HISTORY MIDTERM TERMS(GOOD ONE)

Mercantilism

referred to the economic doctrine that emphasized the importance of accumulating wealth through the control of trade, particularly through the acquisition of gold and silver. Nations sought to maintain a favorable balance of trade, maximizing exports while minimizing imports, often by establishing colonies as sources of raw materials and markets for finished goods.

New York and South Carolina Slave Rebellions

Specific uprisings by enslaved Africans in the 18th-century American colonies. The Revolt (1712) involved a violent rebellion in which enslaved Africans in New York City killed several colonists. The Stono Rebellion (1739) in South Carolina was the largest slave revolt of the period, where enslaved Africans attempted to flee to Spanish Florida, killing colonists along the way before being suppressed.

Republicanism

In the 18th century, a political theory that opposed monarchy and aristocracy, advocating instead for a government in which power rested in the hands of the people or their elected representatives. It emphasized civic virtue, where the common good was prioritized over personal or factional interests.

Liberalism

political theory in the 18th century was rooted in the idea of natural rights—the belief that all individuals possess inherent rights to life, liberty, and property. It emphasized the need for limited government, free markets, individual liberty, and the protection of private property. Influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, liberalism also advocated for democratic principles and personal freedoms.

French and Indian War

the North American phase of the global Seven Years' War. It pitted the British against the French, with both sides allied to various Native American tribes. The war was fought primarily over territorial disputes in North America, particularly in the Ohio River Valley and Canada.

Pontiac's War(1763-1766)

a conflict between British colonists and a coalition of Native American tribes led by the Ottawa chief Pontiac. The war arose from Native American dissatisfaction with British post-French and Indian War policies, including territorial encroachment and the imposition of British authority over former French-controlled regions.

Proclamation Line of 1763

an edict issued by the British government following the conclusion of the French and Indian War. It prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, aiming to reduce conflict with Native Americans by limiting colonial expansion into the interior.

Burnaby's assessment of the likeliness of America ever unifying

an Englishman, argued in the 18th century that the American colonies were unlikely to ever unite due to their vast geographical distances, differing economic interests, and lack of a unified cultural identity. This assessment was based on the belief that the colonies were too diverse and spread out to form a cohesive political entity.

Sugar Act(1764)

also known as the American Revenue Act, was an act passed by the British Parliament to raise revenue from the American colonies. It taxed sugar, molasses, and other goods imported into the colonies and aimed to curb the smuggling of goods into the colonies, which had been rampant during the previous decade.

Stamp Act(1765)

a British law that required American colonists to purchase special stamps for various legal documents, newspapers, and other printed materials. The revenue generated from this tax was intended to pay for British military presence in North America, though it sparked widespread protests in the colonies.

Declaratory Act(1766)

passed by the British Parliament after the repeal of the Stamp Act. It stated that Parliament had the right to legislate for the colonies 'in all cases whatsoever,' asserting the power of the British government to impose laws and taxes on the colonies, even though it was passed shortly after the Stamp Act was repealed.

Townshend Acts(1767)

a series of British laws that taxed imported goods such as glass, tea, paper, and paint. The revenue collected from these taxes was used to pay British officials in the colonies, reducing the influence of colonial governments. These acts contributed to growing resentment in the colonies and were part of the series of laws that led to the American Revolution.

Tea Act(1773)

a British law that granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the American colonies, allowing it to sell surplus tea directly to the colonies at a reduced tax. The act was designed to bail out the struggling East India Company and reinforce British authority over colonial trade.

Boston Tea Party(1773)

a political protest by the American colonists, specifically the Sons of Liberty, in response to the Tea Act. Colonists, disguised as Native Americans, boarded British ships in Boston Harbor and threw 342 chests of tea into the water to protest the tax and the monopoly granted to the East India Company.

Intolerable Acts(1774)

known in Britain as the Coercive Acts, were a series of punitive measures passed by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party. They included closing Boston's harbor, revoking Massachusetts' charter, and allowing British officials accused of crimes to be tried in Britain, among other provisions.

