U.S. Founding Figures and Concepts

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Questions and Answers

Who wrote Common Sense?

Thomas Paine

Whose writings on natural rights influenced the colonists to rebel against Great Britain?

John Locke

What document did the Declaration of Independence draw upon in its arguments for a social contract between the ruler and the ruled?

The Social Contract

Who was the first president of the United States?

George Washington Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the policy that advocated for the expansion of the United States across the continent?

Manifest destiny Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the first representative government in the American colonies?

The House of Burgesses Signup and view all the answers

What was the main economic activity in the New England colonies?

Fishing, lumber, shipbuilding, and whaling Signup and view all the answers

What was the main economic activity in the Mid-Atlantic colonies?

Farming, specifically wheat, corn, and barley Signup and view all the answers

What was the main economic activity in the Southern colonies?

Planation agriculture, especially tobacco, rice, cotton, and indigo Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Stamp Act of 1765 and other taxation acts imposed on the colonists?

To raise revenue for the British government Signup and view all the answers

What was the colonists' main argument against the Stamp Act and other British taxation acts?

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

What is the name of the economic policy that aimed to increase Britain's power and prosperity through trade?

Mercantilism Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for the Proclamation of 1763?

To prevent conflict between colonists and Native Americans Signup and view all the answers

Why did many colonists fear a strong federal government after the Revolutionary War?

They feared it would lead to a monarchy Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the separation of powers in the US government?

To create a system of checks and balances, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful Signup and view all the answers

What were the two main factions that emerged in the debate over the ratification of the Constitution?

The Federalists and the Anti-Federalists Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason why the Federalists eventually agreed to include a Bill of Rights in the Constitution?

To win the support of Anti-Federalists and secure ratification Signup and view all the answers

What did the Three-Fifths Compromise during the Constitutional Convention determine?

That slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation in Congress Signup and view all the answers

What was the main difference between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans?

Their views of the balance of power between the federal government and the states Signup and view all the answers

What are the three categories of rights protected by the Bill of Rights?

Individual freedoms, protections against government abuse of power, and rights of people accused of crimes Signup and view all the answers

What were some of the positive demographic changes that occurred in the United States during the 1820s?

Population growth, westward expansion, improvements in transportation and communication, social mobility, and the expansion of white male suffrage Signup and view all the answers

What did the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 require?

That escaped slaves be returned to their owners, even if they were captured in free states Signup and view all the answers

What was the central argument of the Declaration of Sentiments?

That women should have the same rights as men Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

People

Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense to convince the colonies to separate from Britain.
John Locke's Second Treatise of Government influenced the Declaration of Independence, focusing on natural rights (life, liberty, property).
Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Social Contract argued for a government based on consent of the governed.
George Washington, the first president, advocated for U.S. neutrality.
Thomas Jefferson led the Anti-Federalists and later served as president.
Alexander Hamilton led the Federalists, advocating for a stronger federal government.
Andrew Jackson, a strong supporter of Manifest Destiny, presided over the removal of Native Americans.
Anthony Burns was a fugitive slave whose case sparked controversy.

Vocabulary

Representative democracy/government: Mayflower Compact (1620) was the first effective agreement of self-governance in the new world.
Cash crop: crops grown for profit, like wheat, corn, barley, cotton, tobacco, rice, and indigo.

Ideas/Concepts

Impact of European colonization on Native Americans: Spanish colonization in the Americas led to the deaths of Native Americans due to disease and violence.
Columbian Exchange: The exchange of goods, ideas, and diseases between Europe and the Americas had both positive and negative consequences.
Religious Reasons for Founding Colonies: Religious groups sought to establish colonies based on their beliefs, including the Pilgrims and Puritans.
3 Themes of Manifest Destiny: This popular belief of the 1800s stated that white settlers were destined to expand and settle the land, and that the United States should have greater influence and power.
Declaration of Sentiments: A document outlining the rights of women, notably demanding equal rights to men. The Seneca Falls Convention (1848) presented this document.
Declaration of Resolutions: The justifications for the demands outlined in the Declaration of Sentiments.

Government and Politics

Three branches of federal government: legislative (passes laws), executive (enforces laws), and judicial (interprets laws).
Separation of powers: Prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Checks and balances: Each branch has powers to limit the actions of the others.
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists: Debate over the structure of the U.S. government regarding federal power vs. state power. Federalists advocated for a strong central government while Anti-Federalists favored states' rights.
Constitutional Convention: Led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.
Three-Fifths Compromise: Compromise that counted enslaved people as part of the population.
Proclamation of 1763: This proclamation prevented colonists from settling westward beyond the Appalachian Mountains.
Colonial Legislatures: Colonial legislatures had separate upper and lower houses, with the upper house made up of advisors/leaders appointed by the colonial governor and the lower house made up of elected officials

Other

1st Amendment: Protects freedom of speech, religion, press, and assembly.
19th Amendment: The amendment granting women the right to vote. Ratified in 1920.
Triangular Trade: The system of trade and exchange amongst the Americas, Africa, and Europe.
Fugitive Slave Act of 1850: This act forced free states to return runaway slaves to their owners.
Colonial economies: varied by region, with New England focusing on fishing, and the South on agriculture.
Important Colonial Documents: The Mayflower Compact, and various Acts of Toleration.
Colonial Regions/Subdivisions: The 13 colonies were divided into New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern.
Town Hall meetings: a form of direct democracy where citizens meet to discuss local issues.

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Description

This quiz explores key figures and concepts from early American history, focusing on influential thinkers like Thomas Paine and John Locke, and the establishment of representative democracy. It also covers pivotal moments and policies from the founding era, including the debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Test your knowledge of the principles that shaped the United States.