U.S. Citizenship Civics Test · Civics (American Government, History, Symbols and Holidays)
U.S. Citizenship Civics Test: Principles of American Government Concepts
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Overview
This chapter covers the basic ideas behind the American government. You will learn what kind of government the United States has, what its most important law is, and which founding documents shaped the country. These ideas come first because the rest of the civics test builds on them.
The United States is a republic, which means the people elect leaders to make decisions for them. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. It forms the government, defines its powers and parts, and protects the rights of the people. Its first words, "We the People," show that the power of government comes from the people themselves.
The Constitution can be changed by amendments. The first ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights, and they protect the basic rights of Americans. Older than the Constitution is the Declaration of Independence, which said the colonies were free from British control and that all people are created equal. It contains the famous words "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
Two more ideas round out this chapter. The rule of law means no one is above the law, not even leaders or the government. Power is split among three branches so that no one part becomes too powerful, an idea called checks and balances. The economy of the United States is based on capitalism, also called a free market economy.
Key concepts
Republic
A form of government where the people elect leaders to make decisions for them. USCIS also accepts "representative democracy" and "constitution-based federal republic."
Memory tipRepublic = the people choose who leads.
U.S. Constitution
The supreme law of the land. It forms the government, defines its powers and parts, and protects the rights of the people. It was written in 1787.
Memory tipSupreme law = Constitution. No law can go against it.
Source: USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version) · as of 2025
Amendments and the Bill of Rights
An amendment is a change or addition to the Constitution. The Constitution has 27 amendments. The first ten are called the Bill of Rights and protect the basic rights of Americans.
Memory tip27 in total, the first 10 are the Bill of Rights.
Source: USCIS, 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version) · as of 2025
Declaration of Independence
The founding document that said the American colonies were free from Britain. It says all people are created equal and contains the words "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
Memory tipDeclaration = freedom from Britain. Constitution = plan of government.
Rule of law
Everyone must follow the law, including leaders and the government. No one is above the law.
Memory tipThink: even the President must obey the law.
Checks and balances
Power is divided among three branches of government so that one part does not become too powerful. Each branch can limit the others.
Memory tipThree branches, so no one has all the power.
Often tested
- The Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
- The Constitution has 27 amendments; the first ten are the Bill of Rights.
- "We the People" means self-government: power comes from the people.
- "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" is in the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution.
- The economic system is capitalism (a free market economy).
Easy to confuse: Declaration vs. Constitution
| Topic | Declaration of Independence | U.S. Constitution |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 1776 | 1787 |
| Main job | Said the colonies were free from Britain | Set up the government and is the supreme law |
| Famous words | "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" | "We the People" |