Boston Massacre(1770)

an incident in which British soldiers opened fire on a crowd of colonists who were protesting against the British presence in the colonies. Five colonists were killed in the incident, which was heavily publicized by colonial leaders like Paul Revere and Samuel Adams.

First Continental Congress(1774)

was a meeting of representatives from twelve of the thirteen American colonies in Philadelphia to coordinate a response to the Intolerable Acts. The Congress issued a declaration of rights and grievances, called for a boycott of British goods, and established the Continental Association to enforce the boycott.

Committees of Safety

local organizations established throughout the American colonies to enforce the boycott of British goods and ensure that colonial resistance to British rule was organized and effective. They were formed in the wake of the First Continental Congress.

Second Continental Congress(1775)

was a meeting of colonial delegates convened in Philadelphia after the fighting at Lexington and Concord. It took on the role of the national government during the Revolutionary War, overseeing military strategy, foreign relations, and the Declaration of Independence.

Battles of Lexington and Concord(1775)

the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. British troops, aiming to seize colonial arms and arrest colonial leaders, clashed with local militias in the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord.

Battle of Bunker Hill/Breed's Hill(1775)

took place on Breed's Hill during the early stages of the American Revolution. Despite being a British victory, the battle demonstrated the colonists' determination and ability to stand against British forces.

Lord Dunmore's Proclamation(1775)

issued by the royal governor of Virginia, John Murray, Lord Dunmore, offering freedom to enslaved Africans who joined the British side in the fight against the American rebels during the Revolutionary War.

Olive Branch Petition(1775)

final attempt by the Second Continental Congress to avoid war with Britain. It was sent to King George III, expressing the colonies' loyalty to the British crown and requesting that he address their grievances.

Common Sense(1776)

a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that argued for independence from Britain.

Black military service in the Continental army

During the American Revolution, both free and enslaved African Americans were allowed to serve in the Continental Army, with the promise of freedom for those who enlisted. Some states also allowed African Americans to join local militias.

Battle of Saratoga(1777)

a decisive American victory over British forces in upstate New York. The battle consisted of two engagements, culminating in the surrender of British General John Burgoyne and his army.

Treaty of Amity and Commerce(1778)

one of two treaties between the United States and France, recognizing the U.S. as an independent nation and establishing trade relations.

Native-British Alliances

Throughout the American Revolution, many Native American tribes allied with the British, hoping to resist colonial expansion into their territories. Tribes such as the Iroquois Confederacy and others in the Great Lakes region supported Britain.

Loyalists

American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the Revolutionary War. They were also known as Tories and were opposed to the rebellion and independence movement.

Battle of Yorktown(1781)

the final major battle of the American Revolutionary War, fought between the American Continental Army, led by General George Washington, and the British Army, commanded by General Lord Cornwallis. The battle took place in Yorktown, Virginia, and was a decisive victory for the Americans. Cornwallis, unable to escape by land or sea, was forced to surrender to Washington on October 19, 1781.

Treaty of Paris(1783)

the peace treaty that officially ended the American Revolutionary War. Signed on September 3, 1783, by representatives of the United States and Great Britain, the treaty recognized the United States as an independent nation and established new borders for the country. It was signed in Paris, France, with the key American negotiators being Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay.

Continental paper currency

refers to the currency issued by the Continental Congress during the American Revolution to finance the war effort. The Continental Congress printed large amounts of paper money to fund the Continental Army, but it was not backed by gold or silver, leading to rapid depreciation.

War Bonds

debt securities issued by the government during wartime to finance military operations. During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress issued war bonds to raise money for the war effort, offering investors the promise of future repayment with interest.

Articles of Confederation(1781)

ratified in 1781 was the first constitution of the United States, establishing a confederate government with a weak central authority. Under the Articles, the states retained most of their sovereignty, while the national government had limited powers, particularly in matters of taxation and enforcement.

