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Questions and Answers
What was one of the American ideals established during the Founding that is frequently discussed?
What was one of the American ideals established during the Founding that is frequently discussed?
What was a significant consequence of settler colonialism in relation to Native nations?
What was a significant consequence of settler colonialism in relation to Native nations?
Which two groups made up the colonists during the period leading to American independence?
Which two groups made up the colonists during the period leading to American independence?
What was a notable factor contributing to the divide among colonial elites?
What was a notable factor contributing to the divide among colonial elites?
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Which early American colony was established first?
Which early American colony was established first?
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What was the primary purpose of enslavement during the colonial period?
What was the primary purpose of enslavement during the colonial period?
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Which statement reflects a contradiction present in the Declaration of Independence?
Which statement reflects a contradiction present in the Declaration of Independence?
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What was a major drawback of the Articles of Confederation?
What was a major drawback of the Articles of Confederation?
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What was the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?
What was the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?
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Which Enlightenment idea influenced the establishment of the U.S. government?
Which Enlightenment idea influenced the establishment of the U.S. government?
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Who was the first person killed in the American Revolution by the British?
Who was the first person killed in the American Revolution by the British?
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What was one effect of black soldiers fighting alongside colonists during the American Revolution?
What was one effect of black soldiers fighting alongside colonists during the American Revolution?
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What did the Three-fifths Compromise accomplish?
What did the Three-fifths Compromise accomplish?
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Which article of the Constitution outlines the Legislative Branch?
Which article of the Constitution outlines the Legislative Branch?
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What power does the executive branch possess according to Article 2 of the Constitution?
What power does the executive branch possess according to Article 2 of the Constitution?
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Which case established the principle of judicial review?
Which case established the principle of judicial review?
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What was a key difference between Federalists and Antifederalists?
What was a key difference between Federalists and Antifederalists?
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What does the Elastic Clause allow Congress to do?
What does the Elastic Clause allow Congress to do?
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What is the primary purpose of categorical grants provided by the federal government?
What is the primary purpose of categorical grants provided by the federal government?
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Which amendment to the Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment?
Which amendment to the Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment?
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How does state’s rights ideology relate to federal laws?
How does state’s rights ideology relate to federal laws?
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What is a common exception to the protection of free speech in the context of the First Amendment?
What is a common exception to the protection of free speech in the context of the First Amendment?
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Which Supreme Court case determined that a student's speech was not protected when it promoted drug use?
Which Supreme Court case determined that a student's speech was not protected when it promoted drug use?
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What does the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment pertain to?
What does the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment pertain to?
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Which of the following amendments provides due process protections?
Which of the following amendments provides due process protections?
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Which issue is currently a source of federal-state tension?
Which issue is currently a source of federal-state tension?
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What is federalism primarily concerned with?
What is federalism primarily concerned with?
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Which amendment reserves powers not delegated to the national government to the states or the people?
Which amendment reserves powers not delegated to the national government to the states or the people?
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What role do intergovernmental relations play in federalism?
What role do intergovernmental relations play in federalism?
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How can states undermine a sitting president’s agenda?
How can states undermine a sitting president’s agenda?
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What is an example of a concurrent power shared between the national and state governments?
What is an example of a concurrent power shared between the national and state governments?
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What does the Full Faith and Credit Clause require of states?
What does the Full Faith and Credit Clause require of states?
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What significant action did the Anti-Federalists advocate for regarding the Constitution?
What significant action did the Anti-Federalists advocate for regarding the Constitution?
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What challenge can arise from the federal structure of government?
What challenge can arise from the federal structure of government?
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Study Notes
Founding of the U.S.
- The United States was founded on ideals of liberty, equality, and justice, but this was contradicted by land removal from Native nations and the enslavement of Africans.
- The first colony, Jamestown, Virginia, was established in 1607 and Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620.
- Thousands of native nations already existed in these places, many with democratic self-governance.
- Disease and violence decimated these native nations.
- Settler colonialism was used to take Native land.
- The colonists were divided into two groups: radical (small farmers, shopkeepers, and artisans) and colonial elite (merchants, planters, and royalists).
- Colonial elites enjoyed most privileges, but high taxes caused conflict.
- The British became more draconian in their rule, leading to resistance, such as the Boston Tea Party.
- Enslavement began in 1619 with the arrival of Africans in Jamestown, Virginia.
- Profits from slavery were a significant source of income for the colonies.
- The Declaration of Independence stated that "all men are created equal," but this was contradicted by the practices of land removal and enslavement.
