The Great Civics PowerPointDavid Freeman

Amendments

General Knowledge

What are the colors of our flag?

The colors of our flag are red, , and blue.

How many stars are there in our flag?

What color are the stars on our flag?

What do the stars on the flag mean?

50 states in the union

The number has been changed with every addition, soon we might have 51 for Puerto Rico

How many stripes are there in the flag?

What color are the stripes?

&

What do the stripes on the flag mean?

They represent

The 13 Original Colonies

What is the 4th of July?

Celebration for America’s Independence

Independence from whom?

Who was the first President of the United States?

George Washington

Who is the President of the United States today?

Barack Obama

Who is the Vice-President of the United States today?

Joe Biden

Who elects the President of the United States?

The Electoral College (duh)

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

For how long do we elect the President?

A document of the basic principles of American government, including basic rights and freedoms.

• Written by Thomas Jefferson in 1778, but very strongly based off of works by John Locke

What is the Constitution?

The Preamble - Introduction to the Constitution

(aka The Supreme Law)

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

What are the three branches of our government?

Legislative Branch

Makes laws, treaties, determines

budget, etc.

Consists of Congress – the House of Reps and the Senate

House of Representatives Senate

Representatives from each state, based on population

-The power to impeach-Focuses on budget

435 reps, but number can change2 year terms, no max

Each state gets 2 senators, no matter population

-The power to appoint-Focuses on foreign affairs

100 senators always6 year terms, no max

Can you name the two senators from your state?

John Boozman Mark Pryor

Back to Branches

Executive Branch

Enforces the law

Contains the President, his/her executive office, vice-president, the cabinet, and all of the Departments

Back to Branches

Judicial Branch

Evaluates the law

Contains the courts, ruled by the Supreme Court

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

Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

John G. Roberts

How many Supreme Court justices are there?

Who said, "Give me liberty or give me death."?

Patrick Henry

Which countries were our enemies during World War II?

Germany Japan Italy

What are the 49th and 50th states of the Union?

Hawaii Alaska

What is the head executive of a state government called?

What is the head executive of a city government called?

What holiday was celebrated for the first time by American colonists?

Giving thanks for the harvest4th Thursday of November in US2nd Monday of October in Canada

What is the basic belief of the Declaration of Independence?

All Men are Created Equal

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

What is the minimum voting age in the United States?

Remember, voting is our MOST important right

Who was President during the Civil War?

Abraham Lincoln

What special group advises the President?

The Cabinet

What Immigration and Naturalization Service form is used to apply to become a naturalized citizen?

Where is the White House located?

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C.

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

13 Original Colonies

• Virginia

• Massachusetts

• New Hampshire

• Maryland

• Connecticut

• Rhode Island

• Delaware

• North Carolina

• South Carolina

• New Jersey

• New York

• Pennsylvania

• Georgia (everyone forgets this one)

Back to General Knowledge

List of Succession

1. Vice President

2. Speaker of the House

3. President pro tempore of the Senate

4. Secretary of State

5. Secretary of Treasury

6. Secretary of Defense

7. Attorney General

8. Secretary of the Interior

9. Secretary of Agriculture

10. Secretary of Commerce

11. Secretary of Labor

12. Secretary of Health and Human Services

13. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

14. Secretary of Transportation15. Secretary of Energy

16. Secretary of Education

17. Secretary of Veterans Affairs

18. Secretary of Homeland Security

Back to General Knowledge

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

The AmendmentsBill 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.

Back to “What is an Amendment?”Back to Title Page

The Amendments11-20

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

Back to “What is an Amendment?”Back to Title Page

The Amendments20-27

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.

Back to “What is an Amendment?”Back to Title Page