History Final Review Flashcards
Houses of Congress
Congress is a branch of the United States government. It is bicameral meaning it is split into 2 groups which are the Senate and the House of Representatives. There are 2 members of the Senate per state while there is an amount of House of Representatives corresponding to the population of the state.
3 Branches of Government
Executive: President, Vice President, and Cabinet
Legislative: (Bicameral Legislature): House of Reps (based of pop.) and Senate (2 per state, equality)
Judicial: Supreme Court
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation were made during the Revolution. It made for a weak colonial/state governments. There was now a need for a centralized government. How would they pay soldiers and how would they deal with foreign country debt? They did not want a monarchy or a king like Britain.
Shays Rebellion
Led by Daniel Shay. In 1786, Shays and 1,000 farmers revolt in Boston. Shays was a farmer and worked with other farmers to provide food to the army. He took out a loan from a bank in order to make production rapid. In the end he was seen as a hero, being recognized by George Washington, but did not have enough money to repay the bank. Even with his heroic act, the bank demanded the money back. Revolt was put down by MA Militia, but resulted in lost unity between the states.
Constitutional Convention
Took place on May, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All states attended except Rhode Island. Goal was to secretly revise the Articles. 55 delegates, 2/3 lawyers, most politically experienced. All were of high class and were used to being the smartest in the room, so there was conflict. “Well fed, well read, well wed”.
James Madison stepped up and wanted to make a name for himself. Brought 600 printed pages of notes that covered all succeeding and failed governments. Best first proposal. How would Representation in Congress look like? How much power would Congress have?
Election of Congress Proposal #1. Made by James Madison and Edmund Randolph. Called for strong national government of 3 Branches(executive, legislative, and Judicial). With Bicameral legislature
Election of Congress Proposal #2. Made by William Patterson. everything of Proposal but wanted Unicameral legislature so that bigger states had more power
The Great Compromise was made by Roger Sherman. Would have bicameral legislature with House of Rep based on pop. and Senate by equality
Final Problem was if slaves counted as people. There were more slaves in the South so they wanted it to count (90%). Decided on 3/5 of a person (Three Fifths Compromise)
Slave Importation Clause 20 years
Fugitive Slave Clause
Federalists
Wanted a strong national government, which shared power with the states. Mainly lived in big coastal cities and worked in commerce. Wanted more international trade and establish strong/stable federal government. Some frontier settlers believed strong central government could defend from Native Americans.
Anti-federalists
Believed constitution did not provide strong barriers against potential abuse of power by the federal government. Wanted more power to the states. Lived in more rural areas, federal government as distant and separate interest.
Patrick Henry and George Mason, delegates of Virginia, gave impassioned speeches criticizing the Constitution.
Living Document
A living document is a document that can be amended or added after being ratified. The Constitution is a living document being amended through its 200 years. It is meant to be able to keep up with the country’s present needs.
Electoral vs. Popular Vote
Electoral votes are equal to the amount of representation in Congress per state. 270 are needed to win. If close in some states, then may break up the votes. Red=Republican Blue=Democratic Purple=both/swing. Only electoral votes matter. If there are more votes overall for a candidate, but more electoral votes for the other than the person with more electoral votes wins.
Federalism
Where the country is split into 2 powers. A strong national government and a smaller distributed power to the states. The states get to decide the laws that are not stated by the national government.
Checks and Balances
Allows each branch of government to prevent any other branch to become too powerful. Other branches have to check over decisions and all must agree.
Judicial Review
The legislative branch take a vote a law that is created within. This is then looked over by the President. If not approved by President, then they can re-vote within Congress. If enough votes, then can take to Judicial Branch where Supreme Court makes the final decision.
Veto
Allows the President to check legislative by reviewing acts passed. Then can block any laws that they find are unconstitutional or unlawful.
Impeachment
The act of bringing charges to a government for wrongdoing or unlawful activity. Then there is a vote to keep or release the official from their position.
Bicameral
When a branch of government is split into 2 Powers. For the United States government, the legislative branch is bicameral. Having a House of Representatives and Senate.
James Madison
Was a Virginia Delegate. “Father of the Constitution”. He brought 600 printed pages of notes that studied different governmental structures that have failed and succeeded. He wanted to make a name for himself as a young upcoming politician. Became 4th president of the US.
George Washington
George Washington would be the leader or provide guidance during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia 1787. He worked closely with James Madison to establish the Constitution. Became first president of the US in 1789.
Roger Sherman
Delegate of Connecticut. Came up with the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention. Created what is now known as the Constitution.
Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10)
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments of the Constitution. These are not amendable but the rest are.
1st Amendment (5 parts)
The Freedom of Expression
Religion
Created because King of England controlled religion pre-Revolution. No forced religion, no or any religion. Cannot be a religion that takes away someone’s rights
Speech
Cannot say anything going against someone’s rights. If it causes harm then considered liable
Press
anything can be written and published. Libel is writing a lie that ruins one’s reputation.
Assembly
can join together to share any beliefs. peaceful assembly-no violence or discussion of it
Petition
if 150,000 people sign a petition then Congress must address it. All your grievances to power.
Slander and Libel
Slander is when someone spreads a rumor that ruins one’s reputation. This is spoken.
Libel is when someone ruins one’s reputation by writing or publishing false rumors of someone.
2nd Amendment
The right to bear arms. This was meant for when the British could come back (War of 1812). This does not apply to current society and needs to adapt to 2024 society. For “well-regulated militia” only.
