| A | B |
|---|
| Declaration of Independence | Document declaring American independence from Britain; firmly based on ideas from Locke |
| Thomas Jefferson | Author of the Declaration of Independence |
| checks and balances | system in which each branch of government checks, or limits, the power of the other two branches - legislative, executive, judicial |
| federal system | system of government in which power is divided between the national and state governments |
| Bill of Rights | first ten amendments to the US Constitution; protections of basic rights for individuals |
| Navigation Acts 1660's | Parliament passed trade laws barring Colonists from trading with any country other than Great Britain |
| Stamp Act | In order to help pay the huge debt from the French and Indian War, Parliament passed the Stamp Act, taxing printed materials in America |
| Boston Tea Party | Colonists' revolt against tea tax by Britain by dumping tea on British ships into harbor |
| First Continental Congress | Sept 1774, representatives from every colony except GA gathered in Philadelphia to protest the treatment of Boston |
| Reasons for the American's success in Revolutionary War | 1. American motivation was stronger, defending a homeland 2. Overconfident British generals made several mistakes. 3. An overseas war was expensive. 4. Americans received help from the French |
| Articles of Confederation | 1781 - all 13 states ratified a constitution. Established the US as a republic |
| Role of original Congress | To declare war, enter into treaties and coin money. It had no authority to tax or regulate trade. |
| Constitutional Convention | 1787 - Delegates gathered to revise the constitution to provide a stronger national government |
