Most Influential Explorer
I think the most influential European Explorer was Amerigo Vespucci because he was the first to figure out that America wasn't Asia. Although Columbus was the first to go to America, he thought he was in Asia and didn't even realize he was in another continent. Vespucci .He proved that there was another continent besides Europe and Asia. Also, we named America in his honor.
The 13 Colonies
Cause of the Revolution
The Quartering Act: Colonists were forced to house British soldiers.
The Stamp Act: British put taxes on all paper goods.
Proclamation: This banned colonial settlement west of the Apl. Mtns.
The Townshend Act: British forced colonists to pay taxes on glass.
The Boston Massacre: British soldiers shot and killed 5 unarmed colonists.
The Boston Tea Party: The Sons of Liberty dressed as Mohawk Indians and dumped tea into the Boston Harbor
The Intolerable Acts: The British closed the the port of Boston
Battle of Lexington and Concord: On April 19,1775 the British headed to Lexington to capture Colonial weapons and ammunition. No one knows who fired the first shot when the British were met by a group of minutemen militia. It was known as "The Shot Heard 'Round the World."
Battle of Trenton: On the evening of December 25, 1776, Washington along with 2,500 soldiers crossed the Delaware and caught the British and German soldiers sleeping, killing over 100 men and taking another 1,000 prisoners.
Battle of Saratoga: The British wanted to take control of the Hudson River Valley to cut off the New England from other colonies. The British attacked and were defeated.
Battle of Camden: In August 1780, the Continental Army attacked at Camden, South Carolina. When the British charged, the poorly trained militia retreated leaving the regular soldiers greatly outnumbered. The Americans suffered heavy losses as the British won another battle.
Battle of Yorktown: By the summer of 1781, the American troops managed to force British army to Yorktown, Virginia. The French Navy positioned themselves and began to attack the British forts. The British were trapped between the American Army and the French Navy. On October 19, 1781, the British General and 8,000 British troops surrendered.
There were a lot of significant moments for the Patriots. I think the most significant moment for the Patriots was the Battle of Yorktown. At the summer of 1781, the American troops managed to force British army to Yorktown, Virginia. The French Navy positioned themselves and began to attack the British forts. The British were trapped between the American Army and the French Navy. On October 19, 1781, the British General and 8,000 British troops surrendered.
I think this was the most significant because the American Army and the French Navy surrounded the British and then the British surrendered. After the British surrendered, there was the Treaty of Paris which was the end of The American Revolution. This is the last battle that ended the revolution so it is the most significant and important.
The Battle of Yorktown was the most significant for the Americans because the Americans made the British surrender and it was the last battle that ended The American Revolution.
The Stamp Act: British put taxes on all paper goods.
Proclamation: This banned colonial settlement west of the Apl. Mtns.
The Townshend Act: British forced colonists to pay taxes on glass.
The Boston Massacre: British soldiers shot and killed 5 unarmed colonists.
The Boston Tea Party: The Sons of Liberty dressed as Mohawk Indians and dumped tea into the Boston Harbor
The Intolerable Acts: The British closed the the port of Boston
Battle of Lexington and Concord: On April 19,1775 the British headed to Lexington to capture Colonial weapons and ammunition. No one knows who fired the first shot when the British were met by a group of minutemen militia. It was known as "The Shot Heard 'Round the World."
Battle of Trenton: On the evening of December 25, 1776, Washington along with 2,500 soldiers crossed the Delaware and caught the British and German soldiers sleeping, killing over 100 men and taking another 1,000 prisoners.
Battle of Saratoga: The British wanted to take control of the Hudson River Valley to cut off the New England from other colonies. The British attacked and were defeated.
Battle of Camden: In August 1780, the Continental Army attacked at Camden, South Carolina. When the British charged, the poorly trained militia retreated leaving the regular soldiers greatly outnumbered. The Americans suffered heavy losses as the British won another battle.
Battle of Yorktown: By the summer of 1781, the American troops managed to force British army to Yorktown, Virginia. The French Navy positioned themselves and began to attack the British forts. The British were trapped between the American Army and the French Navy. On October 19, 1781, the British General and 8,000 British troops surrendered.
There were a lot of significant moments for the Patriots. I think the most significant moment for the Patriots was the Battle of Yorktown. At the summer of 1781, the American troops managed to force British army to Yorktown, Virginia. The French Navy positioned themselves and began to attack the British forts. The British were trapped between the American Army and the French Navy. On October 19, 1781, the British General and 8,000 British troops surrendered.
