History 146- Exam 3 Study Guide_ FINAL EXAM

writs of assistance

were legal documents that allowed government officials to search private property without specifying the place or items being searched. Used in colonial America, they were often abused, leading to a desire for protections against unreasonable searches, influencing the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Boston Massacre

a confrontation on March 5, 1770, where British soldiers opened fire on a crowd of colonists in Boston, killing five people. It escalated tensions between the American colonists and Britain, fueling anti-British sentiment and contributing to the American Revolution.

Samuel Adams

was a Founding Father and a key leader in the American Revolution. He was a strong advocate for colonial independence, helped organize the Boston Tea Party, and was a founding member of the Sons of Liberty. Adams also played a major role in rallying support for the American Revolution through his writings and speeches.

Thomas Gage

was a British Army officer and colonial administrator. He served as the Governor of Massachusetts and Commander-in-Chief of British forces in North America during the early stages of the American Revolution. Gage is most known for his role in the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, which marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War.

Olive Branch Petition

was a final attempt by the American colonists to avoid war with Britain, sent to King George III in July 1775. It expressed loyalty to the crown and sought a peaceful resolution to the escalating conflict, asking the king to address colonial grievances. However, the king rejected it, and the colonies moved closer to declaring independence.

Battle of Bunker Hill

fought on June 17, 1775, was one of the early battles of the American Revolution. American colonial forces, despite losing the battle, inflicted heavy casualties on British troops, boosting colonial morale. The battle demonstrated the colonists' ability to stand up to the British military.

Loyalist (s)

were American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution. They opposed independence and supported British rule, often facing hostility from patriots. Many loyalists fled to Canada or other British territories after the Revolution.

Declaration of Independence

adopted on July 4, 1776, was a document in which the American colonies declared their independence from Britain. It outlined the colonies' reasons for seeking independence, including grievances against King George III, and affirmed the right to self-governance.

American exceptionalism

is the belief that the United States is unique or superior in its values, political system, and role in the world. It suggests that America has a special destiny to promote freedom, democracy, and human rights, often seen as distinct from other nations.

Benedict Arnold

was an American general during the Revolutionary War who famously betrayed the Continental Army. He switched sides and joined the British in 1780, attempting to surrender the fort at West Point in exchange for a British commission. His name has since become synonymous with treason.

inflation

the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, leading to a decrease in the purchasing power of money.

Lemuel Haynes

was an African American preacher, revolutionary war soldier, and one of the first black ministers in the United States. He is known for his strong abolitionist views and advocacy for racial equality, becoming an influential figure in early American history.

Shay’s Rebellion

was an armed uprising in 1786-1787 led by Daniel Shays, a former soldier, in western Massachusetts. It was a response to economic hardships and oppressive tax policies. The rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and contributed to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

impressment

was the practice of forcibly recruiting sailors into military service, often used by the British Navy to capture American sailors during the 18th and early 19th centuries. It was a major grievance leading to the War of 1812.

XYZ Affair

a diplomatic incident in 1797-1798 between the United States and France. American diplomats were asked for bribes by French officials (referred to as X, Y, and Z in reports), leading to public outrage in the U.S. and escalating tensions between the two countries.

Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions

written in 1798 and 1799 by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, were political statements protesting the Alien and Sedition Acts. They argued that states had the right to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional, promoting the idea of states' rights.

• Virginia Resolutions (written by James Madison):

  • Argued that states could protest unconstitutional federal laws.

  • Stressed that the federal government was a creation of the states and, therefore, could be restrained by them.

• Kentucky Resolutions (written by Thomas Jefferson):

  • Took a stronger stance, asserting that states had the right to nullify or invalidate federal laws they considered unconstitutional.

  • Advocated for a more direct action by states to oppose federal overreach.

Marbury v. Madison

a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, giving courts the power to strike down laws and government actions that violate the Constitution. The case arose when William Marbury sued to compel Secretary of State James Madison to deliver his judicial commission, but the Court ruled it lacked the authority to enforce it, asserting its role as the interpreter of the Constitution.

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark

American explorers who led the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806), also known as the Corps of Discovery. Commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson, their mission was to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory, map the land, establish trade with Native American tribes, and find a water route to the Pacific Ocean. Their journey provided valuable geographic and scientific knowledge about the western United States.

telegraph

is a communication device invented in the early 19th century that transmits messages over long distances using electrical signals. Messages, often in Morse code, are sent via wires and received as dots and dashes representing letters and numbers. It revolutionized communication by enabling near-instantaneous information exchange.

cult if domesticity

was a 19th-century social ideal in the United States and Britain that glorified women's roles within the home. It emphasized four key virtues for women: piety, purity, domesticity, and submissiveness. Women were expected to focus on homemaking, child-rearing, and moral guidance, reinforcing traditional gender roles. This ideology was influential during the Victorian era but was also criticized for limiting women's opportunities outside the domestic sphere.

