Period 3 Test

James Madison

The fourth President of the United States, known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Roger Sherman

A founding father and significant political figure, they were one of the only people to sign all four major founding documents of the United States, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

The Great Compromise

was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that created a dual system of congressional representation, balancing the needs of both large and small states.

3/5ths Compromise

was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that determined how slaves would be counted for representation and taxation,

Federalism

is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, allowing for shared governance.

legislative branch

is the branch of government responsible for making laws, consisting of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

executive branch

is the branch of government responsible for enforcing laws and administering public policies, led by the President.

judicial branch

is the branch of government responsible for interpreting laws, resolving legal disputes, and ensuring justice, headed by the Supreme Court.

checks and balances

is a system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch with the means to limit the powers of the others.

electoral college

is a body of representatives established by the Constitution, which formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States based on the popular vote in each state.

ratification

is the official approval of the Constitution or an amendment, typically by a vote of the legislature or representatives from the states.

federalist

refers to supporters of the Constitution who advocated for a strong national government and the ratification of the Constitution.

anti-federalist

refers to opponents of the Constitution who favored stronger state governments and were concerned about the potential for a powerful national government to infringe on individual liberties.

the federalist

was a collection of essays written to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution, discussing the principles of government and the need for a strong national framework.

bill of rights

the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution that guarantee essential rights and liberties to individuals, addressing Anti-Federalist concerns about personal freedoms.

judiciary act of 1789

established the federal judiciary system, defining the structure and jurisdiction of the federal court system in the United States.

alexander hamilton

One of the founding fathers of the United States, he was the first Secretary of the Treasury and a key author of the Federalist Papers, advocating for a strong central government.

cabinet

a body of advisors to the President, typically composed of the heads of the executive departments.

bank of united states

What bank chartered in 1791, it was designed to stabilize and improve the nation's credit and to manage financial transactions.

democratic republicans

A political party founded in the early 1790s by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, advocating for agrarian interests and states' rights.

neutrality

The policy of not taking sides in conflicts or wars between other nations, often to maintain peace and avoid entanglement in foreign alliances.

edmond genet

A French diplomat who sought to gain American support for France during the French Revolutionary Wars, causing controversy in US foreign policy.

thomas pickney

A diplomat and politician who served as the U.S. minister to Great Britain and negotiated a treaty with Spain, establishing border relations and navigation rights on the Mississippi River.

john jay

A diplomat and statesman who served as the first Chief Justice of the United States and negotiated the Jay Treaty with Great Britain, which aimed to resolve lingering issues from the Revolutionary War.

sectionalism

The divide between regions within the United States, often marked by differing economic interests, political beliefs, and cultural values, particularly during the antebellum period.

xyz affair

A diplomatic incident in 1797-1798 where French officials demanded bribes from U.S. diplomats, leading to public outrage and an undeclared naval conflict with France.

alien and sedition acts

A series of laws passed in 1798 that increased the residency requirement for citizenship and restricted speech critical of the government, targeting immigrants and political dissent.

nullification

The theory that states have the right to invalidate any federal law they deem unconstitutional, particularly associated with South Carolina's response to the Tariff of 1828.

constitutional convention 1787

A gathering in Philadelphia where delegates drafted the United States Constitution, addressing issues of governance and federal authority.

virginia plan

Proposed a strong national government with three branches and a bicameral legislature, favoring larger states in representation.

conneticut plan

Also known as the Great Compromise, it proposed a bicameral legislature that balanced the interests of both large and small states by creating proportional representation in one house and equal representation in the other.

new jersey plan

Proposed a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, favoring small states and retaining several features of the Articles of Confederation.

seperation of powers

A governance model that divides government responsibilities into distinct branches, typically executive, legislative, and judicial, to prevent any one branch from exercising too much power.

congress

The legislative body of the United States federal government, consisting of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Valley Forge

outside of Philadelphia, served as the site of continental army camps during the winter of 1777-1778

Trenton

In New Jersey, held by a garrison of hessians, hessians slept here and the Americans had a surprise attack on Christmas 1776

Saratoga

burgoyne surrendered his army after being suurounded

inflation

something causing prices to rise

Profiteering

The act of increasing prices on essential goods during times of crisis or war, often viewed as exploitative.

First Continental Congress

September 1774, 56 delegates met to discuss colonial grievances and organize resistance against British policies.

Galloway Plan

A proposed plan by Joseph Galloway during the First Continental Congress aimed at reconciling with Britain while still addressing colonial concerns.