I think this was the most significant because the American Army and the French Navy surrounded the British and then the British surrendered. After the British surrendered, there was the Treaty of Paris which was the end of The American Revolution. This is the last battle that ended the revolution so it is the most significant and important.
The Battle of Yorktown was the most significant for the Americans because the Americans made the British surrender and it was the last battle that ended The American Revolution.
The Articles of Conferation
The Articles of Confederation were a government drafted in 1777. They had the right to print money and create an army and navy but they couldn't fund the army or navy. The A.O.C. were ratified in 1781.
Strengths: They had power to declare war, make peace, make treaties with foreign countries, establish an army and navy, appoint high-ranking military officials, borrow or print money, establish weights and measures, and hear disputes related to trade or boundaries among the states
Weaknesses: They didn't have the power to raise funds for an army or navy, tax or collect duties, branch to enforce laws, control trade among the states, force states to honor obligations, and they didn't have power to regulate the value of currency
Strengths: They had power to declare war, make peace, make treaties with foreign countries, establish an army and navy, appoint high-ranking military officials, borrow or print money, establish weights and measures, and hear disputes related to trade or boundaries among the states
Weaknesses: They didn't have the power to raise funds for an army or navy, tax or collect duties, branch to enforce laws, control trade among the states, force states to honor obligations, and they didn't have power to regulate the value of currency
3 Branches of Government
Legislative Branch- make and pass laws; can declare war
Qualifications- representatives: at least 25 years old; U.S. Citizen for at least 7 years; live in the state you represent; you serve 2 year terms and have unlimited terms
Article I: Judicial Branch under Articles of confederation; state courts had sole authority over all cases-major weakness of Articles; Judicial Branch created in Article III of the U.S. constitution
U.S. System Today: Federal courts and State courts
Federal court Structure: Supreme court-created by the Constitution; Federal District courts-created by the Congress through the Judiciary Act of 1789-act as federal trial courts; U.S. court of Appeals-created by Congress in 1891-at as federal appeal court
Type of Federal court: 1) created by the Judiciary Act of 1789; Federal trial courts; Every state has at least one-more people=more district courts; currently 94 district courts(with over 550 judges)
2) U.S. courts of Appeal-created by the Congress in 1981 to help lessen the work load of the Supreme court; decide appeals from the U.S. District courts; 12 U.S. court Appeals; States are divided into circuit , or geographic judicial districts(not every state has one
3) U.S. Supreme court- only court actually created directly by the Constitution; highest courting the federal judicial system; final authority in dealing with the questions arising from the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties; has both original and appellate jurisdiction; 90% of ases are appeals from the lower federal courts; congress establishes the size of the Supreme court; current size: 8 associate justices and 1 heif justie; Justies nominated by the President of the U.S. and confirmed by the Senate; Serve for "life"
No Formal qualifications for federal judges; Federal Judges serve "during good behavior", which generally means for life; Why?-allows judges to be free from political pressures when deciding cases(don't have to worry about being re-elected)
1) Write of Certirorai-an order by the Court(when petitioned)directing a lower court to send up records of a case for review 2)Certificate-a lower court asks the Supreme Court about a rule of law or procedures in specific cases
Executive Branch-enforce laws; can make treaties
Qualifications- at least 35 years old; natural born U.S. Citizen; live in the U.S. for 14 years prior to election; serve 4 year terms and there is a 2 term limit
Judicial Branch-to ensure laws are constitutional (Judicial Review)
Qualifications- appointed by the president; approved by the Senate; life term
Here's a School House Rock on the 3 Branches of Government:
Qualifications- representatives: at least 25 years old; U.S. Citizen for at least 7 years; live in the state you represent; you serve 2 year terms and have unlimited terms
Article I: Judicial Branch under Articles of confederation; state courts had sole authority over all cases-major weakness of Articles; Judicial Branch created in Article III of the U.S. constitution
U.S. System Today: Federal courts and State courts
Federal court Structure: Supreme court-created by the Constitution; Federal District courts-created by the Congress through the Judiciary Act of 1789-act as federal trial courts; U.S. court of Appeals-created by Congress in 1891-at as federal appeal court
Type of Federal court: 1) created by the Judiciary Act of 1789; Federal trial courts; Every state has at least one-more people=more district courts; currently 94 district courts(with over 550 judges)
2) U.S. courts of Appeal-created by the Congress in 1981 to help lessen the work load of the Supreme court; decide appeals from the U.S. District courts; 12 U.S. court Appeals; States are divided into circuit , or geographic judicial districts(not every state has one
