Unit 1 FINAL EXAM: Constitutional Foundations

What is American Exceptionalism?

The belief that the United States is inherently different from other nations, often due to its unique history, political system, and values.

What was the American Revolution?

The conflict between the thirteen American colonies and Great Britain from 1775 to 1783, leading to the independence of the colonies.

What document declared American independence?

The Declaration of Independence.

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, which established a weak federal government.

Who were the Founding Fathers?

Key figures in American history who played significant roles in establishing the United States, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin.

What is the significance of the Constitution?

established the framework of the United States government and is the supreme law of the land.

What are the three branches of government?

The Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches, which provide a separation of powers.

What is the Electoral College?

A body of electors established by the Constitution that formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing individual liberties and rights.

What was the conflict between Federalists and Anti-Federalists?

Federalists supported a strong central government and the Constitution, while Anti-Federalists opposed it, fearing it would undermine states' rights.

What events led up to the Civil War?

A series of conflicts and tensions over issues such as slavery, states' rights, and economic differences between the North and South.

What was the Boston Massacre?

A confrontation in 1770 where British soldiers killed five colonists, fueling anti-British sentiment.

What was the First Continental Congress?

A meeting of delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies in 1774 to address colonial grievances against Britain.

What is the Great Compromise?

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature, balancing representation between large and small states.

What is judicial review?

The power of courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution.

What were the Coercive Acts?

A series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party, also known as the Intolerable Acts.

What was the Boston Tea Party?

A protest by American colonists in 1773 against British taxation, where they dumped tea into Boston Harbor.

Crispus Attucks

A free black man who was the first person killed in the Revolution at the Boston Massacre.

John Adams

America's first Vice-President and second President. Sponsor of the American Revolution in Massachusetts, and wrote the Massachusetts government's guarantee freedom of the press

Thomas Jefferson

Wrote the Declaration of Independence

George Washington

1st President of the United States; commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution (1732-1799)

Alexander Hamilton

1789-1795; First Secretary of the Treasury. He advocated creation of a national bank, assumption of state debts by the federal government, and a tariff system to pay off the national debt.