Principles of American democracy
Questions and answers
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What is the supreme law of the land?
- the Constitution
The sixth section of the Constitution names it the supreme law of the land. Everyone living in the United States, and the federal, state and local governments, must follow it.
Textbook · Supreme Law of the Land ↗ -
What does the Constitution do?
- sets up the government
- defines the government
- protects basic rights of Americans
Written in 1787, the Constitution creates the federal government with its three branches, says what each may do and, through its amendments, protects the basic rights of people living in the United States.
Textbook · The U.S. Constitution ↗ -
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
- We the People
The Constitution opens with the Preamble, and its first three words say that power comes from the people themselves, not from a king or queen. The people govern themselves by electing representatives.
Textbook · We the People ↗ -
What is an amendment?
- a change (to the Constitution)
- an addition (to the Constitution)
The fifth section of the Constitution explains how it can be changed. The Founders wanted the people to be able to amend it, and a change needs the approval of three-fourths of the states, today 38 of 50.
Textbook · Changing the Constitution ↗ -
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
- the Bill of Rights
The original Constitution of 1787 listed no individual rights, so the Founders added 10 amendments in 1791. Together they are the Bill of Rights, a list of basic rights of people living in the United States.
Textbook · Amendments to the Constitution ↗ -
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
- speech
- religion
- assembly
- press
- petition the government
The First Amendment protects five freedoms: speech, religion, assembly, the press and petitioning the government. They belong to everyone living in the United States, not only to citizens.
Textbook · Rights & Freedoms of Everyone Living in the United States Today ↗ -
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
- twenty-seven (27)
The Constitution has been changed 27 times since 1787. The first 10 amendments are the Bill of Rights, and later ones say who can be a citizen and who can vote.
Textbook · Changing the Constitution ↗ -
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
- announced our independence (from Great Britain)
- declared our independence (from Great Britain)
- said that the United States is free (from Great Britain)
Adopted on July 4, 1776, the Declaration is a statement of freedom: it told the world that the 13 colonies were no longer part of Great Britain and had become the United States of America.
Textbook · The Declaration of Independence ↗ -
What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
- life
- liberty
- pursuit of happiness
Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration in 1776, said that everyone has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Textbook · The Declaration of Independence ↗ -
What is freedom of religion?
- You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
Freedom of religion is one of the five freedoms of the First Amendment. People in the United States choose their own religion, and they may also choose to have none.
Textbook · Rights & Freedoms of Everyone Living in the United States Today ↗ -
What is the economic system in the United States?
- capitalist economy
- market economy
In a capitalist or market economy the government does not control the economy. People are free to start a business and make money.
Textbook · The Great Depression ↗ -
What is the “rule of law”?
- Everyone must follow the law.
- Leaders must obey the law.
- Government must obey the law.
- No one is above the law.
Under the rule of law nobody is above the law, not even leaders. The federal, state and local governments must all obey the Constitution, just like the people.
Textbook · Supreme Law of the Land ↗