Key Events and Ideas of the American Revolution

Magna Carta

1215 document limiting king's power in England.

American Enlightenment

Intellectual movement influencing American revolutionary thought.

Deism

Belief in a rational creator without religious dogma.

John Locke

Philosopher advocating natural rights and government by consent.

Natural Rights

Life, liberty, and property as fundamental human rights.

Social Contract

Agreement among individuals to form a society.

Liberalism

Philosophy emphasizing individual rights and government protection.

Republicanism

Political ideology prioritizing common good over individual interests.

The Great Awakening

Religious revival emphasizing personal faith and emotional connection.

George Whitefield

Evangelist known for impactful sermons in America.

Old Lights

Traditionalists resisting new revivalist movements.

New Lights

Revivalists advocating emotional religious experiences.

Spanish Missions

Religious settlements established by Spain in the New World.

Seven Years' War

Conflict between Britain and France over North American territories.

Treaty of Paris (1763)

Agreement ending the Seven Years' War; territorial changes.

Stamp Act

1765 tax on printed materials in American colonies.

Pontiac's Rebellion

Native American uprising against British post-war policies.

Proclamation of 1763

Forbade colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Common Sense

Pamphlet advocating American independence from Britain.

Ascriptivism

Belief in American cultural independence and governance.

Writs of Assistance

Legal documents allowing search for smuggled goods.

Sugar Act

1764 tax on sugar and molasses imported to colonies.

Currency Act

1764 law regulating colonial currency use.

Townshend Acts

1767 taxes on imported goods to the colonies.

Boston Massacre

1770 confrontation leading to civilian deaths and protests.

Tea Party

1773 protest against British tea tax; Boston Harbor event.

Continental Congress

Assembly of colonial representatives coordinating resistance to Britain.

Declaration of Independence

1776 document declaring American colonies' independence.

Articles of Confederation

First governing document of the United States (1781).

Constitutional Convention

1787 meeting to draft the U.S. Constitution.

Virginia Plan

Proposal for a strong national government with representation.

New Jersey Plan

Proposal for equal representation regardless of state size.

The Great Compromise

Agreement creating a bicameral legislature with mixed representation.

Federalists

Supporters of the new Constitution advocating strong central government.

Antifederalists

Opponents of the Constitution fearing centralized power.

The Federalist Papers

Essays promoting ratification of the Constitution.

Ratification

Formal approval of the Constitution by the states.

North Carolina Ratification

Last state to ratify the Constitution in 1789.

Rhode Island Ratification

Final state to ratify the Constitution in 1790.

Civic Virtue

Commitment to the common good in governance.

Emotional Religion

Focus on personal experience in spiritual practices.

Transatlantic Movement

Cultural exchange between Europe and America during Enlightenment.

Civilian Protest

Public demonstration against government policies or actions.

Committee of Correspondence

Network for communication among colonies before Revolution.

Sons of Liberty

Secret society opposing British taxation and policies.

Regulators of South Carolina

Group protesting colonial governance in the 1760s.