Thursday, February 5, 2026

USCIS 128:17. The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?

OpenAI. (2026).  The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?  [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The President of the United States is in charge of the executive branch of government. The executive branch is responsible for carrying out and enforcing the laws of the United States.

The president is the leader of the executive branch and works with the Cabinet and federal agencies. The president also serves as the Commander in Chief of the military and represents the country in foreign relations.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

USCIS 128:16. Name the three branches of government.

OpenAI. (2026).  Name the three branches of government.  [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The United States government has three branches. They are the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. Each branch has a different job, which helps keep the government organized and fair.

The legislative branch is Congress. Congress makes the laws. The executive branch is the president. The president carries out and enforces the laws. The judicial branch is the courts. The courts interpret the laws and decide if laws follow the Constitution.



Tuesday, February 3, 2026

USCIS 128:15. There are three branches of government. Why?

 

OpenAI. (2026). There are three branches of government. Why?  [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The United States has three branches of government so that no single part becomes too powerful. The founders wanted to protect freedom by dividing power among different branches. Each branch has its own job, which helps prevent abuse of power.

This system is called separation of powers. The legislative branch makes the laws, the executive branch enforces the laws, and the judicial branch interprets the laws. By separating these duties, the government works more fairly and carefully.

The branches also use checks and balances. This means each branch can limit the power of the others. For example, the president can veto laws, Congress can override vetoes, and courts can review laws. These limits help keep the government balanced and protect the rights of the people.

Monday, February 2, 2026

USCIS 128:14. Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.

Icons from TheNounProject.com editid by Jennifer Gagliardi, 2026.

 Before 1600, the Iroquois Great Law of Peace showed how different Native American nations could work together under one system while keeping their own local governments. This idea later influenced American leaders and helped shape the concept of federalism, where power is shared between a central government and local governments.

In 1620, the Mayflower Compact was written by the Pilgrims before they settled in New England. It was an agreement to create laws and follow them for the good of the community. This document is an early example of self-government and majority rule in America.

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, written in 1639, is often called the first written constitution in America. It explained how the government should work and said that leaders get their power from the people. This showed that government should be based on the will of the people.

In 1776, the Virginia Declaration of Rights stated that people are born with basic rights, such as freedom of religion and freedom of the press. These ideas later influenced the creation of the U.S. Bill of Rights.

Also in 1776, the Declaration of Independence announced that the American colonies were free from British rule. It explained the idea of natural rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The Articles of Confederation, approved in 1781, created the first national government of the United States. However, it gave the central government very little power. Because the government was too weak, leaders later decided a new Constitution was needed.

Between 1787 and 1788, the Federalist Papers were written to support the new Constitution. These essays explained why a stronger national government was necessary and how the Constitution would protect the country.

At the same time, the Anti-Federalist Papers argued against the Constitution. The writers feared the government would become too powerful. Their concerns helped lead to the addition of the Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms.

Sunday, February 1, 2026

USCIS 128:13. What is the rule of law?

OpenAI. (2026). What is the rule of law?  [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The rule of law means that everyone must follow the law. Ordinary people, government workers, and leaders all have to obey the same laws. Laws apply to everyone in the country, not just some people. This helps keep order and fairness in society.

Under the rule of law, leaders and the government must also obey the law. No person or group has special power to ignore it. This means
no one is above the law.
When laws are followed equally, people can trust the government and feel protected by the legal system.

Saturday, January 31, 2026

USCIS 128:12. What is the economic system of the United States?

OpenAI. (2026). The words What is the economic system of the United States?  [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The economic system of the United States is called capitalism. In a capitalist system, people can own businesses and property. Individuals decide what jobs they do and how they earn money. The government does not own most businesses. Instead, private people and companies run them.

The United States also has a free market economy. This means prices are mostly set by supply and demand, not by the government. Businesses decide what to produce and how much to sell. Consumers choose what to buy. Competition between businesses helps improve quality and keep prices fair.

Learn more: 

USCIS 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version)

One Nation, One People (2025 Version)

USCIS 100 Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version)

One Nation, One People (2024) original fomat | single page reformat

Friday, January 30, 2026

USCIS 128:11. The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?

OpenAI. (2026). The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?  [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” come from the Declaration of Independence. This document was written in 1776, when the American colonies decided to separate from British rule.

In the Declaration of Independence, the Founders explain that all people are born with basic rights. These rights include the right to live, to be free, and to try to live a happy life. The document also says that governments exist to protect these rights, and that the people have the power to change a government that does not protect them.

Learn more: 

USCIS 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version)

One Nation, One People (2025 Version)

USCIS 100 Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version)

One Nation, One People (2024) original fomat | single page reformat

Thursday, January 29, 2026

USCIS 128:10. Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

OpenAI. (2026). Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.  [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi
Two important ideas in the Declaration of Independence are equality and natural rights. The Declaration says that all people are created equal. This means no one is born better than another person. It also says people have natural rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These rights come from being human, not from the government, and the government must respect them.

Two important ideas in the U.S. Constitution are limited government and self-government. Limited government means the government has rules and cannot use unlimited power. The Constitution explains what the government can and cannot do. Self-government means the people choose their leaders and take part in making laws, usually by voting. This shows that the government works for the people, not the other way around.

Another shared idea is liberty and the social contract. Liberty means freedom, such as freedom of speech and religion. The social contract means people agree to follow laws, and in return, the government agrees to protect their rights. These ideas help explain how the United States balances freedom, laws, and responsibility.

Learn more: 

USCIS 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version)

One Nation, One People (2025 Version)

USCIS 100 Civics Questions and Answers (2008 version)

One Nation, One People (2024) original fomat | single page reformat