U.S. History EOCT test Preparation SSUSH 4 Declaration of Independence • Explanation to Americans and other countries as to why the colonist had not choice but to break away from Great Britain. • In this document Thomas Jefferson lists all the unfair practices that Britain placed on the colonist. Declaration of Independence • Written mainly by Thomas Jefferson • In 1776 • Declared American Independence from England • Main Ideas taken from John Locke’s “Social Contract” Theory Declaration of Independence • John Locke believed that if a government failed to protect its citizens rights and instead oppressed them, the citizens had a right to overthrow the government and create a new one. John Locke • Social Contract theory influenced Thomas Jefferson’s writing the Declaration of Independence. • Protection of Life, Liberty, and Property is government’s job. Baron de Montesquieu Militia • Volunteer colonist who fought against the British • Their use of hit and run tactics were instrumental in winning the war. Battle of Saratoga • Called the turning point of the American Revolution • because the success of the colonists, even though outnumbered, convinced France to send aid like ships and guns to colonists. • 1st time united States given Diplomatic Recognition by a foreign country. Continental Army • Commanded by George Washington • Fought the British during the Revolutionary war. Valley Forge • Lowest point for the Continentals during the Revolutionary War. • Soldiers starved, experienced harsh winter, and went without adequate clothing or shelter. Baron Frederick von Steuben • Drilled Washington's soldiers to make them into a more professional army. Battle of Trenton • New Jersey • Washington crossed the Delaware river and caught the British and German Hessians by surprise. • This victory was a much needed morale boost for the Continentals. Crossing the Delaware Marquis de Lafayette • Young French aristocrat who experienced the hardships at Valley Forge as he camped with George Washington. • Was instrumental in getting French reinforcements. • Created the strategy to win the Battle of Yorktown (the last battle in the war) Battle of Yorktown, 1781 • General Lord Cornwallis was surrounded and trapped by colonial and French troops. Treaty of Paris 1783 • Ended the Revolutionary War SSUSH 5 Articles of Confederation • The first form of government for the newly formed united states • Gave too little power to congress (could not tax or enforce laws) • The State’s kept their power and authority Constitutional Convention Shay’s Rebellion • An uprising of debt-ridden Massachusetts farmers protesting increased state taxes in 1787. • The states began to realize that a stronger central government was needed. • They decided to send delegates to revise the Articles of Confederation but decided to write a new Constitution. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Provoked a need for Stronger Government Weakness in Articles of Confederation Example Change in Constitution No Standing Army In ability to deal with the threat of "Shay's Rebellion" Federal Government is given the power to raise and maintain a standing army No Federal Taxation States did not pay debts to Congress and so federal gov't had no $$ Congress is granted the power to tax, impose duty and raise tariffs No Single National Currency States minted money, no set exchange disrupted trade among the states Congress is granted sole power to coin money No Executive Leadership Failure of direct leadership resulted in indecision A strong executive (President) is created Each State had Equal Vote in Congress Smaller states with low populations had disproportional power Bicameral Legislature with proportional representation in the House of Reps. Required Unanimous Vote to Amend Complete inability to correct the failures under the articles The 1787 Constitutional Convention completely replaced the Articles rather than amending them Need for stronger Government! James Madison • Known as the “Father of the Constitution” • Delegate to the constitution convention from Virginia • Proposed the Virginia Plan • Also introduced a plan for sharing power between the national Government and the state governments. FEDERALISM Virginia Plan • Two House Legislature based on each state’s population • Bicameral Legislature New Jersey Plan • One House Legislature with equal representation. • Unicameral Legislature Connecticut Plan “Great Compromise” • Resolved the conflict between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan • Created a Bicameral Legislature (two houses). • House of Representatives – representation based on Population • Senate – based on equal representation. Two per state The Constitution • Begins with “We the People” • Created the federal system of government / “The Supreme Law of the Land” • Created a Republic • A Republic is a government in which the people elect representatives to carry out the work of government. Organization of the Constitution • Preamble – Introduces the constitution by listing the six goals of the document. • Seven Articles • The first 3 set up the Three Branches of government. Bill of Rights • 1st ten Amendments to the Constitution • Added in 1791 because the Anti-federalists insisted at list of rights be added before the constitution could be ratified. • Bill of Rights protects individual rights! Federalist • Believed the country would not survive without the strong central government. • Published the “Federalist Papers” • James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton Anti-Federalist • Believed the constitution gave too much power to the national government and that it failed to provide a Bill of Rights to guarantee protection to the People • Demanded a Bill of Rights! Patrick Henry, an anti – Federalist is known for 2 quotes “Give me Liberty or Give me death!” “I believe I smell a rat!” George Washington • Presided over the Constitutional Convention • Overcome many obstacles during the Revolutionary War and is considered a great military leader. Whiskey Rebellion • Unlike shay’s rebellion that showed the country needed a strong central government, • This rebellion showed the country that the government we formed under the Constitution was strong. • George Washington used 13,000 troops to enforce the Whiskey tax. Federalist Era John Adams – Alien & Sedition Acts • Second President of the U.S. • Passed a series of laws where U.S. citizens were put in prison and their property seized if spoke out against government. • Many considered a violation of 1st amendment freedom of speech and press. VA & KY Resolutions • Written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison • Rebuked the Alien & Sedition Acts as unconstitutional because violated 1st amendment. • Nullification theory – a state may declare a federal law null and void if it is unconstitutional. “XYZ” Affair • Led to an undeclared war with France • Three French agents, originally called X, Y, and Z, demanded a large cash bribe for the delegation to speak to the French foreign minister • huge loan to help fund the French wars as a condition for continuing negotiations Neutrality Proclamation • George Washington kept the U.S. neutral during conflicts between Britain and France. • Washington warned against entangling alliances in his Farewell Address. 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