He was still president on December 7, 1941, when the Navy of Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Photograph taken from a Japanese plane during the torpedo attack on ships moored on both sides of Ford Island. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
After that, the United States joined the fight of World War II. Roosevelt was also president during World War II.
Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II? –> (Franklin) Roosevelt
During World War II, the United States fought Japan, Germany, and Italy.
Who did the United States fight in World War II? –> Japan, Germany, and Italy
Harry Truman became president of the United States after Roosevelt
Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, before the end of the war. Because Roosevelt could no longer serve, the vice president became the president.
One important general in World War II was Dwight D. Eisenhower. After the war, he ran for president. He was president from 1953 to 1961.
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.*
Who was President during World War I?
Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?
Who did the United States fight in World War II?
Before he was President, Eisenhower was a general. What war was he in?
Thomas Jefferson wanted the United States to get bigger and bigger.
The Louisiana Territory was 828,000 square miles of land. It was named after King Louis (Luis) of France.
In 1803, the United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France.
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803? –> Louisiana
In 1812, there was more war with England. One man saw a terrible fight all night long. But in the morning, the US flag was still there.
He wrote a poem and a song called “The Star Spangled Banner.”
The Star Spangled Banner means “the flag with a lot of stars.”
It was very popular. It became the national anthem for the United States.
You can watch the National Anthem from the 2021 Inauguration of Joe Biden
What is the name of the national anthem? –> The Star Spangled Banner
African people were brought to the United States as slaves from 1619 to 1821.
Even after 1821, slavery continued in the south United States.
There were 4 million slaves in the United States. More and more, people said: “This is wrong. All people have the rights of life and liberty.”
Susan B. Anthony fought for the right to vote for women.
These people wanted civil rights for all Americans. Civil rights means protecting the rights of all people.
One important civil rights leader was Susan B. Anthony. Susan B. Anthony fought for civil rights for all people, black and white.
Also, Susan B. Anthony fought for women’s rights. For example, in the 1700s and 1800s, women in the United States did not have the right to vote.
What did Susan B. Anthony do? –> Fought for women’s rights.
Suffragists parade down Fifth Avenue, New York City, 1917. Advocates march in October 1917, displaying placards containing the signatures of more than one million New York women demanding the vote. The New York Times Photo Archives
In 1920, Americans made a change to the constitution. The 19th (nineteenth) Amendment means that all women citizens of the United States get the right to vote.
But what about the millions of slaves in the US in the 1800s? The evil problem of slavery was like a bomb waiting. And in 1861, the bomb went off.
Questions
What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
Another responsibility is to serve on a jury. In the US, a jury is a group of citizens who make a decision in court. A jury may make a decision about a crime and if someone is guilty or not.
A jury may also work with a judge in a case about other kinds of law, too. If you are a citizen, it is your responsibility to serve on a jury.
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?* –> Vote in a federal election / serve on a jury
Citizens have to be 18 to vote for president. In Oregon, citizens can register to vote when they are 16, and they automatically register when they get a drivers license. But, they have to wait to be 18 to really vote.
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?* –> 18 and older
A ballot drop box in Portland, Oregon
An amendment is a change to the Constitution. When the Constitution was written in 1787, only men with property could vote. Since then, Americans changed the Constitution 4 times:
Men of all races can vote
Voting must be free (no voting taxes)
Women can vote (any citizen can vote)
Citizens 18 and older can vote
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. –> Citizens 18 and older can vote / Any citizen can vote
When you register to vote, you can choose a political party. It is free to join a political party. It is your right to join any political party, or none.
But, you should join a political party so you can vote in a primary election.
What are the two major political parties in the United States?* –> Democratic and Republican
What is the “rule of law”?
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
What is an amendment?
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
What is freedom of religion?
What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
Name one right only for United States citizens.
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
What are the two major political parties in the United States?*
N-400 Vocabulary Practice
N-400 Part 12: Questions 6-10
Do you owe any overdue Federal, state, or local taxes?
Have you EVER not filed a Federal, state, or local tax return since you became a lawful permanent resident?
Have you called yourself a “non-U.S. resident” on a Federal, state, or local tax return since you became a lawful permanent resident?
Have you EVER been a member of any organization?
Have you EVER been a member of, or in any way associated with The Communist Party?
Have you EVER been a member of, or in any way associated with any other totalitarian party?
Have you EVER been a member of, or in any way associated with a terrorist organization?
Do you owe any overdue Federal, state, or local taxes?
