Unit 2 Study Guide: U.S. History & Government - American Revolution & Constitution

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key historical terms, founding documents, and document-analysis skills for Unit 2 U.S. History and Government.

Boston Massacre (1770)

A clash between British soldiers and colonists in Boston; depicted by Paul Revere in an engraving titled Bloody Massacre on King Street.

Paul Revere’s engraving

A persuasive image created from a colonial point of view that is useful for studying colonial reactions to conflict with the British government, rather than a neutral or complete record of events.

Common Sense (1776)

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine arguing that the colonies should break away from England, criticizing monarchy and hereditary rule, and asserting that independence was reasonable.

Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776)

The document that announced the colonies’ separation from Britain and explained the reasons for independence.

Unalienable rights

Fundamental rights that cannot rightfully be taken away, named in the Declaration of Independence as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Articles of Confederation

The first national government of the United States, which created a weak central government lacking direct taxation powers due to American fears of repeating rule under the British monarchy.

Shays’ Rebellion (1786)

An uprising involving Massachusetts farmers and debtors that exposed weaknesses in the national government under the Articles of Confederation and increased calls for a stronger central government.

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national government and state governments.

Separation of powers

The division of national power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Federalists

Supporters of the ratification of the Constitution and advocates for a stronger national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents or questioners of constitutional ratification who feared the national government would become too powerful and demanded clearer protections for individual rights.

Federalist No. 84

An essay in which Alexander Hamilton argued that a bill of rights was unnecessary because the national government only held powers granted to it, and that listing rights could imply the government had powers beyond those granted.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting essential individual rights.

First Amendment

A constitutional amendment protecting freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Hereditary succession

The passing of governing power from a ruler to family members.

Historical context

The relevant historical circumstances surrounding or connecting the events, ideas, or developments in documents.

Audience

The person or group a document was created for.

Purpose

The reason the author created a document, commonly including informing, persuading, criticizing, defending, or calling people to action.

Point of view (POV)

The author’s perspective or position on an issue, shaped by their beliefs, background, or experiences.

Bias

A preference, leaning, or one-sided perspective that may influence how information is presented, which does not automatically mean a source is false.

Reliability

How accurate and useful a source is for a particular question or purpose, even if it is not neutral about every fact.

Evidence

Specific information from a document—such as a quotation, detail, image feature, or constitutional provision—that supports an answer.

Cause

Something that contributes to an event, idea, or development.

Effect

The result or consequence of an event, idea, or development.

Similarity

A way in which two events, ideas, or documents are alike.

Difference

A way in which two events, ideas, or documents are not alike.

Turning point

A major event, idea, or development that brings significant change.

Analyze

To examine a document and determine its elements and relationships.

Corroboration

Comparing two or more sources to see where they agree, differ, or support one another.

Identify

To name or state something.

Describe

To tell about something using relevant details.

Explain

To make something understandable by giving reasons, causes, or showing how ideas are connected.