Key Political Terms and Colonial Structures

Questions and Answers

Who were the Federalists?

Those who wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation

Those who opposed the Constitution

Those who supported the ratification of the Constitution (correct)

Those who wanted a monarchy

What did Antifederalists oppose?

The Articles of Confederation

The ratification of the Constitution (correct)

The Bill of Rights (correct)

All of the above

What is the Magna Carta?

A charter forced upon King John of England by his barons that limited the power of the monarchy.

What did the Petition of Rights limit?

The king's power to imprison or punish people without judgment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the English Bill of Rights?

A document designed to prevent the abuse of power by English monarchs. Signup and view all the answers

What type of government did a Royal Colony have?

Bicameral government ruled directly by the king. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Proprietary Colony?

A colony with unicameral government where land was granted by the king. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a Charter Colony?

Self-governed with judges appointed by legislature. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The United States' first constitution enacted in 1781. Signup and view all the answers

What is the idea of Representative Government?

A government that serves the will of the people. Signup and view all the answers

What is Limited Government?

A government restricted in what it can do, ensuring individual rights. Signup and view all the answers

What is Ordered Government?

The orderly regulation of relationships among people. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Separation of Powers?

The division of government powers among three branches. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Boycott?

Refusal to buy or sell certain products. Signup and view all the answers

What was called for in the Virginia Plan?

A new government with three separate branches. Signup and view all the answers

What did the New Jersey Plan propose?

A unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Connecticut Compromise?

An agreement for a bicameral Congress with both equal and population-based representation. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise?

An agreement that protected slave holders and regulated trade. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Three Fifths Compromise?

A plan to count each slave as three-fifths of a person for representation. Signup and view all the answers

What is Bicameral?

A two-house legislature. Signup and view all the answers

What is Unicameral?

A one-house legislature. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term Repeal mean?

To revoke a law or act. Signup and view all the answers

What does Ratification refer to?

Formal approval of the Constitution by the states. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Charter?

A city's basic law or constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What did Ben Franklin think about the Constitution after its finalization?

He was astonished that the system approached near perfection. Signup and view all the answers

What do we know about the 1st inauguration?

It was held on April 30, 1789, in New York City. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for the Annapolis and Philadelphia Convention?

To recommend a plan for regulating interstate trade. Signup and view all the answers

What influenced the framers?

They were familiar with political writings and had experiences in governance. Signup and view all the answers

What type of government was under the Articles of Confederation?

Weak central government and unicameral structure. Signup and view all the answers

What type of government was formed under the new Constitution?

Bicameral government. Signup and view all the answers

What were some achievements of the 2nd Continental Congress?

It served as the first government and allowed for a united military effort. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Constitution?

The body of fundamental laws for governing the nation. Signup and view all the answers

What state representation proposals were there?

The New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan. Signup and view all the answers

What were the trade regulation proposals?

The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise. Signup and view all the answers

What does Quorum mean?

A majority. Signup and view all the answers

What were the royal colonies?

New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Proprietary colonies?

Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Signup and view all the answers

What were the Charter colonies?

Connecticut and Rhode Island. Signup and view all the answers

What features did State Constitutions and the Articles of Confederation have in common?

Popular Sovereignty. Signup and view all the answers

What colony was founded on personal and religious freedom?

Massachusetts. Signup and view all the answers

What colony has the oldest Constitution?

Massachusetts. Signup and view all the answers

What were reasons for the national government's failure after the Revolutionary War?

Interstate trade issues and states taxing each other. Signup and view all the answers

When did Parliament limit the power of the crown?

The Right to Petition. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for writing the Federalist papers?

To explain the new Constitution to the general public. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main influence on framers during this time?

They wanted to fix the Articles of Confederation. Signup and view all the answers

What were the similarities between the 1st and 2nd Continental Congress?

They consisted of many of the same people. Signup and view all the answers

How was Washington elected?

By Congress. Signup and view all the answers

What was the first national government?

The Articles of Confederation. Signup and view all the answers

How many states did it take to ratify the new Constitution?

Nine. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the author of the Albany Plan?

Ben Franklin. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three English political ideas that shaped the government?

Ordered, limited, and representative government. Signup and view all the answers

What was the date that the Constitution was signed and where?

September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three branches of government?

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

What does the legislative branch do?

Makes the laws. Signup and view all the answers

What does the executive branch do?

Enforces the laws. Signup and view all the answers

What does the judicial branch do?

