1. Look at the chart, "Legal Guarantees," and summarize the three basic principles of the Magna Carta. In 1215, English Barons forced King John to sign the Magna Carta (Great Charter) this document established three fundamental legal principles that became the foundation of British Common Law

A. Trial by jury
B. Rule of law - everyone, even the king, must obey the law - no one is above the law
C. Only parliament, not the king, can raise taxes

2. Summarize the protections guaranteed under English Common Law. Guarantees life, liberty, and property - requires a search warrant and property cannot be taken without due process of law.

3. What rights were guaranteed under the English Bill of Rights? Right to petition the king, (The 1st amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to petition the government) No taxes without representation in Parliament; neither the king nor parliament can suspend the laws or the government

4. From the reading, why is 1492 an important date in United States History? This is the date of the discovery of the Americas (West Indies) by Columbus - Not the first European to sail to the new world - but the one who "advertised" -

5. Why did English businessmen think an American colony would be a good investment? They hoped the Virginia Company would discover gold - they did not. Eventually, the colonists learned how to grow and process tobacco - when tobacco was introduced in Europe it became very popular, and, therefore, very profitable.

6. Define Joint Stock Company. A company formed by a group of investors – individuals bought shares of stock (partial ownership). Money from the sale of stock was used to finance the company - profits made by the company were shared by the stockholders - stocks could be sold or traded to other individuals (The forerunner of the corporation)

7. Define charter. Written government approval to establish a corporation - includes company name, address, purpose of business, number of shares of stock, and other features of the business.

8. When and where did the English establish their first permanent colony in the Americas? Jamestown, Virginia 1607

9. Why was the Virginia Charter important to individual British colonists? In addition to granting the London Company investors the right to establish a colony, the charter also guaranteed settlers in Virginia the same rights they would have enjoyed if they had remained in England.

10. Define pilgrim A person on a religious journey - The Puritans left England so they could practice their religion without interference from the crown - In 1620 they founded Plymouth - they believed they were led to the new world by providence - by their "right living" and prosperity they would become a beacon to the world - "city on the hill" Many historians trace the idea of Manifest Destiny - Missionary - Imperialism from these ideas.

11. Why do you think the colonists thought they needed to establish local and colonial governments? Answers will vary - this is a good point for extension - obviously organization and mutual defense

12. Explain the mercantile system. (Glossary) An economic system based on the idea that colonies exist for the economic benefit of the Mother Country. (1) Colonies supplied raw materials for the Mother Country's factories (2) Colonies were markets for goods manufactured in the Mother Country (3)Colonies produced specific items the Mother Country requested (4) Colonies could not trade directly with any country but the mother country - (Smuggling = when the colonies (bought or sold goods) traded directly with other countries

13. According to the colonists, why was taxation by the king or parliament illegal? The colonists were not allowed to send representatives to parliament.

14. Who is Sam Adams? Sometimes called the "Pen of the Revolution" he organized the Committees of Correspondence.

15. What was the purpose of the Committees of Correspondence? To exchange information and organize colonial resistance. (Follow-up: How would Adams have used the internet?)

16. From your knowledge, give at least one reason the colonists opposed quartering soldiers. Answers will vary - most people would not be thrilled to go home from school and discover that a soldier has just taken over their bedroom and perhaps the family room

17. What was the purpose of the Boston Tea Party? The colonists were objecting to granting a monopoly to sell tea to the British East India Company

18. What action did the First Continental Congress take to try to avoid war? Sent a petition to the king.

19. Why are the Battles of Lexington and Concord significant in U.S. History? These are the opening battles of the Revolutionary War.

20. What does the poet mean by the phrase, "The shot heard 'round the world." The idea "All men are created equal," and the philosophy of a democratic society were revolutionary ideas that inspired people around the world. The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the beginning of War for Independence and the quest for democracy.

21. What was the purpose of a document of separation? To explain the reasons for the separation and to declare war (The Declaration of Independence)

22. Define social contract. Based on the writings of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Jean Jacques Rousseau - the idea that people agree with one another to create a state, and sign an agreement (contract) to give to the state certain powers to ensure the safety and well being of the society.

23. Who is the author of the Declaration of Independence? Thomas Jefferson

24. What two principles, according to Jefferson, give individuals the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
1. Endowed (gift) of the Creator
2. unalienable (not foreign, birthright)

25. From your knowledge, why did the British consider the men who signed the Declaration of Independence traitors? The Declaration of Independence is a declaration of war – by signing the document, these men declared themselves at war with Britain and the king.