3) U.S. Supreme court- only court actually created directly by the Constitution; highest courting the federal judicial system; final authority in dealing with the questions arising from the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties; has both original and appellate jurisdiction; 90% of ases are appeals from the lower federal courts; congress establishes the size of the Supreme court; current size: 8 associate justices and 1 heif justie; Justies nominated by the President of the U.S. and confirmed by the Senate; Serve for "life"
No Formal qualifications for federal judges; Federal Judges serve "during good behavior", which generally means for life; Why?-allows judges to be free from political pressures when deciding cases(don't have to worry about being re-elected)
1) Write of Certirorai-an order by the Court(when petitioned)directing a lower court to send up records of a case for review 2)Certificate-a lower court asks the Supreme Court about a rule of law or procedures in specific cases
Executive Branch-enforce laws; can make treaties
Qualifications- at least 35 years old; natural born U.S. Citizen; live in the U.S. for 14 years prior to election; serve 4 year terms and there is a 2 term limit
Judicial Branch-to ensure laws are constitutional (Judicial Review)
Qualifications- appointed by the president; approved by the Senate; life term
Here's a School House Rock on the 3 Branches of Government:
How a Bill Becomes a Law
First, a bill starts out as an idea. Then it either goes to the House of Representatives or the Senate. If it goes to either. They go through the same process. First they have to sponsor the bill or throw it out. Next, there is a committee discussion or they throw out the bill. Next, there is a committee vote or they throw out the bill. Next, there is a Full House or Full Senate discussion or they throw it out. Last, there is a Full House or Full Senate vote or they throw it out. If the bill gets through either the House of Representatives or the Senate, they go to the opposite then go through the same process. If a bill gets through both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it goes to the President. The President can either veto the law where it would be sent back to both houses to see if the veto will get an override vote. Or the President can sign the bill into law. *2/3 of both houses need to override Presidential veto.
Here's a School House Rock video on How a Bill Becomes a Law:
Here's a School House Rock video on How a Bill Becomes a Law:
Executive Branch: The Presidency
Formal Qualifications- 35 years old;natural born citizen; U.S. resident for 14 years
Salary-As of 2001, $400,000
Benefits-Receive $50,000/year for expenses and up to $100.000/year for travel; salary cannot be changed during term; free lodging at the White House and Camp David; President and family receives finest medical care possible and personal protection(secret service); President has a plane(Air Force One) and a personal helicopter(Marine One) at his disposal
Election-Held every 4 years; President elected by an electoral college; Candidate with most electoral votes wins the election
Term of office-4 years=1 Presidential term; Constitution originally placed no limit on number of Presidential terms; George Washington established a tradition when he stepped down after 2 terms; 1940: FDR became the 1st President to not step down after 2 terms-was elected 4 times; 1951: 22nd Amendment added to Constitution-limits President to 2 consecutive terms
Salary-As of 2001, $400,000
Benefits-Receive $50,000/year for expenses and up to $100.000/year for travel; salary cannot be changed during term; free lodging at the White House and Camp David; President and family receives finest medical care possible and personal protection(secret service); President has a plane(Air Force One) and a personal helicopter(Marine One) at his disposal
Election-Held every 4 years; President elected by an electoral college; Candidate with most electoral votes wins the election
Term of office-4 years=1 Presidential term; Constitution originally placed no limit on number of Presidential terms; George Washington established a tradition when he stepped down after 2 terms; 1940: FDR became the 1st President to not step down after 2 terms-was elected 4 times; 1951: 22nd Amendment added to Constitution-limits President to 2 consecutive terms
The Bill of Rights
1st Amendment: The 1st Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petition-this means that we all have the right to: practice any religion we want to, to speak freely, to assemble(meet), to address government(petition), and to publish newspapers, TV, radio, Internet(press)
2nd Amendment: The 2nd Amendment protects the right to bear arms, which means the right to own a gun
3rd Amendment: The 3rd Amendment says no soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law; this means that we cannot be forced to house or quarter soldiers
4th Amendment: The 4th Amendment protects the people from unreasonable searches and seizures; this means that the police must have a warrant to enter our homes. It also means the government cannot take our property, papers, or us, without a valid warrant based on probable cause(good reason)
5th Amendment: The 5th Amendment protects people from being held for committing a crime unless they are properly indicted(accused); you may not be tried twice for the same crime(double jeopardy); you don't have to testify against yourself in court(self-incrimination)
6th Amendment: The 6th Amendment guarantees a speedy trial(you can't be kept in jail for over a year without trial); an important jury(doesn't already think you are guilty); that the accused can confront witness against them; the accused must be allowed to have a lawyer
