US History Test 3 Study Guide
What problems did the American Government and Britain have over the Treaty of Paris of 1783?
Americans complained the British continued to occupy lands east of the Mississippi River and that they were preventing access to markets in Britain and the West Indies. The British complained Americans had not paid Loyalists for property taken from them during the War.
Why do citizens of a democratic nation have the responsibility of staying informed? How does this responsibility help them participate in the election process?
Citizens in a democracy elect Officials to represent them, they have the responsibility both to themselves and to other citizens of knowing about the issues. Voters should stay informed in order to make clear and coherent choices.
Why did the US go through a depression after the Revolutionary War?
During the war, Southern plantations were damaged, leading to a drop in rice exports. The British closed the West Indies market to American merchants. The US also had to pay off debts to foreign countries.
What happened in Shay's Rebellion? Why did the rebellion help convince George Washington to join the Convention?
Farmers who had lost their land took up arms against the government. The rebellion showed Washington that the government might be too weak to prevent social unrest and violence.
Why are the freedom of speech and freedom of the press important parts of democratic government? When can the government limit free speech?
Freedom of speech and freedom of the press enable a free and open exchange of ideas. Citizens in a democracy need a wide range of opinions and viewpoints in order to participate in the democratic process. Government can limit free speech when it threatens public safety.
When was the US Constitution written? When was it ratified by enough states to go into effect?
It was written in 1787 and ratified in 1788.
How do our rights as citizens reflect our identity as a democratic nation?
Our rights reflect the value we place on freedom, independence, and liberty. They also reflect the value we place on equality, fairness, and the rule of law.
What was the main reason that Anti-Federalists Patrick Henry and George Mason opposed the ratification of the US Constitution?
Patrick and other Anti-Federalist feared that the federal government would seek to limit the rights of individuals. He wanted amendments to the Constitution that would guarantee individual rights. The Federalists promised to add these amendments because they wanted Virginia to ratify the Constitution.
Why did it take several years to ratify the Articles of Confederation?
Some states had Western land claims and wanted to keep them, but the states that did not have Western land claims thought that such territory should be turned over to the national government.
How is Judicial Review part of the checks and balances established in the US Constitution?
The Judicial branch has the power of Judicial Review. It enables the Supreme Court to review the actions of the executive and legislative branches of government to determine whether or not they violate the Constitution.
How did the Northwest Ordinance establish a democratic model for national expansion? What principles did it guarantee settlers in new territories?
The Ordinance established a model for democratic expansion by allowing territories to claim statehood when they reached a certain level of population. It created a Bill of Rights for settlers and guaranteed freedom of religion and trial by jury.
How does the US Constitution reflect the principle of popular sovereignty?
The Preamble makes clear that popular sovereignty, or the belief that government is subject to the will of the people, is the basis of the government.
What did the Supreme Court decide in the Dred Scott v. Sandford case? How did Congress respond to the decision?
The Supreme Court ruled that African Americans were not citizens. Congress overturned the ruling by ratifying the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868, granting full citizenship to African Americans.
Why did the Framers of the Constitution divide powers between the federal government and the states? How do these powers differ?
The separation of powers is designed to prevent any one group from having too much power. It seeks to balance a concern for local interests with the need for national unity. The Federal government has the power to tax, regulate currency, declare war, and pass laws. States have the power to set up local government and schools, and control trade within their borders.
Our government is based on the principle of "consent of the governed." Explain why voting is part of responsible citizenship.
Voting allows citizens to participate in government and guide its direction.
