1st Semester Material Review

Flashcards for reviewing key concepts from the first semester.

What is mercantilism?

Favorable balance of trade, more exports than imports

Why was the Declaration of Independence signed?

To declare the American colonies' independence from the British, did not want taxation without direct representation, King George was abusing their rights, shifts power to colonies, gives more power to the people

What is popular sovereignty?

Power comes from the people, government only existed with consent of people

What is limited government?

Government is not all powerful, can only do what the Constitution allows

Name the three branches of government.

Legislative, executive, and judicial

What is the system of checks and balances?

Each branch checks the power of other branches, balances out power

What is judicial review and what Supreme Court case established it?

Courts can declare laws unconstitutional, established by Marbury v. Madison

What is federalism?

Power is shared between national and state government

What are the differences between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution?

AOC: Weak government, could not tax, no money for government. Constitution: Strong central government, can tax and regulate trade, has a president.

What is the role of the Bill of Rights?

Rights that the constitution cannot touch, originated so the constitution could not take away things like freedom of speech

What is judicial review?

The Court can invalidate federal or state laws and actions that conflict with the Constitution, acts as a check on the legislative and executive branches

What was the issue and ruling in Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)?

Issue: Slavery and citizenship. Ruling: Declared that African Americans were not citizens and that Congress couldn't ban slavery in the territories, later overturned by the 14th Amendment

What was the issue and ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)?

Issue was Racial segregation. Ruling: upheld "separate but equal" doctrine

What was the issue and ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?

Issue: School segregation. Ruling: Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional

What was the ruling in Boynton V. Virginia?

No segregation in public transportation

What was the ruling in Mapp V. Ohio?

Cannot use evidence obtained without a warrant

What was the ruling in Engel V. Viale?

Public schools cannot sponsor prayer

What was the ruling in Gideon V. Wainwright?

All criminals have the right to an attorney

What was the ruling in Abington school district V. Schempp?

School sponsored bible readings are not allowed

What was the ruling in Escobedo V. Illinois?

Must be offered a lawyer before the police interrogate you

What was the ruling in Miranda V. Arizona?

Miranda rights, criminals must be told their 5th and 6th amendment rights

What was the ruling in Loving V. Virginia?

Laws banning interracial marriages are unconstitutional

What was the ruling in Roe V. Wade?

Legalized abortion nationwide under the right to privacy

What was the ruling in Dobbs V. Jackson?

Overturned Roe V. Wade. Returned abortion rights to individual states

What was the Louisiana Purchase and what clause did Thomas Jefferson use to justify it?

Thomas Jefferson used the elastic clause to double the size of the United states

What is neutrality in the context of US foreign policy?

The United States belief of staying neutral regarding foreign states

What is the Monroe Doctrine?

The US would stay out of Western affairs; foundation of Isolationism

What is 'big stick diplomacy'?

Peaceful negotiation, strong military, assert US into the world

What is the Roosevelt Corollary?

Extension of Monroe Doctrine underneath Roosevelt, states that the US can intervene in Latin American affairs

What is manifest destiny?

The belief that the US was destined by God to expand westward

What is ethnocentrism?

The belief that one’s culture, ethnicity, or nation is superior to others

What is sectionalism?

Belief that one’s own section or region is superior to others

Describe the economy of the North before the Civil War.

Industrialized, factories, and in favor of tariffs

Describe the economy of the South before the Civil War.

Agriculture, cotton gin, slavery, plantations, opposed tariffs

Describe the society of the North before the Civil War.

Diversity, public education, religious groups opposed slavery

Describe the society of the South before the Civil War.

Rural, education limited

Describe the politics of the North before the Civil War.

In favor of strong federal government, favored abolishing slavery

Describe the politics of the South before the Civil War.

State’s rights, wanted protection and expansion of slavery

What role did the cotton gin play in revolutionizing the southern economy?

Transforming cotton into the south’s main cash crop. Led to sky rocketing slavery. Economic dependence and land expansion

What impact did Uncle Tom’s Cabin have?

Emotional piece of literature that transformed how the south viewed slavery