History Midterm- Units 1 and 2

What is the proclamation of 1763?

A law where colonists were banned from settling on new lands.

Who were the sons of liberty?

A group of people who wanted to be free from the rule of England. They didn’t want British taxes and thought it was unfair to be ruled by a king who lived so far away from them.

What actions did the sons of liberty take?

They initiated the Boston Tea party, where they dumped tea that had been taxed into the harbor. They also would tar and feather the tax collectors, even though they weren’t necessarily the ones taxing them. 

What is the Boston Massacre?

A riot that happened because British soldiers who were stationed in Boston were surrounded by angry American Colonists who were very upset about the taxes and rules coming from England. While the colonists were yelling and protesting against the British soldiers, the soldiers opened fire on the group, killing and injuring many. 

Who was Thomas Paine?

A writer and philosopher who wrote Common Sense

What was Common Sense?

It was a political pamphlet that argued for independence from Britain. It argued for independence from British rule, self-government for the U.S., and democracy. It is a big part of why our government works the way it does today, and it helped us become independent and a democracy. 

What is the Declaration of Independence?

It is the foundation of our government. It states that America is an independent nation and a democracy, and that all Americans are born with unalienable rights. It was written to formally announce that the American colonies were breaking away from British rule. 

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson 

What were the grievances against the king?

They were a part of the Declaration of Independence and they stated the wrong things that King George III was doing such as imposing taxes without consent and representation, dissolving colonial assemblies, and maintaining armies during times of peace. These actions violated the colonies right’s and self government, so Thomas Jefferson made sure to mention them in the Declaration. 

What are unalienable rights?

All Americans are born with the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Experiences of women before, during, and after the revolution

Before the revolution, women could not own land, appear in court, or earn money. During the revolution, women played a large role in boycotting British goods, working as spies, or sometimes even fighting. They managed farms, businesses, and homes while also supporting the soldiers by cooking, nursing, and mending clothes. After the revolution, women remained excluded from political rights for a while, even after having such a vital role in the war. 

Experiences of Native Americans before, during, and after the revolution

Before the revolution, Native Americans had relationships with the European settlers, whether it was through trade or territorial conflicts. During the revolution, many tribes were split based on who they were supporting in the war, and those who fought on the side of the British often faced violence and many tribes lost land because of it. After the revolution, many tribes lost land regardless of what side they were supporting, even if that was not the expected outcome. 

Experiences of Black Americans before, during, and after the revolution

Before the revolution, most Black Americans were enslaved, particularly in the South, and if they were in the North the majority of them faced discrimination and racism daily. During the revolution, Black Americans were fighting for their freedom and fought in hopes that whichever side they were supporting would reward them with freedom after they won. A lot of them enlisted in the army for this reason. After the revolution, they faced the reality of the discrimination and racism despite often being promised freedom. However, the war did allow for the long path toward abolition and the recognition of Black Americans’ rights to begin.  

What were the military differences between the British and Americans

The British had a well-trained, professional army and navy with great resources, however they struggled with logistical challenges, fighting across the ocean, and long supply lines. The Americans had fewer resources and a less strong military, but they had great guerilla tactics, the advantage of fighting on their home soil, and foreign support.

What were The Articles of Confederation?

They were were the first constitution in the United States that was created after we gained independence.

What did The Articles of Confederation do and why did they not work?

With The Articles, the national government could do things such as conduct foreign affairs, make treaties, and maintain an army, however it couldn’t tax people or make states follow laws. The government did not have a president or courts either. The states had too much power, and the central government was too weak. Because the central government was so weak, they couldn’t pay off debts or deal with economic problems, and it became a large issue for the US. 

What was the constitutional convention?

The Constitutional Convention was where the Articles of Confederation was replaced by the Constitution. It was a meeting where 55 delegates from each state came together to fix the problems in the government created by the Articles of Confederation. The delegates realized that the articles weren’t working and they needed a stronger central government, so they decided to make a whole new set of rules, which became known as the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution established a stronger federal government with three branches (executive,legislative,judicial). These new rules gave the government more power to handle things like taxes, defense, and trade.

What was the Virginia Plan?

The Virginia Plan was for larger states. It proposed that there should be two houses in congress, one with representatives based on the population of each state, so bigger states would have more power. They wanted a stronger national government, so the government could tax and regulate trade, and they wanted a president and a national court system. 

What was the NJ Plan?

The NJ Plan was for smaller states. It proposed that there should be one house in congress, and that every state, no matter how big or small, would have equal representation and each state would have one vote. This proposition included a weaker national government, where it could regulate trade and tax but wouldn’t have as much power as the Virginia Plan, and instead of one president there would be a group running the executive branch. 

