Civics 101: Principles of American Government (U.S. National Park Service)

The four pages of the US Constitution are laid over an image of the pillars and carving on the National Archives building — National Archives/ Library of Congress

Welcome to the Civics 101 Trivia Game!

Who has the most knowledge of American Civics? Test your knowledge or form teams with your friends and keep score. This section has questions about the principles of American government. Have fun and good luck!

What is the form of government of the United States?

(Bonus points: can you name all three correct answers?)

Republic

Constitution-based federal republic

Representative democracy

A handwritten document on aged paper; the first page of the US Constitution — National Archives

What is the supreme law of the land?(Bonus: when was it written?)

The U.S. Constitution, written in 1787.

The Constitution and other founding documents are stored in the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

Four pages of the US Constitution in ornate glass covered cases — National Archives

Name one thing that the U.S. Constitution does.(Bonus points: name four!)

Defines the powers of government

Defines the parts of government

Protects the rights of the people

Forms the government

Close-up of the words "We the People" hand written at the top of a page — National Archives

The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.”What does “We the People” mean in terms of governance?

Self-government

Popular sovereignty

Consent of the governed

People should govern themselves

(Example of) social contract

An aerial view of the U.S. Capitol building, it's white dome and flat lower roofs surrounded by trees in downtown Washington D.C. — Library of Congress/ Carol Highsmith

How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?

Amendments (the amendment process). Learn more at the Constitution Annoted website.

A street view looking toward the U.S. Capitol building at night, the headlights of a passing car bright on the city street — Library of Congress/ Michael R. Jenkins

How many amendments are there to the U.S. Constitution?

Twenty-seven (27)

Red and purple fireworks explode over Washington D.C. at night, highlighting the Lincoln Memorial in the foreground — Library of Congress/ Carol Highsmith

The words "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" are found in which founding document?

The Declaration of Independence

The signed document is stored at the National Archives.

A worker lines up engraving plates inside a large open press — Preparing the engraved plate for the new small size paper currency, Dept. of the Treasury
Library of Congress

What is the economic system of the United States?

Capitalism

Free market economy

Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Can you name one based on a Native American government?(Bonus: can you name 8 historical documents that influenced the Constitution?)

Constitution of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (Great Law of Peace)

The Declaration of Independence

The Articles of Confederation

The Federalist Papers

The Anti-Federalist Papers

Virginia Declaration of Rights

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

The Mayflower Compact

Three images in a black frame, from left to right: the White House, the Capitol building, and the Senate building

Why are there three branches of government?

So that one part does not become too powerful

Checks and balances

Separation of powers

Civics 101 Trivia Game Play the Other Sections!

Source: Questions and answers are derived directly from or inspired by the 2020 Version of the Civics Test, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

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