U.S. Government Structure and Key Historical Events

Flashcards based on key concepts, historical events, and governmental structure from the lecture notes.

What does the Executive Branch do?

Enforces the laws.

What are the three branches of government?

Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

What event officially ended the American Revolutionary War?

The Treaty of Paris (1783).

What was Shays' Rebellion?

A farmers' revolt in Massachusetts against high taxes and debt.

What did the Northwest Ordinance (1787) establish?

A system for creating new states and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.

What was the significance of the Whiskey Rebellion (1794)?

It was a protest against a tax on whiskey, showing the strength of the new U.S. government under the Constitution.

What did the Virginia Plan propose?

A strong national government with representation based on population.

What did the New Jersey Plan advocate for?

Equal representation for all states, regardless of population.

What was the Great Compromise?

Combined both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, creating a bicameral Congress.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual freedoms.

Who were the Federalists led by and what did they support?

Led by Alexander Hamilton; supported a strong national government and a national bank.

Who were the Anti-Federalists and what did they favor?

Led by Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry; opposed strong central power and favored states' rights.

What was the outcome of the Louisiana Purchase (1803)?

The U.S. bought land from France, doubling its size.

What did the Treaty of Ghent (1814) accomplish?

Officially ended the War of 1812 and restored pre-war boundaries.

What were the Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)?

Laws limiting free speech and making it harder for immigrants to become citizens.

What were the Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions?

States opposed the Alien and Sedition Acts, arguing they could nullify federal laws.

What was the significance of the Election of 1800?

It was a peaceful transfer of power between political parties.

What did the Monroe Doctrine (1823) declare?

Europe should not interfere in the Western Hemisphere.

What was the Missouri Compromise (1820)?

Allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state and Maine as a free state, banning slavery north of 36°30'.

What was the outcome of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?

Upheld the national bank and strengthened federal power.

What issues did the Nullification Crisis raise?

South Carolina's attempt to reject federal tariffs highlighted tensions over states' rights.