American Political History Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the roots of American political tradition, the Articles of Confederation, the development and ratification of the Constitution, and key Constitutional amendments.

John Locke

English philosopher during the Enlightenment who believed people possess natural rights to life, liberty, and property that come from God.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights to life, liberty, and property that cannot be taken away by the government.

Magna Carta ($1215$)

An agreement signed by King John stating rulers must follow the law and protecting the people's life, liberty, and property.

English Bill of Rights ($1689$)

Document created after the Glorious Revolution that listed the rights and freedoms of English citizens, influencing the American Bill of Rights.

Social Contract Theory

The idea that government is created by the people, who agree to obey it in return for the protection of their rights.

Representative Government

A system where citizens elect representatives to make laws on their behalf.

Virginia House of Burgesses ($1619$)

The first elected legislative assembly in America.

Mayflower Compact ($1620$)

An agreement made by the Pilgrims to govern themselves.

Proclamation of $1763$

British policy that forbade colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains, causing colonial anger.

"No taxation without representation"

Famous slogan reflecting the belief that taxes were unfair because colonists had no representatives in the British Parliament.

Stamp Act ($1765$)

A British tax on paper goods including newspapers, contracts, deeds, and diplomas.

Townshend Acts ($1767$)

British taxes imposed on tea, glass, and paint that led to colonial boycotts.

Boston Massacre ($1770$)

An event where British soldiers fired into a crowd, killing $5$ colonists and increasing anti-British sentiment.

Boston Tea Party ($1773$)

A protest against British tea policies and taxes where colonists dumped tea into the Boston Harbor.

Coercive (Intolerable) Acts ($1774$)

Laws passed by Britain to punish Massachusetts by limiting self-government after the Boston Tea Party.

Declaration of Independence ($1776$)

Document authored by Thomas Jefferson stating that governments get power from the consent of the people and exist to protect the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Republic

A government where power is held by the people and their elected representatives.

Confederation

A group of independent states that work together while keeping most of their individual power.

Articles of Confederation ($1781$)

The first constitution of the United States which created a weak national government and gave most power to the states.

Shays' Rebellion ($1786-1787$)

An uprising led by Daniel Shays and Massachusetts farmers that demonstrated the national government's inability to raise an army or maintain order.

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a two-house legislature with representation based on state population, supported by large states.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal for a one-house legislature where each state would receive one vote, supported by small states.

Great Compromise

Proposed by Roger Sherman, it created a two-house Congress with equal representation in the Senate and population-based representation in the House.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement that $5$ enslaved people would count as $3$ people for the purposes of representation and taxation.

Separation of Powers

The division of government into three branches: Legislative (makes laws), Executive (enforces laws), and Judicial (interprets laws).

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the power of the others to prevent tyranny.

Judicial Review

The power established in Marbury v. Madison ($1803$) that allows the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

Federalism

A system where power is shared between the national government and state governments.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution, such as declaring war and coining money.

Reserved Powers

Powers kept by the states, including education, marriage, and public safety.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the Constitution, which states that the Constitution and federal law are the supreme law of the land.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Also known as the Elastic Clause, it allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its specific powers.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who believed a strong national government was necessary to protect the country and regulate trade.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who feared a strong national government and demanded a Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to convince Americans to support the Constitution.

Bill of Rights ($1791$)

The first $10$ amendments to the Constitution, created to protect individual freedoms and limit the power of the federal government.

$13\text{th}$ Amendment ($1865$)

Amendment that abolished slavery.

$14\text{th}$ Amendment ($1868$)

Amendment providing citizenship, equal protection under the law, and due process for African Americans.

$19\text{th}$ Amendment ($1920$)

Amendment that granted women the right to vote.

$26\text{th}$ Amendment ($1971$)

Amendment that lowered the voting age from $21$ to $18$.