Pre-Revolutionary Events
Why was the French and Indian War significant?
Colonists were forced to fight/take in soldiers as part of a war they didn't want to fight. They had to pay high taxes to replenish British treasury after the war.
Why was the Proclamation of 1763 significant?
It set aside land west of the Appalachias for Native Americans, and stopped colonists from pushing west and taking that land for themselves
What were the Articles of Confederation?
First form of government. It established a weak central government and gave most power to the states. Key Points:
How often are representatives, senators, and the president elected?
2 years, 6 years, and 4 years
What is direct democracy vs representative democracy?
Public opinion directly influences government vs public opinion is advocated for by elected representatives
What was the Stamp Act of 1765?
British tax imposed on colonists, taxed things like various printed materials, including legal documents, newspapers, pamphlets, and playing cards
Who were the Sons of Liberty?
A secret organization of American colonists who actively resisted British rule in the years leading up to the American Revolution. EG: Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, Patrick Henry
What was Shay's rebellion?
A rebellion led by farmer Daniel Shay in protest of the states taxing the colonists. The Founding Fathers realized that the central government didn't have any power to stop it
What is Federalism?
Division of power between the states and the federal government
What is the Electoral College?
Body of people who formally cast votes for president. Each state's votes = # of reps & senators together. (IE Alaska has 1 rep and 2 senators = 3 votes). Electoral votes determined by popular vote of each state. Need a majority of 270 votes to win. Think of red and blue election maps
What was the Tea Act of 1773, and what happened after?
Reduced the tax on imported British tea and gave British merchants an unfair advantage in selling their tea in America. Americans boycotted British Tea, and the Sons of Liberty protested through the Boston Tea Party
What was the Boston Massacre?
A protesting crowd of colonists surrounded and taunted a group of British soldiers on March 5, 1770. The soldiers fired their weapons into the protesting crowd in self-defense. This escalated into a conflict that killed 5 colonists
What was the Virginia Plan
Proposed by Edmund Randolph. Wanted bicameral legislature with representatives proportional to states populations. Favored large states. Wanted to rewrite Constitution. Wanted veto power over state laws
What are the 5 articles of the Constitution?
Article 1: Legislative branch's duties
Article 2: Executive branch's duties
Article 3: Judicial branch's duties
Article 4: Relationship between national and state governments
Article 5: The ratification and amendment process
Jefferson vs Hamilton
Jefferson: strong states, strict interpretation of Const. pro farmer
Hamilton: strong national gov, loose interpretation of Const, pro urban life
What was the Stamp Act Congress of 1765?
A gathering of delegates from nine American colonies. The purpose was to discuss the rights of colonists regarding British taxation,
What were the Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) of 1774?
Britain wanted to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, so they shut down Boston's harbor and forced people to house soldiers.
What was the New Jersey plan?
Proposed by William Paterson, wants unicameral legislature with equal representatives from each state (1 from each state to be specific). Favors small states. Wanted only to amend Articles. Didn't want veto power over state laws
Divides governmental authority among different branches to prevent any one entity from becoming too powerful.
Legislative: Rule makers
Executive: Rule enforcers
Judicial: Rule interpreters
What is the 3/5ths rule?
Slaves would count for 3/5ths of a person when counting population to determine how many representatives a state should get
What were the Townshend Acts of 1766?
A series of British laws that imposed taxes on goods imported to the American colonies like paint, glass, lead, etc.
What was the First Continental Congress?
In 1774, twelve of thirteen colonies were represented at the First Continental Congress. Fifty-six delegates attended. Only Georgia was not represented. Gathered to talk about how they could protest these acts and taxes
What was The Great Compromise?
Bicameral legislature, one has proportional representation based on state population (House of Representatives) and one has equal number of senators–2 for each state (Senate)
What are checks and balances?
Ways to prevent one branch from having too much power.
Can you give examples of how each branch checks another?
Why is Marbury V Madison significant?
Established judicial review; process by which court system can determine constitutionality of laws and executive orders. Gives judicial branch more power