3rd Amendment
Quartering of soldiers. If soldier asks to spend the night in your home, you can say no.
4th Amendment
No unreasonable searches and seizures. For privacy and protection. A warrant is needed. A warrant is a legal document issued by a judge. For probable cause- evidence/reason to search. Specific time and cause given. Cannot take something not looking for.
5th Amendment
Due process of law
No self-incrimination- don’t say anything that can be used against you
Grand Jury
pre-trial jury - does not decide innocent or guilt but if the case should even happen
(Rather guilty person free than innocent imprisoned)
Doubles Jeopardy
Self-Incrimination
Just compensation
government can take your land by force, but they must give fair market value.
6th Amendment
Make sure people don’t stay in jail for long. The right to a fair and speedy trial(100 days). The right to know what you are accused for.
7th Amendment
Trial by jury in civil cases.
Jury=peers=more fair=get to decide
right to know the jury/who is accusing you
8th Amendment
no cruel or unusual punishment. Death penalty is not considered cruel, but 1/9 are wrong. If caused damage in prison, then solitary confinement. No excessive bail, must fit the crime.
9th Amendment
non-enumerated=not written down
certain rights non-enumerated that we have/guaranteed such as every American having the right to an education.
10th Amendment
States have power the national government doesn’t. Unless the national government addresses issue, then states have power.
Doubles Jeopardy
Cannot be tried more than once if not guilty. If “guilty” then can appeal as many times as wanted
Self Incrimination
Don’t have to answer questions about yourself. If about someone else, than must answer by law
13th Amendment
Forever abolished slavery in all US territories. And called for no harsh treatment of workers.
14th Amendment
Every person born in the US is granted citizenship. They are treated equally under law.
15th Amendment
Granted the right for African American to vote.
Manifest Destiny
All land between Atlantic to Pacific Ocean, destiny
Louisiana Purchase (1803), Florida (1821), Texas Annexed (1845), Oregon Country British claims extinguished (1846), Mexican Cession (1846).
Land Acquisition
The process of making offers to landowners to make an official purchase of a territory.
Louisiana Territory (1803) 1st
Jefferson wanted to expand. Napoleon wants to take over the world. New Orleans was the target, which was French at the time. Mississippi River farmers transport goods.
French–>Spain–>French–>America
$7.5 Million for New Orleans, $15 million for all territory.
Although this was a steal for about 4 cents an acre. the land had almost doubled and was too much to manage. Also with no knowledge of the land, this was how dynasties fall, too big too fast. The start of Westward Expansion
Florida(1819) 2nd
War of 1812 slows expansion. Florida is peninsula with port cities. Not much fertile land but Seminoles (central Florida)(Native Americans) that are a warrior tribe. This state allowed slaves escape from Georgia.
1818: Andrew Jackson ordered to scare, not kill, Seminoles, but attacks anyway.
1819:$5 million
Texas (1845) 3rd
1821 Mexico Declares Independence. 1830: now 25,000 Americans because of great land, but tensions grow. Santa Anna threaten the people but 125 people stay and are slaughtered.
1836: Sam Houston
Battle of San Jacito
catches Santa Anna at San Jacito river and dominates for 18 minutes.
Become Lone Star Republic for 11 years then annexed into America in 1845.
Oregon Country (1846) 4th
Polk saw land as opportunity. Negotiated a split with Britain at 49th parallel. British got more land, but US had more fertile land/resources for America.
Now owned land next to Pacific Ocean. A whole new market (Asia) with many port cities.
Mexican Cession (1848) 5th
Border dispute in 1846. Nueces or Rio Grande. Polk wanted to fight but not start. Zachary Taylor (lead general of army) is ordered to build a fort in the area between Nueces and Rio Grande. A soldier is killed at the end of 1846, which declared war. American Blood on American soldier.18 month war. Little resistance as people hated Santa Anna.
Forced to sign Treaty of Guadalupe. For land Acquisition. America gives $15 million to Mexico as a saving face for the territory.
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
Santa Anna is forced to sign in Mexico City.
1.Gives America all of Mexican Cession
2.War is over
3. Give $15 million to Mexico
saving face, help Mexicans back on feet, wanting non hostile enemies/neighbors, no revenge seeked.
Pioneer Women
Women in the West could go to university, get equal pay, and have control over property if married. Wyoming=first American territory where women could vote.
African American women had economic independence that was not offered in the East, which helped with major advancements in the west.
Mountain Men
Furs, particular beavers, and the finest felt hats ever attracted the Mountain Men West. Beaver trapping at Missouri river/source. Lots of money off trade.
Lived alone or in small groups. Only 1 in 4 survived, either attacked by Indians or Grizzlys. Starved to death.
Fur trade was in trouble by 1830s. Silk preferred over felt, by 1840 beaver basically extinct.
The knowledge of the Rocky Mountains West helped explorers and settlers. Economically impacted St. Louis and the West.
Missionaries
Changed American thoughts on the frontier and its possibilities. “Civilize” the west, saving from evil forces, venture unknown to save souls. Native Americans, the protestants, and the Mormons.
49ers
1848 gold discovered in Cali. They came from eastern, southern America. Also Asia, Latin America, Europe and Australia.
Killed Native population. Chinese and Latin Americans were subjected to violent attacks. 1848 to 1855.
Assimilation
Wanted Native Americans to join our culture or “be normal”. Early 1900s “kill the Indians to save the man”.
Boarding Schools by Richard Henry Pratt
Taught prisoners of war to do “American” things. Genocide disguised as school.
Adoption
continuation of the boarding schools.
