US History Regents Review Flashcards

Proclamation Line of 1763

• Restricted colonial expansion west of the Appalachian Mountains.
• Generated significant dissatisfaction among colonists.

Declaration of Independence

• Adopted on July 4, 1776.
• Declared the 13 American colonies independent from Great Britain.
• Primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson.
• Explained reasons for seeking freedom to the world.

Agriculture

• Refers to farming practices and cultivation of land.

Articles of Confederation

• The first constitution of the United States, operational from 1781 to 1788.
• Characterized by significant weaknesses, including lack of an executive branch, no judicial branch, and absence of taxing authority or trade regulation.

Anti-Federalist

• Individuals opposed to the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
• Advocated for the inclusion of a Bill of Rights to ensure individual liberties.

Federalist

• Supporters of the U.S. Constitution during the ratification debates.
• Favored the establishment of a strong national government.

Amendment

• A modification or addition to the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

• Comprises the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
• Enumerates fundamental individual rights and liberties, including freedom of speech, religion, and the press.

Constitution

• Establishes the framework for the federal government of the United States.
• Serves as the supreme law of the land and can be amended.

Bicameral

• Describes a legislative body composed of two chambers or houses.

Cabinet

• A group of advisors to the president who assist in policy-making.
• Represents an aspect of the unwritten Constitution.

Unwritten Constitution

• Encompasses customs and practices not codified in the Constitution, such as the Cabinet and the two-term limit for Presidents.

Census

• A population count conducted every ten years to determine congressional representation for each state.

Checks and Balances

• A governance system where powers are distributed among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent any one branch from overpowering another.

Electoral College

• A body responsible for formally electing the President and Vice-President of the United States.

Compromise of 1850

• Legislation that ended the slave trade in Washington, D.C.
• Admitted California as a free state and allowed new territories to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty.

Monroe Doctrine

• Asserted that European nations should refrain from interfering in Western Hemisphere affairs.
• Encouraged U.S. neutrality in international engagements.

Federalism

• A political structure in which power is divided between national and state governments.

Federalist Papers

• A series of essays advocating for the Constitution.
• Aimed at alleviating fears that the federal government would overpower state authority.

House of Representatives

• The "lower house" of Congress with representatives directly elected by the populace.
• Representation is based on state population, with the authority to impeach officials.

Impeachment

• The formal process of accusing a public official, including the president, as the initial step toward removal from office.

Judicial Review

• The ability of the judiciary to declare laws unconstitutional.

Manifest Destiny

• The belief that it was America's divine right to expand its territory across the continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

Andrew Jackson

• Opposed the national bank during his presidency.
• Prevented states from nullifying federal laws.
• Involved in the Indian Removal Act and the "Trail of Tears."
• Established the Spoils System for political appointments.

Spoils System

• A practice of awarding government jobs to political supporters and allies.

Abolition

• The movement aimed at ending slavery in the United States.

Dred Scott

• A slave who lived in free territories and sued for his freedom.
• The Supreme Court ruled he was not a citizen and had no rights, reinforcing the institution of slavery.

Jim Crow Laws

• Laws established racial segregation and discrimination in the Southern United States.

Prepare for the US History Regents exam with these helpful flashcards. Each card covers key terms, such as the Proclamation Line of 1763 and the Declaration of Independence, ensuring you understand essential concepts in American history.