26. Who was selected to command the Continental Army? George Washington

27. Benjamin Franklin did not fight in the Revolution, but he played a critical role in the patriots' victory. Why is Franklin important to the success of the Revolution? He was the American Ambassador to France – he is the person who convinced the king of France to provide money and supplies to Washington’s army. Later, after the Battle of Saratoga (question 35) Franklin convinced the king to sign an alliance.

28. Why is the Frenchman, the Marquee de Lafayette considered a hero of the American Revolution? Before the French King agreed to help the Americans, Lafayette raised a private French army and brought them to help fight for the American cause.

29. Why is the Battle of Saratoga considered the "turning point" in the war? When Americans won this battle they proved they could probably defeat Britain – because of this, the French officially recognized the United States, signed an alliance, and provided money, munitions, troops, and naval support.

30. Define alliance. A formal agreement between nations for a common cause; such as, defense or trade.

31. Why is the Battle of Yorktown important? It is the final battle in the Revolutionary War

32. List two major British concessions in the treaty of Paris 1781. Officially recognized the United States as an independent nation and gave up their land claims to the Northwest Territory.

33. Under the Articles of Confederation, what were the primary functions of the Congress of the Confederation? Provide a mechanism for the common defense, appoint ambassadors, and administer the Northwest Territory (The Congress of the Confederation established the laws for admitting new states into the union).

34. List three weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Did not have the power to enforce their rulings, changes or major decision required 100% agreement among the states, could not control or regulate interstate commerce.

35. Why were the actions of individual states unrestricted under the Articles of Confederation? Each state was sovereign and independent.

36. Why did Washington and Hamilton think a meeting of the states was important? They were concerned that small groups (factions) and uprisings would lead to anarchy.

37. What was the purpose of the meeting at Philadelphia in May 1787? To revise the Articles of Confederation

38. What did Edmond Randolph propose? Discarding the Confederation and establishing a federal government.

39. How are powers geographically divided in a federal government? In the United States, between the central or national government and the states.

40. List the three branches of the U.S. national government. Legislative = make laws, Executive = enforce the laws, Judiciary = interpret the laws

41. From your knowledge, why are checks and balances important? This process keeps one branch from taking control of the government.

42. According the Virginia Plan (big states) how would the congressional representation for each state be determined? Bicameral (2 house) legislature based on population or the amount of money a state contributed.

43. Explain the New Jersey Plan (small states). One house legislature with equal representation and a four person executive branch.

44. Explain how the Connecticut Compromise combined the Virginia and New Jersey Plans. Called for two houses – representation in the House of Representatives (lower house) would be based on each state’s population. In the Senate (upper house) each state would have 2 Senators.

45. Can a law be passed without the consent of the Senate? No, both houses must approve a bill – they can pass a bill over a Presidential veto with a 2/3’s vote in both houses.

46. Explain the 3/5's Compromise. For the purpose of population five slaves were counted as three people

47. How often must a census be conducted? Every 10 years.

48. What is a census? An accounting of the people in the country.

49. From your knowledge, when and why would the number of a state’s representatives in the House of Representatives change? If they lost or gained population.

50. Why did the Southern states insist on the Commerce and Trade Compromise? They wanted to be sure exports would not be taxed, and they wanted to legitimize slavery (The South believed they had to import slaves because they had a constant labor shortage.)

51. Who is regarded as the "Author of the Constitution?" James Madison

52. What action had to occur before the Constitution became the "Law of the Land." It had to be ratified by at least 9 of the 13 states.

53. Define sovereignty. The supreme or absolute power of people or a state to rule within its territory.

54. Give two reasons the Anti-federalists opposed the Constitution. (1) It did not include a Bill of Rights (2) Reduced the power of the individual states ( See the 10th Amendment)

55. Who authored the Federalists Papers? Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison

56. Why is Federalist Paper 10 important? It explains the purpose and function of a federal government.

57. Why was Jefferson absent from the Constitutional Convention? He was the ambassador to France at the time.

58. What did Jefferson want added to the Constitution? A Bill of Rights.

59. What promise did the Federalists make in order to gain ratification from New York and Virginia? To Amend the Constitution by adding a Bill of Rights.
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60. Where was the first capital of the U.S. located? New York City (Wall Street)

61. What body elects the President? Electoral College

62. Who was the first president of the United States? George Washington

63. What was the second U.S. capital city? Philadelphia

64. According to legend: Hamilton wanted the federal government to assume the states’ war debts. Jefferson was prepared to oppose the idea, but they made a deal. Hamilton agreed to support Jefferson’s proposal to locate the permanent capital between Maryland and Virginia, provided Jefferson supported the assumption of the states’ debts. Washington, District of Columbia is not located in a state, but it is located on land donated by Virginia and Maryland.
When was the U.S. capital moved to its permanent location, Washington, D.C.?
1800 The city was designed by a Frenchman, Pierre Charles L’Enfant