2nd Quarter History Comp (8th)

Constitution, stuff about the government, 27 amendments, president's cabby, articles of confederation, Jefferson and Hamilton beef, timeline, other people and events and vocab.

What was the primary purpose of the Preamble of the Constitution?

To outline the goals of the Constitution, including forming a more perfect Union and securing the Blessings of Liberty.

How many states sent delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787?

12 states sent delegates; Rhode Island refused to participate.

Who was elected president of the Constitutional Convention?

George Washington.

What was the Great Compromise?

It established a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and representation based on population in the House of Representatives.

What was the 3/5ths Compromise?

It counted enslaved people as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation purposes.

What was the main concern of the Anti-Federalists?

They feared a strong executive might become a king or tyrant and wanted a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

Who is known as the 'Father of the Constitution'?

James Madison.

What is federalism?

A system of government where power is shared between the federal government and the states.

What is the process of impeachment?

The House of Representatives investigates and votes on Articles of Impeachment, and the Senate holds a trial requiring a 2/3 supermajority for conviction.

What are the two houses of Congress?

The Senate and the House of Representatives.

What is the term length for a U.S. Representative?

2 years.

What is the minimum age requirement to be a U.S. Senator?

30 years old.

What is the role of the Vice President in the Senate?

The Vice President serves as the President of the Senate and can vote only in case of a tie.

What are the two ways to propose amendments to the Constitution?

By a 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress or by a national convention called by 2/3 of state legislatures.

What is the maximum number of terms a President can serve?

Two terms, as limited by the 22nd Amendment.

What is the primary function of the Judicial Branch?

To interpret laws and declare them unconstitutional.

What does the Constitution say about treason?

Treason is defined as levying war against the U.S. or giving aid to its enemies, requiring testimony of two witnesses or a confession in open court.

What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

To protect individual liberties and rights against government infringement.

What is the significance of the Federalist Papers?

They were written to support the ratification of the Constitution and explain the intentions behind its provisions.

What is the total number of members in the House of Representatives?

435 members.

What is the role of the Chief Justice during an impeachment trial?

The Chief Justice presides over the impeachment trial of the President.

What is the process for a bill to become law?

A bill must be passed by both houses of Congress and then signed by the President.

What are the Articles of the Constitution?

The main body of the Constitution, outlining the structure of government, including the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches.

What is the significance of the ratification process of the Constitution?

It required approval from nine states to become effective, highlighting the need for broad support.

Which state was the last to ratify the Constitution?

Rhode Island.

What does the term 'checks and balances' refer to?

The system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

What was the Virginia Plan?

A proposal for a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population, favoring larger states.

What was the New Jersey Plan?

A proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, favoring smaller states.

Department of State

Handles foreign affairs

Department of the Treasury

Manages economy

Department of Defense

Military protection, protecting the nation's security

Department of Justice

Enforces federal laws

Department of the Interior

Manages public lands and natural resources

Department of Agriculture

Supports farmers and food safety

Department of Commerce

Promotes business and trade

Department of Labor

Protects worker's rights

Department of Health and Human Services

Public health and welfare

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Housing and city programs

Department of Transportation

Highways, air, rail systems

Department of Energy

Energy policy, cleaner energy, nuclear safety

Department of Education

Schools and education programs

Department of Veteran Affairs

Services for military veterans

Department of Homeland Security

Protects the US from terrorism and disasters

Secretary of State

Handled foreign affairs (Thomas Jefferson)

Secretary of Treasury

Handled money and the economy, created the National Bank (Alexander Hamilton)

Secretary of War

Handled the military (Henry Knox)

Attorney General

Handled legal advice for the government (Edmund Randolph)

Who was the first president of the U.S.?

George Washington

What precedent did George Washington set for future presidents?

He knew he had to set a precedent for future presidents.

What is unique about George Washington's residence as president?

He is the only president to not live in the White House.

What significant event occurred during George Washington's presidency?

The Whiskey Rebellion.

When was George Washington born and when did he die?

Born in 1732 and died in 1799 at age 67.

Who was George Washington's vice president?

John Adams.

Who were George Washington's key cabinet members?

Thomas Jefferson (Secretary of State) and Alexander Hamilton (Secretary of Treasury).

What did George Washington warn against in his Farewell Address?

Political parties and foreign entanglements.

What was the XYZ Affair?

France began seizing American ships, leading John Adams to send envoys to settle disputes.

