Unit 2: Founding Flashcards
Who were the American settlers?
Settlers who wanted to escape religious and economic conditions in England.
What kind of independence did colonial governments have?
Practical independence from the crown and Parliament, and real independence from one another.
Why did England expect the colonists to pay for their defense and protection?
England was cash-strapped after the French & Indian War.
What angered the colonists about the Treaty of Paris?
It halted westward expansion.
What were the colonists’ grievances regarding taxes and abuses of police powers?
They hated the Sugar & Stamp Acts (“No taxation without representation”) and British denial of rights for suspected criminals.
What was the purpose of the Stamp Act Congress?
First step toward a national government.
What did the Stamp Act Congress successfully petition for?
Repeal of the Stamp Act.
What did Parliament pass after the repeal of the Stamp Act?
The Townsend Act (tea tax).
What were the goals of the first Continental Congress?
Formalized boycotts and attempted to petition King George III for a peaceful address of grievances.
What led to the formation of the second Continental Congress?
The battles of Lexington & Concord.
Who primarily wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson, with an ‘assist’ from John Locke.
What does the Declaration of Independence state about people?
All people are ‘created equal’ and given rights by their Creator.
What is the purpose of a government according to the Declaration of Independence?
To protect the people’s rights (social contract).
What can the people do if a government does not protect their rights?
Alter or abolish it.
What were the features of the Articles of Confederation?
A) Loose “league of friendship” that left most powers to the states
B) Congress had war powers, and control over foreign relations & the post.
C) One vote per state: 9 votes to pass laws, 13 to amend Articles
D) Government paid for by contributions from the states
What were the problems for the National Government during ‘The Critical Period’?
A) No power to tax.
B) Worthless currency.
C) No commerce power.
D) No executive branch.
E) No national judiciary.
F) Too weak to act.
What were the principles the framers believed in?
A) Federalism: division of authority between states and the central government
B) Separation of powers between different branches of gov.: ‘Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.’— James Madison.
C) Checks & Balances: Each branch guards its own independence, and against the supremacy of any one branch.
D) Limit majority rule: demonstrated by unelected bodies like the President (picked by the Electoral College), Senate (selected by state legislatures), and the Supreme Court (appointed for life terms)
Federalism
Division of authority between states and the central government
Checks & Balances
Each branch guards its own independence, and against the supremacy of any one branch
Limit majority rule
Demonstrated by unelected bodies like the President (picked by the Electoral College), Senate (selected by state legislatures), and the Supreme Court (appointed for life terms)
What was the Virginia Plan?
Scrap Articles of Confederation for more powerful government, bicameral legislature, votes based on state population.
What was the New Jersey Plan?
Keep and strengthen Articles of Confederation, unicameral congress, one vote per state.
What was the Connecticut (Great) Compromise?
One house popularly elected, other house selected by states with equal representation, national power supreme over state power.
What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?
How slaves are counted for House of Representatives.
What was the Electoral College?
Unelected people choose the Executive (President).
Who authored the Virginia Plan?
James Madison.
