American History: Federalism and Enlightenment

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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of federalism?

A system of having a government that can be overthrown by the people.

A system of giving power to one state.

A system of sharing power between the state and national government. (correct)

A system of giving power to a single person.

What are the key ideals of the Enlightenment?

Freedom of Religion, natural law, individual rights, life, liberty, and property, the scientific method, democracy, individualism, the use of scientific methods to study human behavior and society, and the protection of human rights.

What was the main goal of mercantilism?

To create a free market economy.

To promote trade with other countries.

To limit the power of the monarchy.

To establish colonies for the benefit of the mother country. (correct)

What is sectionalism and how did it affect the development of the United States?

Sectionalism is the placing of the interests of one region over those of the nation as a whole. This issue led to the growth of abolitionism, furthering the divide between regions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of nullification?

A state's right to cancel a federal law they oppose. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main goal of the abolitionist movement?

To outlaw slavery and free enslaved people. Signup and view all the answers

What did Social Darwinism argue?

That the poor were responsible for their own poverty. Signup and view all the answers

What is suffrage?

The right to vote. Signup and view all the answers

What is jingoism?

A belief in the power of the military. Signup and view all the answers

What was Manifest Destiny?

The belief that the United States had the right to expand westward. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Antebellum South?

The Antebellum South was a period defined by the cotton kingdom's growth and its reliance on slavery. Signup and view all the answers

What was the South Carolina's action in 1860 and what did it trigger?

South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union, followed by Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. This act of secession triggered the formation of the Confederate States of America. Signup and view all the answers

What was popular sovereignty?

The right of the people in a territory to decide the issue of slavery. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three branches of government created by the US Constitution?

The three branches of government are the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Roger Taney?

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who ruled in the Dred Scott case. Signup and view all the answers

What was John Brown's role in the abolitionist movement?

John Brown was a fervent abolitionist who believed in armed resistance against slavery. He was involved in violent conflicts in Kansas and led a raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Signup and view all the answers

What was Harriet Beecher Stowe's role in the abolitionist movement?

Harriet Beecher Stowe was an abolitionist writer who published 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' in 1852, a powerful anti-slavery novel that humanized the experiences of enslaved people and sparked widespread outrage against slavery. Signup and view all the answers

What were the major contributions of Alexander Hamilton to the formation of the US government?

Alexander Hamilton was a prominent Federalist who played a key role in shaping the US government. He argued for a strong central government, established the Department of Treasury, proposed a plan to manage the national debt, and established a national banking system. Signup and view all the answers

What was James Madison's role in the formation of the US government?

James Madison was a leading Federalist who played a vital role in drafting the US Constitution. He was known as the 'Father of the Constitution' and was instrumental in shaping the structure and principles of the government. Signup and view all the answers

What was Thomas Paine's role in the American Revolution?

Thomas Paine was a prominent writer who used his writings to advocate for American independence from Great Britain. He published 'Common Sense', a powerful pamphlet that argued for the separation of colonies from British rule. Signup and view all the answers

What were some of the key decisions and actions of George Washington during his presidency?

He promoted unity and national identity. Signup and view all the answers

What was Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy approach and what was his key saying?

Theodore Roosevelt's foreign policy was known as the 'Big Stick Diplomacy,' which is an aggressive approach to international relations. His famous saying was "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Signup and view all the answers

Who was Charles Sumner and what was his role in the political scene?

A leading figure in the abolitionist movement and a Radical Republican Senator during Reconstruction. Signup and view all the answers

What was Joseph Pulitzer's contribution to journalism?

Joseph Pulitzer was a prominent newspaper publisher who used sensationalism and investigative journalism to increase the circulation of his newspapers. His approach to journalism was characterized by bold headlines, dramatic stories, and exaggerated accounts. Signup and view all the answers

What was Queen Liliuokalani's role in the events leading to the annexation of Hawaii by the United States?

Queen Liliuokalani was the last reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Her attempts to reclaim power after a US-backed coup led to her overthrow and the eventual annexation of Hawaii by the United States. Signup and view all the answers

What was Alfred Thayer Mahan's impact on the development of the US Navy?

Alfred Thayer Mahan was a prominent naval strategist who argued for the importance of sea power in international affairs. He urged the US government to build a stronger navy and influenced the development of a powerful modern fleet. Signup and view all the answers

Who was John C. Calhoun and what was his stance on the issue of slavery?

A prominent Southern politician who defended slavery as a positive good. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Federalism

A system of power-sharing between the state and national government.
Designed to prevent states from fearing the loss of their rights and sovereignty.
Supported the adoption of the Constitution.

Enlightenment

Emphasized freedom of religion.
Featured John Locke's concepts of natural law and individual rights like life, liberty, and property.
Incorporated the scientific method, democracy, individualism, and the Whig ideology.
Sought to apply scientific methods to human behavior and societal structures based on natural law.
Focused on protecting human rights.

