APUSH Quiz Study Guide Topics: American Revolution, Articles of Confederation, Constitution, and Washington Presidency

What was one grievance that led to the American Revolution regarding King George III?

King George III's lavish lifestyle amid claims of poverty.

What was the Stamp Act?

A direct tax on paper products requiring payment in British sterling, not approved by colonial legislatures.

What did the Declaratory Act assert?

That Britain had the authority to rule over the colonies.

What was the primary argument of the Loyalists during the American Revolution?

They believed remaining loyal to England was beneficial for economic stability and protection.

What was the primary argument of the Patriots during the American Revolution?

They argued that taxation without representation was a violation of their natural rights.

Who were the Sons of Liberty?

A patriot organization noted for their use of violence to achieve political goals.

What was the Virginia Resolves?

A declaration stating only colonial governments could tax the colonies, deeming the Stamp Act illegal.

What significant event is referred to as the 'shot heard round the world'?

The first shots of the American Revolutionary War fired at Lexington and Concord.

What were the Intolerable Acts?

A series of punitive measures including closing Boston Harbor and allowing British soldiers to be tried in England.

What was the significance of the Battle of Saratoga?

It was a major turning point in the American Revolutionary War.

What was the Articles of Confederation?

America's first form of government, ratified in 1781, which proved to be weak and ineffective.

What financial issue arose under the Articles of Confederation?

There was no national currency, leading to each state printing its own money.

What event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Shays' Rebellion, where veterans were unpaid due to Congress's inability to tax.

What did the ⅗ Compromise entail?

It counted each slave as ⅗ of a person for purposes of representation.

What did George Washington warn against in his farewell address?

He warned against the divisive nature of political parties.

What was Hamilton's financial plan?

It included assuming state debts, creating a national bank, and establishing a national currency.

What was the Whiskey Rebellion?

A rebellion by farmers against the whiskey tax, suppressed by the federal government.

What was the Proclamation of Neutrality?

Washington's declaration to remain neutral in conflicts between France and Britain.

What was the purpose of Jay's Treaty?

To avoid war with Britain and restore profitable trade.

What was the main reason for the enactment of the Elastic Clause?

To allow Congress to make necessary laws that ensure national security.

What did the Supremacy Clause state?

That federal law is more powerful than state law.

What was the main consequence of Jay's Treaty?

It led to French attacks on U.S. ships, as it appeared America was allied with Britain.

What was the main concern of the Anti-Federalists?

They feared a strong central government would threaten individual rights.

What is federalism?

The division of power between state governments and the federal government.

What was the main outcome of the Constitutional Convention?

The creation of a stronger federal government and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

What principle did the Federalists support?

A strong central government with more power than the states.

What was the Compromise of 1850 related to?

It dealt with the issue of slavery and representation in Congress.

How did the Articles of Confederation aim to handle state governance?

By allowing more power to individual states than to the federal government.

What challenge did the Confederation Congress face regarding military power?

They could not raise an army or stop foreign powers from exploiting Americans.

What principle did the Federalists believe concerning the Constitution?

They believed in a loose interpretation and that it allowed for necessary changes.

How did Hamilton's plans benefit the economy?

By creating a national bank and establishing a national debt.

What was an effect of the growing tension between Federalists and Anti-Federalists?

Increased factionalism and sectionalism within the country.

What was the primary reason for the Democratic-Republicans' opposition to Hamilton's plan?

They believed it favored the Federalists and undermined states' rights.

What did the phrase 'no taxation without representation' signify?

The colonists' belief that they should not be taxed by a government in which they had no voice.

Which two parties emerged out of the debates surrounding the Constitution?

Federalists and Anti-Federalists.

What issue did the Boston Massacre relate to?

Colonial protests against British troops and taxation.

What did Thomas Paine's pamphlet 'Common Sense' advocate for?

Independence from Britain and the establishment of a democratic government.

What was the significance of the Northwest Ordinance?

It provided a procedure for admitting new states and outlawed slavery in those territories.

What role did key foreign allies play in the Revolutionary War?

European allies like France and Prussia provided crucial support to the American cause.

What principle is embodied in the checks and balances system?

It prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Why did George Washington refuse to be affiliated with any political party?

He believed they could divide the nation and create factionalism.

What was the main outcome of the Second Continental Congress?

The decision to organize a Continental Army and appoint George Washington as its commander.

How did the outcome of the Revolutionary War impact the future governance of America?

It led to the establishment of a federal government under the U.S. Constitution.

What role did the Continental Congress play during the American Revolution?

It served as the governing body for the colonies, coordinating the war effort and raising funds.

What was the significance of Thomas Jefferson in the American Revolution?

He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, articulating the colonies' desire for freedom.

What were the implications of the Treaty of Paris (1783)?

It officially ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized U.S. independence.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution that guarantee individual liberties and rights.

What event is commonly referred to as the Boston Tea Party?

A protest by colonists in 1773 against British taxes, leading to the dumping of tea into Boston Harbor.

What does the term 'no standing army' imply in American history?

The fear of maintaining a permanent army during peacetime, reflecting a distrust of central authority.

What was the significance of the First Continental Congress?

It unified colonial resistance to British rule and organized a boycott of British goods.

What were the causes and effects of Shays' Rebellion?

Caused by economic distress among farmers, it highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and led to calls for reform.

What does the term 'Great Compromise' refer to?

The agreement during the Constitutional Convention to create a bicameral legislature, balancing representation between large and small states.

What was the impact of the Federalists Papers?

They were written to promote the ratification of the Constitution and explain the principles of the proposed government.

What is the significance of the term 'checks and balances'?

It refers to the system that ensures no single branch of government can dominate the others.

What led to the emergence of the two-party system in the United States?

Ideological differences over government power and economic policy between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.

Who were the primary foreign allies for the American colonists during the Revolutionary War?

France, Spain, and the Netherlands provided military support and resources to the colonists.

What was the main purpose of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

To establish a method for admitting new states to the Union and outline government for the territories.

What was the main role of the federal judiciary under the Constitution?

To interpret laws and adjudicate disputes under federal law.

What was Madison's role in drafting the Constitution?

He is often referred to as the 'Father of the Constitution' for his pivotal role in its drafting and ratification.