7th Amendment: The 7th Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy civil trial; a civil trial differs from a criminal trial. A civil trial is when someone sues someone else. A criminal trial is when the state tries to convict someone of a crime
8th Amendment: The 8th Amendment guarantees that punishments will be fair and not cruel, and that extraordinarily large fines will not be set
9th Amendment: All rights not stated in the Constitution and not forbidden by the Constitution belong to the people; this means that the states can do what they want if the Constitution does not forbid it
10th Amendment: The 10th Amendment states that any power not granted to the federal government belongs to the states of to the people
2nd Amendment: The 2nd Amendment protects the right to bear arms, which means the right to own a gun
3rd Amendment: The 3rd Amendment says no soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law; this means that we cannot be forced to house or quarter soldiers
4th Amendment: The 4th Amendment protects the people from unreasonable searches and seizures; this means that the police must have a warrant to enter our homes. It also means the government cannot take our property, papers, or us, without a valid warrant based on probable cause(good reason)
5th Amendment: The 5th Amendment protects people from being held for committing a crime unless they are properly indicted(accused); you may not be tried twice for the same crime(double jeopardy); you don't have to testify against yourself in court(self-incrimination)
6th Amendment: The 6th Amendment guarantees a speedy trial(you can't be kept in jail for over a year without trial); an important jury(doesn't already think you are guilty); that the accused can confront witness against them; the accused must be allowed to have a lawyer
7th Amendment: The 7th Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy civil trial; a civil trial differs from a criminal trial. A civil trial is when someone sues someone else. A criminal trial is when the state tries to convict someone of a crime
8th Amendment: The 8th Amendment guarantees that punishments will be fair and not cruel, and that extraordinarily large fines will not be set
9th Amendment: All rights not stated in the Constitution and not forbidden by the Constitution belong to the people; this means that the states can do what they want if the Constitution does not forbid it
10th Amendment: The 10th Amendment states that any power not granted to the federal government belongs to the states of to the people
Early Rebublic
Washington Proclaims Neutrality:
- France and Britain were at war
- both sides wanted the U.S.'s help
- Washington felt it was too soon and unite for the U.S. to engage in any war
- created tension between the U.S. and France
- September 17, 1776
- warned against forming political parties
- don't make permanent foreign allies
- warned against accumulating debt
- April 30, 1789 he spoke of how he and the government were there for the good of the people
- tax placed on liquor
- angry farmers rebelled
- showed the citizens that just because you don't like a law it means that you can rebel
- in 1794
- battle between Native Americans and the U.S.
- fighting over land in the Ohio Valley area
- treaty of Greeneville ended it in 1795
- gave U.S. land in present day Ohio
- first secretary of war under George Washington
- John Adams sent a delegation to France to resolve disputes
- foreign minister Talleyernd sent 3 agents to demand a bribe
- Adams referred to the agents as XYZ and referred to Congress to prepare for war
- designed to stop people from talking out against the government
- citizenship changed from 5 years to 14 years
- first election between two different political parties
- John Adams won election
- Thomas Jefferson vs. John Adams
- Thomas Jefferson tied with Aron Burr with 3 electoral votes
- Hamilton told the House to vote for Jefferson
- first time in history that the House of Representatives had to vote for the president
- Adams appointed his midnight judges
- Jefferson told Madison to not deliver the commissions
- Marbury, who was one of the judges, sued
- it established Judicial Review for the Supreme Court
- France surprisingly put the Louisiana territory for sale
- Jefferson believed the purchase without congressional consent was unconstitutional
- used treaty making powers to make the purchase
- U.S. paid $15 million
- the Louisiana territory doubled the size of the U.S.
- Here is the U.S. before and after the Louisiana Purchase: The Louisiana Purchase (The yellow is before the Louisiana Purchase and the yellow and the green is after the Louisiana Purchase)
- made all exports illegal
- meant to harm France and Britain bat
- messed up U.S. trade
- known as Jefferson's "biggest mistake"
- U.S. was angry about British presentment
- it was the first time a president asked Congress to declare war
- sent by Jefferson to explore Louisiana territory
- looking for a direct water route to the West
- they reached the Pacific Ocean but didn't find a direct water way
- Sacajawea helped them not get killed
- Here is their route: Lewis and Clark Expedition Route
- gave Americans first detailed description of the plantains and rocky mountains
- battle over land
- U.S. won and gained land
- treaty between France and U.S.
- U.S. gained present day Florida
Art- started painting portraits, American heroes, and American scenes
Literature- began using American characters and settings
Music- patriotic American themed music
Religion- second great awakening