Category 1: Enlightenment & Revolutionary Sparks
This Enlightenment thinker believed humans are naturally selfish and need a strong, absolute ruler.
Who is Thomas Hobbes?
This 1765 British tax required colonists to pay for paper goods and legal documents.
What is the Stamp Act?
Supporters of strong central government who favored ratifying the Constitution.
Who were the Federalists?
This article of the Constitution outlines the powers of Congress.
What is Article I?
This article describes the presidency.
What is Article II?
This philosopher argued for natural rights—life, liberty, and property.
Who is John Locke?
This assembly met in 1774 to coordinate colonial resistance.
What is the First Continental Congress?
Opponents of the Constitution who demanded a Bill of Rights.
Who were the Anti-Federalists?
Minimum age 25, 7 years a citizen for one chamber; age 30, 9 years a citizen for the other.
What are the requirements for the House and Senate?
The president must be 35, a natural-born citizen, and have lived in the U.S. for 14 years.
What are the requirements to run for president?
This 1764 tax on molasses and other goods helped fuel anger in the colonies.
What is the Sugar Act?
This 1776 document listed grievances against King George III and declared the colonies free.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This paper by Madison argues that factions are best controlled by a large republic.
What is Federalist No. 10?
This outlines how bills travel through committees, chambers, and the president before becoming law.
What is the legislative process? or What is “How a bill becomes a law”?
These advisors are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
What is the Cabinet?
This 1770 event involved British soldiers killing five colonists, later used as propaganda.
What is the Boston Massacre?
America’s first constitution, known for its weakness and inability to tax.
What are the Articles of Confederation (AOC)?
This Federalist paper explains how checks and balances protect liberty.
What is Federalist No. 51?
These extra spending measures attached to bills benefit specific districts.
What is pork (or pork-barrel spending)?
Power allowing presidents to issue legally binding directives without Congress.
What are Executive Orders?
This 1773 protest involved dumping British goods into the harbor.
What is the Boston Tea Party?
This lawmaking issue at the Constitutional Convention was solved by creating a bicameral legislature.
What is the Great Compromise
The power to regulate commerce, coin money, declare war, and tax is found in this part of the Constitution.
What is Article I, Section 8?
This 1973 law limits the president’s ability to commit troops without congressional approval.
What is the War Powers Act?
This article establishes the Supreme Court and the federal judiciary.
What is Article III?