer: The President

• Bill Vetoer: The President

• President's Cabinet Role: Advises the President

• Cabinet Positions: (List of specific cabinet positions is provided in the text)

###Judicial Branch

• Judicial Branch Role:

  • Reviews laws
  • Explains laws
  • Resolves disputes
  • Decides if laws are constitutional

• Highest Court: The Supreme Court

• Supreme Court Justices: Number varies, refer to provided link

• Chief Justice: Name varies, refer to provided link

###Federal and State Powers

• Federal Powers: Print money, declare war, create an army, make treaties

• State Powers: Provide schooling, protection, safety, licenses, and zoning

Governor and State Capital

• Governor: Varies by state, refer to provided link.
• State Capital: Varies by state, refer to provided link.

Political Parties and Responsibilities

• Two Major Parties: Democratic and Republican

• Citizen Responsibility:

  • Serve on a jury
  • Vote in federal elections

• Citizen Rights:

  • Vote in federal elections
  • Run for federal office

• Rights for All:

  • Freedom of expression, speech, assembly, petition, and religion
  • Right to bear arms

• Pledge of Allegiance: Allegiance to the United States and the flag

• Citizen Promises:

  • Give up loyalty to other countries
  • Defend Constitution and laws
  • Obey the laws
  • Serve military (if needed)
  • Serve the nation (if needed)
  • Be loyal to the United States

• Voting Age for President: Eighteen (18) and older

• Democratic Participation: Vote, join a party, help campaign, join groups, give opinions, contact officials

• Tax Filing Deadline: April 15

• Selective Service Registration: Ages eighteen (18) to twenty-six (26)

American History

• Colonial Motivations:

  • Freedom
  • Political liberty
  • Religious freedom
  • Economic opportunity
  • Escape persecution

• Pre-European Inhabitants: American Indians (Native Americans)

• Slaves Brought to America: Africans (People from Africa)

• Colonial Revolt Reasons:

  • High taxes (taxation without representation)
  • British army staying in their houses (boarding, quartering)
  • Lack of self-government

• Declaration of Independence Writer: Thomas Jefferson

• Declaration of Independence Adoption Date: July 4, 1776

• Original States: (List of original states is provided)

• Constitutional Convention Outcome: The Constitution was written.

• Constitution Writing Year: 1787

• Federalist Papers Writers: (List of writers is provided)

• Benjamin Franklin Accomplishments: (List of accomplishments is provided)

• Father of Our Country: George Washington

• First President: George Washington

1800s History

• Louisiana Purchase: The Louisiana Territory from France in 1803

• 1800s Wars: (List of wars is provided)

• Civil War: The war between the North and South, or the War between the States

• Civil War Causes: Slavery, economic reasons, states' rights

• Emancipation Proclamation Impact: Freed slaves in the Confederacy

• Susan B. Anthony's Actions: Fought for women's rights

Recent American History

• 1900s Wars: (List of wars is provided)

• World War I President: Woodrow Wilson

• Great Depression/WWII President: Franklin D. Roosevelt

• World War II Enemies: Japan, Germany, and Italy

• Eisenhower's War: World War II

• Cold War Fear: Communism

• Civil Rights Movement Goal: End racial discrimination (equality)

• Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Actions: Fought for civil rights, worked for equality

• September 11, 2001 Event: Terrorists attacked the United States

• American Indian Tribes: (List of tribes is provided, note these are examples, not exhaustive)

Integrated Civics

• Major Rivers: Missouri River, Mississippi River

• West Coast Ocean: Pacific Ocean

• East Coast Ocean: Atlantic Ocean

• US Territories: (List provided)

• Bordering States: (List of states bordering Canada and Mexico are provided)

• US Capital: Washington, D.C.

• Statue of Liberty Location: New York Harbor (or Liberty Island)

• Flag's 13 Stripes Reason: 13 original colonies

• Flag's 50 Stars Reason: Represent each state

• National Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner

• Independence Day Celebration: July 4

• National Holidays: (List of holidays is provided)