Shays's Rebellion(1786-1787)

an armed uprising led by Daniel Shays, a former soldier in the Continental Army, against the government of Massachusetts. The rebellion was sparked by economic hardships, including heavy state taxes and debt collection practices that harmed poor farmers.

Rhode Island paper currency

During and after the Revolutionary War, Rhode Island issued its own paper currency in an effort to combat the economic instability and post-war debt crisis. Unlike other states, Rhode Island continued printing large amounts of paper money even as the depreciation of currency became a national problem.

Vices of the Political System of the United States(1787)

a document written by James Madison in 1787, outlining the flaws in the political system under the Articles of Confederation. Madison argued that the Articles led to factions, economic instability, and inadequate governance.

Faction

In the 18th and 19th centuries, a group of individuals or a political party with shared interests or beliefs that were in opposition to the broader national or public interest. James Madison viewed factions as dangerous to the stability of the republic, especially if they pursued their own interests at the expense of the common good.

Constitutional Convention(1787)

a gathering of delegates from twelve of the thirteen states in Philadelphia, called to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. It resulted in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which established a stronger federal government.

Federal Negative

a proposed idea during the Constitutional Convention where the national government would have the power to veto state laws it deemed contrary to the national interest. This was part of discussions around balancing state and federal powers.

Virginia Plan(1787)

drafted by James Madison, the plan proposed a new structure for the federal government, calling for a strong national government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. It advocated for a bicameral legislature based on population, which would favor larger states.

New Jersey Plan(1787)

proposed by William Paterson, the plan was a counterproposal to the Virginia Plan at the Constitutional Convention. It called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of size or population, preserving the power of smaller states.

The Great Compromise(1787)

also known as the Connecticut Compromise, was an agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It resolved the conflict between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan by creating a bicameral legislature with two chambers: the House of Representatives, where representation would be based on population, and the Senate, where each state would have equal representation.

⅗ Compromise(1787)

an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention (1787) that determined how slaves would be counted for purposes of representation and taxation. It established that each enslaved person would be counted as three-fifths of a person when determining a state's population for representation in the House of Representatives.

Election of the Senate

Under the U.S. Constitution, the Senate is composed of two senators from each state, elected by state legislatures, rather than directly by the people (this would change with the 17th Amendment in 1913).

The Federalist Papers(1787-1788)

a series of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym Publius. These essays were published between 1787 and 1788 to promote the ratification of the newly proposed U.S. Constitution. The essays argued for a strong central government, the necessity of a federal system, and the protections that the Constitution offered against the abuses of power.

Federalists

a political group in the late 18th century that supported the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. They favored a stronger central government than the one provided by the Articles of Confederation, advocating for federalism, checks and balances, and the protection of individual rights through a robust national government. Key ___ included Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

Anti-Federalists

The Anti-Federalists were a political group that opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in the late 18th century. They were wary of a strong central government and believed that it would infringe on states' rights and individual liberties. They advocated for a Bill of Rights to ensure the protection of personal freedoms. Key ___ included Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Samuel Adams.

Bill of Rights(1791)

consists of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791, designed to protect individual liberties and limit the power of the federal government.

The Title for the Executive

Referring to the head of the executive branch of the U.S. government, it was a matter of debate during the founding years, with George Washington eventually choosing the title 'President of the United States'.

Cabinet

refers to the group of senior advisors to the President of the United States, including heads of various executive departments.

Two Party System

refers to the political structure where two major political parties dominate the political landscape.

Democratic-Republicans

a political party, founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, opposed the Federalist Party and favored a more decentralized government.

Assumption of the Debt

a proposal by Alexander Hamilton to have the federal government assume the war debts incurred by the individual states during the American Revolution.

National Bank

also known as the Bank of the United States, was a central financial institution proposed by Alexander Hamilton in 1790 to manage the nation's debt.

Report on Manufactures(1791)

a report submitted by Alexander Hamilton to Congress in 1791 proposing policies to encourage the development of manufacturing in the United States.

