1776 Declaration of Independence
Stating that the 13 colonies were a free and independent nation
Written by Thomas Jefferson
1787 Constitutional Convention
Gathering of state representatives to revise the Articles of Confederation (1777)
Held in Philadelphia George Washington was president
of Convention
1791 Bill of Rights Adopted
Consists of the 1st ten amendments to the Constitution
Rights of the Individual: 1st-3rd Rights of the Accused: 4th-8th Rights of the States and People:
9th-10th
1861-1865 U.S. Civil War
War between the North (Union) and the South (Confederacy)
1st shots fired at Fort Sumter Confederate General Robert E. Lee
surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse in 1865
Lincoln assassinated 5 days later by John Wilkes Booth
George Washington
Commander of Continental Army during Revolution
President of Constitutional Convention
1st U.S. President (Father of our Country)
Urged U.S. to maintain neutral foreign policy
Thomas Jefferson
Author of the Declaration of Independence
3rd U.S. President Supported minimal government Residence at Monticello
Documents
Magna CartaEnglish Bill of Rights
Declaration of IndependenceFederalist PapersU.S. Constitution
Bill of Rights
Magna Carta
1215 King John was forced to sign it British document contained 2 basic
ideas: Monarchs have to obey laws Citizens have basic rights
English Bill of Rights
1689 Signed by William and Mary of
England Document guaranteeing the rights
of English citizens
Declaration of Independence
1776 Written by Thomas Jefferson Listed colonial grievances against
Great Britain and King George Stated that colonies were a free
and independent nation
Federalists Papers
1787 Coauthored by James Madison,
Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay Essays defended the Constitution
and discussed the political theory behind the American system of government
U.S. Constitution
1787 A plan (framework) for the United
States Government Grew out of the Articles of
Confederation Ratified by 9 states June 21, 1788 By all states by 1790
Bill of Rights
1791 Name by which the first 10
amendments to the Constitution are known
Deal with the rights of the individual, the accused, and of the states and people
Principles Limited Government Republicanism Checks and Balances Federalism Separation of Powers Popular Sovereignty Individual Rights 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th Amendments
Republic
Instead of directly participating in government, citizens elect representatives to carry out their will
Checks and Balances
Each branch of the government can check or control the actions of the other branches
Separation of Powers
Principle by which the powers of government are divided among separate branches:
Executive, Legislative, Judicial
Individual Rights
The basic rights of all human beings are guaranteed in the bill of rights
Freedom of speech Freedom of religion Freedom to assemble peacefully
Natural Rights
Rights so basic that they cannot be taken away
AKA inalienable rights “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of
Happiness”