United States History Chapter 1 Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering key historical terms, concepts, constitutional compromises, government branches, and the Bill of Rights from Chapter 1.

Taxation without representation

One of the major causes of the Revolutionary War that made colonists upset with the King of England.

John Locke

Philosopher who wrote that all people are free, equal, and have the natural right to life, liberty, and property.

Thomas Jefferson

The person most responsible for writing the first draft of the Declaration of Independence.

Articles of Confederation

An early system of government in the U.S. that was not very powerful.

Great Compromise

An agreement to create two houses in Congress: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

3/5ths Compromise

An agreement where an enslaved person would be counted as $\frac{3}{5}$ of a person.

Federalism

A system of government established by the U.S. Constitution where power is shared between the states and the nation.

Anti-Federalists

The political party that opposed ratifying the U.S. Constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first $10$ amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Separation of Church and State

A constitutional principle intended to protect religious freedom and prevent a state-run church.

Militia Self-Defense Right

The reason the authors of the Bill of Rights included the right to own guns, allowing people to have militias for self-defense from bad government.

Cotton Gin

An invention that increased demand for cotton, which led to an increased demand for slave labor.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

A leader in the women's movement who shocked others by proposing that they focus on voting rights.

Louisiana Territory

Territory purchased by the United States from France for $15\text{ million}$ dollars.

Abolitionists

Activists who fought for the immediate ending of slavery.

Monroe Doctrine

A foreign policy declaration stating there would be no more European colonization in the Americas.

Marbury v. Madison

The landmark Supreme Court case that set the precedent for judicial review.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government that interprets laws and the U.S. Constitution.

Executive Branch

The branch of government that enforces and administers laws.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government that makes laws.

Amendment 1

Guarantees freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Amendment 2

Guarantees the right to keep and bear arms.

Amendment 3

Provides protection against quartering troops.

Amendment 4

Provides protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Amendment 5

Guarantees due process rights to protect citizen rights.

Amendment 6

Guarantees the right to trial by jury in a criminal case.

Amendment 7

Guarantees the right to trial by jury in a lawsuit (civil case).

Amendment 8

Guarantees freedom from cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail.

Amendment 9

States that rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution are still retained by the people.

Amendment 10

States that powers not given to the federal government belong to the states, provided they do not violate federal law or the U.S. Constitution.