1 American History

Declaration of Independence

Document explaining why the colonies wanted independence from Britain(a list of grievances/complaints)

John Locke

Enlightenment thinker who advocated the idea of “social contract” and inalienable rights.

Social Contract

An agreement between the people and their government signifying their

consent to be governed

Right of revolution

The right of the people to overthrow a government that acts against their natural rights

Stamp act

Direct tax on printed goods, including playing cards, documents, newspaper, etc.

Intolerable Acts

In response to Boston Tea Party, closed Boston port, no trail by jury or town meetings.

Boston Massacre

British troops opened fire on crowd killing five colonists.

Quartering Act

Required colonists to provide food, lodging, and supplies for British troops in the colonies.

Declaratory Act

What the King says became law in the colonies.

Proclamation of 1763

Forbade British colonists from settling west after Pontiac’s Rebellion

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States which was weak as the colonists were afraid of a new king

Northwest Ordinance

Set precedents like telling states how to join the U.S., trail by jury, freedom of religion, and money/land for public education.

Primary Source

Something created by a person who experienced the event

Secondary Source

Something created after an event that is knowledge about what happened.