apush terms ver 2

alien and sedition acts

a series of laws passed by the federalist congress in 1798 that restricted the activities of foreign residents and limited freedom of speech and of the press

antifederalists

opponents of the Constitution during the period of debate over its ratification, they feared that the new national government would be too powerful and threaten individual liberties

articles of confederation

the first government established by the newly independent United States, it lacked a strong central authority and was replaced by the Constitution

bacon’s rebellion

an armed rebellion in 1676 by virginia settlers led by Nathaniel bacon against the rule of governor william berkley

battle of breed's hill

also known as the battle of Bunker Hill, it was an early battle in the American Revolutionary War that demonstrated the colonists’ resolve

battle of concord

along with Lexington, it marked the beginning of the American revolutionary war in April 1775

battle of New orleans

a major American victory during the war of 1812, which occurred after the peace treaty had already been signed, it boosted national pride

battle of princeton

a significant American victory during the Revolutionary War that boosted morale and helped turn the tide of the conflict

battle of saratoga

a crucial turning point in the American revolution that convinced France to offer military support to the American cause

battle of trenton

a surprise attack led by George Washington on hessian troops on Christmas night, 1776, which boosted American morale

battle of yorktown

the final major battle of the American revolutionary war, resulting in the surrender of British forces and securing American independence

bill of rights

the first ten amendments to the constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights and liberties to individuals

boston massacre

a deadly incident in 1770 in which british soldiers fired on a crowd of unarmed colonists, intensifying anti-british sentiment

broad constructionism

the belief that the federal government has implied powers beyond those specifically enumerated in the constitution

checks and balances

a system in which the different branches of government (legislative, executive, judicial) have the power to limit the actions of the other branches

columbian exchange

the transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, diseases, and ideas between the Americans, west Africa, and the old world in the 15th and 16th centuries

daniel shay

a revolutionary war veteran and farmer who led a rebellion in Massachusetts (shay’s rebellion) due to economic hardships and high taxes

doctrine of nullification

the theory that states have the right to declare a federal law unconstitutional and void within their borders

doctrine of predestination

A Calvinist belief that God has already determined who will be saved and who will be damned, regardless of their actions in life.

Election of 1800

A critical election in which Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams, marking the first peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another.

Eli Whitney

The inventor of the cotton gin, which revolutionized cotton production and increased the demand for slave labor.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

A leading figure in the women's rights movement, who advocated for women's suffrage and equality.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong central government

Frederick Douglass

A former slave who became a prominent abolitionist, writer, and orator.

Horace Mann

An educational reformer who advocated for public education and improved teacher training

Indentured servitude

A labor system in which individuals contract to work for a set period in exchange for passage to the Americas.

James Madison

Known as the "Father of the Constitution," he played a key role in drafting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights

John Marshall

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who established the principle of judicial review

John Winthrop

The Puritan governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, who envisioned the colony as a "city upon a hill

Jonathan Edwards

An influential Puritan minister who played a key role in the Great Awakening

Lexington and Concord

The sites of the first battles of the American Revolutionary War in April 1775

Louisiana Purchase

The acquisition of a vast territory from France in 1803, which doubled the size of the United States

Marbury v. Madison

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review

Mercantilism

An economic theory that advocates government regulation of international trade to increase national wealth and power

Missouri Compromise

An agreement in 1820 that admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, while also prohibiting slavery in the remaining Louisiana Purchase lands north of the 36°30′ parallel

Nathaniel Bacon

The leader of Bacon's Rebellion in Virginia

New Jersey Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of states in the national legislature

Northwest Ordinances

Laws passed by the Confederation Congress that established a system for governing the Northwest Territory and admitting new states to the Union

Robert Fulton

An inventor who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat

Shays's Rebellion

An uprising in Massachusetts in 1786-1787 led by farmers protesting high taxes and debt

Stamp Act

A British tax on printed materials in the American colonies that sparked widespread protest

Stono Rebellion

A slave rebellion in South Carolina in 1739, which led to stricter slave codes

Strict constructionism

The belief that the federal government only has the powers specifically enumerated in the Constitution

Temperance movement

A social movement that advocated for the moderation or abstinence from alcohol

Three-fifths compromise

An agreement at the Constitutional Convention that counted slaves as three-fifths of a person for the purpose of representation in Congress

Trail of Tears

The forced removal of Cherokee and other Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to lands west of the Mississippi River

Virginia Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for proportional representation of states in the national legislature

War of 1812

A conflict between the United States and Great Britain that was caused by British violations of American maritime rights

Washington's Farewell Address

A letter written by President George Washington near the end of his second term, in which he warned against the dangers of political factions and foreign entanglements

William Lloyd Garrison

A prominent abolitionist who advocated for the immediate emancipation of slaves