Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights Study Guide

For Mr. Thompson

13 Colonies (regions)

New England (trade, fishing, small farms), Middle (fertile soil, diverse, “breadbasket”), Southern (plantations, enslaved labor, cash crops).

Causes of American Revolution

Taxation without representation, harsh British acts, desire for self government.

Earlier colonial rule vs. Revolution

Before: salutary neglect; After: Britain tightened control.

Ideals in Declaration of Independence

Natural rights, equality, consent of governed.

Justification for Revolution

King’s abuses, right to abolish unjust government.

Treaty of Paris (1783) results

Independence, land to Mississippi, fishing rights.

Treaty of Paris (effects on groups)

Patriots gained, Loyalists fled/lost land, Natives lost land, enslaved people mostly stayed enslaved.

Articles of Confederation & Events

Articles of Confederation (purpose)

Created weak central gov. to avoid tyranny.

Articles of Confederation (weaknesses)

No power to tax, no courts, no president, weak military, hard to pass laws.

Shays’ Rebellion

1786 farmer revolt against taxes/debt; showed Articles were too weak.

Constitution Vocabulary

Federal

National level of government.

Democracy

Rule by the people.

Republic

People elect representatives.

Federalism

Power divided between federal and state governments.

Amendment

Official change to the Constitution.

Constitutional Convention

1787 meeting to draft the Constitution.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Enslaved people counted as 3/5 for representation and taxes.

Legislative Branch

Legislative branch name

Congress.

Who’s in Congress

House of Representatives + Senate.

House elections

Every 2 years by people.

Senate elections

Every 6 years (originally by state legislatures, now by people).

Congress role

Makes laws, controls money, declares war.

Executive Branch

Who’s in executive branch

President, Vice President, Cabinet.

How is the executive branch chosen

President elected by Electoral College every 4 years.

Executive role

Enforce laws, commander-in-chief, makes treaties, appoints officials.

Judicial Branch

Who’s in judicial branch

Supreme Court + lower federal courts.

How chosen

Judges appointed by president, approved by Senate, serve for life.

Judicial role

Interpret laws, judicial review.

Key Concepts

Bill → law process

Passed by House/Senate, signed by president (or vetoed, overridden by 2/3 vote).

Checks and balances

Each branch limits the others.

Impeachment

Congress can remove president/judges.

Veto

President rejects a bill.

Override

Congress passes law over veto with 2/3 vote.

Judicial review

Courts strike down unconstitutional laws.

Electoral College

System of electors who choose president.

Bill of Rights

1st Amendment

Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, petition.

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms.

3rd Amendment

No quartering soldiers.

4th Amendment

No unreasonable searches/seizures.

5th Amendment

Due process, no double jeopardy, no self-incrimination.

6th Amendment

Right to speedy/public trial, lawyer, jury.

7th Amendment

Jury trial in civil cases.

8th Amendment

No cruel/unusual punishment, no excessive bail.