Citizen Genet(1793)

a French diplomat sent to the United States during the French Revolution in 1793 to rally American support for France.

Neutrality Proclamation(1793)

issued by President George Washington in 1793, declared that the United States would remain neutral in the conflict between France and Great Britain.

Jay's Treaty(1794)

a treaty between the United States and Great Britain negotiated by John Jay to resolve lingering issues from the Revolutionary War.

Washington's Farewell Address(1796)

a letter in which President George Washington announced his decision to retire and offered advice to the nation.

Election of 1796

the first contested U.S. presidential election where John Adams, a Federalist, ran against Thomas Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican.

XYZ Affair(1797-1798)

a diplomatic incident between the United States and France in 1797-1798 involving demands for bribes from U.S. representatives.

Quasi-War(1798-1800)

an undeclared naval conflict between the United States and France, primarily fought at sea.

Alien and Sedition Acts(1798)

a series of laws passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress in 1798 during the Adams administration.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions(1798-1799)

were political statements arguing that states had the right to declare federal laws unconstitutional.

Nullification

the idea that states can invalidate or refuse to enforce federal laws that they believe are unconstitutional.

Revolution of 1800

refers to the peaceful transfer of power from the Federalist Party to the Democratic-Republican Party following the election of 1800.

John Marshall(1755-1835)

the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1801 until his death in 1835. Appointed by President John Adams, Marshall significantly shaped the role of the judiciary and the relationship between the federal government and the states.

Marbury v Madison(1803)

was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case in which the Court, led by Chief Justice John Marshall, established the principle of judicial review—the power of the judiciary to declare laws unconstitutional. The case involved William Marbury, a Federalist who had been appointed a justice of the peace by President John Adams, but whose commission was withheld by Thomas Jefferson's administration.

Judicial Review

the power of the judiciary (specifically, the Supreme Court) to review laws, executive actions, and lower court decisions to determine whether they are consistent with the U.S. Constitution. The principle was established by the Supreme Court in the 1803 case Marbury v. Madison.

Impressment

The act of forcibly drafting individuals into military service, often without their consent. During the early 19th century, British naval ships frequently captured American sailors and forced them into service on British warships, a practice known as impressment.

Embargo Act(1807)

Passed in 1807 under President Thomas Jefferson, it was a law that prohibited American ships from trading with foreign nations, especially Britain and France, in an effort to avoid getting dragged into the Napoleonic Wars.

Tecumseh

A Shawnee Native American leader who, alongside his brother, Tenskwatawa (the Prophet), led a confederation of tribes in resistance to U.S. expansion into the Midwest during the early 19th century. He sought to unite various indigenous groups to resist American encroachment.

Battle of Tippecanoe(1811)

Fought in 1811 between American forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory and Native American warriors associated with Tecumseh's confederacy. The battle occurred near the Tippecanoe River in present-day Indiana.

War Hawks

A group of young, nationalist members of Congress, mostly from the South and West, who strongly advocated for war against Britain in the lead-up to the War of 1812.

Battle of Horseshoe Bend(1814)

Fought in 1814 during the War of 1812, it was a decisive battle between American forces led by General Andrew Jackson and the Red Stick Creek tribe, who were part of the Creek Nation.

Battle of New Orleans(1815)

Fought in January 1815, this was the final major battle of the War of 1812, in which American forces under General Andrew Jackson defeated a much larger British invasion force.

End of Federalist Party

This party which had been a dominant political force in the late 18th century, effectively dissolved after the War of 1812. The party's decline was accelerated by its opposition to the war and its perceived disloyalty during the conflict.

Hartford Convention(1814-1815)

A series of meetings held in late 1814 and early 1815 in Hartford, Connecticut, by New England Federalists who opposed the War of 1812 and discussed grievances about the war and the influence of the South and West in American politics.

Monroe Doctrine(1823)

A U.S. foreign policy statement delivered by President James Monroe in 1823 that warned European powers against further colonization or interference in the Americas, asserting that the Western Hemisphere was closed to European influence.

