unit 2 civics exam

Challenges faced by America after independence

The new nation had 13 separate, independent states with religious, ethnic, and racial diversity. Southern states depended on slavery.

Legislature

A group of people chosen to make the laws.

Charter

A document giving permission to create a government.

Colonists' response to governors threatening rights

Colonists rose up to defend their rights.

Voting in the colonies

Very few people—most were excluded.

Roger Williams

He protested against religion's role in government and founded Rhode Island on principles of tolerance.

John Peter Zenger

A journalist who wrote articles against the governor. His case helped establish freedom of the press.

Colonists' view of British rule

They felt the British subjected them to tyranny.

Theocracy

A system of government where religious leaders claim divine guidance.

Colonies with religious control

Other religions were driven out, and there were worries about not having a state church to guide morality.

State church establishment

Nine out of thirteen colonies established a state church.

Voting restrictions in colonial times

People without church membership, women, and slaves were barred from voting.

Direct democracy

Laws made directly by citizens.

Republic

A government where people elect representatives to make laws for them.

U.S. government type

A representative republic.

Influences on American government

Greece (direct democracy) and Rome (republic).

Thomas Hobbes' social contract idea

People freely enter a contract with a leader, giving up some rights in exchange for protection, and cannot break the contract.

Magna Carta

A document that limited the power of the British king.

English Bill of Rights

It gave power to British citizens under the king.

John Locke's ideas

He said people have natural rights (life, liberty, property) and the right to break the contract if the leader abuses power.

Montesquieu's contribution

He proposed separation of powers.

Revolutionaries and Locke's ideas

They broke the social contract with King George III during the American Revolution.

Colonists' phrase on taxes

"No taxation without representation."

Events increasing tensions with Britain

Common Sense by Thomas Paine, Boston Tea Party, Boston Massacre, and trade disputes.

Declaration of Independence author

Thomas Jefferson.

Parts of the Declaration of Independence

Preamble, Natural Rights, British Wrongs, and Conclusion/Independence.

Signing date of the Declaration of Independence

July 4, 1776.

First signer of the Declaration of Independence

John Hancock.

First constitution of the U.S.

The Articles of Confederation.

Ratification of the Articles of Confederation

1781 by all 13 states.

Government created by the Articles of Confederation

A weak central government and a loose 'league of friendship.'

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Problems with debt, commerce, protection, and lack of strong central authority.

Problems with debt, commerce, protection, and lack of strong central authority.

Issues faced by the government under the Articles of Confederation.

Annapolis Convention

A meeting called by Hamilton to fix the Articles, but it was decided a new Constitution was needed.

Constitutional Convention

A 1787 meeting in Philadelphia to create a stronger government, with George Washington as president of the convention.

Shays' Rebellion

An event in 1786 that showed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation.

Daniel Shays

The leader of Shays' Rebellion, a farmer protesting foreclosures.

Thomas Jefferson's reaction to Shays' Rebellion

He said, 'I like a little rebellion now and then… the tree of liberty must be refreshed with the blood of patriots and tyrants.'

Attendees of the Constitutional Convention

Wealthy, educated men — 'well-read, well-fed, well-bred, and well-wed.'

Conflict between large and small states

The main issue was representation in Congress.

Great Compromise

Created a bicameral legislature: Senate (equal representation for states) and House of Representatives (based on population).

Three-Fifths Compromise

Three out of every five slaves counted for taxation and representation.

Virginia Plan

Proposed a strong central government with two houses based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Called for one house legislature with equal votes for all states.

Connecticut Compromise

Combined Virginia and New Jersey Plans — bicameral legislature with equal Senate and population-based House.

North-South conflicts at the Constitutional Convention

Issues included regulation and taxation of commerce and how to count slaves in population.

Federalists

Those who supported the Constitution and favored a strong central government.

Antifederalists

Those who opposed the Constitution, fearing states' and people's rights would be lost.

States needed to ratify the Constitution

9 out of 13 states were required for ratification.

Most important issue to Antifederalists

The lack of a Bill of Rights.

Constitution ratification

9 states ratified without a Bill of Rights, but it was later added to unify the nation.

First state to ratify the Constitution

Delaware.

Last states to ratify

North Carolina and Rhode Island.

Amendments

Changes made to the U.S. Constitution.

First 10 amendments

Called the Bill of Rights.

Bill of Rights ratification date

December 15, 1791.

Protections in the Bill of Rights

Includes individual rights, protection from government abuse, legal protections, and rights not specifically listed.

Interpreters of the Bill of Rights

The courts, especially the Supreme Court.

Limits on rights

Yes — courts decide limits (e.g., whether symbols like swastikas are free speech).

Abolishment of slavery in the U.S.

Accomplished by the 13th Amendment (after the Civil War).

Dred Scott case

A court case that heightened North-South tensions before the Civil War.

14th Amendment

Gave citizenship to African Americans.

15th Amendment

Gave voting rights to African American men.

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote.

24th Amendment

Abolished poll taxes.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

Constitution as a 'living document'

It can be amended and reinterpreted over time to meet new challenges.

Final interpretation of the Constitution

The Supreme Court.

Supreme Court's ability to overturn decisions

Yes — for example, Brown v. Board of Education overturned Plessy v. Ferguson.