Eason Final Study Guide 2nd Semester

2nd semester

Boston Massacre

Incident in 1770 where British soldiers killed five colonists, escalating tensions before the American Revolution.

Regional Differences

Varied economies, cultures, and political structures among the 13 colonies, impacting post-independence dynamics.

Declaration of Independence

Document declaring the American colonies' independence from Britain, asserting natural rights and justifying revolution.

Unalienable Rights

Fundamental rights inherent to all individuals, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as stated in the Declaration of Independence.

Articles of Confederation

Weak first constitution of the U.S., lacking central power and causing issues like taxation and interstate disputes.

Constitutional Convention

Event prompting the creation of the U.S. Constitution due to the failures of the Articles of Confederation.

Supreme Law

The U.S. Constitution, establishing the framework for the federal government and highest legal authority.

Authors

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, while James Madison is known as the "Father of the Constitution."

Loose Constructionism

Broad interpretation of the Constitution's powers, exemplified by Hamilton's national bank advocacy.

Strict Constructionism

Narrow interpretation of the Constitution's powers, exemplified by Jefferson's limited view of federal authority.

Federal vs

Distinction between national and state government authorities, outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

Great Compromise

Agreement at the Constitutional Convention establishing a bicameral legislature with proportional and equal representation.

⅗ Compromise

Agreement counting slaves as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.

Checks and Balances

System where each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches, ensuring a balance of power.

Branches of Government

Executive (President), Legislative (Congress), Judicial (Supreme Court), with distinct roles and powers.

Senators

Two per state, serving six-year terms in the U.S. Senate.

Federal Judges

Appointed by the President, serving for life terms to ensure judicial independence.

Branch Functions

Executive enforces laws, Legislative makes laws, Judicial interprets laws, maintaining a system of checks and balances.

Constitutional Amendment

Process to change the Constitution, requiring approval by two-thirds of Congress or state legislatures.

Veto

Executive branch power to reject a bill passed by Congress, part of the system of checks and balances.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing individual freedoms and rights.

Amendments

1st (Freedom of Speech), 2nd (Right to Bear Arms), 5th (Avoid Self-Incrimination), 6th (Trial by Jury), 15th (Right to Vote), 19th (Women's Suffrage), 13th (Abolishing Slavery), 14th (Birthright Citizenship).

Washington's Cabinet

Key advisors included Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Henry Knox, shaping early U.S. policies.

Jay Treaty

Controversial agreement with Britain negotiated by John Jay to avoid war, but criticized for perceived concessions.

Bank of the U.S.

Proposed by Hamilton to stabilize the economy, opposed by Jefferson due to constitutional concerns.

Neutrality Policy

Washington's stance to avoid foreign entanglements, maintaining U.S. neutrality in European conflicts.

Farewell Address

Washington's advice to avoid political factions and foreign alliances, principles often disregarded in later years.

Nullification

Theory allowing states to invalidate federal laws they deemed unconstitutional, linked to the States' Rights Doctrine.

XYZ Affair

Diplomatic incident with France, leading to anti-French sentiment and eventual resolution through diplomacy.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws passed by Adams' administration to limit immigration and restrict criticism of the government, facing opposition.

Political Parties

Federalists (Hamilton) and Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson) were the major parties in early U.S. politics.

Jefferson's Challenges

Faced issues like the Barbary Pirates, the Embargo Act, and conflicts with Britain and France during his presidency.

War of 1812 Triggers

British impressment of American sailors, trade restrictions, and support for Native American resistance.

Louisiana Purchase

Acquisition of territory from France in 1803, doubling the size of the U.S. and expanding westward.

Lewis & Clark Expedition

Exploration of the Louisiana Purchase (1804-1806) to map the region and find a route to the Pacific.

Forty-Niners

Gold prospectors who rushed to California in 1849 during the Gold Rush.

Manifest Destiny

Belief in U.S. expansion across North America, driven by notions of superiority and destiny.

Gold Rush

Migration to California in