Mercantilism

Influenced by British colonial ambitions.
Promoted a balance of trade, favoring imports over exports.
Britain's enforcement of mercantilist policies fostered a period of neglect.

Sectionalism

Prioritizing regional interests over national unity.
A key factor in the debate over slavery's expansion.
Fueled by the rise of abolitionism in the North.

Nullification

A state's action to void a federal law deemed unacceptable.
The concept of states choosing not to follow federal laws.

Abolitionism

Started in the South.
Advocated for the abolition of slavery.
William Lloyd Garrison was a prominent figure, calling for immediate emancipation.
Frederick Douglass collaborated, giving speeches and engaging in activism alongside Garrison.
The abolitionist movement splintered.

Based on Darwin's evolution and natural selection theories.
Wealth was seen as a sign of divine favor, with poverty signifying inferiority or laziness.
Used to justify wealth and economic disparities.

Suffrage

The right to vote, with marginalized groups, particularly people of color, actively fighting for this right.

Jingoism

Extreme patriotism.
Associated with a belief in the use of force to resolve international disputes.
Theodore Roosevelt exemplified this mentality.
Inspired by slogans like "Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain."

Manifest Destiny

The belief that Americans were divinely ordained to expand westward.
Justified the displacement and subjugation of Native Americans.
Perceived American superiority compared to Native Americans.

Antebellum

Characterized by the "Cotton Kingdom."
Cotton's significant economic value and abundance facilitated the South's economic dominance.
The cotton gin enhanced production efficiency.
The South's control of the cotton market made it a vital contributor to the US economy.

Secession

South Carolina initiated the secession movement from the US.
Other states followed, forming the Confederate States of America.

Nativism

Favoring native-born Americans over immigrants.
The "Know-Nothing" party exemplified nativism.
Sought to limit immigration numbers.
Concerns centered on the perceived negative influence of Catholic immigrants.
The movement fractured over the issue of slavery, leading to divisions and shifts in political alliances.

Popular Sovereignty

The right of local residents to determine the issue of slavery.
Implemented in the territories of Utah and New Mexico.

Separation of Powers

The division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Each branch has distinct roles:
- Legislative: makes laws
- Executive: enforces laws
- Judicial: interprets laws

Roger Taney

Chief Justice during the Dred Scott case.
Ruled that Dred Scott's status was not recognized in Federal courts.
Contributed to upholding slavery.
Ruled that the constitution applied only to white people.

John Brown

Opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
Faced treason charges related to his actions in support of the oppressed.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (1852).
Portrayed slavery as both a political and moral conflict.
Humanized enslaved people in the novel.

Alexander Hamilton

Admired Britain's strong central government and commercial system.
Head of the Department of the Treasury.
Part of the Presidential Cabinet.
Proposed plans to manage national debt and establish a banking system.

James Madison

Key Federalist figure.
Initially a Republican.
Involved in discussions regarding issues like interstate commerce.
Contributed ideas towards establishing a strong yet non-tyrannical government.

Thomas Paine

Author of "Common Sense," a pamphlet criticizing King George III.
Advocate for American independence.

George Washington

Declined a third presidential term.
Established the two-term precedent.
Crucial in establishing the authority of the Federal government.
Preferred the title "Mr. President."
Emphasized impartiality in governance.

Theodore Roosevelt

Developed the Roosevelt Corollary, extending the Monroe Doctrine.
Guided by the motto "Speak softly and carry a big stick."
Acknowledged the potential for US intervention in Latin America due to disorder.
Advocated for American leadership on the global stage.

Charles Sumner

Leader of the Radical Republicans.
Senator from Massachusetts.
Considered a martyr due to consequences of his actions.

Joseph Pulitzer

Created the New York World newspaper.
Known for yellow journalism.

Queen Liliuokalani

Queen of Hawaii (1893).
Surrendered the throne to the United States.
Threatened retribution against those who orchestrated her removal from power.

Alfred Thayer Mahan

US Navy admiral.
Promoted the expansion of naval power.
Supported the construction of modern battleships.
Contributed to transforming the US into a major naval force.
Advocated for the importance of sea power in national strength.

John C. Calhoun

Prominent sectionalist leader.
Opposed the Compromise of 1850.
Died shortly after the Compromise was introduced.
Defended southern interests, particularly regarding slavery.
Argued against federal intervention in the slavery issue.
Promoted the idea of popular sovereignty within the context of slavery.
Defended slavery as a "positive good," rather than a "necessary evil."

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Description

Test your knowledge of key concepts in American history, including federalism, Enlightenment ideals, mercantilism, and sectionalism. This quiz explores power dynamics between state and national governments and the philosophical underpinnings that shaped early American society. Can you identify how these elements influenced key historical events?