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Enlightenment?

A time/movement where philosophers put forth the idea that the universe operates according to natural law.

What did Enlightenment thinkers believe about the universe?

That it operates according to rules or laws that are knowable by using reason and logic.

Who was an important Enlightenment thinker mentioned in the notes?

John Locke.

What were the two religions that emerged from the Christian church split in Europe?

Protestant church and Catholic church.

Which two churches historically did not get along in America?

The Protestant Church and the Catholic Church.

What was a key reason early groups came to America?

Religious freedom.

What did England colonize on the East coast of North America?

The 13 English colonies.

What were the Americans and English primarily fighting about?

Taxes and authority.

What meeting led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence?

The Second Continental Congress.

Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson.

What fundamental belief does the Declaration of Independence state about human rights?

That all men have rights because they are human.

Name three rights mentioned in the Declaration of Independence.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

What is the purpose of government according to the Declaration of Independence?

To protect these basic natural rights.

Where does legitimate government derive its authority?

From the consent of the people.

What action can people take if a government is not protecting their rights?

They have the right to change or destroy that government.

Who is identified as a bad government in the Declaration of Independence?

England.

What was established by the Declaration of Independence?

A new nation called The United States of America.

What was the advantage that the Revolutionary War Americans had?

Fighting for a purpose and cause.

What were two advantages that England had in the Revolutionary War?

Navy and money.

What was the first constitution of the United States called?

Articles of Confederation.

What was the nature of the central government under the Articles of Confederation?

It provided a very weak central government.

Why was the central government made weak under the Articles of Confederation?

Because they didn’t want to replicate the strong central government of England.

Name a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation. 1

Couldn’t tax.

Name a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation. 2

Couldn’t force states to do things.

Name a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation. 3

Difficult to make laws.

What caused the American economy to be in terrible shape?

States printed money like crazy causing inflation.

What was Shay's Rebellion?

Farmers in Massachusetts went into rebellion and the central government could not raise an army to put down the rebellion.

Where did American leaders meet to fix the Articles of Confederation?

In Philadelphia.

What did they decide to do at the meeting regarding the Articles of Confederation?

Hold a constitutional convention and create a new constitution.

What principle prevents the abuse of power in the US Constitution?

Separation of powers.

What are the three branches of government established by the Constitution?

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches.

What is the purpose of the Legislative Branch?

To write laws.

What is the purpose of the Executive Branch?

To enforce laws.

What is the purpose of the Judicial Branch?

To interpret laws.

What system allows for overlapping powers among the branches of government?

Checks and Balances.

What term refers to dividing power between federal and state governments?

Federalism.

What must happen for something to be ratified?

It must be passed by a higher authority than a law.

Who were the Federalists?

Those who supported ratification of a strong new government.

Who were the Anti-Federalists?

Those who were against the new constitution.

What were the Federalist Papers?

A series of articles written to convince people to support the new constitution.

What are the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution called?

The Bill of Rights.

What do the amendments protect?

Freedom of speech, religion, jury trials, state rights, etc.

What was one main compromise between Federalists and Anti-Federalists?

The Bill of Rights.

What crucial action did President Washington take during his presidency?

Chosen his advisors, or cabinet.

Who was the Secretary of the Treasury under Washington?

Alexander Hamilton.

What warning did Washington give in his Farewell address?

The dangers of political parties and alliances.

Who led the Federalists?

Alexander Hamilton.

Who led the Democratic-Republicans?

Thomas Jefferson.

What did Hamilton's government favor?

A strong, active federal government.

What did Jefferson's government favor?

A strong state government.

What was a major disagreement between Hamilton and Jefferson?

The establishment of the Bank of the United States.

What clause did Hamilton want to use to support the bank's creation?

The necessary and proper clause.

Why did Jefferson oppose the establishment of the bank?

Because it was not specifically allowed in the Constitution.

What was unique about the transfer of power during Jefferson's presidency?

It was peaceful.

What did President Jefferson do to reduce government costs?

Reduced government spending.

What significant land purchase did Jefferson make?

The Louisiana Purchase from France.

What case established the power of judicial review in the United States?

Marbury v. Madison.

What does judicial review allow the Supreme Court to do?

Review the constitutionality of laws.

What sparked the War of 1812?

British impressment of American sailors.

What did the outcome of the War of 1812 foster among Americans?

Feelings of patriotism and national pride.

What did the U.S. have to do during the War of 1812 due to a lack of trade?

Manufacture more quickly.

What attitude is referred to as nationalism?

Pride and strength in the nation.

What did Americans push for during the era of economic nationalism?

A national bank to regulate the economy.

What did John Marshall's decisions strengthen?

The federal government over the states.

What was established in McCulloch v. Maryland?

The interpretation of the necessary and proper clause.

What did the Monroe Doctrine aim to protect?

Young democracies in Latin America.

What were the changes the Industrial Revolution brought to America?

America's ability to produce goods increased dramatically.

Where did the Industrial Revolution mainly take place?

In the Northeast part of the country.

What type of industry first drove the Industrial Revolution?

The textile industry.

What was the nature of American slavery by world history standards?

Very brutal and cruel.

What did American slaves have in terms of rights?

They had no rights.

What happened to slavery after the Civil War?

The Northern states ended slavery.

What characterized the Northern US during the time period described?

Industry and urbanization.

What characterized the Southern US during the time period described?

Agricultural reliance on slavery.

What characterized the Western US during the time period described?

Migration.

What debate arose regarding new territories acquired by the US?

Whether new states would be free or slave.

What did Southerners argue regarding states and slavery?

That states had the right to have slavery.

What was Lincoln's primary goal as president regarding slavery?

To stop the spread of slavery.

What significant election did Lincoln win?

The election of 1860.

What action did Southern states take after Lincoln won the election?

They decided to secede from the Union.

What was Lincoln's reason for using military force?

To preserve the Union and end slavery.

How long did the Civil War last?

Four years.

What document did Lincoln issue during the Civil War?

The Emancipation Proclamation.

What was one of the advantages that led to the North winning the Civil War?

More resources, soldiers, and industrial capacity.

What was Lincoln's approach to Reconstruction?

To bring the South back into the Union as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Who did Lincoln choose as his Vice-President?

Andrew Johnson.

Who assassinated President Lincoln?

John Wilkes Booth.

What impact did Lincoln's assassination have on the nation?

It raised difficult questions about reconstruction and race relations.

What was President Johnson’s initial approach to Reconstruction?

To continue reconciliation with the South.

Why did Republicans reject Johnson's policies?

Because he was a Southerner.

What power allowed President Johnson to frustrate Republicans?

His use of veto power.

What does impeachment mean in the context of the president?

The official accusation of a crime serious enough for removal from office.

Who has the authority to impeach a president?

Congress.

What does the 13th Amendment do?

It outlaws slavery.

What does the 14th Amendment define?

Citizenship as someone born in the United States.

What protections does the 14th Amendment offer?

Basic natural rights and equal protection under the law.

What does the 15th Amendment guarantee?

The right to vote cannot be denied based on race.

What does the term 'suffrage' refer to?

The right to vote.