¿Se debe ningún atraso federales, estatales o locales?
هل ندين أي تأخر الاتحادية، الدولة، أو الضرائب المحلية؟
آیا تا به حال فدرال، ایالتی، و یا بازگشت مالیات محلی ثبت نکرده از شما یک مقیم دائم قانونی شد؟
Vreodată nu ați depus un federal, de stat, sau returnarea taxelor locale de când ați devenit rezident permanent legal?
آیا تاسو کله هم د فدرالي، د بهرنیو چارو، او يا ځايي مالياتي اظهارليک نه درج راهیسې تاسو حلال دايمي اوسيدونکی شو؟
Вы когда-либо не подали федеральные, государственные или местную налоговую декларацию, так как вы стали законным постоянным жителем?
Waligaa ma gudbiyay a Federaalka, gobolka, ama canshuur celinta degaanka tan iyo aad u noqday deganaanshaha joogtada ah xalaal ahayn?
Có bao giờ bạn không nộp một liên bang, tiểu bang, hoặc tờ khai thuế địa phương kể từ khi bạn trở thành một thường trú nhân hợp pháp?
آپ کو ایک حلال مستقل رہائشی بننے کے بعد تم نے کبھی ایک وفاقی، ریاستی یا مقامی ٹیکس ریٹرن دائر نہیں کیا ہے؟
Have you called yourself a “non-U.S. resident” on a Federal, state, or local tax return since you became a lawful permanent resident?
¿Ha llamado a sí mismo un “fuera de EE.UU.. Residente” en una, estatal o local de declaración de impuestos federal desde que se hizo residente legal permanente?
هل تسمى نفسك “خارج الولايات المتحدة. المقيمين” على الاتحادية، والدولة، أو الإقرار الضريبي المحلية منذ أن أصبحت مقيما بصفة قانونية؟
Вы называли себя «не в США. Резидент» на федеральную, штате или местную налоговую декларацию, так как вы стали законным постоянным жителем?
Ma waxaad naftaada yaqaan “non-xoreeyo dalka deggan.” On Federaalka, gobolka, ama canshuur celinta maxalli ah tan iyo aad u noqday deganaanshaha joogtada ah xalaal ahayn?
bạn đã gọi cho mình một “không ở Hoa Kỳ thường trú.” trên một liên bang, tiểu bang, hoặc tờ khai thuế địa phương kể từ khi bạn trở thành một thường trú nhân hợp pháp?
آپ اپنے آپ کو ایک “غیر امریکی رہائشی” ایک وفاقی، ریاستی یا مقامی ٹیکس ریٹرن آپ کو ایک حلال مستقل رہائشی بننے کے بعد بھی ملاقات کی ہے؟
Have you EVER been a member of, involved in, or in any way associated with, any organization, association, fund, foundation, party, club, society, or similar group in the United States or in any other location in the world?
¿Alguna vez ha sido miembro de, involucrado en, o de alguna manera asociado con, cualquier organización, asociación, fondo, fundación, partido, club, sociedad, o grupo similar en los Estados Unidos o en cualquier otro lugar en el mundo?
هل سبق لك عضوا في، والمشاركة في، أو في أي شكل من الأشكال المرتبطة، أي منظمة أو جمعية أو صندوق أو مؤسسة أو حزب، نادي، والمجتمع، أو مجموعة مماثلة في الولايات المتحدة أو في أي مكان آخر في العالم؟
آیا تا به حال یک عضو شده، که در، و یا در هر راه در ارتباط با، هر سازمان، انجمن، صندوق، پایه و اساس، حزب، باشگاه، جامعه، و یا گروه های مشابه در ایالات متحده و یا در هر مکان دیگری در جهان است؟
Ai fost vreodată membru al, implicat în, sau în orice mod asociat, orice organizație, asociație, fond, fundație, partid, club, societate sau grup similar în Statele Unite sau în orice alt loc din lume?
آيا تاسو په هره لاره کې د متحده ايالاتو او يا په کې د نړۍ د بل هر ځای سره، کوم سازمان، د ټولنې، صندوق، بنسټ، ګوند، کلپ، ټولنې، او يا ورته ډلې سره تړلي دي د يو غړي، په لاس، يا؟
Вы когда-либо был членом, участвовать в, или каким-либо образом связанный с, любая организация, ассоциация, фонд, фонд, партии, клуба, общества или аналогичной группы в Соединенных Штатах или в любом другом месте в мире?
