LAW STUDIES EOC REVIEW

Day 1: ORIGINS OF THE CONSTITUTION!! Everything you need to know but we haven’t had time to cover yet! 

Important Documents & Ideas DOCUMENTS SS.7.C.1.2 IDEAS SS.7.C.1.1 Magna Carta – established the principle that the power of the English monarch was not absolute, limited the power of the king English Bill of Rights – free parliamentary elections, right to speedy and fair trial, no cruel and unusual punishment or excessive bail Mayflower Compact –signed by the Pilgrims,1st constitution in the New World, set up a direct democracy Common Sense – pamphlet written by Thomas Paine calling for independence from England. Natural rights – life, liberty, property (pursuit of happiness) – John Locke -> Thomas Jefferson put it in the D.o.I. Social Contract Theory –the state government arose out of a voluntary act of free people, by contract the people agree to give up to the state as much power is needed to promote the well-being of the society “all men created equal”

Causes of the American Revolution SS.7.C.1.3 Change in England’s attitude toward colonies after French and Indian War King of England Taxing Colonists: Stamp Act – required tax to be paid on certain documents, stamp placed on document after is was paid Quartering Act – British soldiers had to be quartered in colonial homes Declaratory Act – asserted Britain’s right to tax the colonists, specifically to pay debts accumulated during the French & Indian War Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts) – in response to the Boston Tea Party, British closed the Boston port, no town meetings allowed, and British soldiers tried in Britain Boston Massacre – mob of colonists descended upon British soldiers, British fired and killed 5 colonists, considered the first violent act of the Revolution, used in colonial propaganda

Colonist Reaction to British Grievances SS.7.C.1.3 Sons of Liberty – group of Patriots that supported the cause of Independence from Great Britain, helped get the Stamp Act repealed Boston Tea Party – event in Boston where tons of tea were dumped into the harbor after the British passed the Tea Tax. Colonists boycotted British goods that had taxes on them. History of self-government and angry that they had no taxation without representation! Declaration of Independence (Thomas Jefferson) – English colonies in America declared their independence from Britain

Declaration of Independence SS.7.C.1.4 Declaration of Independence The Preamble Why the document was written The Declaration of Natural Rights Basic unalienable rights (rights can’t be taken away) Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness The List of Grievances Complaints against the British King and government Suspending/dissolving colonial legislatures, cutting off their trade, made war on colonists, hired foreign mercenaries to fight against them, etc. The Resolution of Independence Explains what the colonists have previously done to settle their disagreements with the crown. Claims that the colonists are free and independent from Great Britain.

Articles of Confederation SS.7.C.1.5 First plan of national government after independence from Britain. Considered a more ‘league of friendship’ than a united country. Problems with the Articles: No judicial or executive branch No army Congress could not tax or regulate trade Congress – all states got one vote All 13 states required to ratify (approve) Articles

Shay’s Rebellion SS.7.C.1.5 Movement by New England farmers desperate to be paid for the service in the Revolutionary War. No national army to put down the rebellion if it spread. Illustrated the American government under the Articles was weak Do they fix the articles or do they chuck them and start from scratch becomes the question!!

Federalists VS Anti-Federalists SS.7.C.1.8 Federalist Anti Federalists Start from scratch with a new form of Government Believed Constitution was strong enough to solve the country’s problems Strong national government Supported by wealthy landowners and merchants There ideas were in The Federalist Papers Wanted to edit the Articles of Confederation Opposed Constitution because they believe it too strong States to have more rights Supported by small farmers They wanted to protect individual liberties through the Bill of Rights

SS.7.C.1.8