exam one, u.s. constitution

How did the American colonial position shift between the 1760s and 1774?

In the 1760s most accepted Parliamentary sovereignty, but by 1774 American leaders rejected Parliamentary rule over the Empire

What territories were part of the First British Empire?

Ireland, North America, and the Caribbean

What territories were part of the Second British Empire?

India, Africa, and parts of Asia

What were the three groups in Parliament?

Crown (one), House of Lords (few), House of Commons (many)

What was the Glorious Revolution (1688-89)?

Parliament overthrew King James II

What was the outcome of the Glorious Revolution?

Parliament gained lasting power; the king and queen became more symbolic.

What were the main features of colonial government in America?

Modeled after the British constitution, but more democratic. Rights of Englishmen: common law and jury trial. Parliamentary supremacy with “benign neglect.”

What war began in 1754?

The French and Indian War

Why were the British unhappy after the French and Indian War?

Colonial militias performed poorly and Britain paid the war costs.

What did the Royal Proclamation of 1763 do?

Banned English settlers west of the Allegheny Mountains

What taxes were introduced in 1764-1765?

Taxes on sugar, stamps, and more.

What phrase did James Otis use against taxes?

“No taxation without representation.”

What happened at the Stamp Act Congress?

Colonies called for repeal of the Stamp Act

What was the Declaratory Act of 1766?

Parliament reserved the right to legislate and tax the colonies in “all cases whatsoever.”

What were the Townshend Duties (1767)?

Taxes on imported goods such as glass, lead, paper, and tea.

What happened in the Boston Massacre (1770)?

British troops killed 5 colonial protestors

What happened after the Boston Tea Party (1773)?

Britain passed the “Intolerable Acts.”

What was the Coercive Act?

Declared martial law in Boston

What was the Quartering Act?

Required colonies to house and pay for British soldiers

What was the Quebec Act?

Recognized the Catholic Church and French language, no elected assembly, extended Quebec’s border to Ohio

What was the First Continental Congress?

A meeting of 12 colonies to respond to British policies

What did Thomas Jefferson argue in A Summary View of the Rights of British America?

Parliament had no relation to the colonies

What happened at the Second Continental Congress in 1775?

Formed continental Army, sent to Boston; issued the Olive Branch Petition

What was published in January 1776?

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

What did Common Sense argue?

Independence was necessary and helped change public opinion

What happened on July 4th, 1776?

The Declaration of Independence was adopted

What were the two goals of the Declaration of Independence?

Secede from Britain and establish new relations among the colonies

Who drafted the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin

What was the political purpose of the Declaration?

Achieve unanimity, unite colonies, gain international support

What philosopher inspired the Declaration’s natural rights section?

John Locke

What natural rights were included in the Declaration?

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

How is the Declaration structured like a syllogism?

Preamble (major premise: all men are created equal), Grievances (minor premise: equality violated), Conclusion (colonies should be independent).

How many grievances were listed?

18 against the king and 9 against Parliament

What was the logical conclusion of the Declaration?

“those United States ought to be free and independent.”

Did the Declaration create one country or 13?

Ambiguous-called the colonies both “one people” and “free and independent states.”

What were the Articles of Confederation?

America’s first constitution, a loose alliance of 13 sovereign states with a weak national government

When were the Articles of Confederation ratified?

1781

What did Article 1 of the Articles of Confederation do?

Gave the country its name, “The United States of America.”

What did Article 2 of the Articles of Confederation state?

Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence

What did Article 3 in the Articles of Confederation describe the states as?

“A firm league of friendship.”

What limits were placed on state sovereignty?

No titles of nobility, no foreign treaties, no war without U.S. consent

What did Article 4 of Articles of Confederation establish?

Privileges and immunities, and full faith and credit among states

What did Article 9 in the Articles of Confederation provide for?

A mediation and arbitration system to resolve disputes among states

What was Article 8 in the Articles of Confederation about?

U.S. treasury funded by levies (no power to tax directly).

What type of legislature did the Articles create?

A unicameral legislature with members appointed by state governments

Did the Articles have a national executive or judiciary?

No

What powers did Congress have under the Articles?

Mostly foreign relations

What military system existed under the Articles?

No national army, just levy and quota systems

How did the Articles compare to modern systems?

