American Revolution and Formation of the Constitution

1. NAME CLASS PERIOD

2. Magna Carta “great charter” first document that limited the power of the government (King).

3. English Bill of Rights Protected the rights of English citizens and became the basis for the American Bill of Rights.

4. 1607 •Jamestown, Virginia • first successful English settlement in America

5. 1620 • Pilgrims land at Plymouth, Mass. seeking religious freedom • Mayflower Compact establishes the principle of self government by majority rule

6. Virginia House of Burgesses • first representative assembly in America

7. New England cold climate, poor soil, fishing, shipbuilding, factories, manufacturing (Massachusetts)

8. Middle Colonies “bread basket” grain, cultural diversity, religious tolerance, good harbors (New York & Pennsylvania)

9. Southern Colonies cash crops, slaves, plantations, good soil, warm climate, agricultural (Virginia & South Carolina)

10. Ben Franklin • American Enlightenment figure • inventor, publisher, statesman, and diplomat • ambassador to France • wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac

11. Albany Plan of Union Franklin’s plan to unite the colonies during the French & Indian War

12. Pontiac’s Rebellion • Indian uprising against American settlers in the Ohio River Valley • led to the Proclamation of 1763

13. Proclamation of 1763 • England forbids colonists to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains

14. King George III tyrant King of England during the American Revolution

15. Mercantilism control of colonial trade for the benefit of the Mother Country (England)

16. Sons of Liberty • secret society opposing British policies during the American Revolution • Samuel Adams – Boston leader

17. Boston Massacre • clash between British soldiers and colonists • five colonists killed, including Crispus Attucks • used as propaganda

18. Boston Tea Party Sons of Liberty dump tea into Boston Harbor as a protest to the Tea Act (taxation without representation)

19. Lexington & Concord • First battles of American Revolution • “shot heard around the world”

20. Common Sense • pamphlet by Thomas Paine urging colonists to become independent from Britain

21. John Locke • English Enlightenment philosopher • argued people have natural rights such as life, liberty and property.

22. Unalienable Rights • rights that cannot be taken away • “… Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”

23. July 4, 1776 • Declaration of Independence • U.S. separates from England • “We hold these truths …”

24. Thomas Jefferson • author of the Dec. of Independence • 3rd U.S. President • purchased the Louisiana territory

25. Patriot vs. Loyalist • PATRIOT: rebel colonist supporting independence from England • LOYALIST: colonist loyal to the King

26. George Washington • Commander of the Continental Army • President of the Constitutional Convention • First President of the United States • Father of His Country

27. Saratoga • turning point of the Revolutionary War • France begins to openly support the U,S,

28. Yorktown • Cornwallis surrenders to Washington with the help of the French navy ending the American Revolution

29. Treaty of Paris • ends the American Revolution • U.S. gains all land east of the Mississippi

30. Articles of Confederation • the first “weak” U.S. constitution Weaknesses • no (executive) President • could not levy taxes Strengths • held U.S. together • passed the NW Ordinance

31. Northwest Ordinance • established an orderly way for our nation to grow • statehood! • also bans slavery in the NW Territory

32. Shay’s Rebellion • an uprising of debt-ridden Massachusetts farmers • led to Constitutional Convention

33. 1787 • Constitutional (Philadelphia) Convention • The US Constitution is created • “We the people …”

34. James Madison • “Father of the Constitution” “Maddy’s the Daddy”

35. Popular Sovereignty • power of the government comes from the people • “We the people…”

36. Republicanism • voters elect representatives to make laws for them • representative government

37. Federalism • the sharing of power between the state and the national governments • Ex: the ability to tax

38. Separation of Powers • each branch of government (executive, legislative, judicial) has its own powers

39. Checks and Balances • each branch of government has some power over the other branches • Ex: veto, impeachment, appointments

40. Individual Rights • everyone has certain rights • guaranteed in the Bill of Rights (English Bill of Rights)

41. Limited Government • everyone must obey the law including the government! (Magna Carta)

42. The Great Compromise • the agreement between the New Jersey and Virginia Plans regarding the legislative branch creates two houses in Congress • House of Rep. based on population • Senate based on equal representation

43. Three-Fifths Compromise • agreement to count three-fifths of state’s slaves as population for purposes of representation and taxation

44. Ratification • to approve by vote

45. Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist • Federalists supporters of the Constitution favoring a strong national government • Anti-federalists opposed ratification of the Constitution without a Bill of Rights

46. Federalist Papers • essays written by Madison, Jay, and Hamilton urging people to ratify the Constitution

47. Patrick Henry • famous Virginia politician & orator • “Give me Liberty or give me death!” • anti-federalist

48. Amendment • a change to the Constitution • ratification requires 2/3 of Congress and 3/4 of the States

49. The Bill of Rights •first ten amendments to the Constitution • protects individual rights.

50. “RAPPS” • five fundamental freedoms granted by the 1st amendment • Religion, Assembly, Petition, Press, Speech.