History Final Review

Question 1

Houses of Congress

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

3 Branches of Government

Answer 2

Executive: President, Vice President, and Cabinet
Legislative: (Bicameral Legislature): House of Reps (based of pop.) and Senate (2 per state, equality)
Judicial: Supreme Court

Question 3

Articles of Confederation

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Shays Rebellion

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Constitutional Convention

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Federalists

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Anti-federalists

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Living Document

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Electoral vs. Popular Vote

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Federalism

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Checks and Balances

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Judicial Review

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Veto

Answer 13

Allows the President to check legislative by reviewing acts passed. Then can block any laws that they find are unconstitutional or unlawful.

Question 14

Impeachment

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Bicameral

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

James Madison

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

George Washington

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Roger Sherman

Answer 18

Delegate of Connecticut. Came up with the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention. Created what is now known as the Constitution.

Question 19

Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10)

Answer 19

The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments of the Constitution. These are not amendable but the rest are.

Question 20

1st Amendment (5 parts)

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Slander and Libel

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

2nd Amendment

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

3rd Amendment

Answer 23

Quartering of soldiers. If soldier asks to spend the night in your home, you can say no.

Question 24

4th Amendment

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

5th Amendment

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

6th Amendment

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

7th Amendment

Answer 27

Trial by jury in civil cases.
Jury=peers=more fair=get to decide
right to know the jury/who is accusing you

Question 28

8th Amendment

Answer 28

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.

Question 29

9th Amendment

Answer 29

non-enumerated=not written down
certain rights non-enumerated that we have/guaranteed such as every American having the right to an education.

Question 30

10th Amendment

Answer 30

States have power the national government doesn’t. Unless the national government addresses issue, then states have power.

Question 31

Doubles Jeopardy

Answer 31

Cannot be tried more than once if not guilty. If “guilty” then can appeal as many times as wanted

Question 32

Self Incrimination

Answer 32

Don’t have to answer questions about yourself. If about someone else, than must answer by law

Question 33

13th Amendment

Answer 33

Forever abolished slavery in all US territories. And called for no harsh treatment of workers.

Question 34

14th Amendment

Answer 34

Every person born in the US is granted citizenship. They are treated equally under law.

Question 35

15th Amendment

Answer 35

Granted the right for African American to vote.

Question 36

Manifest Destiny

Answer 36

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).

Question 37

Land Acquisition

Answer 37

The process of making offers to landowners to make an official purchase of a territory.

Question 38

Louisiana Territory (1803) 1st

Answer 38

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

Question 39

Florida(1819) 2nd

Answer 39

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

Question 40

Texas (1845) 3rd

Answer 40

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.

Question 41

Oregon Country (1846) 4th

Answer 41

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.

Question 42

Mexican Cession (1848) 5th

Answer 42

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.

Question 43

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

Answer 43

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.

Question 44

Pioneer Women

Answer 44

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.

Question 45

Mountain Men

Answer 45

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.

Question 46

Missionaries

Answer 46

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.

Question 47

49ers

Answer 47

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.

Question 48

Assimilation

Answer 48

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.