US History Terms 1

Question 1

Thomas Jefferson

Answer 1

Writer of the declaration of independence. Used John Locke’s theory on unalienable rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, and asserted that all men are created equal

Question 2

George Washington

Answer 2

He was the Commander in Chief of the continental army during the revolutionary war. Today he is known as “The Father of Our Country”

Question 3

The United States Constitution

Answer 3

This document was created by James Maddison and lays out America’s form of government. It replaces the Articles of Confederation and calls for a balance of federal powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Question 4

The Magna Carta

Answer 4

This document was signed in 1215, King John of England granted his subjects certain permanent liberties or rights including no taxation without representation

Question 5

James Madison

Answer 5

The principle writer of the US Constitution, this founding father is known as “the father of the Constitution”

Question 6

John Adams

Answer 6

One of the nation’s founding fathers, and assisted Thomas Jefferson in writing the Declaration of Independence

Question 7

Bill of rights

Answer 7

The first 10 amendments of the United States that protects individual freedoms

Question 8

first amendment

Answer 8

freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion

Question 9

second amendment

Answer 9

right to bear arms

Question 10

fourth amendment

Answer 10

search and seizure

Question 11

fifth amendment

Answer 11

right to private property and right to not incriminate oneself- the government needs to pay just compensation for taking private property

Question 12

tenth amendment

Answer 12

any power not specified is given to the states, like voting procedures

Question 13

Marbury vs Madison

Answer 13

the supreme court ruling that established judicial review. the principle that the supreme court has the final say on what laws are constitutional

Question 14

mayflower compact

Answer 14

first written framework for self-government in the colonies, signed for the general good of the colony.

Question 15

Declaration of Independence

Answer 15

a list of grievances against king George. It was a declaration of war on England to fight for separation from the king, signed july 4th 1776

Question 16

articles of confederation

Answer 16

the first constitution of the United States. It gave the states more rights than the federal government. It did not contain a bill of rights, an executive leader, a judicial branch, the power to tax, or the power to draft a military.

Question 17

Thomas Paine

Answer 17

wrote common sense, inspired the patriots in 1776 to declare independence from Britain

Question 18

Alexis de Tocqueville

Answer 18

First European diplomat to study the American Political system and publish his positive findings in “democracy in america” wanted the french to mirror the American system