Weligaa wax xubin ka mid ah, oo ku lug leh, ama si uun la xidhiidha, urur kasta, ururka, fund, aasaaska, xisbiga, kooxda, bulshada, ama koox la mid ah oo dalka Mareykanka ah ama meel kasta oo kale oo dunida oo dhan?
Bạn đã bao giờ là một thành viên, tham gia vào, hoặc trong bất kỳ cách nào kết hợp với, bất kỳ tổ chức, hiệp hội, quỹ, nền tảng, đảng, câu lạc bộ, xã hội, hay một nhóm tương tự ở Hoa Kỳ hay ở bất kỳ vị trí nào trên thế giới?
کیا تم نے کبھی کا رکن رہا میں ملوث ہیں، یا کسی بھی طرح امریکہ میں یا دنیا میں کسی بھی دوسری جگہ پر، کسی بھی تنظیم، ایسوسی ایشن، فنڈ، فاؤنڈیشن، پارٹی، کلب، معاشرے، یا اسی گروپ کے ساتھ وابستہ ہے؟
Have you EVER been a member of, or in any way associated with The Communist Party?
¿Alguna vez ha sido miembro de, o de alguna manera asociada (directa o indirectamente) con el Partido Comunista?
هل سبق لك عضوا في، أو بأي شكل من الأشكال المرتبطة بها (سواء بشكل مباشر أو غير مباشر) مع الحزب الشيوعي؟
The United States government has many parts. Congress makes federal laws. The court interprets the laws. The president signs bills to become laws. The president is also in charge of the Executive branch.
Each part of the government is called a branch. The constitution made 3 branches of government to work together.
Name one branch or part of the government.* –> Congress / the President / the courts
The founding fathers did not want America to have a king. They worried about one part of the government from getting too much power.
So, congress has some powers over the president. The president has some power over congress. The court has some power over the president and congress. Congress and the president also have some power over the court.
This separation of power is supposed to keep things balanced. We sometimes call these rules checks and balances.
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? –> Checks and Balances
Another balance of power is between the federal government and state governments. Only the federal government can do some special things, like:
Print money
Declare war
Make treaties
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government? –> print money
On the other hand, only state governments have these powers:
Give a driver license
Provide education
Provide police and safety
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? –> give a driver license
What is the supreme law of the land?
The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
What does the Constitution do?
When was the Constitution written?
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
Name one branch or part of the government.*
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
N-400 Practice: George Lincoln
Watch and listen to this example interview with an officer and George Lincoln.
What questions do you hear?
How many times does George say “excuse me” or a similar question?
Can you write down all the important numbers?
Don’t worry – that’s not a real Social Security Number! 🙂
We practice a lot of information about civics and the N400. But, the reading test is much easier.
The reading test does not have many difficult words. The reading test usually is a question. You only have to read the question. You don’t have to answer it!
Americans have many special days. Some days are for religion, like Christmas. Some days are to celebrate, like New Years Day.
The Unites States Government has 8 national holidays. On those days, government offices and schools are closed.
Name two national U.S. holidays.
We also have special days for responsibilities. One important responsibility is to pay taxes. People in the US usually have to send in federal income tax forms on April 15.
When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*
The economic system of the United States is a market economy. This is another name for a capitalist economy. This means that people and businesses are free to make decisions without government control.
What is the economic system in the United States?*
When there is a war or emergency, the government can ask young men to join the military. This is called the draft or Selective Service. All men must register for the Selective Service from age 18 to 26.
When must all men register for the Selective Service?
In many schools, every class begins with the Pledge of Allegiance. This is a promise of loyalty to the United States. Loyalty means love, and never leaving someone.
When we say the Pledge of Allegiance, we show loyalty to the flag. This means we also show loyalty to the United States.
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
These people are taking the Oath of Allegiance. This is the promise to become a citizen. One thing you promise is to follow the laws of the United States.
The oath is long and difficult, but you don’t have to remember it 100%.
What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen?
N-400
Do you support the Constitution and form of Government of the United States? Do you understand the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States? Are you willing to take the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States? If the law requires it, are you willing to bear arms on behalf of the United States? If the law requires it, are you willing to perform noncombatant services in the U.S. armed forces? If the law requires it, are you willing to perform work of national importance under civilian direction?
The United States is a democracy. Citizens choose leaders by voting in elections.
Voting is a special right that is only for United States citizens. When you become a citizen, you should register to vote!
