US History - Topic 0 Test

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Manifest Destiny

John Sullivan - Americans have the right to move West and claim the entire continent.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution

Thomas Jefferson

Wrote the Declaration of Independence, 3rd President of the United States.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

-no federal leader to lead the country) -no national taxes (no ability to gain national revenue to pay for national interests) -no federal court system (no ability to settle disputes between states) -lack of strong federal government -no power to regulate commerce -limited military = no protection

Representative Government

a system by which people elect delegates to make laws and conduct government

E pluribus unum

out of many, one (the motto of the US).

Frist Amendment

religion, speech, press, assembly, petition

The United States Constitution

the plan of government for the United States

rights of the accused

the rights included in the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendments: protection from unreasonable search and seizure, double jeopardy, and self-incrimination, the right to due process, right to a speedy and public trial, trial by jury, the right to be informed of criminal charges, right to be confronted by adverse witnesses, right to an attorney, protection from self-incrimination

The Mayflower Compact

A set of rules for self-governance established by the English settlers who arrived in the New World on the Mayflower. First time the idea of self-governance was introduced in the New World.

Declaration of Independence

1776 statement, issued by the Second Continental Congress, explaining why the colonies wanted independence from Britain.

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788

George Washington

1st President of the United States; commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution (1732-1799)

Popular Sovereignty

A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.

The Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 articles defending the Constitution

The Federalist Papers authors

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay

Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

Came from France to America in 1831. He observed democracy in government and society. His book (written in two parts in 1835 and 1840) discusses the advantages of democracy and consequences of the majority's unlimited power. First to raise topics of American practicality over theory, the industrial aristocracy, and the conflict between the masses and individuals.

Marbury v. Madison

Dispute that led to the supreme court to assert their power of judicial review, meaning the judicial branch could decide the constitutionality of congressional actions. Checks the legislative and executive branches

The individual freedoms

First, second and third amendments

Magna Carta (1215)

Limited the power of the king, protected rights to own private property and trial by jury. Helped influence ideas of early US government.

English Bill of Rights (1689)

List of freedoms that the government promised to protect, required parliament to meet frequently - king could not raise taxes or build armies without parliament's consent. Helped influence ideas of early US government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution

John Hancock

President of the Second Continental Congress; first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Philosophers of the Enlightenment

Rousseau, Locke, Smith, Montesquieu. All applied reason to government and politics - natural rights from god, not monarchs. Helped inspire many of the founding fathers' ideas.

Shay's Rebellion (1786)

This MA conflict caused criticism of the Articles of Confederation; weak govt; increased calls for a Constitutional Convention to revise the Articles