What did the Alien and Sedition Acts allow?

The Alien Act allowed the president to expel new immigrants, and the Sedition Act targeted journalists who criticized the government.

What political parties emerged during the 1790s?

The Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republican Party.

What was the Federalist Party's main area of influence?

New England and Middle Atlantic states.

Who supported the Federalist Party?

John Adams and George Washington.

What did the Democratic-Republican Party believe in?

Strict interpretation of the Constitution and opposed too much federal support for manufacturing.

Who was the third president of the U.S.?

Thomas Jefferson.

What was Thomas Jefferson's stance on government power?

He believed that the government's power lies with the people.

What was Jefferson's foreign policy advice?

Seek friendship with all nations but avoid entangling alliances.

What was Alexander Hamilton's vision for the U.S.?

A business nation with a large government.

What was Hamilton's Economic Plan?

Federal government would take over state war debts, create a national bank, and raise tariffs.

Who were Lewis and Clark?

Explorers sent by Jefferson to explore the Louisiana Territory.

Who was Sacagawea?

A Native American translator and navigator for Lewis and Clark.

What was John Marshall known for?

Establishing judicial review and serving as Chief Justice.

What was the significance of the Marbury v. Madison case?

It established the principle of judicial review.

Ratify

To sign or give consent to something (treaties, amendments, agreements).

Amend

To make changes to something (usually text) to make it more fair or accurate.

Elastic Clause

Gives Congress the power to make all laws 'necessary and proper' to carry out its expressed power, allowing it flexibility to adapt to new situations beyond the Constitution's specific text.

What was the primary purpose of the Articles of Confederation?

To establish a national government with limited powers.

When were the Articles of Confederation passed?

November 1777.

What powers did the national government have under the Articles?

Wage war, make peace, sign treaties, and issue money.

Why were the framers of the Articles paranoid about government power?

They feared it would turn into a tyrannical aristocracy.

How was the Confederation Congress structured?

Each state had one vote in the Congress.

What powers did the states retain under the Articles?

The authority to set taxes and enforce national laws.

What issue did smaller states face regarding western land claims?

They had no claims to western lands and were reluctant to sign the Articles.

Which state was the last to ratify the Articles of Confederation?

Maryland.

What were the Land Ordinance of 1785 and Northwest Ordinance?

Laws that outlined how to settle and survey western lands.

What was a major flaw of the Articles regarding executive power?

There was no chief executive.

What financial issue did Congress face after the Revolutionary War?

Congress borrowed a lot of money and owed soldiers but lacked funds to pay them.

What event highlighted Congress's weakness in 1783?

Hundreds of soldiers surrounded the Pennsylvania State House threatening legislators.

Why couldn't Congress pay soldiers?

They lacked the power to levy taxes and depended on states for funding.

What power did Congress lack that affected military recruitment?

The power to draft for the military.

What was one of the limitations of the Articles regarding law enforcement?

Congress lacked the power to enforce laws.

What power was Congress missing that affected trade?

The power to regulate trade.

What was required for changes to be made to the Articles?

Approval from all 13 states.

What was a significant absence in the Articles of Confederation?

There was no national court system.

XYZ Affair

France began seizing American ships so John Adams sent 3 envoys to France to settle disputes. The ambassadors met with 3 French agents known as X, Y, and Z.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

In 1794, a fighting force of around 2,000 Native Americans clashed with Wayne's troops, resulting in a defeat for the Native Americans.

Shay's Rebellion

In 1787, farmers in Massachusetts rebelled against high taxes and debt, led by Daniel Shays, exposing the weakness of the Articles of Confederation.

Louisiana Purchase

In 1803, the U.S. purchased the Louisiana Territory (828,000 sq. mi.) from France for $15 million, doubling the nation's size.

Election of 1800

Jefferson won the presidency with 73 electoral votes, tying with Aaron Burr, leading to a decision by the House of Representatives.

Whiskey Rebellion

In 1794, farmers resisted a tax on whiskey, leading Washington to send federal troops to suppress the uprising.

Judiciary Act of 1801

Adams appointed many Federalist judges before Jefferson's inauguration, reducing the number of Supreme Court justices from 6 to 5.

Marbury vs. Madison

This case established judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare acts of Congress or the President unconstitutional.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

Merriweather Lewis and William Clark were sent by Jefferson to explore the Louisiana area and find the Northwest Passage.