HIST 100: Freedom & Slavery in American History

Midterm MCQ (iClicker) Study Guide

U.S. Revolutionary War

1775-1783; A conflict from 1775 to 1783 in which the 13 American colonies fought for independence from British rule. It resulted in the formation of the U.S. and was marked by significant events such as the Declaration of Independence and key battles like Saratoga and Yorktown.

Articles of Confederation

1781-1788; The 1st constitution of the U.S., establishing a framework for national government and ratified in 1781; established a weak central gov. before the adoption of the U.S. Constitution

U.S. Constitution

1787-1788; A framework for the government of the U.S., ratified in 1788, which established the nation’s fundamental laws and principles.

First Acts (Laws) of Congress

1789-1791; The initial legislation passed by Congress after the Constitution was ratified, including the establishment of various departments and the Bill of Rights.

First 10 Amendments to the Constitution (Bill of Rights)

1791; Comprises the 1st 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing individual liberties and protecting citizens from government overreach.

Preamble

We the people of the United States, In order to form a more perfect union, Establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, Provide for the common defence, Promote the general welfare and, Secure the blessings of liberty To ourselves and our posterity, Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Article 1 (I)

Legislative Branch, Congress || Congress makes or creates the laws || Based on a “republic/republican” form of gov., where the power rest w/ the people who vote for their representatives || Elected officials directly represent the people or their constituents in home districts || Constituents are both citizens & residents (Congress represents all those living in U.S.) || Senators & Representatives are responsible to work for us: the people at large

Senate

Upper house || 2 from each state (100 total); serve for 6 years || Leaders || Vice President is presiding officer & president of the Senate || Senate Majority Leader (head of political party in the majority) || Senate Minority Leader (head of political party in the minority)

House of Representatives

Lower House || Based on population (purpose behind the U.S. Census every 10 years) || Counts “all other persons not taxed” as 3/5ths for representation (slaves) || 435 total (District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, N. Mariana Islands, & U.S. Virgin Islands; Puerto Rico has a non-voting member) || Serve for 2 years || Leaders || House Majority Leader (head of political party in the majority) || House Minority Leader (head of political party in the minority)

How a Bill Becomes a Law

A bill (idea for a law) must pass the House of Representatives by majority vote || Then goes to the Senate, where most bills need 60 votes to move forward || If both houses pass it, the President can either sign it into law or veto it || If vetoed, Congress can still make it law w/ a 2/3 majority vote in both houses

Powers of Congress

Make laws || Establish & collect taxes || Coin & regulate money, & borrow money on credit of the U.S. || Regulate trade between states & other foreign countries & govs. || Enter into treaties w/ foreign govs., approve treaties & presidential appointments (Senate only) || Declare war & appropriate funds for military — only up to 2 years of funding || Promote progress of science & arts || Establish post office, post roads, & routes of commerce || Powers denied: suspend habeas corpus, make ex post facto laws, titles of nobility

Article 2 (II)

Executive Branch (enforces the laws) || President (POTUS) carries out laws || Can veto or sign bills passed by Congress || Represents the nation w/ foreign powers, Commander-in-Chief of military, can grant pardons, appoints ambassadors & other officials || Nominates cabinet members (Sec. of State, Defense, etc.) & SCOTUS Justices || Impeachment charges can be brought by a majority in House of Representatives || Conviction (and removal) needs 2/3rds vote to pass in Senate

Article 3 (III)

Judicial Branch (interprets the laws) || Creates the Supreme Court (SCOTUS; highest court in the U.S.) and federal courts (established by Judiciary Act, 1789) || Allows Congress to create other lower federal courts || Gives courts the power to interpret laws & resolve disputes || There are 9 justices today, but no # is specified (President could add more) || Supreme Court Justices are nominated by Executive & voted in by Legislature || Serve for life (as long as they behave well; dispute over this)

Article 4 (IV)

Power of the States || Federal Congress has power over states & has power over U.S. territories || Guarantees that citizens have equal rights in all states || New States can enter union, but not by splitting existing state boundaries || Runaways in bondage don’t get free simply by crossing state lines || Federal gov. protects individual states against “domestic insurrection” (internal rebellion)

Article 5 (V)

Amending the Constitution || Amendment can be proposed by 2/3rds vote in both houses of Congress OR a national convention called by 2/3 of the states || Amendment goes to states; to become law, it must be approved (ratified) by 3/4ths vote of state legislatures OR 3/4ths vote of state conventions

Article 6 (VI)

Constitution is the “Supreme Law of the Land,” highest law (no state can go against it) || All pre-existing debts are still valid || All Senators, Representatives, & top officials in states must give oath to support the Constitution

Article 7 (VII)

Constitution would take effect once 9/13 original states ratified (approved) it || Once enough states agreed, the Constitution became the law of the land

Amendment 1

(1) Freedom of religion (2) Speech (3) Press (4) Assemble peacefully (5) Right to petition

Amendment 2

(1) Right to keep & bear arms (2) Each state can have a National Guard

Amendment 3

Protection from quarrying of troops during time of peace

Amendment 4

Protection from unreasonable search & seizure

Amendment 5

(1) Grand jury (2) Due process (3) Double jeopardy (4) Self-incrimination (5) Eminent domain

Amendment 6

(1) Trial by an impartial jury (2) Speedy trial (3) Public trial (4) Confrontation clause (5) To know the charges against you (6) Right to counsel

Amendment 7

Civil trial by jury

Amendment 8

(1) Prohibition of excessive bail or fines (2) No cruel & unusual punishment

Amendment 9

Protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Constitution (rights not mentioned, belong to the people)

Amendment 10

Powers of states & people