What branch of congress came from the Virginia Plan?

The House of Representatives

What branch of congress came from the NJ Plan?

the Senate

What was the Great Compromise?

It  combined both plans and included two houses in congress: The House of Representatives (from the Virginia Plan) would have members based on state population and The Senate (from the New Jersey Plan) would have equal representation, with each state getting two senators. This is now the congress we have today. 

What are checks and balances?

It was the idea that each branch of government could regulate the other branches and make sure none of the branches gained too much power over the others. Each branch has ways to limit or "check" the powers of the other branches, so they work together and keep each other in balance.

What was the Three Fifths Compromise?

The Three Fifths Compromise was a settlement agreement on how the enslaved population would be counted towards representation and taxation. The compromise said that each enslaved person would be counted for as three fifths of a person. So, for every five enslaved people, three would be added to the state's population count. This was done because states with large enslaved populations (mostly in the South) wanted to count enslaved people to have more representation in the House of Representatives, but without giving them full rights. The North disagreed, so this compromise was made to balance the interests of both sides.

What was the fugitive slave clause?

The Fugitive Slave Clause states that if an enslaved person escapes to another state, they are not free and they must be returned to their owner in the state where they came from, even in a state where slavery is illegal. This law made it harder for enslaved people to find freedom in the North.

Who were the federalists?

They were people who supported the idea of a strong central government and wanted the U.S. Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation. 

What was the federalists’ view on the government?

They believed that the central government needed more power to keep the country strong and united, and that the states had too much power under the Articles of Confederation, which made it hard to solve national problems. They also wanted a government that could tax, raise an army, and regulate trade to ensure stability and growth. 

What was the federalists’ view on the constitution?

They supported the Constitution because it created a stronger national government, with three branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) to keep things balanced. They believed the Constitution would protect the rights of citizens while making sure the government didn’t become too weak, like it was under the Articles of Confederation.

Who were the anti federalists?

They were people who were against the U.S. Constitution because they felt it gave too much power to the national government and took too much power away from the states and the people. 

What were the anti-federalists’ views on the government?

They believed the government should be strong at the state level and not too powerful at the national level. They feared a strong central government could become too controlling and threaten people’s freedoms.

What were the anti federalists’ views on the constitution?

They didn’t like the Constitution because it gave too much power to the national government and didn’t protect individual rights enough. They wanted more protections for the people and believed the Constitution needed changes to ensure freedom.

Why did the anti federalists push for the addition of the bill of rights?

They pushed for the addition of the Bill of Rights because the amendments would specifically protect people’s individual freedoms like freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial. They wanted to make sure that the government couldn’t take away these basic rights.

First Amendment- 

Freedom of speech (People can say what they want without fear of punishment, whether it's speaking out publicly or expressing opinions)

Freedom of religion (People can practice any religion they choose, or choose not to follow any religion at all. The government cannot establish an official religion or stop people from practicing theirs)

Freedom of the press (The media can report news and express opinions freely without government control or censorship)

Freedom of Assembly (People can gather together in groups, whether it's for protest, meetings, or other activities, as long as it’s peaceful)

Right to petition the government (People can ask the government to fix problems or change laws without fear of punishment)

Second Amendment

The right to bear arms (people have the right to own guns, and it also ensures that the government cannot take away this right)

Third Amendment

The quartering amendment (protects people from having to quarter soldiers in their homes without their consent during peacetimes, and during war the government can only do so if authorized by law)

Fourth Amendment

The search and seizure amendment ( the government cannot search your property or take your things without a good reason and a warrant)

Fifth Amendment

Self-Incrimination and Due Process Amendment (ensures fairness in the justice system and safeguards individuals from being unfairly treated by the government.) 

Protection Against Self-Incrimination: You don’t have to testify against yourself in a criminal case. This is often referred to as "pleading the Fifth."

Double Jeopardy: You can’t be tried twice for the same crime if you’ve already been acquitted (found not guilty).

Due Process: The government must follow fair and consistent legal procedures when taking away your life, liberty, or property. No one can be deprived of these rights without a fair trial.

Eminent Domain: The government can take your property for public use, but it must pay you a fair price for it.

Sixth Amendment

Rights of the Accused Amendment (guarantees several rights related to criminal prosecutions, ensuring fairness for people who are accused of crimes.)

Right to a Speedy Trial: You cannot be kept in jail for a long time before your trial. The government must quickly bring you to trial.

Right to a Public Trial: Your trial must be open to the public, so people can see the fairness of the legal process.

Right to an Impartial Jury: You have the right to be tried by a jury of people who are unbiased and come from your community.

Right to be Informed of Charges: You must be told what crime you are being accused of, so you can prepare your defense.