Interprets the laws. Signup and view all the answers

What are some weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Each state had its own money and Congress could not collect taxes. Signup and view all the answers

What are two strengths of the Articles of Confederation?

Congress could declare war and settle disputes among states. Signup and view all the answers

How many years after the ratification did the Bill of Rights get added?

Two years later. Signup and view all the answers

Where did most of our ideas for government come from?

The Virginia Plan. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main issue with the Virginia, New Jersey, and Connecticut Plan?

The federal government was weak. Signup and view all the answers

What led to the idea of the Declaration of Independence?

The desire for freedom from Great Britain. Signup and view all the answers

How were the colonies ruled up to the mid-1700s?

Based on English beliefs with a degree of self-governance. Signup and view all the answers

What were the plans within the Constitutional Convention?

Improvements to the Articles of Confederation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the preamble?

An introduction outlining the purpose of the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

What is the paragraph from the Declaration of Independence?

Specific wording from the document. Signup and view all the answers

Due process refers to the protection against the arbitrary taking of __________.

life, liberty, or property. Signup and view all the answers

What is a confederation?

A joining of several groups for a common purpose. Signup and view all the answers

What is a delegate?

Representatives of the states. Signup and view all the answers

What is popular sovereignty?

A government that exists only with the consent of the governed. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the framers?

Delegates who attended the Philadelphia Convention. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Political Terms

Federalist: Advocated for the Constitution's ratification, believing the Articles were weak; notable supporters include Madison and Washington.
Antifederalist: Opposed the Constitution's ratification, fearing excessive central government power and the absence of a Bill of Rights; prominent figures include Sam Adams.
Magna Carta: Landmark document limiting monarchic power in England, ensuring trial by jury and due process for nobility.
Petition of Rights: Document restricting the king's power over imprisonment and military rule in peacetime; established law enforcement principles.
English Bill of Rights: Framework preventing monarch abuse of power; influenced American governmental structure.

Colonial Structures

Royal Colony: Governed directly by the king with a bicameral legislature.
Proprietary Colony: Unicameral governance assigned by the king to land grantees.
Charter Colony: Self-governed with legislatively appointed judges; required royal approval for governors.

Government Foundations

Articles of Confederation: First U.S. constitution, effective from 1781 to 1789.
Representative Government: The concept where the government reflects the people's will, developed over centuries in England.

Principles of Government

Limited Government: Restricts the government's powers; all individuals retain immutable rights.
Ordered Government: Establishes organized regulations amongst citizens.
Separation of Powers: A fundamental principle allocating government authority among three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

Compromises and Plans

Virginia Plan: Proposed a bicameral legislature based on state populations and tax contributions.
New Jersey Plan: Suggested a unicameral legislature with equal state representation.
Connecticut Compromise: Established a bicameral Congress with equal state representation in the Senate and population-based representation in the House.
Three Fifths Compromise: Determined representation by counting each slave as three-fifths of a person.

Constitutional Developments

Ratification: Required formal approval from nine states to adopt the new Constitution.
Bill of Rights: Added two years post-ratification to safeguard individual liberties.

Notable Historical Events

First Inauguration: Occurred on April 30, 1789, in NYC; George Washington unanimously elected as the first president.
Constitution Signing: Took place on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia.
Continental Congress Achievements: Represented the initial government, empowering Congress to raise an army.

Colonial Principles and Influences

Popular Sovereignty: Government's legitimacy arises from the consent of the governed.
State Representation Proposals: Included essential frameworks from the New Jersey and Virginia Plans.
Trade Regulation Proposals: Important agreements like the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise emerged during the Constitutional discussions.

Government Structure changes

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation: Lacked a strong central authority; issues included state taxation, no executive branch, and unregulated interstate trade.
Strengths of the Articles: Allowed Congress to declare war and resolve state disputes.

Influential Concepts

Framers: Delegates at the Philadelphia Convention who shaped the Constitution.
Quorum: Defined as the majority needed to conduct official business.
Bill of Rights Addition: Reflective of the demand for enhanced individual rights amidst fears of federal overreach.

Miscellaneous

Charter: Document granting authority similar to a constitution.
Due Process: Safeguards against arbitrary deprivation of life, liberty, or property.
Delegate: Representatives designated to act on behalf of their states.

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Description

This quiz covers essential political terms related to the ratification of the Constitution and key documents that influenced American governance. It also explores the different colonial structures established in America. Test your knowledge on Federalists, Antifederalists, and the types of colonies.