- Most signatories of the Declaration of Independence were slaveowners.
- The document referred to Native Americans as "savages."
The Articles of Confederation
- The Articles of Confederation established a weak central government with a Congress that had little power and no head of state.
- This led to several problems, including:
- No national laws
- No national army
- No power to collect taxes
The Constitution
- The Constitutional Convention was organized in May 1787 to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation.
- The Great Compromise established a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate.
- The Constitution established a strong national government with control over commerce and finance, national judicial supremacy over state courts, and a strong presidency.
- The document incorporated checks and balances, a separation of powers, and federalism.
- The Bill of Rights was established to protect individual rights.
Branches of Government
- The Legislative Branch (Article 1) has the authority to:
- Collect taxes
- Borrow money
- Regulate commerce
- Declare war
- Maintain an army and navy
- Pass laws (Elastic Clause)
- The Executive Branch (Article 2) is responsible for:
- Accepting ambassadors
- Granting pardons
- Appointing cabinet members
- Vetoing legislation
- Taking timely and decisive action to address national issues and problems
- The system of indirect election through the Electoral College was designed to protect the president from "excessively democratic pressure."
- The Judicial Branch (Article 3) resolves tensions between:
- Federal and state law
- Citizens and states
- Federal judges are given lifetime appointments.
- Marbury v. Madison established judicial review, the power of a court to determine the constitutionality of actions by Congress or the Executive Branch.
Federalism
- Federalism divides power between the central and regional governments.
- Intergovernmental relations involve negotiations and compromises between these levels of government over policy responsibilities.
- The interests of state and national governments do not always align, leading to political conflict.
- States can undermine a president's agenda.
- Sometimes states need a strong federal government to respond to public demands, such as in the areas of integration, the Affordable Care Act, and hurricane relief.
- It can be difficult for citizens to assign accountability in a federal system.
State Powers
- The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the national government to the states or the people.
- States have concurrent powers with the national government, such as chartering banks and granting or denying business licenses.
- States have police power, the authority to create and enforce laws.
Full Faith and Credit Clause
- Article 4 of the Constitution requires states to honor public acts, records, and judicial proceedings from other states.
- However, states do not always honor this clause.
- In Loving v. Virginia, a case involving Mildred and Richard Loving, Virginia refused to recognize their marriage, which had been lawfully performed in the District of Columbia.
Cooperative Federalism
- Grants-in-aid are federal funds provided to states for specific purposes defined by Congress.
- Categorical grants limit the use of federal funding to specific categories.
- Grants are used to encourage state and local governments to pursue nationally defined goals.
States' Rights
- States' rights refers to the belief that states do not have to obey federal laws that exceed the national government's constitutional authority.
- This argument has been used to oppose civil rights legislation.
- The question remains whether state governments can disregard national mandates.
Current Federal-State Tensions
- There are ongoing tensions between the federal and state governments on issues, such as immigration, abortion, and drug legalization.
Civil Liberties
- Civil liberties are restrictions on government power that determine what the government can and cannot do to limit individual freedom.
- Examples of recent civil liberty debates include COVID-19 protocols.
The Bill of Rights
- The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech and religion.
- The Second Amendment ensures the right to bear arms.
- The Third Amendment prohibits the quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent.
- The Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures.
- The Fifth Amendment provides due process protections.
- The Sixth Amendment guarantees a speedy and public trial by jury.
- The Seventh Amendment guarantees the right to a jury trial in certain civil cases.
- The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.
- The Ninth Amendment protects unenumerated rights of the people, those not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.
- The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the United States to the states or the people.
Freedom of Religion
- The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prevents the government from establishing a state religion.
- There is ongoing debate regarding the extent to which the government can provide assistance to religious institutions while maintaining impartiality.
Freedom of Speech
- The First Amendment protects free speech, even insulting or outrageous speech.
- However, there are limitations, such as:
- Speech that poses a clear and present danger (Espionage Act of 1917)
- Fighting words
- Hate speech (which is generally protected)
Student Speech
- The First Amendment provides limited protection for student speech in public schools.
- In Morse v. Frederick, the Supreme Court ruled that the phrase "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" was not protected speech in high school.
- There is ongoing debate regarding the extent to which free speech extends to college campuses.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the founding of the United States, focusing on the ideals of liberty and justice juxtaposed with the realities of colonization and slavery. This quiz covers key events and societal divisions in early American history, from the establishment of the first colonies to the resistance against British rule.