Name one right only for United States citizens. –> Vote in a federal election
Voting is also a responsibility. Only you can make a decision about your vote. No one can do it for you. And if you don’t send your vote, it will not get done.
Another responsibility is to serve on a jury. In the US, a jury is a group of citizens who make a decision in court. A jury may make a decision about a crime and if someone is guilty or not.
A jury may also work with a judge in a case about other kinds of law, too. If you are a citizen, it is your responsibility to serve on a jury.
What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?* –> Vote in a federal election / serve on a jury
Citizens have to be 18 to vote for president. In Oregon, citizens can register to vote when they are 16, and they automatically register when they get a drivers license. But, they have to wait to be 18 to really vote.
How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?* –> 18 and older
An amendment is a change to the Constitution. When the Constitution was written in 1787, only men with property could vote. Since then, Americans changed the Constitution 4 times:
Men of all races can vote
Voting must be free (no voting taxes)
Women can vote (any citizen can vote)
Citizens 18 and older can vote
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them. –> Citizens 18 and older can vote / Any citizen can vote
When you register to vote, you can choose a political party. It is free to join a political party. It is your right to join any political party, or none.
But, you should join a political party so you can vote in a primary election.
What are the two major political parties in the United States?* –> Democratic and Republican
N-400 Practice
Vocabulary review: Question 30F-32
New questions: N400 Part 12, 33-44
Have you EVER been removed, excluded, or deported from the United States?
Have you EVER been ordered removed, excluded, or deported from the United States?
Have you EVER been placed in removal, exclusion, rescission, or deportation proceedings?
Are removal, exclusion, rescission, or deportation proceedings (including administratively closed proceedings) currently pending against you?
Have you EVER served in the U.S. armed forces?
Are you a male who lived in the United States at any time between your 18th and 26th birthdays? (This does not include living in the United States as a lawful nonimmigrant.)
If you answered “Yes,” when did you register for the Selective Service?
If you answered “Yes,” but you did not register with the Selective Service System and you are: Still under 26 years of age, you must register before you apply for naturalization, and complete the Selective Service information above;
OR Now 26 to 31 years of age (29 years of age if you are filing under INA section 319(a)), but you did not register with the Selective Service, you must attach a statement explaining why you did not register, and provide a status information letter from the Selective Service
The job of president is really difficult. However, the president has a lot of help and support. One person who works with the president is the Vice President.
William Henry Harrison – 9th President of the United States
John Tyler – 10th President of the United States
The Vice President is also from the same political party as the President. Sometimes the President can no longer serve. That means the president may retire, get sick, or even die.
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? –> The Vice President
Official portrait of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, photographed January 11, 2019 in the Office of the Speaker in the United States Capitol.
The constitution has a plan for a lot of different situations. It is really important to have a president, because they are the commander in chief.
So, if the both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, the Speaker of the House will become the new president.
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President? –> The Speaker of the House
The President is in charge of the Executive branch, so they have many people who work with them. The most important helpers are the Cabinet.
The Cabinet is a group of 16 people who help the President. The President chooses the Cabinet members. The Senate can say “yes” or “no” to the President’s choices.
What does the President’s Cabinet do? –> Helps the president
Each person in the Cabinet is in charge of one department or part of the executive branch. The Vice President is also a member of the Cabinet.
Other Cabinet-level positions include:
Secretary of Agriculture ▪ Secretary of Commerce ▪ Secretary of Defense ▪ Secretary of Education ▪ Secretary of Energy ▪ Secretary of Health and Human Services ▪ Secretary of Homeland Security ▪ Secretary of Housing and Urban Development ▪ Secretary of the Interior ▪ Secretary of Labor ▪ Secretary of State ▪ Secretary of Transportation ▪ Secretary of the Treasury ▪ Secretary of Veterans Affairs ▪ Attorney General
What are two Cabinet-level positions? –> Secretary of State and Vice President
N-400 Part 12: 30F-32
Review past vocabulary:
Have you EVER helped anyone to enter, or try to enter, the United States illegally?
Have you EVER gambled illegally or received income from illegal gambling?
Have you EVER failed to support your dependents or to pay alimony?
Have you EVER made any misrepresentation to obtain any public benefit in the United States?
Have you EVER given any U.S. Government officials any information or documentation that was false, fraudulent, or misleading?
Have you EVER lied to any U.S. Government officials to gain entry or admission into the United States or to gain immigration benefits while in the United States?
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