Foundations of American Democracy: Key Documents and Constitutional Principles

What was the significance of the First Continental Congress?

It was a response to British policies and aimed to address colonial grievances.

What was the purpose of the Second Continental Congress?

To manage the colonial war effort and move incrementally towards independence.

What document declared the independence of the American colonies?

The Declaration of Independence.

What was Shays' Rebellion?

An armed uprising in 1786-1787 by farmers protesting economic injustices and lack of government response.

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, which established a weak federal government.

What was the main structure of the government under the Articles of Confederation?

A unicameral Congress with no executive or judicial branches.

What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

The inability to levy taxes or regulate commerce.

What event highlighted the need for a stronger federal government?

Shays' Rebellion.

What was the outcome of the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

The drafting of the United States Constitution.

Who is known as the 'Father of the Constitution'?

James Madison.

What was the Virginia Plan?

A proposal for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.

What was the New Jersey Plan?

A proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

What was the Great Compromise?

An agreement that established a bicameral legislature with both proportional and equal representation.

What principle divides power between national and state governments?

Federalism.

What are the key principles of the Constitution?

Separation of powers, checks and balances, and popular sovereignty.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual liberties.

What did the framers of the Constitution fear about direct democracy?

They feared the potential for mob rule and the tyranny of the majority.

What philosophical influence did John Locke have on the Constitution?

His ideas about natural rights and government by consent influenced the Declaration of Independence.

What was the Magna Carta?

A charter signed in 1215 that limited the power of the king and laid the foundation for constitutional government.

What is the significance of the English Bill of Rights?

It established certain rights for citizens and limited the powers of the monarchy.

What was the Mayflower Compact?

An agreement made by the Pilgrims in 1620 to govern themselves in the New World.

What role did the Great Awakening play in American democracy?

It encouraged individualism and questioning of authority, contributing to revolutionary sentiments.

What is the process for amending the Constitution?

An amendment must be proposed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress or by a convention called by two-thirds of the states, and ratified by three-fourths of the states.

What does 'popular sovereignty' mean?

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

What is judicial review?

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution.

What is meant by 'checks and balances'?

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

What historical document established the principle of trial by jury?

The Magna Carta

What is the significance of the Petition of Rights?

It limited the powers of the king, ensuring no taxes could be levied without Parliament's consent.

What rights were guaranteed by the English Bill of Rights?

No military rule during peace, free elections, fair trials, and the right to petition.

What principle is established by the Virginia Declaration of Rights?

That all men are created equal and that government derives its power from the consent of the governed.

Who proposed the Social Contract theory?

Thomas Hobbes

What is John Locke known for in political philosophy?

His theory of natural rights, asserting that all men are born with inalienable rights.

What concept did Charles de Montesquieu advocate?

The separation of powers within government.

What did Jean-Jacques Rousseau contribute to political thought?

The idea of the general will and the importance of individual freedoms.

What was the significance of Shays' Rebellion?

It highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger federal government.

What was the outcome of the Articles of Confederation?

They were replaced by the U.S. Constitution due to their ineffectiveness.

What was the 3/5 Compromise?

A compromise that counted three-fifths of enslaved people for representation and taxation purposes.

What did the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise entail?

Congress was prohibited from taxing exports and could not act on the slave trade for 20 years.

What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers?

To argue in favor of ratifying the U.S. Constitution.

Who were the main authors of the Federalist Papers?

James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.

What did Anti-Federalists advocate for?

Stronger state governments and a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

What was the main concern of Anti-Federalists regarding a strong central government?

That it would be distant from the people and threaten individual liberties.

What is the significance of the Bill of Rights?

It guarantees individual rights and limits the powers of the federal government.

What was the outcome of the Constitutional Convention?

The drafting and signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.

What does the Preamble of the Constitution outline?

The purpose and guiding principles of the Constitution.

What is participatory democracy?

A system where all members of a community participate in decision-making.

What is pluralist democracy?

A system where non-governmental groups influence decision-making.

What is elite democracy?

A system where elected officials make decisions on behalf of the people.

What role did the Great Awakening play in American history?

It fostered a spirit of nationalism and contributed to the revolutionary sentiment.

What was the Albany Plan?

An early proposal for unifying the colonies for mutual defense, though it was not adopted.

What did the Declaration of Independence outline?

The reasons for the colonies' separation from Britain and the principles of individual rights.