American System

A plan championed by Henry Clay and other nationalists in the early 19th century that called for protective tariffs, a national bank, and internal improvements (such as roads and canals) to promote economic development and unity.

Henry Clay

A prominent American statesman and politician from Kentucky who was a key leader in the development of the American System, a strong proponent of nationalism, and a major figure in the U.S. Senate during the early 19th century.

Era of Good Feelings(1817-1825)

A period in U.S. history, roughly from 1817 to 1825, during President James Monroe's administration, characterized by political harmony, a decline of partisan division, and a sense of national unity following the War of 1812. It was marked by the dominance of the Democratic-Republican Party and a focus on national growth.

Cotton Gin(1793)

Invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, it was was a machine that quickly and efficiently separated cotton fibers from seeds, revolutionizing cotton production in the Southern United States.

Erie Canal(1825)

Completed in 1825, it was a man-made waterway that connects the Hudson River in New York to Lake Erie, facilitating transportation between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes.

Gibbons v Ogden(1824)

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1824 in which the Court ruled that the federal government had the authority to regulate interstate commerce, invalidating a New York state law that granted a monopoly on steamboat navigation between New York and New Jersey to one company.

McCulloch v MD(1819)

A Supreme Court case decided in 1819 that ruled the state of Maryland could not tax the Second Bank of the United States, affirming the constitutionality of the bank and establishing the principle of 'implied powers' under the Constitution.

Dartmouth College v Woodward(1819)

A Supreme Court case decided in 1819 in which the Court ruled that the New Hampshire state government could not alter Dartmouth College's charter, as it was a private contract protected by the Constitution.

1724 RI definition of freeman

1724 ___ were defined as adult white males who owned an estate worth 100 pounds or who paid 40 shillings in rent. This qualified them and their first-born son as freemen. The ___ were the only people allowed to vote in Rhode Island. Because Rhode Island was mainly agricultural, these qualifications applied to most adult men.

1742 RI definition of freeman

By 1742, the definition of ___ had changed from being a life-long status that granted one the ability to have a voice in the public sphere. Being a ___ was still based on the previous land holding requirements, but now it-and all the privileges that went with it-could disappear based on your economic standings.

Urbanization of Rhode Island

refers to the rapid development of its cities, particularly Providence, during the 19th century, due to industrialization and increased immigration.

Dorr's bathtub(1823)

When Thomas Dorr was attending Harvard College in 1823, his class of students was notorious for its rebellious members. On one occasion, a member of the class named Russell Sturgis held a mass party a night before major exams in protest for the administration's refusal to pay for such a party.

Hazard's Report(1840s)

published in the 1840s, was an important political and economic report that discussed the challenges facing Rhode Island and its constitution, particularly regarding voting rights and the need for political reform.

Rhode Island Suffrage Association(1840s)

a political organization committed to suffrage reform. Thomas W. Dorr joined in 1840. In 1841, their reforms were approved, giving more suffrage to adult white males in the state of Rhode Island who were not 'freemen'.

Constitutional Party

This party in Rhode Island was a political group that opposed the radical reforms proposed by Thomas Dorr and his supporters. The party generally favored maintaining the old, property-based voting requirements.

Landholders' Convention(1841)

a meeting of wealthy landowners in Rhode Island in 1841, who sought to protect their economic and political interests, particularly their control over voting rights, which were tied to land ownership.

People's Constitution

a proposed state constitution drafted by reformers led by Thomas Dorr during the Dorr Rebellion. It aimed to expand suffrage and provide broader democratic representation, removing property restrictions for voting.

Landholders' Constitution

referred to the original state constitution of Rhode Island, which heavily favored the property-owning class by restricting suffrage to landholders.

Law and Order Party

a political group in Rhode Island formed during the Dorr Rebellion, primarily made up of supporters of the existing, restrictive constitution.

People's Party

a political faction in Rhode Island that supported Thomas Dorr's efforts to create a more democratic government by broadening suffrage and implementing the People's Constitution.