Midyear Review Flashcards
Boston Tea Party
Following Tea Act, colonists dressed as Native Americans and and dumped tea to the Boston harbor
State of Nature
When a civilization has no government and no law enforcement
Stamp Act
Law that required all commercial and legal documents to have a stamp stating that they had payed a tax
Common Sense
Written by Thomas Paine calling for independence from Britain and explaining why monarchy was flawed
Declaration of Independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson
Included the rights of life; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
John Locke—rights of life; liberty and property
Leader of continental army
George Washington
Country aiding colonies during Revolutionary War
France
Articles of confederation
First national document creating a national government (U.S.)
Colonists were fearful of strong government when drafting it
Too weak and limited power of congress
Shay’s Rebellion proved this
Constitutional convention
Independence Hall/1787/Philadelphia
Virginia plan/NJ plan/Great Compromise
Virginia Plan
James Madison presented by Governer Randolph
Large state — pop = rep
Bicameral congress with both houses based on population
New Jersey plan
William Patterson
Small state plan — equal rep=less power for large states
Unicameral congress with rep based on equality
Great Compromise
Roger Sherman
Called for bicameral: senate = equal HOR= population
Small = rep in senate Large = rep in HOR
Today’s government
Bill of Rights
James Madison
First ten amendments of constitution
Guarantees individual rights and liberties
Anti-federalists required this doc to be written before ratifying the constitution
Federalist papers
Written by James Madison, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton
Ratification
9 out of 13 states required
Article I
Legislative branch - makes laws
Article II
Executive- enforce laws
Article III
Judicial - defines and interprets laws
Checks and Balances
Veto
Impeachement
Appoint judges
Etc.
Senate
equality—two per state
6 year term
100 members
Elected by people (org. by state legislatures)
House of Representatives
state population
2 year term
435 members
Elected by people
Congress
sole power to declare war
Alien & Sedition Acts
Passed by John Adams
Attempt to limit DR opposition
Three acts
Thomas Jefferson
Promised to abolish most taxes
Reduce federal spending
Reduce size of government
Reduce agriculture over industry