Right to Confront Witnesses: You can question the witnesses who are testifying against you.

Right to Compulsory Process: You can call witnesses in your favor to testify for you.

Right to a Lawyer: You have the right to a lawyer to defend you, and if you cannot afford one, the government will provide one for you.

Seventh Amendment

 The right to a jury trial in civil cases (If you are involved in a civil case where the amount of money in question is significant (usually over $20), you have the right to have a jury decide the case, rather than just a judge.)

Eighth Amendment

Cruel and Unusual Punishment Amendment (protects individuals from unfair treatment by the government in the criminal justice system)

No Excessive Bail: The government cannot set bail amounts that are too high, making it impossible for a person to be released before their trial.

No Excessive Fines: The government cannot impose overly large fines that are unreasonable or unfair.

No Cruel and Unusual Punishment: The government cannot inflict punishments that are excessively harsh, inhumane, or degrading.

Ninth Amendment

Rights Retained by the People Amendment (listing of certain rights in the Constitution does not mean that people do not have other rights that are not specifically mentioned)

Tenth Amendment

 States Rights Amendment (any powers that the Constitution does not give to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people. It limits the federal government’s authority and makes clear that states and individuals have rights and powers that are not listed in the Constitution. 

Judicial Review

Judicial review is the power of courts to decide whether a law or government action is constitutional or not.

Role of the Presidential Cabinet

There to advise the president on important issues

1800 Election: Controversy

It resulted in a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. Under the Constitution, this stalemate sent the election to the House of Representatives, which chose Jefferson.

12th Amendment

The 12th amendment required separate electoral votes for president and vice president.

Foreign and Domestic Policies of Washington- the Whiskey Rebellion, Farewell Address (neutrality, political parties-unity)

He faced Western farmers being angry over a tax on whiskey, however he decided to send federal troops to put down the rebellion. This showed the authority of the federal government and how they will use it’s power to maintain law and order. 

In his farewell address, he warned against becoming involved in foreign alliances and conflicts. He also warned against political parties and felt that dividing the country would lead to feuds. Lastly, he talked about unity and he stressed the importance of national unity and staying together as one country, despite different opinions or beliefs.

Foreign and Domestic policies of Adams- XYZ Affair,

The XYZ Affair happened when three American diplomats were sent to France to negotiate France’s anger towards the U.S. (about their war neutrality), but when they arrived, French officials (later referred to as X, Y, and Z in U.S. documents) demanded bribes before they would even start talking. The Americans refused to pay the bribe, and the event led to anger in the U.S. against France, causing an "undeclared" naval war (known as the Quasi-War) between the two countries.

Foreign and Domestic policies of Adams- the Alien and Sedition Acts

The Alien Acts: These laws made it harder for immigrants to become U.S. citizens and gave the president power to expel immigrants who were considered a threat to national security.

The Sedition Act: This law made it a crime to speak out against the government, which was seen as an attempt to silence political opponents. It especially targeted those who were critical of Adams' administration, particularly members of the Democratic-Republican Party.

Jefferson- the Louisiana Purchase

When the U.S. bought a huge area of land from France that stretched from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. The purchase cost $15 million, which was a bargain. This deal nearly doubled the size of the United States and secured control of the Mississippi River, which was important for trade, and removed the threat of France controlling the land near the U.S.

What else did Jefferson believe in

A smaller, limited government. He cut federal taxes and worked to reduce the national debt, thinking that this would help farmers and ordinary citizens. He also reduced the size of the military, believing that the U.S. should not have a large standing army, but instead rely on local militias for defense.

Madison- War of 1812 causes

The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and Britain, and it had several causes such as Impressment of American Sailors, Trade Restrictions, and Support for Native American Attacks

Madison- War of 1812 results

Military Challenges, Battle of New Orleans, Treaty of Ghent (1814), and Impact on National Identity

Monroe- Monroe Doctrine

It told European countries to stay out of the affairs of the Americas. Monroe declared that the Western Hemisphere (the Americas) was off-limits for colonization or interference by European powers. In return, the U.S. would stay out of European conflicts.

Nationalism v. Sectionalism

Nationalism is the belief that the interests of the whole country (the nation) should come before the interests of individual regions or states. It promotes unity and a sense of pride in being part of the United States.

Sectionalism is the belief that the interests of a particular region (North, South, or West) should come before the interests of the country as a whole. It focuses on the differences between regions, such as their economy, culture, and values.

The Missouri Compromise

The Missouri Compromise was an agreement made to resolve the conflict over whether new states in the West would allow slavery or not. Missouri wanted to join the Union as a slave state, but this would upset the balance of power between free and slave states. To solve this, Missouri was allowed to join as a slave state and Maine joined as a free state, keeping the balance. A line was drawn at 36°30′ latitude: any state north of this line (except Missouri) would be free, and any state south of it could allow slavery.

