The American Revolution raged from 1775 (shots first fired at __) - 1783 (__)

Lexington and Concord- Treaty of Paris

the final battle of The American Revolution was fought at Yorktown in __

1781

The Declaration of Independence: __ to the Second Continental Congress signed it. It is written as a letter to King George III of England -- explains the reasons for rebellion.

On July 4, 1776, 56 delegates

The Articles of Confederation (not formally ratified until 1781) The former colonies did not view themselves as one nation, rather, as 13 __ countries working together to fight the Revolution. The power remained with the __.

Independent, states.

The Articles of Confederation: The national government under the Articles was weak and could not levy taxes, wage war, regulate commerce, or issue currency. It contained no __. the power was concentrated in the legislature / Congress.

executive branch

The Great Compromise- Philadelphia in 1787 to amend the Articles. Many realized the inefficiencies of the Articles of Confederation and argued it could lead to financial ruin or invasion by Great Britain, France, or Spain. Twelve states sent delegates to the Constitutional Convention (__) and met in secret.

except Rhode Island

The Virginia Plan (by James Madison) proposed a government in which states cede power to __.

national government.

The Virginia Plan: Proposed a bicameral legislature with representation in houses based on __ which favored the large population states (Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts).

population

The Virginia Plan / Randolph Plan: proposed a fusion-of-power or parliamentary system, whereby the __ would choose the chief executive (present in Britain).

legislature

The Virginia Plan / Randolph Plan: a “supreme court” chosen by the upper house. The Virginia Plan viewed power as being derived from “people,” rather than the __.

states.

New Jersey Plan, or Paterson Plan. __ legislature with representation regardless of population. favored __ states. proposed a multi- __ chosen by the legislature. assumed that national government power would be derived from the __.

unicameral, small population, multi-person chief executive, states.

the Great Compromise / Connecticut Compromise: resulted from the __ and represented a departure from the Articles.

Constitutional Convention

Article I outlines the powers of __(who would pass the laws); Article II; the powers of the __ , and Article III; the powers of the __(who would interpret the laws)

Congress, President, Judiciary

The lower house, (House of Representatives) is elected by the people. Representation is based upon state __.

population

The Senate is equal with each state possessing __.

2

House members serve __-year terms, must be __ years old, and must be U.S. citizens for a minimum of __years.

two, 25, 7

Senators serve __-year terms, must be __ years old, and have been U.S. residents for at least __years.

six, 30, 9

The president must be __ years of age and a resident of the U.S. for the previous __years.

35, 14

Twenty-Second Amendment (1951),limits the president to __terms.

2

Impeachment: 1: __ conducts an investigation 2: “Articles of Impeachment” can be voted requiring a majority vote. 3: “Articles” go to Senate for trial. 4: Senators serve as jury; the __ oversees

House of Representatives. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Common process of proposing / ratifying an amendment: most common: two-thirds vote in both houses more common: three-quarters vote of all state legislatures.

both houses, all state legislatures.

uncommon process of proposing / ratifying an amendment: uncommon: at the request of__ of the state legislatures. less common: __ of the states in a special convention.

two-thirds, state legislatures. three-quarters, special convention.

The Federalists (James Madison, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington) saw the need for a __national government. Support was in England / Middle Atlantic, cities, and intellectuals / merchants.

strong

The reserved powers are those powers __specifically granted to the federal government

not

Anti-Federalists believed that the __ should remain strong, power should be dispersed among levels. Support was in rural areas /south, frontier settlers, and individualists.

states should remain strong

Supremacy Clause states the__ shall be presumed to win out over the state.

federal government

Tenth Amendment: __. powers beyond what is listed

“reserved powers”.

Twelfth Amendment: require __ votes for President and Vice President

separate