Questions and Answers
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
What does 'We the People' mean in the U.S. Constitution?
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How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
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What does the Bill of Rights protect?
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How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
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Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
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What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
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Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
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The words 'Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness' are in what founding document?
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What is the economic system of the United States?
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What is the rule of law?
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Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.
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There are three branches of government. Why?
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Name the three branches of government.
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The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
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What part of the federal government writes laws?
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What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
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Name one power of the U.S. Congress.
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How many U.S. senators are there?
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How long is a term for a U.S. senator?
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Who is one of your state's U.S. senators now?
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How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
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How long is a term for a member of the House of Representatives?
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Why do U.S. representatives serve shorter terms than U.S. senators?
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How many senators does each state have?
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Why does each state have two senators?
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Name your U.S. representative.
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Study Notes
Form of Government
- United States operates as a republic, a constitution-based federal republic.
- It is a representative democracy allowing elected officials to represent the people.
Supreme Law
- The supreme law of the land is the U.S. Constitution.
U.S. Constitution
- Establishes the framework for the government.
- Defines government powers and structure.
- Safeguards individuals' rights.
"We the People"
- Represents self-government and popular sovereignty.
- Emphasizes consent of the governed and the social contract concept.
Constitutional Amendments
- Changes to the Constitution are made through amendments.
- The amendment process allows for legal modifications.
Bill of Rights
- Protects fundamental rights of Americans and all people residing in the U.S.
Amendments Count
- The Constitution currently contains twenty-seven amendments.
Declaration of Independence
- Proclaims America’s independence from British rule.
- Affirms the belief that all individuals are created equal with inherent rights.
Founding Documents
- The Declaration of Independence asserts that American colonies are free from Britain.
- Shares core ideas with the U.S. Constitution, including equality and liberty.
Economic System
- The economic system of the U.S. is capitalism, characterized as a free market economy.
Rule of Law
- Principle that everyone, including leaders, must adhere to the law.
- Reinforces that no one is above the law.
Influential Documents
- Various documents influenced the U.S. Constitution such as the Declaration of Independence and Federalist Papers.
Separation of Powers
- The government has three branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.
- Ensures checks and balances among branches.
Branches of Government
- Three branches: Legislative, Executive, Judicial.
- Legislative includes Congress, Executive is led by the President, and Judicial includes the courts.
Congressional Powers
- Congress is responsible for writing laws, declaring war, and managing the federal budget.
Structure of Congress
- U.S. Congress has two parts: Senate and House of Representatives.
- Each state is represented by two senators, ensuring equal representation.
Term Lengths
- A U.S. senator serves a six-year term; a representative serves a two-year term.
- Shorter terms for representatives allow them to remain responsive to public opinion.
Voting Members
- The House of Representatives comprises four hundred thirty-five voting members.
- Each state having two senators is backed by the Great Compromise, ensuring small-state representation.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge of the U.S. government and Constitution with these flashcards based on the 2020 USCIS Civics Test. This quiz includes questions that cover the fundamental principles and structures of American democracy. Perfect for anyone preparing for the citizenship interview or wanting to enhance their civics knowledge.
