Revolutionary War
What document officially declared that the American colonies were separating from Great Britain?
The Declaration of Independence.
What was the name of the United States' first constitution?
Articles of Confederation
What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention in 1787?
To revise the Articles of Confederation.
What does it mean to ratify a constitution?
To formally approve it.
What is the name of the group of advisers George Washington assembled to help run the executive branch?
The Cabinet
Which American victory convinced France that the Americans had a real chance of winning the Revolutionary War?
The Battle of Saratoga.
Under the Articles of Confederation, which had more power: the national government or state governments?
State Government
What did the delegates ultimately decide to create instead of simply revising the Articles?
An entirely new Constitution.
How many of the original 13 states had to ratify the Constitution for it to take effect?
Nine
Which two members of Washington's Cabinet frequently disagreed about the direction of the new country?
Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson
What 1783 treaty officially ended the Revolutionary War and recognized American independence?
Treaty of Paris
Why did Americans initially want a weak national government after gaining independence?
They feared creating another powerful central authority like the British monarchy.
What is federalism?
The division of government power between the national government and state governments.
What were the names of the two groups that disagreed about ratifying the Constitution?
Federalist and Anti-Federalists
What major disagreement caused tension between Hamilton and Jefferson?
Hamilton favored a stronger national government and an economy emphasizing commerce and manufacturing; Jefferson favored more limited federal power and an agricultural republic.
Why did tensions between Britain and the American colonists eventually lead to war?
A series of British policies, colonial protests, and British responses increased tensions until fighting broke out.
What major problem resulted from giving the national government very little power under the Articles?
It struggled to collect money, enforce decisions, and solve problems requiring cooperation between states.
Under the Great Compromise, how was representation divided between the House of Representatives and the Senate?
House representation was based on state population, while each state received equal representation in the Senate.
Which group supported the Constitution and believed the country needed a stronger national government?
Federalists
What conflicts between Hamilton and Jefferson helped lead to the development of political parties?
Their opposing visions for the national government's power and economic policies helped form the Federalist and Anti-Federalist parties.
Explain two important things the Declaration of Independence accomplished.
It declared independence, explained the colonists' grievances against King George III, and described their attempts to resolve the conflict.
Describe three characteristics of the government created by the Articles of Confederation.
A weak national government, powerful state governments, and no separate national executive.
Why did the issue of slavery become part of the debate over representation at the Constitutional Convention?
Delegates disagreed about whether enslaved people should count toward state populations when determining representation, leading to the Three-Fifths Compromise.
Why did commercial and urban areas, particularly in the North, often favor ratification of the Constitution?
Many merchants and business leaders believed a stronger national government would improve trade, regulate interstate commerce, and provide greater economic stability.
Which two major political developments resulted from disagreements within Washington's Cabinet?
The emergence of political parties, increased sectionalism, and capital being moved