Key Events and Concepts in U.S. History and Constitution

First Continental Congress

A meeting of fifty-six delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies called in response to the passage of the Coercive Acts → the delegation met to consider options, such as an economic boycott, published a list of rights and grievances, and petitioned King George III for redress of those grievances.

Battle of Lexington and Concord

The opening shots of the American Revolution → British forces had been set out to seize weapons and capture rebel leaders → British soldiers encountered colonial militia and shots were fired, skirmishes would continue throughout the day → the British found few weapons and no rebel leaders → 'The Shot Heard 'Round the World'.

Second Continental Congress

Delegation of representatives from all of the colonies that met to debate the relationship between the colonies and Britain → served as a national government during the American Revolution → despite their limited powers, they were able to coordinate the war effort and conduct negotiations with outside powers.

Common Sense

Thomas Paine's pamphlet that rejected calls for compromise and instead advocated for the colonies to declare independence from Britain.

Declaration of Independence

Document drawn up by the Second Continental Congress and written by Thomas Jefferson which announced American independence and the reasons for making this decision.

Battle of Saratoga

Turning point of the American Revolution → this American victory over the British demonstrated to the French that the Americans could very well defeat the British → French aid to the United States provided needed supplies, money, training, troops, and access to the French navy.

Articles of Confederation

Ratified in 1781, creating the first official government of the United States → created a loose union of independent states → under this government the states maintained their own sovereignty within their own borders, coming together to deal with issues of mutual concern → this government proved ineffective primarily due to the weakness of the federal government.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Legislative measure established under the Articles of Confederation that provided for the surveying and sale of federally owned lands in the Old Northwest and earmarked the process toward repaying the national debt.

Northwest Ordinances of 1787

Legislative measure established under the Articles of Confederation that established the basis for governing the Northwest Territory and to establish the procedure for the eventual statehood for parts of these territories.

Shay's Rebellion

An uprising of debt-ridden farmers protesting increased state taxes in Massachusetts → the Massachusetts state legislature and the national government were unable to stop the uprising, a militia financed by Bostonians eventually put down the uprising → this event caused concern among the wealthy that future uprisings could threaten their prosperity, they determined a stronger central government was needed to crush future rebellions.

Philadelphia Convention

The 1787 delegation of fifty-five delegates from twelve of the thirteen states called to revise the Articles of Confederation.

Constitution

Defined the second government of the United States, replacing the Articles of Confederation.

Republicanism

The ideology of governing a society through the consent of the people and their elected leaders.

Federalism

A political system in which power is divided between a national government and several smaller local governments (state governments).

Separation of Powers

A government in which the executive, legislative, and judicial powers are divided; each branch possessing its own governmental powers.

Checks and Balances

A system of government in which each of the branches has specific powers that restrict/balance the actions of the other branches.

"Necessary and Proper" Clause

Provision in Article I of the Constitution that specifies that the government can carry out actions deemed appropriate for the functioning of the government.

Electoral College

The method by which the United States elects the president and vice president.

Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise)

The constitutional agreement which created a bicameral legislature.

Three-Fifths Compromise

The constitutional agreement between northern and southern delegates on the procedure to count enslaved persons in the United States.

Federalists

Those individuals who favored the ratification of the Constitution.

Federalist Papers (The Federalist)

A series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

Anti-Federalists

Those individuals who did not want the Constitution to be ratified.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution.

Whiskey Rebellion

The uprising of western farmers in response to an unpopular tax on alcohol.