US History terms 1

Thomas Jefferson

Principal author of the Declaration of Independence. Inspired by John Locke’s ideas of unalienable rights.

George Washington

Commander of the Continentaal Army during the Revolutionary War; 1st president of the USA

United States Constitution

Framework for the U.S. government, replacing the Articles of Confederation and creating three branches of government

E Pluribus Unum

Out of many, one. Original motto

Magna Carta

English document signed in 1215 that's established certain rights and helped inspire the idea of limited government

James Madison

Main author of the constitution; known as the father of the constitution

John Locke

Enlightenment thinker who influenced the Declaration of independance and advocated for the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and property

Bill of rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution that protect individual liberties and rights

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme court case that established judicial review, giving the court the power to determine whether laws are constitutional

Mayflower Compact

First written framework for self-government in the American colonies

Declaration of independance

Documented adopted on July 4th, 1776, declaring the colonies’ independence from Great Britain and stating that all citizens had unalienable rights

Articles of confederation

frst u.s. constitution; created a weak national government and gave most power to the states

Thomas Paine

Author of common sense, which encouraged colonists to support independence from Britain

Alexis de Tocqueville

French political thinker who was impressed by the ideals of American equality referenced in his book, Democracy in America

Compromise of 1877

Agreement that ended reconstruction by removing federal troops from the South in exchange for Rutherford B. Hayes becoming president

13th amendment

Abolished slavery in the United States except as punishment for a crime

14th amendment

granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all people born or naturalized in the United States

15th amendment

Prohibited denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude

Jim Crow laws

State and local laws enforcing racial segregation in public facilities in the South after reconstruction

Dred Scott Decision

Supreme court ruling that declared enslaved people were property and not citizens, and that congress could not ban slavery in territories

Ku Klux Klan

White supremacist organization that used violence and intimidation to oppose civil rights and racial equality