11. Who was the first President of the
United States?
George Washington
12. Who is the President of the United
States today?
Barack Obama
13. Who is the Vice-President of the
United States today?
Joe Biden
14. Who elects the President of the United
States?
The Electoral College
(duh)
15. Who becomes the President of the
United States if the President should
die?
Vice President, taking over is one of their two
official jobs, the other being President of the
Senate.
Full list of succession
17. What is the Constitution?
(aka The Supreme Law)
A document of the basic principles of American
government, including basic rights and
freedoms.
The Preamble - Introduction
to the Constitution
• Written by Thomas Jefferson in 1778, but very
strongly based off of works by John Locke
18. What is an amendment?
A change in the constitution
• Currently there are 27 amendments
• Nothing is ever deleted, all changes are added
on
Full list of amendments
21. House of
Representatives
Senate
Representatives from each
state, based on population
-The power to impeach
-Focuses on budget
435 reps, but number can change
2 year terms, no max
Each state gets 2 senators, no
matter population
-The power to appoint
-Focuses on foreign affairs
100 senators always
6 year terms, no max
22. Can you name the two senators from
your state?
John Boozman
Mark Pryor
Back to Branches
23. Executive Branch
Enforces the law
Contains the President, his/her executive
office, vice-president, the cabinet, and all
of the Departments
Back to Branches
25. What are the duties of the Supreme
Court?
•
•
•
•
Declaring laws unconstitutional
Ruling on federal cases
Interpreting the meaning of the law
Ruling how laws should be applied
26. Who is the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court?
John G. Roberts
30. What are the 49th and 50th states of
the Union?
Hawaii
Alaska
31. What is the head executive of a state
government called?
32. What is the head executive of a city
government called?
33. What holiday was celebrated for the
first time by American colonists?
Giving thanks for the harvest
4th Thursday of November in US
2nd Monday of October in Canada
34. What is the basic belief of the
Declaration of Independence?
All Men are
Created Equal
35. What is the national anthem of the
United States?
The Star Spangled Banner, by Francis Scott Key
Written after seeing our flag still standing as
opposed to Great Britain’s (showing that we
kept control) after the bombardment of Ft.
McHenry during the war of 1812
36. What is the minimum voting age in the
United States?
Remember, voting is our
MOST important right
39. What Immigration and Naturalization
Service form is used to apply to
become a naturalized citizen?
40. Where is the White House located?
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C.
41. In what month is the new President
inaugurated?
Lame Duck Period: Time between when
new President gets elected in Nov. and
old President moves out in Jan.
20th Amendment
42. 13 Original Colonies
• Virginia
• North Carolina
• Massachusetts
• South Carolina
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• Maryland
• New York
• Connecticut
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Georgia (everyone
forgets this one)
• Delaware
Back to General Knowledge
43. List of Succession
1.
Vice President
10.
Secretary of Commerce
2.
Speaker of the House
11.
Secretary of Labor
3.
President pro tempore of the
Senate
12.
Secretary of Health and Human
Services
4.
Secretary of State
13.
Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development
5.
Secretary of Treasury
6.
Secretary of Defense
14.
15.
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of Energy
7.
Attorney General
16.
Secretary of Education
8.
Secretary of the Interior
17.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
9.
Secretary of Agriculture
18.
Secretary of Homeland Security
Back to General Knowledge
44. The Departments
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Department of Agriculture – farming, agriculture, and food
Department of Commerce – improving living standards
Department of Defense – security of country and deterring war
Department of Education – promoting student achievement
Department of Energy – advancing energy security
Department of Health and Human Services – protecting health and providing
essential human services
Department of Homeland Security – preventing and disrupting terrorist attacks
Department of Housing and Urban Development – policies and programs
addressing housing needs
Department of the Interior – wildlife and natural recourse preservation
Department of Justice – defending the US’s interests according to the law
Department of Labor – ensuring a strong workforce
Department of State – foreign policy
Department of Transportation – ensuring fast, safe, and efficient transportation
Department of Treasury – promoting economic prosperity and soundness
Department of Veterans Affairs – Benefits for veterans and their families
Back to Executive Branch
45.
46. The Amendments
Bill of Rights
1. Freedom of Religion, Assembly, Petition, Press, Opinion, and Speech
2. The freedom to bear arms
3. No military in your home except in war time.
4. No unreasonable searches
5. The right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself
6. The right to a speedy and public trial
7. The right to a jury trial in civil matters of $20 and over.
8. The right to fair fines and bail. No cruel and unusual punishment
9. Individual Rights. Rights that are not in the constitution are still rights given
to citizens.
10. State Rights. Any right not given in the constitution is given to the states
to legislate.
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Back to “What is an Amendment?”
47. The Amendments
11-20
11. You cannot sue another state except with permission by that
state’s judicial system.
12. The electoral college must have two separate elections for
president and vice president
13. Emancipation. All slaves are free.
14. Foreign born citizens can vote
15. All men get the right to vote – including ex-slaves
16. The Federal Income Tax is established
17. The people elect their own US senators
18. Alcohol is prohibited
19. Women get the right to vote
20. January 20th is the day that a new president takes office
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Back to “What is an Amendment?”
48. The Amendments
20-27
21. It is no longer illegal to drink Alcohol. The 18th
amendment is struck down.
22. A president can only have 2 terms in office.
23. Washington DC can vote for the president
24. You may not charge people money so that they can
register to vote.
25. Lays down the rules for who becomes president if the
president dies/resigns etc.
26. You can vote at the age of 18.
27. Congressmen cannot vote to give themselves a raise in the
same term.
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