American Revolution
What was the main reason the colonists wanted independence from Britain?
They wanted freedom from British rule and taxation without representation.
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson.
What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
To create a new constitution for the United States.
What is the document that serves as "the rule of law" and provides equal protection for all citizens?
The United States Constitution
President Thomas Jefferson tasked Lewis and Clark with doing what?
Exploring the Western territories and studying Native American cultures there.
Name one major battle of the American Revolution.
The Battle of Lexington and Concord, Saratoga, Yorktown
What year was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
1776.
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
These three men were important figures at the Constitutional Convention:
George Washington (Presided over the Convention)
Benjamin Franklin (Mediated differences between the parties)
James Madison (Wrote much of the actual Constitution)
The Louisiana Purchase gave most all of the land west of which river to the United States?
The Mississippi River.
Who was the leader of the Continental Army?
George Washington
What are the first three words of the Declaration of Independence?
We the People.
What right does the First Amendment protect?
Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.
The Constitution establishes a representative government for the US. What does representative mean?
Elected official serve the people's interests
What was the outcome of the War of 1812?
No territory changed hands, but it increased national pride and stopped Impressment.
Who was the Revolutionary War figure that warned that "The British are coming!"?
Paul Revere
What does the Declaration of Independence state regarding unalienable rights?
It states that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Name one of the key compromises made during the Constitutional Convention.
The Great Compromise. 3/5ths Compromise
Which section of The Constitution begins with "We the People..." and establishes the US government as one that gets its power from its citizens?
The Preamble
The Louisiana Purchase did what for the United States?
Doubled the size of the country and began the formation of what we know as the modern continental United States
What year did the American Revolution begin?
1775.
Which king is mentioned in the Declaration of Independence as a tyrant?
King George III.
Who is known as the "Father of the Constitution"?
James Madison.
The Constitution established the Three Main Branches of Government and which process that prevents one branch from having more power than any other branch?
Checks and Balances
The impact of the California Gold rush ultimately was what?
It increased the population of the territory so much so that California, and eventually Washington and Oregon became US states