Civic Literacy Flashcards
7 cards from real FCLE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Civic Literacy flashcards as text
What is the significance of the Magna Carta to American democratic principles?
Answer: It established the concept of limited government and rule of law that influenced American founders
Signed in 1215, the Magna Carta established the principle that even the king was subject to the rule of law, directly influencing American ideas about limited government.
What is the primary function of the U.S. Senate in the treaty-making process?
Answer: The Senate must approve treaties by a two-thirds majority vote
Under Article II of the Constitution, the President negotiates treaties, but they must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate to take effect.
Which principle holds that no person, including government officials, is above the law?
Answer: Rule of law
The rule of law holds that all individuals and institutions, including the government itself, are subject to and accountable under the law.
What was the primary purpose of the Federalist Papers?
Answer: To advocate for ratification of the U.S. Constitution
The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay to persuade New York voters to ratify the new Constitution.
Under which circumstance can the federal government suspend the writ of habeas corpus?
Answer: Only during cases of rebellion or invasion when public safety requires it
Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution allows suspension of habeas corpus only in cases of rebellion or invasion when public safety requires it.
What is the Bill of Rights?
Answer: The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution
The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, protecting individual liberties from government infringement.
What is the significance of the phrase 'separation of church and state' in the U.S. Constitution?
Answer: It is derived from the First Amendment's Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses
While the exact phrase does not appear in the Constitution, the principle derives from the First Amendment, which prohibits government establishment of religion and protects free religious exercise.