Monroe Doctrine

declared that the Americas were off-limits to European colonization or interference, and the U.S. would avoid involvement in European conflicts, asserting its influence in the Western Hemisphere.

Indian Removal Act

was a U.S. law that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the Southeast to lands west of the Mississippi River, leading to the Trail of Tears and widespread suffering.

Stamp Act

was a British law that taxed printed materials in the American colonies, requiring them to bear an official stamp. It sparked widespread colonial protest, helping to ignite the American Revolution.

Boston Tea Party

was a political protest by American colonists against British taxation. Disguised as Native Americans, they dumped British tea into Boston Harbor to oppose the Tea Act and "taxation without representation."

John Hancock

was an American patriot, businessman, and the first signer of the Declaration of Independence. He is best known for his prominent signature on the document and his role as a leader during the American Revolution. He also served as the president of the Second Continental Congress.

William Howe

was a British Army officer who served as the Commander-in-Chief of British forces during the early years of the American Revolution. He led British troops in key battles, including the Battle of Bunker Hill and the Siege of Boston, but ultimately failed to decisively defeat the Continental Army.

Thomas Paine

was an English-born American writer and political activist best known for his pamphlet "Common Sense" (1776), which helped inspire American independence. He also wrote "The American Crisis" and supported revolutionary ideas through his writings during the American Revolution.

minutemen

were colonial American militia members during the Revolutionary War, trained to be ready for battle at a moment's notice. They played a key role in the early battles of the war, such as the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775.

Thomas Jefferson

was the third President of the United States, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, and a Founding Father. He is known for his advocacy of democracy, individual rights, and his role in the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Battle of Yorktown

was the final major battle of the American Revolution. American and French forces, led by General George Washington and French General Rochambeau, besieged the British army, forcing General Cornwallis to surrender. This victory led to the end of the war and American independence.

republic

is a government where people elect representatives to govern under laws that protect rights.

abolition

the movement to end slavery and the slave trade.

Northwest Ordinance

a law that established a system for governing and admitting new states in the Northwest Territory. It banned slavery in the region and set rules for orderly settlement and statehood.

Treaty of Greenville

an agreement between the United States and Native American tribes after the Battle of Fallen Timbers. It ceded much of present-day Ohio to the U.S. and established boundaries between Native lands and American settlers.

Judith Sargent Murray

an early American advocate for women's rights, education, and equality. She is best known for her essay "On the Equality of the Sexes" (1790), which argued that women were just as intellectually capable as men but lacked access to education. Murray was a pioneering feminist and influential writer in the post-Revolutionary period.

Alien Acts

part of the Alien and Sedition Acts passed in 1798. They gave the U.S. president the power to deport non-citizens deemed dangerous and extended the residency requirement for citizenship from 5 to 14 years. These laws were seen as targeting immigrants and stifling political opposition.

judicial review

the power of courts, especially the Supreme Court, to review laws, executive actions, or government decisions to determine whether they are consistent with the Constitution. If deemed unconstitutional, they can be invalidated.

cotton gin

invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, is a machine that quickly and efficiently removes seeds from cotton fibers. It revolutionized cotton production but also increased the demand for enslaved labor in the American South.

self-made man

those who achieve success in America, did so not as a result of hereditary privilege and/ or government favoritism as in Europe, but through their own intelligence and hard work.

Andrew Jackson

seventh President of the United States (1829–1837) and a military leader. He is known for his role in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812 and his controversial policies, such as the Indian Removal Act and the forced relocation of Native Americans. Jackson is also remembered for expanding presidential powers and his populist appeal to the common man.

Trail of Tears

refers to the forced relocation of Native American tribes, particularly the Cherokee, from their ancestral lands in the southeastern U.S. to reservations in present-day Oklahoma between 1838 and 1839. Thousands of Native Americans died from exposure, disease, and starvation during the journey, making it a tragic chapter in U.S. history.

Sons of Liberty

led by figures like Samuel Adams, opposed British rule in the 1760s, using protests and events like the Boston Tea Party to spark American independence.

John Adams

was a Founding Father, the second U.S. president, and a leader in the American Revolution. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence, secured foreign alliances, and shaped the nation's early government.

