Pre-Revolution (1754–1775)
This 1754–1763 war between Great Britain and France over the Ohio River Valley. This left Britain with massive debt, leading Parliament to end its policy of salutary neglect.
What was the French and Indian War (Seven Years' War)?
The primary author of the Declaration of Independence, heavily influenced by John Locke's ideas of natural rights.
Who was Thomas Jefferson?
What was the name of the first constitution that was too weak? It was a "firm league of friendship" among 13 sovereign states.
What were the Articles of Confederation?
What is the city where 55 delegates gathered behind locked doors from May to September 1787.
What is Philadelphia
Who is the group that supported ratifying the Constitution, arguing that an strong central government was essential to prevent chaos and economic decline?
Who were the Federalists?
What was the Proclamation of 1763?
What is the name of the pamphlet published by Thomas Paine in January 1776 that used plain, accessible language to argue that an island should not rule a continent.
What is Common Sense?
Under the Articles of Confederation, the nation lacked this basic revenue power which hindered their ability to pay off debt. What was it?
What is the power to levy taxes directly (or collect taxes)?
This founding father was chosen to preside over the Constitutional Convention.
Who was George Washington?
What was the group that opposed ratifying the Constitution, fearing that a distant central government would overpower the states and endanger local liberties.
Who were the Anti-Federalists?
The first direct internal tax placed on the colonies by Parliament in 1765, requiring an official embossed watermark on legal documents, newspapers, and playing cards.
What was the Stamp Act?
The colonists won this battle in upstate New York in 1777. It was a turning point in the Revolutionary War because it convinced France to support the colonists against Great Britain.
What was the Battle of Saratoga?
Under the Articles of Confederation, how many of the 13 states had to vote yes to pass an amendment?
What is all 13 states (unanimous consent)?
What was the name of the compromise that created a bicameral Congress with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate?
What was the Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)?
What is the name of the series of 85 persuasive essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pen name "Publius." It was written to convince New York to ratify the Constitution.
What were The Federalist Papers?
Punitive laws passed in 1774 to punish Boston for the Tea Party, which closed Boston Harbor and suspended the Massachusetts colonial charter.
What were the Intolerable Acts?
What was the name of the encampment where George Washington's poorly equipped army spent a wretched, freezing winter during the Revolutionary War. Hundreds of men died and more than a thousand deserted.
What was Valley Forge?
What was the name of the 1786–1787 uprising of indebted farmers that shut down county courts in western Massachusetts, demonstrating the central government's inability to maintain order.
What was Shays' Rebellion?
What was the name of the compromise that settled how enslaved populations would be counted for congressional representation (votes) and direct taxation?
What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?
What is the constitutional principle that divides national authority between Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches so no single group can claim absolute power?
What is Separation of Powers?
At the Second Continental Congress, the colonists decided to send a petition to King George III as a final attempt at peace, which the King refused to read before declaring the colonies in open rebellion.
What was the Olive Branch Petition?
What was the name of the treaty that ended the Revolutionary War? Great Britain formally recognized American independence and set the Mississippi River as the nation's western border.
What was the Treaty of Paris (1783)?
Under the Articles of Confederation, this 1787 law established a path for western territories to become equal states and banned slavery north of the Ohio River. What was the name of this ordinance?
What was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?
The Anti-Federalists refused to sign the Constitution until something was added to protect Individual Rights. What was added to the Constitution in order to meet this requirement?
What are the Bill of Rights?
What is the specific amendment that was demanded by Anti-Federalists during ratification of the Constitution that protects citizens from unreasonable searches and requires police to obtain a judge-signed warrant.
What is the 4th Amendment?