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Colonial Period
Uniting for Independence
Articles of Confederation
Constitutional Convention
Bits and pieces
100
From what country did America borrow its political heritage?
England
100
For nearly 150 years the American colonies essentially governed themselves. What two events changed relations between England and the colonies during the 1760's?
King George III came to power
The French and Indian War ended, leaving a massive war debt
100
What was America's first form of government following the Revolutionary War?
A confederation (under the Articles of Confederation)
100
Northern states wanted slaves to be counted for tax purposes but not for representation. Southern states wanted slaves to be counted for representation purposes but not for tax purposes. What is the name of the compromise that resolved this issue?
The Three-Fifths Compromise settled this debate by establishing that only 60% of the slave population would be counted for both purposes.
100
Hey... Do ya know what today is?
HUMPDAY
200
Name two of the three major documents that influenced politics in colonial America.
Magna Carta
Petition of Right
English Bill of Rights
200
How did the British King intend to raise revenue to pay off his debts?
By levying taxes on tea, sugar, glass, paper, and other products.
200
Name two benefits of the Articles of Confederation.
Helped to settle the West (Northwest Ordinance),
1783 peace treaty with Britain,
Established the precedent of cabinet departments
200
What did the Connecticut Compromise do?
It suggested that the legislature have two parts:
A House of Representatives based on population
A Senate that would provide equal representation to all states
200
Three bridges in the Philadelphia spanning the Delaware River are named after historical figures. Name them.
Betsy Ross,
Benjamin Franklin,
Walt Whitman
300
This philosophical movement was centered in Europe and influenced many of the revolutions that took place during the 18th century.
The Enlightenment
300
The Boston Tea Party happened in 1773. What was Britain's response to this protest of "taxation without representation"?
The Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)
300
Name three congressional powers under the Articles of Confederation.
Make war and peace,
Send and receive ambassadors,
Make treaties,
Raise and equip a navy,
Maintain an army by asking states for troops,
Appoint top military officers,
Fix weights and measures,
Regulate Indian Affairs,
Set up post offices,
Decide some state disputes
300
What did the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise decide?
Congress would have the power to regulate both interstate and foreign commerce but was forbidden to impose export taxes.
The slave trade could not be banned until 1808.
300
In what state did Washington land when he crossed the Delaware?
New Jersey
400
These two major political principles were universally adopted by American colonial governments.
Limited Government
Representative Government
400
Hopefully you're aware that the Declaration of Independence was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson and was signed by the delegates of the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. How many sections does the Declaration have and what do they contain?
The three sections of the Declaration of Independence contain a statement of purpose and basic human rights
a list of specific complaints against George III,
and a statement of determination to separate from Great Britain
400
Name four weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
Congress could not levy taxes,
Congress did not have the power to regulate trade,
Congress could not force anybody to obey the laws it passed,
Laws needed the approval of 9/13 states,
Amending the Articles required all the states to agree,
No executive branch,
No national court system
400
Name three points of the New Jersey Plan.
Unicameral legislature,
Congress could impose taxes and regulate trade,
a weak executive of more than one person would be elected by Congress,
A national judiciary with limited power appointed by executive
400
Name 4 of the 9 cities that have served as the capital of the United States.
Philadelphia,
Baltimore,
Lancaster,
York,
Princeton,
Annapolis,
Trenton,
New York City,
Washington D.C.
500
Name three of the five major principles of the English Bill of Rights.
Monarch does not have absolute authority
Monarch rules with Parliament's consent
Free elections
People have the right to a fair, speedy trial by a jury of their peers and to petition the government
People not subject to excessive fines/bail or cruel/unusual punishments
500
Tell me what two of the four Intolerable Acts did.
Closed Boston Harbor
Revoked Massachusetts’ right to self-government and forbidding town meetings
British officials charged with a crime could stand trial in England or another colony
Made arrangements for the quartering of British soldiers in American homes
500
What's up with Shays's Rebellion?
There was economic trouble causing many farmers that had fought in the Revolutionary War to default on their loans and have their farms foreclosed. Armed groups of farmers forced the courts to close to prevent this from happening. Daniel Shays, who had served as a captain in the Revolutionary Army, led a group that closed the Massachusetts state Supreme Court. When the justices of the court refused to help, Shays and 1200 men marched on the federal arsenal at Springfield. The Massachusetts militia put down the rebellion, but this event raised a number of questions about the Articles of Confederation
500
Name two points of the Virginia Plan.
National legislature with two chambers wherein the lower chamber is chosen by the people and the upper chamber is chosen by the lower,
a strong national executive chosen by the legislature,
a national judiciary appointed by the legislature.
500
Benjamin Franklin was a prolific inventor who lived to be 84 (double the average life expectancy). How many inventions and scientific discoveries did he patent (+/- 25)?
None. He believed that everyone should be able to freely benefit from scientific progress.