denny unit 1 test flashcards

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House of Burgesses

first elected legislative assembly in British North America

established in 1619; lawmaking body of the virginia govt for over 150 years

considered the precursor to American democracy, though representation was limited

Declaration of Independence

US declared independence from britain b/c they were being assholes to them (unconsentual quartering, taxation w/o representation, etc.)

American Revolution - colonist advantages/disadvantages and british advantages/disadvantages

C.A: guerilla warfare was unpredictable, fought a defensive war, had foreign support from France, Spain, and Netherlands

C.D.: ragtag army, limited resources, financial constraints

B.A.: Professional army, superior navy, more funds, support from colonists loyal to the crown

B.D.: took a long time to get supplies across the Atlantic Ocean, terrain was unfamiliar,

US Constitution

adopted Sep. 7, 1787

a. Established framework of US govt. (state and federal, etc.)

b. defined fundamental laws and rights for US citizens

c. 27 amendments

Bill of rights

ratified Dec. 15, 1791

a. comprises the first 10 amendments to the constitution

b. guarantees specific individual rights and freedoms

c. includes protections for speech, religion, press, and assembly

Liberty

State of being free within society from oppressive restrictions

Equality

All people are treated fairly and have the same rights and opportunities

Prosperity

Economic well-being

shay’s rebellion

• heavy debt from revolutionary war caused lots to struggle financially,

• government wouldn’t provide any debt relief so they shut down county courts to stop debt processes

• then tried to seize weapons from the federal Springfield Armory

• highlighted the flaws in the articles of confederation

george washington

served as officer for virginia in french and indian war

became commander in chief of continental army in 1775

led american forces to victory over the british

became 1st president of the USA

constitutional convention

1787; convention that concluded that the articles of confederation should be completely rewritten versus revising it

US constitution was born

major debates included:

Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan for legislative representation

3/5ths compromise

Great compromise

Preamble to the constitution

Served as an introductory statement which outlined the constitution’s fundamental goals and principles

Power in govt. comes from the people, etc.; set tone for the entire constitution, emphasizing democratic principles

checks and balances

legislative branch can override presidential vetoes and impeach officials

executive branch can veto laws and nominate supreme court justices

judicial branch can declare laws unconstitutional

legislative branch can…

make laws

declare war

impeach the president

control money

other stuff

executive branch can…

veto legislation passed by congress

issue executive orders

make treaties w/ senate approval

other stuff

judicial branch can…

interpret laws

ensure justice

uphold the constitution

other stuff

federalists are…

people who supported the independence of America from British rule

anti-federalists are…

people who didn’t want america to be independent from britain

Louisiana purchase (and when?)

1803

doubled size of united states, sold to US from France after they were in debt from the french and indian war

Mexican American War and Trety of Hidalgo (and when?)

Mexican American War: 1846-1848

US desire to expand, a.k.a. Manifest Destiny

resulted in territorial gains for US (got Texas from Mexico)

Ended w/ treaty of Hidalgo (Feb 2 1848)

Mexico had to give up about half of its land, US paid about $15 million for it as compensation

Rio Grande River became official boundary between mexico and texas

Civil war - beginning and end

began april 12 1861, ended april 9 1865

began officially when confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter

Ended when confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at a court house in virginia

Spanish American War and Treaty of Paris

1898 (lasted only for a few months)

fought over the issue of cuba’s independence from spain

US wanted cuba independent b/c they sympathized with their oppression by Spain

Spain obviously didn’t want them to be independent

US entered war, ended w/ Cuban independence

WWI

USA stayed neutral until they intercepted the zimmerman telegram; 4/6/1917 was when they officially declared war on Germany

Great Depression

1929-1939

tons of inflation led to horrible economy for ten years, american econ. only recovered as production and job offers started coming back b/c of WWII

WWII

1939-1945

Hitler

cold war

1947-1991

arms race between US and soviet union from