Paul Revere

was an American patriot and silversmith known for his midnight ride in 1775, warning colonists of British troop movements before the battles of Lexington and Concord.

Common Sense

Created by Thomas Paine urged American independence, criticizing monarchy and promoting self-governance, widely inspiring the Revolutionary cause.

Patriot (s)

was a colonist who supported independence from British rule. Patriots opposed British taxes and policies, advocating for self-governance and playing key roles in the fight for American freedom.

Benjamin Franklin

was a Founding Father, inventor, diplomat, and writer who helped draft the Declaration of Independence and negotiate the Treaty of Paris, securing American independence.

George Washington

was the commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797.

Charles Cornwallis

was a British general during the American Revolution, best known for his surrender at Yorktown in 1781, which marked a decisive victory for American forces.

suffrage

the right to vote in elections. It typically refers to the right of citizens to participate in selecting their government representatives.

Joseph Brant

was a Mohawk leader and military officer who supported the British during the American Revolution, leading Native American forces against colonial troops. He played a key role in negotiating for Native American rights after the war.

Sedition Act

was a law that made it illegal to criticize the U.S. government or its officials. It was part of the Alien and Sedition Acts, aimed at suppressing dissent during the Quasi-War with France.

Aaron Burr

was an American politician and the third vice president of the United States under Thomas Jefferson. He is infamous for killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804.

Tecumseh

was a Shawnee leader who fought to unite Native American tribes against U.S. expansion. He played a key role in the War of 1812, aligning with the British before his death in battle.

manifest destiny

was the 19th-century belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across North America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Missouri Compromise

was an agreement that allowed Missouri to enter the U.S. as a slave state while Maine joined as a free state, maintaining a balance of power between slave and free states. It also banned slavery in territories north of Missouri's southern border.

spoils system

was a practice where government jobs were given to political supporters and friends, rather than based on merit. It was notably used by President Andrew Jackson.

1. first actual battle between the British and American Minutemen

2.  it fueled the call for “liberty/freedom”

3.  a victory for the Minutemen because they forced the British to retreat

4.  this is symbolically huge: the British regulars were forced to back by Minute Men Who were not professionally trained soldiers

5.  this led to the creation of the Continental Army and Commander that would be for all Americans

6.  this led to New Englanders having to choose sides: Patriot or Loyalist

6 reasons why the Battles of Lexington and Concord are important

1. John Adams wanted a Southern to get the South and Middle Atlantic to support New England

2. JS noticed GW was the only man who attended the Congress in uniform

3. JS was impressed by Washington's quiet patriotism 

4. JA liked GW’s sense of economy in speaking

5. JA is impressed by the extraordinary strength of Washington's character

6. GW was a battle experience from the French and Indian War

7. GW was a man of independent fortune -rich

8. GW had great talents

9. GW had a universal character. People liked him

9 reasons why George Washington was chosen the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army

1. GW had a problem holding the army together.

2. At times the army seemed held together by the respect the soldiers felt for GW.

3. GW found it difficult to get men to enlist for long terms and endure necessary hardships.

4. Whites were unwilling to sign up for several years at the time. Only blacks were willing to sign up for several years at a time and this helped.

5. In the 1st years of the war, GW suffered numerous defeats. 

6. The Patriot's spirits were low. 

7. Continental $ became worthless and suppliers refused to honor it.

8. American soldiers were left w/out permission, some went home and farmed, some deserted, and they were untrained, nonprofessional, inexperienced soldiers.

9. Hijackers stole supplies and sold them on the black market.

10. Lack of supplies included: 

• Guns

• Wagons

• Horses

10 difficulties George Washington faced as head if the Continental Army

1. British could only control cities

2. America controlled countryside

3. Americans knew the terrain

4. Spain loaned $ to America

5. Brits used Irish soldiers

6. Brits used red uniforms

7. Costly $-wise for the Brits

8. Americans were fighting for a cause that inspired devotion and sacrifice

9. British citizens at home were tired of paying taxes for a long distance and lengthy war

10. British misjudged the degree of support for independence among Americans

10 reasons why the British lost the American Revolution to the American Colonists

1. NO bill of rights

2. Couldn’t negotiate trade treaties w/other countries

3. NO power to control trade between states

4. NO power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce

5. Couldn't pay its debts/war debts or get states to pay

6. Couldn't resolve disputes between states 

7. Couldn't tax: NO power to tax

8. Couldn't keep order/couldn't put down Shays's rebellion

9. Couldn't defend country

10. NO army

10 weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation