Laws
Stamp Act
Tax on printed materials that led to rioting int he colonies.
Ended the American Revolution
Bill of Rights
First ten amendments to the Constitution. Created to appease the Anti-Federalists.
Thomas Paine
Author of Common Sense
Federalist
Those in support of the Constitution
Proclamation Line of 1763
First law that ended period of salutary neglect
Battles at Lexington and Concord
Start of the American Revolution
Judiciary Act of 1789
One supreme court with 6 justices. Has appellate courts and district courts.
Alexander Hamilton
First Secretary of Treasury. Had a financial plan for the government that included consolidating state debt and creating a national bank.
Anti-Federalist
Those not in support of the Constitution
Angered colonists because it was friendly to Catholics and closed the port of Boston
Battle of Bunker Hill
Had the most casualties in the Revolutionary War
Separation of Powers
Each of the 3 federal branches of government has different duties and powers
Thomas Jefferson
Author of the Declaration of Independence. Third President of the US. Won the Election of 1800. Anti-Federalist.
Loose Construction
The idea that the government can do anything not specifically limited by the Constitution.
Townshend Acts
Tax on goods like tea, glass, and paper that paid government officials' salary.
French and Indian War
Division of Powers
States and Federal government powers divided
John Adams
Second President. Led the US through the XYZ Affair. Passed the Alien and Sedition Acts.
The idea that Parliament members represented all British citizens
Declaratory Act
Reasserted parliament's right to tax the colonies after repealing the Stamp Act
Battle at Saratoga
Turning point of the war because colonists victory won them France's support.
Checks and Balances
System designed where each branch can check the power of another. Examples:
president can veto legislative branch
Veto overridden by 2/3rd vote in Congress
Treaties and appointments require senate approval
Congress can impeach president and federal judges
Courts can rule laws unconstitutional
Samuel Adams
Key member of the Committees of Correspondence and Sons of Liberty
Salutary Negelct
A period in which the British government was not highly involved in its North American colonies governance.