Suffolk Resolves

A set of resolutions passed in 1774 that called for immediate repeal of the Coercive Acts and organized resistance against their enforcement.

Declaration of Rights and Grievances

A document created by the First Continental Congress, asserting the rights of the colonies and condemning British taxation and policies without representation.

Minutemen

Colonial militia members ready to fight at a moment's notice during the American Revolutionary War.

Second Continental Congress

The convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that met beginning in May 1775, which managed the colonial war effort and moved incrementally towards independence.

Olive Branch Petition

A final attempt by the Second Continental Congress to avoid war with Britain, expressing loyalty to the crown while seeking redress of grievances.

Thomas Paine

An influential writer and political activist, best known for his pamphlet "Common Sense," which advocated for American independence from Britain.

Common Sense article

published in 1776 that argued for independence and criticized monarchy. It inspired colonists to support the revolutionary effort.

Thomas Jefferson

An American founding father and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, who later served as the third President of the United States.

Declaration of Independence

A historical document adopted on July 4, 1776, that proclaimed the thirteen American colonies' separation from British rule, outlining grievances against King George III and asserting individual rights and liberties.

Patriot

A colonist who supported American independence during the Revolutionary War, advocating for freedom from British rule.

Terrorist

An individual who uses violence and intimidation, particularly against civilians, to achieve political aims.

Friedrich von Steuben

A Prussian military officer who played a crucial role in training American troops during the Revolutionary War, significantly improving their discipline and effectiveness.

Marquis de Lafayette

A French general who aided the American forces in the Revolutionary War, known for his leadership and commitment to the cause of independence.

Battle of Yorktown

The last major battle of the American Revolutionary War, where American and French forces secured a decisive victory over the British in 1781, leading to negotiations for peace.

Signing of the Treaty of Paris

The agreement that officially ended the American Revolutionary War in 1783, recognizing American independence and defining borders for the new nation.

Articles of confederation

The first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, which established a weak central government and was eventually replaced due to its ineffectiveness.

republicanism

A political ideology that emphasizes the role of citizens in electing representatives and governing, focusing on liberty and the common good.

confederation

A union of sovereign states or regions that work together for common purposes while retaining their independence.

land ordinance

An act that regulated land sales in the Northwest Territory, establishing a system for surveying and selling land to settlers.

northwest ordinance

A legislation passed in 1787 aimed at governing the Northwest Territory, it outlined the process for admitting new states to the Union and established a system of governance for the territory.

Shays rebellion

A 1786 uprising by Massachusetts farmers, led by Daniel Shays, in protest of economic injustices and heavy taxation, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

George Washington

The first President of the United States, a commanding general during the American Revolutionary War, and a prominent Founding Father who presided over the Constitutional Convention.

Seven years war

A conflict fought between 1756 and 1763, known as the French and Indian War in North America, involving major European powers and resulting in significant territorial gains for Britain.

pontiac’s rebellion

An uprising in 1763 by Native American tribes led by Chief Pontiac against British rule in the Great Lakes region, prompted by post-war policies.

proclamation of 1763

A British edict forbidding colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains after the Seven Years' War, aimed at stabilizing relations with Native Americans.

george greenville

A British Prime Minister known for his financial reforms, he implemented the Stamp Act and enforced measures to tax the American colonies after the Seven Years' War.

sugar act

A law passed in 1764 imposing tax on sugar and molasses imported into the American colonies to help pay off British debts from the Seven Years' War.

albany plan of union 1754

A proposal by Benjamin Franklin to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies, aimed at coordinating defense against French and Native American threats during the French and Indian War.

edward braddock

A British general during the French and Indian War, he famously led an unsuccessful campaign to capture Fort Duquesne and was mortally wounded in battle.

peace of Paris 1763

A treaty that ended the French and Indian War, resulting in France ceding Canada and all territorial claims east of the Mississippi River to Britain.

stamp act 1765

A British law imposing a direct tax on the colonies requiring them to use stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, and other publications.

declaratory act 1766

A law passed by the British Parliament asserting its authority to legislate for the colonies "in all cases whatsoever," following the repeal of the Stamp Act.

townshend act 1767

A series of laws passed by the British Parliament imposing duties on imported goods, including tea, glass, and paper, to raise revenue from the colonies.

boston massacre

A deadly confrontation between British soldiers and a group of colonists in 1770, resulting in the death of five colonists and fueling anti-British sentiment.

boston tea party