The American System

The American System was a plan proposed by Henry Clay to improve the U.S. economy and unify the country. It consisted of:

Protective Tariffs: Taxes on imported goods to protect American factories in the North by making foreign goods more expensive.

National Bank: A strong national bank to provide a stable currency and make it easier for businesses to get loans.

Internal Improvements: The government would fund building roads, canals, and other infrastructure to connect different parts of the country and promote trade between the regions.

Who won the election of 1824

Andrew Jackson won the most popular votes and the most electoral votes, but he did not have a majority of electoral votes. John Quincy Adams finished second in both the popular vote and electoral vote. William Crawford and Henry Clay had fewer votes. Since no candidate had a majority of the electoral votes, the decision went to the House of Representatives to choose between the top three candidates. Henry Clay, who was Speaker of the House, backed John Quincy Adams, and Adams won in the House of Representatives.

Why was the election of 1824 controversial?

Jackson’s supporters believed that he had won fairly and that the decision by the House was unjust. They thought the deal between Adams and Clay was unfair, leading to the perception of a corrupt system. Jackson felt cheated out of the presidency, and the controversy set the stage for his successful campaign in the 1828 election. Overall, John Quincy Adams won through the House of Representatives, even though Andrew Jackson had more votes. This led to accusations of a “corrupt bargain,” making the election very controversial.

What is a corrupt bargain?

The idea that John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay made a secret, unfair deal to get Adams elected president, even though Andrew Jackson had won more votes. This upset many people and made the election very controversial.

What is the spoils system?

The spoils system began with Andrew Jackson, and the idea is that the president would give people who supported him and his campaign jobs in office that they may not have been qualified for, and they would replace people who were qualified and had the jobs already. 

What is the tariff of abominations?

A law that raised taxes on imported goods to protect U.S. factories, especially in the North. People in the South hated the tariff because it made goods more expensive, and they didn’t have many factories of their own to benefit from it. They thought it was unfair because it hurt their economy, which relied on farming and trading. The South felt that the tariff was forcing them to pay more for goods while helping the Northern industries, leading to anger, especially in states like South Carolina.

What was the nullification crisis?

South Carolina declared that they would ignore the tariff law within their state.

President Andrew Jackson strongly opposed this. He said the federal government had the power to enforce laws and would not allow states to break them.

To avoid conflict, Congress passed a new, lower tariff, but South Carolina still threatened to secede. Jackson responded by sending troops to South Carolina, but eventually, a compromise was reached, and the crisis ended without war.

Bank War

Andrew Jackson's fight to destroy the national bank because he thought it was too powerful and favored the wealthy. He succeeded in shutting it down, even though it caused a lot of political conflict.

Indian Removal Act

A law signed by President Andrew Jackson that forced Native American tribes living in the southeastern United States to move to lands west of the Mississippi River.

The Trail of Tears

The forced journey of several Native American tribes, especially the Cherokee, to the new lands in the West. They were forced to walk hundreds of miles through harsh conditions, including cold weather, disease, and hunger. Thousands of Native Americans died along the way, and the journey became known as the Trail of Tears because of the suffering and loss.

Whig Party

Formed in opposition to Jackson and his policies and instead supported a strong national government, economic development, and tariffs.

Jackson’s impact on the power of the federal government- Veto

Jackson used his veto power more than any president before him. For example, he vetoed the renewal of the National Bank in 1832. He didn’t like the bank, believing it was too powerful and favored the rich. By vetoing the bill to renew the bank’s charter, he showed that he believed the president could use the veto to block laws that he thought were bad for the country.

Jackson’s impact on the power of the federal government- Nullification crisis

Jackson faced the Nullification Crisis in the early 1830s when South Carolina refused to follow a federal tariff (tax on imports), saying it was unfair and harmful to their economy. South Carolina claimed that states had the right to nullify (ignore) federal laws they didn’t like. Jackson strongly disagreed and said the federal government had the final say over laws, even if states didn’t like them. He threatened to send the military to enforce the law. The crisis ended when Congress lowered the tariff, but Jackson’s stance showed that the president could use force to preserve the power of the federal government over states.

Jackson’s impact on the power of the federal government- Indian Removal Act

 Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830, which forced Native American tribes in the southeastern U.S. to move west to lands in what is now Oklahoma. Jackson pushed this law through Congress, arguing it was necessary for the growth of the country, even though it was incredibly harmful to Native Americans. By supporting the removal, Jackson used the power of the presidency to push a major policy that ignored Native American rights and forced them from their land.