Unit 1: Foundations of American Government

VOCABULARY flashcards covering the pre-colonial era, European colonization, the causes of the American Revolution, and the development of the U.S. Constitution.

Native American Societies

Hundreds of different nations throughout North America with diverse cultures, languages, and systems of government, religion, and trade.

European Colonization Countries

Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands; the four main European nations that competed for land in North America.

European Colonial Motivations

To gain wealth, land, resources, and trade opportunities; spread Christianity; and increase political power.

Effects of Colonization

Native Americans lost land and many died from disease, while millions of Africans were forced into slavery.

Southern Colonies

A colonial region that relied heavily on plantations and enslaved labor due to its geography, climate, and natural resources.

New England

A colonial region characterized by a focus on fishing, commerce, and small farms.

French and Indian War Debt

The financial burden that led Britain to begin taxing the colonies to help pay for the conflict.

"No taxation without representation"

The belief held by colonists that Britain should not tax them because they had no representatives in Parliament.

Tension-Escalating Events

Acts and occurrences including the Stamp Act, Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, and Intolerable Acts that increased conflict between Britain and the colonies.

1775

The year the American Revolution began.

John Locke

An Enlightenment thinker whose ideas greatly influenced the Declaration of Independence.

Natural Rights

Basic rights every person is born with, such as life, liberty, and property (or the pursuit of happiness as stated in the Declaration).

Articles of Confederation

The first system of government where the national government was too weak to tax, regulate trade, or maintain order effectively.

Shays' Rebellion

The event that demonstrated the Articles of Confederation were ineffective and needed to be replaced.

Federalism

A system based on the sharing of power between the national government and the state governments.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws.

Checks and Balances

A system intended to keep any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Bill of Rights

The addition to the Constitution created to protect individual rights and freedoms.

Founding Ideals

The principles established in founding documents, including liberty, representative government, individual rights, limited government, and consent of the governed.