Closer to the European Union or the UN General Assembly than today’s U.S. government

Which four state constitutions were most notable?

Virgina, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts

When was the Virginia’s constitution ratified?

1776

What were its main features?

Bicameral legislature, governor appointed annually by legislature, council of state, bill of rights

Who could vote in Virgina?

Large property owners

What was the takeaway from Virginia’s constitution?

Aristocratic, suspicious of power, favoring wealthy oligarchy

When was Pennsylvania’s constitution ratified?

1776

What were its main features?

Unicameral assembly, plural executive (supreme executive council), council of censors, bill of rights

What was the council of censors?

An elected body meeting every 7 years to review and amend the constitution if needed

What was the takeaway from Pennsylvania’s constitution?

Very democratic

When was New York’s constitution ratified?

1777

What were its main features?

Bicameral legislature, strong independent executive, independent judiciary, no amendment process

What was the takeaway from New York’s constitution?

Early American separation of powers.

When was the Massachusetts’s constitution ratified?

1780

How was it ratified?

Drafted by a convention, submitted to the people; first draft rejected, second accepted

What was its structure?

Similar to New York, with separation of powers

Why was Massachusetts’ process important?

Became the model for ratifying the U.S. Constitution later

What was the takeaway from Massachusetts’ constitution?

Model for the U.S. Constitution and longest-lasting state constitution

What is parliamentary sovereignty?

In Britain, the constitution is whatever Parliament says it is (example: Declaratory Act).

What are the natural rights?

Life, liberty, property

What does “perpetual union” mean?

A lasting, bound union not renegotiated every few years

How did America achieve victory in the Revolution?

Military victory (Continental Army + French alliance, Yorktown 1781) and political victory (new republican constitutions by 1781)

What were the three major constitutional questions in 1776?

Republicanism, Federalism, and Sovereignty

What does “perpetual union” mean?

The union is long-lasting, bound, and only revisited when necessary.

When were the Articles of Confederation ratified?

1781

What powers did the national government have under the Articles?

Limited mainly to foreign relations; no national executive or judiciary; no control over economy; no national army (levy or quota system)

How was Congress structured under the Articles?

Unicameral legislature, members appointed by state governments, each state had one vote

what was “full faith and credit”?

legal acts (birth certificates, marriage) from one state are recognized in other states

What type of legislature did Virginia have?

Bicameral (house of delegates and senate)

How was the governor chosen in Virgina?

Appointed annually by the legislature

What was the Council of State?

Appointed by legislature to advise the governor

What rights were included in the Virginia constitution?

Bill of Rights with general principles

Who could vote in Virgina?

large property owners

Main takeaway of Virginia’s constitution?

Aristocratic; suspicious of power; favored wealthy oligarchy

What type of legislature did Pennsylvania have?

Unicameral assembly, elected annually

What kind of executive did Pennsylvania have?

Plural executive called the Supreme Executive Council, elected by the people

What was the Council of Censors?

Elected body meeting every 7 years to review and amend the constitution if necessary

What rights were guaranteed in Pennsylvania (1776)?

Bill of Rights included right to bear arms, immigration, and religious freedoms

How was the constitution drafted?

by a special convention

Main takeaway of Pennsylvania’s constitution?

Very democratic

What type of legislature did New York have?

Bicameral, with differentiated terms for House and Senate

How strong was the executive in New York?

Strong and independent of the legislature

How independent was the judiciary in New York?

Fully independent

Was there an amendment process in New York?

No

Main takeaway of New York’s constitution?

Early American idea of separation of powers

How was Massachusetts’ constitution drafted and ratified?

Drafted by convention, submitted to the people; first draft rejected, second accepted.

What was the structure of Massachusetts (1780)?

Similar to New York with separation of powers

What is significant about the ratification and amendment in Massachusetts?

Ensured balance: not too easy to change (legislative supremacy) and not too hard to change (allowing no change)

Main takeaway of Massachusetts’ constitution?

became the model for the U.S. Constitution; longest-lasting state constitution; last to be ratified in the wartime period

What is parliamentary sovereignty?

In Britain, the constitution is whatever Parliament says it is

What are natural rights?

Life, liberty, and property

How did Americans view sovereignty?

Rejected parliamentary sovereignty; debated popular sovereignty and supremacy between state and national governments