Foundational Documents
What document served as the first constitution of the United States but was replaced due to its weaknesses?
Articles of Confederation
What meeting was held in 1787 to address the problems with the Articles of Confederation?
The Constitutional Convention
Which four warnings did George Washington give during his Farewell Address?
1. Avoid sectionalism.
2. Avoid political partisanship.
3. Avoid foreign entanglements.
4. Respect the Constitution.
Which political party was John Adams affiliated with?
The Federalist Party
What are the names of the two explorers that Jefferson sent to explore the unsettled Louisiana Territory after the Louisiana Purchase?
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark
What document served as the first constitution of the United States but was replaced due to its weaknesses?
Magna Carta
What is federalism?
The sharing of power between the federal and state governments.
What is a Cabinet?
a group of advisors to help the president make decisions and run the government
Which Democratic-Republican newspaper famously described Adams as "old, bald, and toothless?"
The National Gazette
What is an embargo?
An embargo is when a country stops trading with another country.
DAILY DOUBLE
Write three weaknesses of the Articles of Federation that were exposed through Shays' Rebellion.
The federal government had:
1) no president (executive branch)
2) no power to collect taxes
3) no power to command a national army
What was the key difference between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan?
The Virginia Plan favored representation based on population, while the New Jersey Plan called for equal representation for all states.
What reasoning did George Washington provide for issuing the Neutrality Proclamation?
He believed that the United States was too fledgling a nation to get entangled in foreign conflicts.
What is a quasi war?
an undeclared naval conflict between the United States and France that occurred from 1798 to 1800 during John Adams' presidency.
Who killed Alexander Hamilton?
Aaron Burr
How did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 contribute to the growth of the United States?
It established a process for admitting new states to the Union and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.
Why did the Founding Fathers create the electoral college?
They believed that the common people were not qualified to vote for someone as important as the president. Therefore, they decided that only a special, elite group of individuals called electors could vote for the president.
How did George Washington resolve the Whiskey Rebellion? Were his actions legal or not?
Washington summoned a militia to subdue to conflict. His actions were legal, as the Constitution grants the president the power to command a national army and to use military force in times of public danger.
What is the Sedition Act, and how did it violate the Constitution?
The Sedition Act made it illegal for people to write anything critical or negative about the government. This is a direct violation of the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of press to all citizens.
What is the significance of Marbury v. Madison?
It established judicial review, which makes the judicial branch the final interpreter of the Constitution.
What must happen in order for a new constitutional amendment to be formally ratified?
2/3 of Congress must approve of the new amendment through voting. Then, at least 50% of the citizens of 3/4 of the states must approve of the new amendment through voting.
DAILY DOUBLE
If the president declares martial law, how can the other branches of the federal government check and balance the president's action?
The judicial branch can deem the president's declaration of martial law unconstitutional. Once the judicial branch makes that decision, the legislative branch can impeach the president.
DAILY DOUBLE
In what way did the Enumerated Powers of Congress and the Necessary and Proper Clause come into play when George Washington and Alexander Hamilton wanted to establish a National Bank?
The Enumerated Powers grant Congress the power to coin money and regulate commerce. They do not explicitly mention that Congress can create a bank. However, the establishment of the National Bank was justified through the Necessary and Proper Clause because it was decided that it was necessary and proper for the federal government to create a bank in order to exercise their power to coin money and regulate commerce.
DAILY DOUBLE
Were the Alien Acts unconstitutional? Explain your reasoning.
No. One of the Enumerated Powers of Congress is the power to establish a uniform rule of naturalization.
In what ways did Thomas Jefferson’s purchase of the Louisiana Territory contradict his political beliefs?
As an Anti-Federalist and champion of strict construction, he believed the federal government had no authority to buy land not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.