Unit 2 Test

Question 1

Magna Carta

Answer 1

Who: King John of England and a group of English Barons
What: A document that limited the power of the king and established legal protections for the people (especially free white land owners)
When: June 15, 1215
Where: Runnymede
Sign: First step towards a constitutional government, established the idea that no one is above the law, induced concepts like ‘due process’ and ‘trial by jury’. Inspired future documents Ex: U.S. Constitution & Bill of Rights

Question 2

Mayflower Compact

Answer 2

Who: The pilgrims (AKA Separatists) Signed by 41 male colonists
What: Agreement to form a self-governing colony by majority rule. Social contract to maintain order and cooperation
When: November 11, 1620
Where: On the Mayflower, Cape Cod. Outside bounds of the Virginia Colony
Sign: First example of self-government in the American colonies. Established idea of majority rules. Laid the foundation for democratic government in the U.S

Question 3

Explain the deterioration of the relationship between the colonies and Great Britain that ultimately led to the colonists writing the Declaration of Independence.

Answer 3

2.2 All springs from King George 3rd coming into power. After the French and Indian war Britain was left with a massive debt. They began taxing the colonies without representation in Parliament. New taxes angered the colonists such as the Stamp Act of 1765, the Tea Act of 1773, and the Intolerable Acts of 1774. Actions by Britain were seen as increasingly tyrannical.

Question 4

What are the Articles of Confederation? What were some of the strengths and weaknesses of this document? What ultimately proved to many that a stronger central government was needed?

Answer 4

2.3 The articles of Confederation were the first formal plan of government. It created a loose alliance where states held most of the power. Some strengths were that they could declare war, sign treaties, and request a navy. Some weaknesses were the fact that the government couldn’t enforce laws or collect taxes due to the central government not having enough power. It was difficult to pass laws and there was no power to regulate trade. Shays’ Rebellion proved that a stronger government was needed. A rebellion of angry farmers led by Daniel Shays protested high taxes, debt, and farm foreclosures. The federal government had no army and couldn’t stop the violence. This made many leaders realize a stronger central government was needed.

Question 5

Breakdown the Connecticut Compromise. What were the two plans that it combined in order to help alleviate the concerns of a small and large states? How did it alleviate those concerns?

Answer 5

2.4 The Connecticut Compromise also known as the great compromise is a combination of the Virginia plan and the New Jersey plan. The virginia plan was proposed by the larger states and they wanted representation in Congress based on population while the New Jersey Plan was proposed by William Paterson for the smaller states. They requested equal representation for each state and were afraid of being overpowered. The Connecticut Compromise resolved the conflicts between the states by having the House of Representatives which represented states by population, favored large states and representatives elected directly for the people. The Senate gave equal representations for the states with 2 senators for each and favored small states. Larger states were given more influence in the House but Small states were also protected in the Senate, balancing both sides and allowing the Constitution to move forward.

Question 6

Explain the differences between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Who supported each side and list out the beliefs of both groups. How did the Federalists eventually convince enough Anti-Federalists to get the Constitution ratified?

Answer 6

2.4 Federalists supported the Constitution, wanted a strong central government, feared disorder, rebellion, and a weak government. The Anti-federalists opposed the Constitution, wanted a strong state government but a weaker federal government and feared a powerful central government and a tyrannical like monarchy. The Anti-Federalists were convinced by a series of 85 essays under the name Publius, they were promised to have the Bill of Rights added, and had state ratifying conventions that held debates about the Constitution where Federalists used their organization, influence, and persuasive arguments to win over undecided delegates.

Question 7

Petition of Rights

Answer 7

Who: King Charles I of England and Parliament
What: Constitutional document that set out liberties of the people that the king could not violate. Presented to the king by Parliament.
When: 1628
Where: England
Sign: Reinforced idea that monarch must also obey the law, challenged absolute monarchy. Limited kings power regarding: Taxation, Imprisonment without cause, quartering of soldiers in private homes, use of martial law in peacetime. Laid groundwork for English Civil War and the English Bill of Rights

Question 8

English Bill of Rights

Answer 8

Who: William III and Mary II and the English Parliament
What: A document that limited the powers of the monarchy and outlined specific rights of Parliament and individuals
When: 1689
Where: England
Sign: Established Parliament’s supremacy over the monarchy. Guaranteed individual rights such as: Free elections, freedom of speech within Parliament, no cruel or unusual punishment, right to petition the king. Helped shape modern constitutional Monarchy and democracy

Question 9

Declaration of Independence

Answer 9

Who: Second Continental Congress, primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson. Input from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and others.
What: Declared the 13 American colonies Independence from British rule. outlined grievances against King George III and explained colonies right to revolt
When: July 4, 1776
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sign: Marked the birth of the United States, asserted principles of natural rights, inspired future democratic movements and documents.

Question 10

Shays’ Rebellion

Answer 10

Who: Led by Daniel Shays, angry farmers and veterans
What: Protesting of economic injustices. Ex: High taxes, debt, and foreclosures. Farmers afraid they would lose their farm.
When: 1786
Where: Western Massachusetts
Sign: Exposed the weakness of Articles of Confederation. Led to a stronger central government. Influenced the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

Question 11

Land Ordinance

Answer 11

Who: Passed by Confederation Congress under the Articles of Confederation
What: Law establishing a system for surveying, dividing, and selling land in Northwest Territory
When: 1785
Where: Applied to the Northwest Territory Ex: future states such as Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin
Sign:Created a clear method for organizing western lands into townships, Ex: 6x6 miles divided into 36 sections. Reserved section 16 of each township for schooling, helped raise money for the national government, encouraged westward expansion and settlement.

Question 12

Northwest Ordinance

Answer 12

Who: Passed by the Confederation Congress under the Articles of Confederation
What: System for governing and admitting new states from the Northwest Territory
When: 1787
Where: Applies to Northwest Territory (AKA future states, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin)
Sign: Set rules for how territories could become states, banned slavery in the Northwest Territory, guaranteed freedom of religion, trial by jury, and public education. Promoted orderly expansion.

Question 13

Three-Fifths compromise

Answer 13

Who: Delegates at the constitutional Convention mainly from Northern and Southern states
What: An agreement that each enslaved person would count as three-fifths of a person
When: 1787
Where: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sign:Resolved dispute between Northern and Southern states, gave slaveholding states more political power for representation in congress and taxation

Question 14

Federalist Papers

Answer 14

Who: Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
What: A series of 85 essays defending and promoting the ratification of the U.S. Constitution
When: 1787-1788
Where: published in New York newspapers
Sign: Persuade Americans to support the constitution, explained ideas like separation of powers, checks and balances, and the importance of a strong central government. One of the most important documents in the world.