Enlightenment

2. Enlightenment • Intellectual movement that swept through Europe during the 1600s

3. John Locke • British philosopher who came up with idea of social contract • Government’s only purpose was to protect man’s natural rights (life, liberty, and property) • He influenced Thomas Jefferson when he wrote the Dec. of Independence.

4. Natural Rights • John Locke’s ideas of “Life, Liberty, and Property”

5. Montesquieu • Enlightened thinker whose ideas of “checks and balances” and “branches of government”

6. Montesquieu • His views about checks and balances/ branches of government influenced our Constitution.

7. T. Jefferson & Dec. of Independence • Strongly influenced by John Locke, Jefferson is the author of the Declaration of Independence • Anti- federalists • 3rd POTUS

8. Declaration of Independence • When in the Course of human events… • We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

9. Inalienable Rights • Natural rights that government cannot take away. • John Locke inspired • T. Jefferson…Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

10. George Washington • Virginian who was chosen to lead the Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress • First President of the US

11. Crossing the Delaware River • Bold move taken by Gen. Washington’s army on Christmas night 1776 which allowed them to surprise the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey and get a much needed win. Moral booster.

12. Washington’s Challenges in Building an Army • Not only fighting the most powerful army in the world, but he had to get an army of undisciplined farmers, frontiersman, and volunteers. Many enlisted only for a short time and planned on returning home to harvest. He also was short on supplies.

13. Valley Forge • Site of the headquarters of the Continental Army under George Washington during the American Revolution • Symbol of sacrifice

14. Lord Cornwallis • Southern British commander who fought the American army in the Carolinas and ultimately surrendered to Washington at Yorktown.

15. Ben Franklin and the French Alliance • Franklin was sent by the Cont. Congress to convince France to ally w/ American in their fight against Great Britain. • After America defeated the British at Saratoga, the French finally agreed.

16. Marquis de Lafayette • Frenchman who made his way to America to fight for the revolution. Only 19 years old he proved to be invaluable. He soon got his own command. He eventually returned to France to fight the British in Europe.

17. Battle (Victory) at Yorktown • With the aid of the French navy, Washington’s army was able to surround Lord Cornwallis’ troops in Yorktown, VA. • Oct. 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered—Americans had won their independence!

18. Treaty of Paris of 1783 • This document formally ended the American Revolution • Britain was forced to recognize American independence

19. Articles of Confederation • First constitution of the United States • Established first government • Created in 1777

20. Shays’ Rebellion • Uprising of farmers in Massachusetts in 1786 • Feared losing land due to taxes • Showed the weakness of the federal government

21. U.S. Constitution • After much debating about how to revise the Articles of Confederation, the delegates decided to get simply abolish it all together, and start over. • The result is the US Constitution

22. Great Compromise • At the constitutional convention in 1787, this deal used parts of Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan • Created bicameral Congress with one house based on population and one on an equal number from each state

23. Three-Fifths Compromise • Many issues arose about a state’s representation in Congress • This compromise stated that 3/5 of a state’s slave population (60%) can be counted toward representation. • For every five slaves, three were counted a “real people”

24. Slave Trade Compromise • Northerners and delegates from the upper South (Maryland and Virginia) who opposed the slave trade agreed to allow it to continue for 20 years, after which Congress could impose regulations. This was important for the deep South who insisted their economy depended on it.

25. Limited Government • Idea that even the governments must obey a set of laws and respect the rights of citizens. • Opposite of “Absolutism”

26. Separation of Powers • Divides authority to govern between the three branches of govt • Judicial, Executive, Legislative

27. Checks and Balances • Included in the Constitution, it allows each branch to check the others power to avoid one becoming too powerful.

28. Federalists • Those in the newly formed govt who favored a strong central govt and supported the Constitution • Key leaders: Alexander Hamilton; James Madison STRONG Federal govt Weak State govt.

29. Bill of Rights • First ten amendments to the constitution • Written to protect individual against the federal government

30. James Madison • Author of the Virginia Plan at the constitutional convention • Known as “Father of Constitution” because of his journals

31. Alexander Hamilton • “Founding Father” • Author of Federalist Papers • First secretary of treasury and architect of our first fiscal plan • Killed in duel with Aaron Burr • His economic plan was that the Federal gov. take on state debts due to the war and place a tax on whiskey, supported tariffs, and est. the National Bank.

32. Federalist Papers • Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay • Purpose was to persuade people of New York to ratify the constitution

33. Anti-federalists • Those who were afraid of a strong national govt, so they favored stronger State govts. STRONG State govt Weak Federal govt

34. Whiskey Rebellion • An Excise tax on Whiskey many frontiersman refused to pay it and turned to violence. It ended when President Washington led troops into Penn. To put it down. This showed the new government had the power to enforce its laws.

35. Hamilton’s Economic Plan • Proposed that the federal govt take on state debts that were incurred during the American Revolution. • Proposed a tax on whiskey • Supported tariffs (tax on imported goods)

36. Republicans • Political party in opposition to the Federalists. Leader was Thomas Jefferson. Jeffersonian Republicans. • They favored strong State gov. and weaker national gov. Many originally opposed the Constitution because they feared the new gov. would be too strong.

37. Washington’s proclamation of neutrality • England and France were fighting again in Europe; the French looked for American support • Instead, Washington declared that US would remain neutral…this made France very angry

38. XYZ Affair • Under John Adams, French demanded American ambassadors pay “tribute” to see French diplomats • Almost led to war with France

39. John Adams • Federalist who became the second president of the U.S. after Washington didn’t run for a third term.

40. Alien and Sedition Acts • passed under John Adams, these laws were supposed to suppress opposition to the government • Serious violation of principles of free speech spelled out in first amendment of Bill of Rights

41. Convention of 1800 • Meeting in which France and the US were able to negotiate some of their differences, reopen trade, and re-establish diplomatic relations. This convention formally ended the US-French alliance that had existed since the revolution, making the US officially neutral.

42. Doctrine of Nullification • The idea that individual states have the right nullify a national law that they believe violates the Constitution.

43. republic • Form of government run by elected leaders • Chosen as plan for United States government at constitutional convention

44. Excise tax • Tax added to certain items to raise money • Established by Alexander Hamilton • Excise tax on whiskey led to Whiskey Rebellion