Declaration of Independence Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What was John Locke's influence on the Declaration of Independence?

John Locke provided the idea of a government by the people for the people. He also believed in equality, government control, and safety.

Why was the Declaration of Independence written?

The United States did not wish to be in relation to Britain in any shape or form.

List five abilities the Declaration of Independence gave the USA.

Coin money, declare war, make treaties, make peace, form financial agreements.

What were five issues of the Articles of Confederation?

Lack of army, taxes were not paid, power uneven, no government structure, everything had to be voted unanimous among the states. Signup and view all the answers

Which state came up with The Great Compromise?

Connecticut. Signup and view all the answers

What did The Great Compromise call for?

Two-house congress, laws passed by both houses, each state has an equal number of senators in the Senate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the legislative branch?

The branch of government that makes the laws. Signup and view all the answers

What is the executive branch?

The branch of government that carries out laws. Signup and view all the answers

What is the judicial branch?

The branch of government that interprets laws. Signup and view all the answers

What are Checks and Balances?

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power. Signup and view all the answers

What was Shay's Rebellion?

Led by Daniel Shays as a protest against the unpayable taxes that were forced upon him and other farmers. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Great Compromise?

Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature and representation based on population in the other house. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?

Calls for three-fifths of a state's slaves to be counted as population. Signup and view all the answers

What is federalism?

The idea of a federal organization of self-governing units. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Electoral College?

A group of people named by each state to select the president and vice president. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the Declaration of Independence written to?

The Supreme Judge of the world. Signup and view all the answers

What is a right that is given to people in the Declaration of Independence?

The right to abolish government. Signup and view all the answers

What are American political ideals?

Involves leadership, competition, government, etc. Signup and view all the answers

What are some American values?

Independence, Patriotism, diversity, etc. Signup and view all the answers

What are American social ideals?

Involves people, groups, communities, culture, religion, etc. Signup and view all the answers

What are American economic ideals?

Involves money, work, the stock market, trade, etc. Signup and view all the answers

What was Thomas Paine's contribution to American independence?

Spread John Locke's ideas and wrote 'Common Sense'. Signup and view all the answers

What is the timeline of key events related to the Declaration of Independence?

Declaration adopted (1776) --> Revolutionary War (1776-1781) --> Treaty of Paris (1783) --> USA set up new government. Signup and view all the answers

What were the challenges of creating a new government?

Pleasing everyone, making it stable yet fair, set basic ground rules, who will run it and how, support for new government by people, army and protection, type of government, managing debts, etc. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Constitution?

Establish legitimacy, create structure for new government, split power between state and federal government, three branches, describe and distribute power, limit government power, allow change/amendments. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

John Locke's Influence

Advocated for government by the people, emphasizing equality and safety.
Established foundational ideas for democratic governance.

Purpose of the Declaration of Independence

Written to sever all ties with Britain, asserting complete independence.

Powers Granted by the Declaration of Independence

Allowed the United States to coin money, declare war, make treaties, establish peace, and form financial agreements.

Issues with the Articles of Confederation

Faced challenges such as lack of an army, inability to collect taxes, uneven power distribution, and a requirement for unanimous state consent for decisions.

The Great Compromise

Proposed by Connecticut, establishing a bicameral legislature with equal representation in one house and population-based representation in the other.

Legislative Branch

Responsible for the creation of laws in the government structure.

Executive Branch

Carries out and enforces laws enacted by the legislative branch.

Judicial Branch

Interprets laws and ensures they are applied fairly.

Checks and Balances

A system designed to prevent any one branch of government from overpowering the others, promoting accountability and fairness.

Shay's Rebellion

A revolt led by Daniel Shays protesting against oppressive tax burdens on farmers.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Determined that three-fifths of a state's slave population would be counted for representation purposes.

Federalism

Concept promoting a union of self-governing entities, balancing power between state and national governments.

Electoral College

A group appointed by each state responsible for electing the president and vice president.

Audience of the Declaration

Addressed to the "Supreme judge of the world," asserting moral justification for independence.

Rights in the Declaration

States the inherent right of the people to abolish an unjust government.

American Political Ideals

Encompasses aspects of leadership, political competition, and governance principles.

American Values

Central values include independence, patriotism, and diversity.

Focuses on the significance of community, culture, and religious freedom.

American Economic Ideals

Revolves around concepts of currency, labor, trade, and market operations.

Thomas Paine's Contribution

Advocated for John Locke's philosophies and authored "Common Sense," promoting independence.

Timeline of Key Events

Declaration adopted in 1776, followed by the Revolutionary War (1776-1781) and the Treaty of Paris in 1783, leading to the establishment of a new government.

Challenges in Government Formation

Key challenges included achieving broad consensus, ensuring stability, defining roles, garnering support, managing finances, and determining governmental structure.

Constitution Overview

The Constitutional Convention culminated in 1787; the Constitution includes a Preamble and seven Articles, without an initial Bill of Rights.

Purpose of the Constitution

Establishes legitimacy, outlines government structure, divides power, and provides a framework for change through amendments.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts related to the Declaration of Independence with these flashcards. Explore influential thinkers like John Locke and the reasons behind the creation of this pivotal document. Perfect for students wanting to deepen their understanding of American history.