Politics & power
Drafted to replace a weak confederation, this 1787 document created a stronger federal government—its system of checks and balances responded to fears rooted in colonial experience by preventing any single branch from becoming tyrannical, reflecting the colonists' distrust of concentrated power like that of the British monarchy.
What is the Constitution?
Though it ended a global war and expanded British territory, this 1763 treaty ironically planted the seeds of colonial unrest by increasing Britain’s debt and prompting new colonial taxes that led to resistance and revolution.
What was is the Treaty of Paris?
Although his 1492 voyage is often credited with “discovering” the New World, this explorer died still believing he had reached Asia, despite clear signs that his landing site was something altogether different.
What is Columbus's first journey?
Though initially limited in enforcement, this 1890 legislation marked a pivotal shift in federal policy by asserting the authority to regulate and limit corporate monopolies in the interest of preserving fair competition.
What is the Sherman Antitrust Act?
This 1930’s initiative included programs like the CCC and WPA, which shows how the federal government took a larger role in economic recovery from the Great Depression decline.
What is Roosevelt's New Deal?
Though it abolished slavery and extended civil rights, this postwar era revealed deep divides over how to reintegrate the south.
What is Reconstruction Era?
This 1930 scandal involved the secret leasing of federal oil reserves in exchange for bribes and payments, which had damaged public trust in the Harding administration.
What is the Teapot Dome Scandal?
Authorized by a royal charter in 1606, this first permanent English settlement was more of a commercial venture than a religious mission—distinguishing it from later colonial efforts.
What is the Virginia Company Charter?/What is the establishment of Jamestown?
This U.S president had served from 1981 to 1989 and led a conservative shift with policies like Reaganomics and a tough stance against the Soviet Union in Cold War tensions.
What are Reagan's Presidency and Policies?
This movement during the 1950’s and the 1960’s fought to end racial segregation and gain equal rights for black Americans through protests, marches, and landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act.
What is the Civil Rights Movement
Though often associated with pre-Civil War debates over slavery, this 1840s principle reflected a deeper democratic ideal that redefined American national identity by emphasizing that legitimate government authority comes from the consent of the people.
What is Popular Sovereignty?
This 1850 legislative deal momentarily calmed tensions by balancing free and slave state interests- but its contradictory provisions deepen sectional divides instead of resolving them by simultaneously appeasing and angering both north and south, granting a strict fugitive slave law while admitting california as a free state, exposing the irreconcilable nature of the slavery debate.
What is the Compromise of 1850?
While largely ignored at this time, this 1823 foreign policy statement became the foundation for future US interventions by asserting that the western hemisphere was off-limits to further European colonization or interference.
What is the Monroe Doctrine?
This 1803 decision may have denied a commission but cemented the Court’s authority by establishing judicial review.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
In this election, republican George H. W. Bush defeated democrat Michael Dukakis by promising to continue Regan’s conservative policies, famously pledging “no new taxes” and using aggressive negative ads like the Willie Horton commercial to paint Dukakis as weak.
What is the election of 1988?
While bloodless in England, this political shift triggered colonial rejoicing and a rollback of centralized control in America—this end of the Dominion of New England matters to colonial governments by restoring colonial self-governance and weakened the Crown’s direct control, fueling desires for independence and expansion. What shift/revolution fueled these changes?
What is the Glorious Revolution?
This global conflict began in 1947 as a rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, marked by political tension, nuclear arms buildup, and efforts to contain communism without direct military confrontation.
What is the Cold War(starting in 1947)?
This 1494 treaty drew a line intended to divide the non-European world between two powers—but ironically helped spark future English and French colonization efforts.
What is the Treaty of Tordesillas?
This economic philosophy, dominant during the Gilded Age, enabled industrial titans to amass wealth and influence largely unchecked-but this limited government oversight led to poor labor conditions, income inequality, and little workers rights.
What is Laissez-faire government(1865-1910)?
Proposed in 1918, this peace plan aimed to end WWI and promote international cooperation through ideas like self determination and the League of Nations.
What is Wilson's 14 points?
This fiercely contested election, culminating in a tie resolved by the House after 36 ballots, not only marked the first peaceful transfer of power between US political parties but also exposed flaws in the electoral college system, leading to the 12th amendment.
What is the election of 1800?
This Compromise during a presidential election led to the start of reconstruction in post civil war times due to the Democratic Party allowing the Republican Party to be in control if federal troops were removed from the south.
What is the compromise of 1877?
This region’s strategic location at the heart of the continent sparked a violent power struggle between empires and Indigenous nations. British involvement in this conflict was especially significant in shaping George Washington’s legacy by marking his first military command, where his actions triggered the French and Indian War and began his rise to prominence.
What is the Ohio River Valley Conflict?
Framed as punishment for a rebellious act, these 1774 laws backfired by uniting the colonies in defiance. They are considered a turning point in colonial attitudes toward Britain because they were seen as a violation of natural rights and self-governance, pushing many colonists from protest to open rebellion?
What are the Intolerable Acts?
This election was ultimately decided by a controversial Supreme Court case in which a recount vote in Florida was stopped, and the Democratic candidate had lost the vote, even though winning the popular vote.
What is the election of 2000?