U.S. Civic Literacy Flashcards

U.S. Civic Literacy Flashcards - Study Notes

• Supreme Law of the Land: The Constitution.
• Constitution's Function: Establishes, defines, and protects American basic rights.
• First Three Words of the Constitution: We the people.
• Amendment Definition: A change or addition to the Constitution.
• Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments.
• First Amendment Rights: Freedom of speech, religion, assembly, press, and petition.
• Total Amendments: 27.
• Declaration of Independence Purpose: Declared independence and freedom from Great Britain.
• Declaration of Independence Rights: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
• Freedom of Religion: The right to practice any religion or no religion.
• U.S. Economic System: Mixed capitalist and market economy.
• Rule of Law: All people, including leaders and the government, must follow the law; no one is above the law.
• Branches of Government: Congress (legislative), President (executive), and the courts (judicial).
• Checks and Balances: Prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
• Executive Branch Leader: The President.
• Lawmakers: Congress (Senate & House of Representatives).
• U.S. Senators per State: 2 per state, totaling 100.
• Parts of U.S. Congress: Senate and House of Representatives.
• Senator Term Length: 6 years.
• Example U.S. Senator (Florida): Rick Scott.
• House of Representatives Members: 435.
• U.S. Representative (Example): Brian Mast.
• Senator Representation: All people of the respective state.
• House Representation Variation: Based on state population.
• Representative Term Length: 2 years.
• Presidential Term Length: 4 years.
• Presidential Election Month: November.
• Current U.S. President: Joe Biden.
• Presidential Succession: Vice President.
• Current U.S. Vice President: Kamala Harris.
• Presidential Succession (next in line): Speaker of the House.
• Commander in Chief: The President.
• Bill Signing Authority: The President.
• Veto Power: The President.
• Presidential Cabinet Role: Advising the President.
• Example Cabinet Positions: Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Education.
• Judicial Branch Function: Reviews, explains, resolves disputes, and determines if laws are constitutional.
• Highest U.S. Court: Supreme Court.
• Supreme Court Justices: 9.
• Current Chief Justice: John Roberts.
• Federal Government Powers (Example): Printing money.
• Florida Governor: Ron DeSantis.
• Florida Capital: Tallahassee.
• Major U.S. Political Parties: Republican and Democratic.
• Current Presidency's Party: Democratic.
• Current Speaker of the House: Kevin McCarthy.
• Voting Age Amendment: 18 years old.
• U.S. Citizen Responsibility: Jury duty.
• U.S. Citizen Right: Voting in federal elections.
• Fundamental Rights (Example): Freedom of expression and speech.
• Pledge of Allegiance Object of Loyalty: The United States and the flag.
• Voting Age: 18.
• U.S. Citizen Promise (Example): Loyalty to the U.S.
• American Democratic Participation Methods (Examples): Voting, running for office.
• Federal Tax Deadline: April 15.
• Selective Service Registration Age: 18.
• Colonist Motivation (Example): Freedom.
• Slavery Victims: Africans.
• Pre-European Arrivals: Native Americans.
• Colonial War Causes (Example): Taxation without representation, quartering of troops.
• Declaration of Independence Author: Thomas Jefferson.
• Original U.S. States Examples: Virginia, New York, and Pennsylvania.
• Declaration of Independence Adoption Date: July 4, 1776.
• Constitutional Convention Outcome: Writing of the Constitution.
• Constitution Writing Year: 1787.
• Federalist Paper Author Example: James Madison.
• Benjamin Franklin's Notable Feat (Example): U.S. diplomat.
• Louisiana Purchase Year: 1803.
• "Father of Our Country": George Washington.
• First U.S. President: George Washington.
• Example 1800s U.S. War: War of 1812.
• Civil War Cause (Example): Slavery.
• U.S. Civil War Conflict: North versus South.
• Emancipation Proclamation Effect: Freed slaves.
• Abraham Lincoln's Feat (Example): Freed slaves, through the Emancipation Proclamation.
• Susan B. Anthony's Activism: Women's rights.
• Example 1900s U.S. War: World War II.
• President During World War I: Woodrow Wilson.
• General to President (Eisenhower): World War II.
• Depression and War President: Franklin Roosevelt.
• Cold War Concern: Communism.
• World War II Enemies: Japan, Germany, and Italy.
• Racial Discrimination Movement: Civil rights movement.
• Civil Rights Activist (Example): Martin Luther King Jr.
• Example American Indian Tribe: Cherokee.
• September 11, 2001 Event: Terrorist attacks on the U.S.
• Example U.S. Longest River: Mississippi River.
• East Coast Ocean: Atlantic Ocean.
• West Coast Ocean: Pacific Ocean.
• U.S. Territory Example: Puerto Rico.
• Bordering State Example (Canada): New York.
• Bordering State Example (Mexico): Texas.
• U.S. Capital: Washington, D.C.
• Flag Star Significance: Reflects the 50 states.
• Statue of Liberty Location: New York.
• National Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner.
• Flag Stripe Significance: Reflects the 13 original colonies.
• Independence Day Celebration Date: July 4.
• National Holiday Examples: Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of U.S. civic literacy with these flashcards. Cover key concepts such as the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the three branches of government. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of American governance and rights.