8th Grade History Final Exam

Eason, Period 7

Boston Massacre

A confrontation in 1770 where British soldiers killed five colonial civilians, escalating tensions between Britain and the American colonies.

Regional Differences

Variances in economic activities, social structures, and political interests among the 13 colonies post-American Independence.

Declaration of Independence

Document justifying the American colonies' separation from Britain, listing grievances against King George III.

Unalienable Rights

Fundamental rights like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that cannot be surrendered or transferred.

Articles of Confederation Issues

Weak central government, lack of taxing power, and unanimous consent for amendments.

Shays' Rebellion

Event highlighting the need for a stronger federal government.

Supreme Law of the Land

The Constitution of the United States.

Declaration & Constitution Authors

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration; James Madison played a key role in the Constitution.

Loose Constructionism

Belief in broader federal powers (e.g., Alexander Hamilton's National Bank support).

Strict Constructionism

Advocacy for limited federal powers (e.g., Thomas Jefferson's National Bank opposition).

Federal vs

Federal covers national matters; state addresses local issues.

Great Compromise

Created a bicameral legislature with proportional and equal representation.

⅗ Compromise

Agreement counting three-fifths of the slave population for representation and taxation.

Checks and Balances

Prevents one branch from becoming too powerful (e.g., Presidential veto, judicial review).

Three Branches of Government

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Branch Functions

Legislative makes laws, Executive enforces, Judicial interprets.

Senators

Two per state serving six-year terms.

Federal Judges

Appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate, serving for life.

Branch Functions

Legislative (laws, taxing), Executive (enforcing laws), Judicial (interpreting laws).

Constitution Amendment

Requires two-thirds majority in Congress and ratification by three-fourths of states.

Veto

President's power to reject bills passed by Congress.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments guaranteeing rights and liberties.

Amendments

1st - 15th Amendments specifying rights like freedom of speech and the right to vote.

Washington's Cabinet

Alexander Hamilton (Treasury), Thomas Jefferson (State), Henry Knox (War), Edmund Randolph (Attorney General).

Jay Treaty

Resolved issues with Britain post-Revolutionary War, unpopular for being too conciliatory.

Bank of the United States

Advocated by Alexander Hamilton for economic stability.

Bank Opposition

Thomas Jefferson opposed it as unconstitutional and centralizing power.

Neutrality Policy

Established by George Washington to keep the U.S. out of European conflicts.

Washington's Farewell Address

Warned against political parties and foreign alliances.

Nullification

States' right to invalidate federal laws deemed unconstitutional.

XYZ Affair

French demands for bribes from U.S. diplomats, leading to the Quasi-War.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Passed by Federalists under John Adams, targeting immigrants and restricting speech.

Early Political Parties

Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.

Jefferson's Presidency Challenges

Louisiana Purchase, Embargo Act, conflicts with Britain and France.

War of 1812 Triggers

British impressment, trade interference, support for Native American attacks.

Louisiana Purchase

1803 acquisition of French territory doubling the U.S. size.

Lewis & Clark Expedition

1804-1806 exploration of the Louisiana Territory.

Forty-Niners

Miners and settlers during the California Gold Rush of 1849.

Manifest Destiny

Belief in justified American expansion across the continent.

Gold Rush

Period of mass migration to California in search of gold.

Indian Removal Act

Relocated Native American tribes west of the Mississippi.

Jackson's Political Achievements

Indian Removal Act, Bank dismantling, expanded suffrage.

Trail of Tears

Forced relocation of Cherokee Indians in 1838-1839.

Mexican-American War Causes

U.S. annexation of Texas, border disputes.

Mexican-American War Result

U.S. gained territories through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Sectionalism

Loyalty to a region over the country, leading to conflicts.

North, South, West Differences

Industrial North, agrarian South, varied West interests.

Missouri Compromise

Balanced slave and free states' entry into the Union.

Cotton Gin

Invention increasing demand for slave labor in the South.

John Brown

Abolitionist who led a raid on Harpers Ferry.

Dred Scott Decision

The 1857 Supreme Court ruling that declared African Americans were not citizens and could not sue in federal court.

Congressional Power

The decision also stated that Congress did not have the authority to prohibit slavery in the territories, leading to increased tensions between the North and South.