Key Documents & Speeches in U.S. History

What is the gist of the Declaration of Independence?

Contained a set of of grievances against King George III It also asserted independence from Britain However, it did NOT outline the government structure of the United States The Declaration of Independence also required agreement from Britain

What is the Monroe Doctrine?

Called for an end to European colonization in the Western Hemisphere

What was the Fourteen Points Document

Policy by President Woodrow Wilson during WWI to avoid another world war Document called for an end to private negotiations in the war, which had created secret alliances Argued for open diplomacy Argued for self-determination Argued for nations to come together in an international body to determine world policies

Does the Declaration of Independence have binding legal power like the Constitution does

No The D.o.I. and the Constitution are two separate documents. The D.o.I. strictly declared to the world that America is a free country and renounced British rule The Constitution, on the other hand, tells government leaders how they can and cannot run the country

What was the Emancipation Proclamation?

It was actually an executive order (did not require Congress' approval) asserting that all slaves in the Confederate territories were free Shifted the aims of the Civil war from preserving the union to ending slavery

What was the importance of the Articles of Confederation?

It was the first blueprint for how America's government should be structured It declared that the colonies would now be called the United States of America and that the individual states would have "a firm league of friendship" with each other

What was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?

This document gave President Johnson the authority to use force in the Vietnam War. It was used a basis to increase the level of US involvement in Vietnam

What were FDRs four freedoms

1. Freedom of Speech 2. Freedom of Worship 3. Freedom from Want (right to adequate food and housing) 4. Freedom from Fear

What was Common Sense?

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine outlining the abuses of the British Promoted support for independence

What is the purpose of the Constitution?

It sets out the framework and responsibilities of the different branches of the FEDERAL government and the limits of state power

When was the Declaration of Independence ratified?

July 4, 1776 (The Declaration of Independence is why we celebrate the Fourth of July)

What are the first 10 amendments called?

The Bill of Rights This is a list of rights guaranteed to Americans protecting them from government

What is the Constitution most known for?

The Preamble

Who ratified the Declaration of Independence?

The Second Continental Congress

What is the Declaration of Independence?

This is the document that officially declared America's independence from Britain Main text you need to recognize for test--"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

What did Washington highlight in his Farewell Address?

Urged citizens to uphold their duty to the nation as opposed to their individual states (America is stronger when united) He argued against intervention in European affairs (American isolation) He argued against the development of political parties (but clearly they developed anyway)

What were the Federalist Papers?

Written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison Supported ratification of the U.S. Constitution (remember Hamilton supported strong national/federal government)

What is the Declaration of Sentiments?

list of grievances on behalf of women Came out of Seneca Falls Convention Demanded that women have the same rights as men

In what order were the Declaration of Independence , Articles of Confederation, Constitution, Constitution, and Bill of Rights ratified?

1st-Declaration of Independence (We are a free country!) 2nd--Articles of Confederation (this was the first governing document we had but remember it left too much power to the states) 3rd--Constitution (this was written because the Articles of Confederation was too weak and left too much power to states) 4th--Bill of Rights (these are the first 10 AMENDMENTS to the constitution. Basically we added this stuff to make the constitution better)

What is the Atlantic Charter Speech?

Agreements b/t Winston Churchill (prime minister of britain during WWII) and Franklin Delano Roosevelt on building lasting peace and establishing free government. Established the importance of promoting FDR's four freedoms

Which Article of the Constitution allows it to be amended?

Article V

What was the Mayflower Compact?

First example of American self government and democracy/direct democracy

What famous speech did Abraham Lincoln give during the Civil war?

The Gettysburg Address He emphasized the notion that all men are created equal and said that the United States must persist and stay united for the sake of the world

How did the League of Nations come about?

The League of Nations was created to enforce President Wilson's Fourteen Points document but it was very weak

What is the purpose of the Tenth Amendment?

The Tenth amendment says that powers not specifically designated to Congress by the Constitution are reserved to the people and individual states

What is one of the biggest precedents that George Washington set for the nation?

the president's Farewell Address Every president since Washington has given a farewell speech before leaving office