American Revolution
This river valley was the main area of competition between Britain and France that led to the French and Indian War.
What is the Ohio River Valley?
This first government of the United States was too weak because it couldn't tax citizens or enforce laws.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
This 1800 election was significant because it was the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in American history.
What is the election of 1800?
Who is George Washington?
These battles were the beginning of the American Revolution, famously termed "the shot heard 'round the world".
What is the battle of Lexington and Concord?
This 1763 treaty ended the French and Indian War and gave Britain control of most French territory in North America.
What is the treaty of Paris?
This 1786-1787 uprising by Massachusetts farmers showed that the Articles of Confederation couldn't maintain order and helped convince leaders that a stronger government was needed.
What is Shay's Rebellion?
This Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
This Founding Father wrote "Common Sense" in 1776, using plain language to convince ordinary colonists that independence from Britain was both necessary and achievable.
Who is Thomas Paine?
This state ratified its state constitution and became the 16th state to enter the Union. Name the state and why it's constitution was unique for the time period.
What is the state of Tennessee? It was the first state constitution to grant all free adult men, regardless of race, the right to vote, which was a progressive move compared to many other states at the time. They just had to be land-owning males and live in the county.
This 1765 act required colonists to provide housing and food for British soldiers stationed in the colonies.
What is the quartering act?
This compromise at the Constitutional Convention created a two-house legislature with representation based on both population and equal state representation.
What is the Great Compromise?
This exploration expedition commissioned by Thomas Jefferson mapped the western territory and reached the Pacific Ocean.
What is the Lewis and Clark expedition?
Known as the "Father of the Constitution," this Virginian came to the Constitutional Convention with detailed plans for a new government. (Not the writer of the Constitution though)
Who is James Madison?
This battle happened in modern day New York in 1777 during the American Revolution. Commonly described as the major turning point of the War, it helped give Americans the belief they could win and solidified support from the French.
What is the battle of Saratoga?
These two events in Boston (one in 1770, one in 1773) both increased tensions between Britain and the colonies by showing colonial resistance to British policies. (One happened at a crowded protest and the other happened in a harbor).
What is the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party?
These three principles of government are established in the Constitution to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Name any one and explain how it works.
This practice by the British navy of forcing American sailors to serve on British ships was one of the main causes of the War of 1812.
What is impressment?
This person is a Tennessee native, a prominent military figure, and eventual became a President as well. He is best known for his stance against Native Americans and his success in the Battle of New Orleans.
Who is Andrew Jackson?
This 1823 policy declared that European powers should not interfere in the Western Hemisphere, while the U.S. would stay out of European affairs. Name this doctrine and the purpose that it served.
What is the Monroe Doctrine?
Explanation: President Monroe created this doctrine in 1823 to warn European powers not to establish new colonies or interfere in the newly independent Latin American nations. The policy was prompted by fears that European powers might try to help Spain regain its former colonies. The doctrine established the principle that the Western Hemisphere was America's sphere of influence while promising the U.S. would stay out of European conflicts. This policy became a cornerstone of American foreign policy and showed growing American confidence on the world stage.
This pamphlet published in January 1776 helped prepare American colonists for the ideas expressed in the document signed six months later in July. Analyze the connection between these two documents, explaining how the first helped prepare colonists.
What is Common Sense helping motivate and give logical reasoning for the Declaration of Independence from the British?
These two groups disagreed over ratifying the Constitution - one wanted a strong federal government, the other feared it would take away states' rights and individual freedoms. Give the names of the two groups and compare their main concerns.
The Federalists and Anti-Federalists had contrasting views on the ratification of the Constitution:
This 1807 law banned American trade with foreign countries to avoid conflict with Britain and France, but it severely hurt the American economy instead. Explain why Jefferson created this policy and why it failed.
What is the Embargo Act of 1807?
Explanation: Jefferson created the Embargo Act to avoid getting involved in the war between Britain and France by stopping all American trade with foreign countries. He hoped this would force both nations to respect American neutrality. However, the policy failed because it severely damaged the American economy, especially hurting merchants and farmers who depended on foreign trade, while having little effect on Britain and France.
These two Founding Fathers had opposing views on economic policy, foreign policy, and constitutional interpretation that led to the formation of America's first political parties. Name the two founding fathers and what they disagreed upon.
The two Founding Fathers who had opposing views on economic policy, foreign policy, and constitutional interpretation that led to the formation of America's first political parties are Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. Hamilton favored a strong central government and a loose interpretation of the Constitution, advocating for tariffs and a national bank, while Jefferson supported states' rights and a strict interpretation of the Constitution, opposing Hamilton's financial policies and leaning towards a pro-French stance in foreign policy.
This 1803 land purchase from France doubled the size of the United States for about $15 million, but it raised constitutional questions about whether the federal government had the power to buy territory. Explain why this event was controversial and how it affected westward expansion. (Controversial means: giving rise or likely to give rise to controversy or public disagreement)
What is the Louisiana Purchase?
Explanation: The Louisiana Purchase was controversial because the Constitution didn't explicitly give the federal government power to purchase territory, creating a debate about strict versus loose interpretation of the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson, who normally favored strict interpretation, decided the benefits outweighed his constitutional concerns. This massive land acquisition opened vast territories for westward expansion, provided control of the vital Mississippi River and New Orleans port, and strengthened America's position as a continental power. The purchase also raised future questions about whether slavery would be allowed in these new territories.