Colonial Period Flashcards
What is the purpose of government according to the Declaration of Independence?
Secure natural rights for people.
What was the philosophy of life liberty and the pursuit of happiness based on?
Ideas of enlightenment. Natural right theory.
Why was the bill of rights added to the constitution?
To protect citizens from excessive power of the federal government
What did the articles of confederation lack?
Power to enforce decision. Had to go to all state to gain acceptance
Why are the federalist papers important?
They helped persuade some states to ratify the constitution
What is the main purpose of the bill of rights?
To prevent governmental abuse of power
What does “we the people”
Power comes from the consent of the government. All Americans wrote the constitution collectively.
What are checks and balances?
Counterbalancing influences by which an organization or system is regulated.
What is the constitution?
Law of the land. Indicates how states will be represented in congress
What was a major obstacle of drafting a new constitution at the convention of 1786?
Disagreement between the states over representation in congress.
What did the pamphlet common sense by Thomas Paine do?
Persuaded individuals who were undecided to support independence
Did the colonists or England have more advantages to win the war? What are they
The colonists had much fewer but the stronger ones were much more important. They had active soldiers and familiarity with the terrain
What is an important reason for American victory in rev war?
Aid from foreign nations
What foreign nations helped the colonies why and how?
Louis xiv sent supplies and leadership to assist the colonists to weaken the British
Who was the leader of colonists in Jamestown?
John smith
