American Revolution
Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
The federal government was too weak and couldn’t tax or enforce laws effectively.
Congress couldn’t tax or regulate trade; no executive branch to enforce laws.
Which branch of government is responsible for making laws under the Constitution?
The Legislative Branch (Congress)
What act closed Boston Harbor after the Boston Tea Party?
Intolerable Acts
What pamphlet by Thomas Paine convinced many colonists to support independence?
What treaty officially ended the Revolutionary War?
Treaty of Paris
What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
To protect individual freedoms and limit government power.
What is separation of powers?
Dividing government into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
What event showed the weaknesses of the Articles and led to calls for a stronger government?
Shays' Rebellion
Which American patriot declared, “Give me liberty, or give me death!” in a famous 1775 speech that inspired colonists to resist British rule?
Patrick Henry
What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence (1776)?
To formally declare the colonies’ break from Britain and explain their reasons for doing so.
What key idea from the Declaration of Independence comes from Enlightenment thinker John Locke’s philosophy?
Natural rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
What is due process?
The legal requirement that the government must respect all legal rights owed to a person under the law.
Why did Anti-Federalists oppose the Constitution, and what did they want added?
They feared a strong central government and wanted a Bill of Rights added.
What were the Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)?
Laws passed under Adams to silence critics and limit immigrants; widely seen as unconstitutional and repressive.
How did mercantilism contribute to the American Revolution?
Colonists grew frustrated with restrictions on trade and being used to benefit Britain without having representation.
What was the main purpose of the Federalist Papers, and why were the Federalist Papers important to the debate over the Constitution?
To support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, They helped convince states to ratify the Constitution by explaining its principles and defending a stronger federal government.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
It establishes that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws. -> Ensures national unity and federal authority.
What compromise during the Constitutional Convention created a two-house legislature?
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
What is judicial review? (bonus 100 for the court case that established it)
The power of the courts to declare laws or government actions unconstitutional, Marbury v. Madison (1803),
Why was the Battle of Saratoga considered a turning point?
It was a major win and convinced the French to ally with the Americans
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)?
It gives Congress power to make laws needed to carry out its other powers. (implied powers!)
Used to create the national bank
What were the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, and what did each state favor?
Plans for structuring Congress; Virginia favored representation by population, New Jersey favored equal state representation.
What was the XYZ Affair (1797–1798)?
French officials asked U.S. diplomats for bribes, which angered Americans and led to a brief undeclared naval conflict with France (the Quasi-War).
What was significant about the Election of 1800?
It marked the first peaceful transfer of power between parties—from Federalists (Adams) to Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson).