American History Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What was significant about Shays's Rebellion?

It convinced many observers that the government under the Articles of Confederation had become dangerously inefficient and indecisive.

Who were the three political philosophers whose ideas exerted the greatest influence on the Founders?

unknown

During the ratification debates, who were the Anti-federalists?

Those who opposed the new constitution because they wanted a weaker central government.

How was the issue of representation addressed in the Great Compromise?

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Who were the authors of the Federalist Papers?

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. Signup and view all the answers

During the ratification debates, who were the Federalists?

Those who supported the Constitution because it contained a strong national government. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term that refers to the system of shared powers divided between a central government and state governments?

Federalism. Signup and view all the answers

What is judicial review?

The power of the courts to decide on the constitutionality of actions taken by the other branches of government. Signup and view all the answers

What triggered the events that led to the Revolutionary War?

The British raised revenue by increasing the tax on the colonies. Signup and view all the answers

Montesquieu called ________ the principle of giving each branch of government its own constituency.

Mixed regime. Signup and view all the answers

Who proposed the Virginia Plan on May 29, 1787?

Edmund Randolph. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term length of a federal judge?

Barring impeachment, life. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Three-Fifths Compromise determine?

Three out of every five slaves would be counted for purposes of representation. Signup and view all the answers

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

Legislative, executive, judicial. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of checks and balances?

The president's power to veto a bill passed by Congress. Signup and view all the answers

Which political philosopher wrote that life in a government-less state of nature would be 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short'?

Hobbes. Signup and view all the answers

Bicameralism is a constitutional principle that represents the division of ________.

Legislative powers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the electoral college?

Designed to select the president of the United States. Signup and view all the answers

What slogan did colonial protesters of the Stamp Act and the Sugar Act rally around?

'No taxation without representation'. Signup and view all the answers

What system of representation did the Virginia Plan propose in the national legislature?

Based on the population of each state or the proportion of each state's revenue contribution, or both. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Shays's Rebellion

Highlighted government inefficiency and indecisiveness under the Articles of Confederation.

Influential Political Philosophers

Key philosophers influencing the Founders include John Locke, Montesquieu, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed the new Constitution.
Advocated for a weaker central government.

Great Compromise

Established a bicameral legislature.
Provided equal representation for states in the Senate and representation based on population in the House of Representatives.

Federalist Papers Authors

Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.
Aimed to support ratification of the Constitution.

Federalists

Supported the Constitution.
Favored a strong national government.

Federalism

System of government where powers are shared between a central authority and regional entities.

Judicial Review

Courts have the power to determine the constitutionality of actions from other government branches.

Revolutionary War Triggers

British revenue increase through higher taxation on the colonies sparked colonial unrest.

Montesquieu's Concept

Defined "mixed regime" as a government principle ensuring separate constituencies for each branch.

Virginia Plan

Proposed by Edmund Randolph on May 29, 1787.
Suggested representation in the legislature based on state population.

Federal Judge Term Length

Federal judges serve for life, barring impeachment.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Determined that three out of every five slaves would be counted for representation purposes.

Three Branches of Government

Constitution created legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and Balances

The presidential veto exemplifies checks and balances within government.

Hobbes' View on State of Nature

Described life without government as "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."

Bicameralism

Refers to the legislative structure divided into two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Electoral College

Created to select the President of the United States.

Colonial Protest Slogan

"No Taxation without representation" was a rallying cry against the Stamp Act and Sugar Act.

Virginia Plan Representation

Proposed representation in the national legislature based on state population or revenue contribution.

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Description

This quiz features flashcards covering significant events and debates during the formation of the United States, including Shays's Rebellion and the views of key political philosophers. Ideal for students studying American history, this pretest will help reinforce essential concepts and figure out influential arguments from the ratification debates.