Magna Carta
A legal document written by English lords in 1215 that stated certain rights and limited the power of the King
English Bill of Rights
a 1689 document that guaranteed the rights of English citizens
Mayflower Compact
Agreement made by Pilgrim settlers in 1620 that ensured self government by majority rule
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
First Constitution written in America - limited the governor's power in Connecticut, allowed non church members to vote
Declaration of Independence
Document declaring the 13 American colonies independent of Great Britain, written mainly by Thomas Jefferson, and adopted on July 4, 1776.
Articles of Confederation
A weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary War. States had most of the power. Weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade
Declaration of Sentiments
petition for women's rights modeled on the Declaration of Independence that stated "all men and women are created equal." Seneca Falls Convention 1848
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution, containing a list of individual rights and liberties.
U.S. Constitution
Document that consists of seven articles that provide a workable framework for our federal government.
First Amendment
RAPPS--Religion, Assembly, Petition, Press, Speech.
Thirteenth Amendment
abolished slavery everywhere in the United States
Fourteenth Amendment
defined citizens as all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including those who had been slaves
Fifteenth Amendment
a constitutional amendment that gave African American men the right to vote
Emancipation Proclamation
an order issued by President Abraham Lincoln freeing the slaves in areas rebelling against the Union
Monroe Doctrine
A declaration by President James Monroe in 1823 that warned European powers to keep out of the Western Hemisphere and in return the United States would not intervene in the internal affairs of Europe.
Washington's Farewell Address
Address to the people of the United States from George Washington that warned the US to avoid political parties, beware of sectionalism, and avoid permanent foreign alliances
Northwest Ordinance
A policy of establishing the principles and procedures for the orderly expansion of the United States. Set up the process by which new states are added to the US
Federalist Papers
a series of 85 essays that defended and explained the Constitution and tried to reassure Americans that the states would not be overpowered by the proposed national government
Kentucky Resolution
written by Jefferson; introduced nullification; states have right to judge laws made and if be, declare laws null and void
Missouri Compromise
a series of agreements passed by Congress in 1820-1821 to maintain the balance of power between slave states and free states. Organized by Henry Clay. Missouri as a slave state & Maine as a free state. Limited slavery in the Louisiana Territory to south of 36°30'N
Compromise of 1850
California admitted as a free state, popular sovereignty in New Mexico and Utah, Fugitive Slave Law, Texas is given $10 million, slave trade banned in Washington, D.C., Texas border with New Mexico resolved.