2: The Nation Builder

Question 1

What is a different name for the seven year war?

Answer 1

The French and Indian war

Question 2

What territories did the French, Spainish and the English posess before the war?

Answer 2

France: In control of more territory than the English, had been in North America much longer.

Spain: Had also established colonies before the English.

The English: Colonies located along the east coast of what is now the United States.

Question 2

Explain the term: Mercantilism

Answer 2

British government protected merchants through trade barriers and taxes to maximize exports and minimize imports to Britain.

Question 2

Who took the unoccupied land after the France has lost it’s land in North America and the English left?

Answer 2

The Spanish took the rest.

Question 3

Who had control of Louisiana until Napoleon eventually got it back in 1800?

Answer 3

Spain.

Question 3

Who won the Seven year war?

Answer 3

The British won and gained control of most od North America/

Question 3

What happened to Louisiana after Napoleon gained control of it?

Answer 3

The Louisiana
Territory remained French for
only 3 more years.
In 1803 it
was sold to the English in a
deal called the Louisiana
Purchase.

Question 3

Name the 4 unfortunate ACTS and describe them briefly.

Answer 3

1. Sugar Act: Decreased taxes but enforced collection. (Undercut smugglers)
2. Stamp Act: First direct tax on Americans, had to pay for stamp on every paper. Led to cry of “No taxation without representation!”
3. Quartering Act: British soldiers housed in private homes. With or without permission.
4. Townshend Act: Taxes placed on common goods.

Question 3

Explain the term: Boston Massacre

Answer 3

Angry colonial mob protesting about the taxes are shot dead by British soldiers.

Question 3

Who was involved in the American Revolutions and what did the parties look like?

Answer 3

Colonials vs. British.

British were better trained with better weapons.

Colonials were more motivated to win! Received help from French, Spanish and the Dutch.

Question 4

What made the kettle boil over for the colonists, and what was the result?

Answer 4

The Boston Massacre was what made the kettle boil over.
And then:
Boston Tea Party: Britain removes all taxes except for the one on tea. Colonials masquerade as natives and dump insane amounts of tea into Boston Harbour.

Question 4

What action was taken after the Boston Tea Party took place?

Answer 4

Intolerable Acts: Name given by colonists to the laws passed by Britain to punish Massachusetts after Boston Tea Party.

Question 4

What were the first three steps to the Independence of the United States? Describe briefly.

Answer 4

First National Congress (1774)
Group of colonial leaders meet/congregate in Philadelphia to discuss British oppression. Still loyal to Britain.

Second Continental Congress (1775)
Colonial leaders act, wanting to become independent from Britain. George Washington: Leader of military, delegation to France for help.

Declaration of Independence (1776)
Thomas Jefferson split from Britain. Rights of man, right to abolish a bad government.

Question 5

Forming a government: TAKE 1

Answer 5

Articles of confederation – Name of the first attempt at a constitution.

Central government: In charge of foreign relations, wars. Settle disputes between states. All decisions must be unanimous (agreed on by all). Compliance couldn’t be forced.

League of Friendship: One vote per state. Established Congress. State legislators choose Congressmen. States must raise money for the Central Government.

Question 5

Forming a government: TAKE 2

Answer 5

Constitution of USA (1787!!!!!!!!)

Took about 2 years to sign and ratify. Many compromises were made to make a stronger central government than the first version.

“We the people…” First sentence signifies unity.

Question 6

What are the Three Branches of Government and who are involved?

Answer 6

1. Executive:
   Carries out the laws. President, Vice-President and Cabinet.
2. Legislative:
   Creates the laws. Congress: Senate (100) and House of Representatives (435).
3. Judicial: Judge whether the law is constitutional. Supreme Court: judicial review. 9 justices
   appointed by President but approved by the Senate.

Question 6

Explain the term: Federalism

Answer 6

Power share between federal and state authorities.

Question 7

Explain the term: 3/5ths Compromise

Answer 7

During the first census to determine the number of Representatives to the House, slaves were counted as 3/5ths of a person.

Question 8

Explain the term: Checks and Balances

Answer 8

Each branch of government needs
approval from another before changes are
made.

Question 9

Why was the Bill of Rights created?

Answer 9

Shortly after the Constitution was accepted, they decided a few things were missing. They called this the first 10 amendments or The Bill of Rights. Some relate to the pay of congress, others to the formation of a militia.

Question 10

What is the Supreme Court and who decides on it’s makeup?

Answer 10

The Supreme Court judges whether or not the law is constitutional. Supreme Court: Judicial review. 9 justices appointed for life by President, approved by the Senate.
(Appointed by Executive branch, prroved by Legislative branch.)

Question 11

What are the three most important amendments in the Bill of Rights for individuals?

Answer 11

1. The right to freedom of religion. 1st.
2. The right to a fair trial. 6th.
3. The right not to be searched or arrested without good reason. 4th.

Question 12

What are other amendments that were made and are of importance?

Answer 12

2nd Amendment: The right to
bear arms.
13th Amendment: Abolition of
slavery.
19th Amendment: Women’s right
to vote.
Equal Rights Amendment: anti-
discrimination laws.

Question 13

What led to the American colonies declaring independence from Britain?

Answer 13

• The unfortunate and intolarable acts that were implented by Britain

Question 13

What were 5 Key Compromises made in the Constitution?

Answer 13

1. The Great Compromise
2. Three Fifths Compromise
3. Commerce Compromise
4. Slave Trade Compromise
5. Election of President: Electoral College Compromise

Question 13

What is the Senate based on and what idea lie behind it?

Answer 13

• Established in the Constitution.
• Shares equal responsibility in lawmaking with the House of Representatives.
• Each state, regardless of size, has 2 senators.

Question 13

What is the Checks and Balances system exactly?

Answer 13

A principle of government under which separate branches are empowered to prevent actions by other branches and are induced to share power.
Checks and balances are applied primarily in constitutional governments.

Question 14

What is the House of Representatives based on and what idea lies behind it?

Answer 14

• Established in the Constitution.
• Shares equal responsibility for lawmaking with the Senate (Legislative Branch)
• Proportionate to the population of a certain state.

Question 15

Balance of power

Answer 15

With the use of a Checks and Balances system, the United States prevent smaller states (population wise) from being underrepresentated in various elections.

Question 15

Marbury v. Madison: Explained

Answer 15

President John Adams wanted to expand the federalist party’s influence by making the Judiciary Act 1801 and appointing a bunch of new judges because he was going to lose the election to Jefferson. Marbury was one of those judges who was going to be newly appointed. He didn’t get his commission letter on time because the government changed, Adams lost and Jefferson was appointed to office, along with his new secretary of state, James Madison.
Madison refused to give Marbury the commission letter. Marbury tried to sue him. The courts however, identified the act as unconstitutional because it expands the power of the supreme court beyond what is granted by the constitution and conflicts with article 3 so Marbury lost the case.