American History Exam #1 Study Guide PDF

American History Exam #1 Study Guide Make sure you can identify, summarize, and explain the importance of the following historical figures, and terms. You should be able to write at least 4-5 sentences for each of these. You can find information from your homework and...

American History Exam #1 Study Guide Make sure you can identify, summarize, and explain the importance of the following historical figures, and terms. You should be able to write at least 4-5 sentences for each of these. You can find information from your homework and the chapter from your textbook is listed in parentheses. The Constitution: Amendment: Representative Democracy: Separation of Powers: Bill of Rights John Adams Alien and Sedition Act Thomas Jefferson Alexander Hamilton Political Party Be able to define the following vocabulary terms and use them in sentences. Be sure to be able to use these words in the context of our history lessons. Posterity (n) Representative Democracy (n) Amendment (n) To ratify (The Constitution was ratified in 1788) (v) Legislative Executive Judicial Sedition (n): Alien (n) To imprison (v) Citizen (n) restricted (adj) hostile (adj) To quarrel (v) Be able to explain the following….. 1. What is the preamble of the Constitution. What does the phrase “We the people” mean in the context of the relationship between citizens and their government? 2. What is a representative democracy? 3. Be able to define and give examples of each of the three branches of government. (legislative, executive, and judicial) 4. How is the US Congress organized? What powers does the congress have? 5. What is the executive branch and what powers does the President of the United States have? 6. What is the electoral college? How does it differ from the popular vote? How is a president elected? 7. What is the judicial branch? What role does the Supreme Court play in government? 8. What is the Bill of Rights? Be able to discuss at least three important amendments. 9. Who was John Adams? What was the Alien and Sedition Act? 10. Who was Thomas Jefferson and what were his beliefs about the government? 11. Who was Alexander Hamilton and what were his views about the government? Possible Essays: 1. Describe how the Constitution of the United States is organized. Make sure to include specific examples of each article and what it says about the government. 2. Comment on the importance of the “Separation of Powers.” Why is it important for the government to have checks and balances? 3. Summarize the 1st of Amendment of the Bill of Rights. How do these freedoms work together to promote democracy? 4. How did President John Adams violate the Constitution of the United States? (clue..why is the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights so important in a democratic society?) 5. Discuss Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson´s views on the government of the United States.