Unit 1-3

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and technologies between the Americas and the rest of the world following Columbus's voyages.

Encomienda System

A labor system in Spanish colonies that granted land and Native American laborers to Spanish conquistadors and settlers.

Puritans

English Protestants who sought to purify the Church of England and establish a more religious society.

Indentured Servitude

A labor system where people paid for their passage to the New World by working for an employer for a fixed number of years.

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and technologies between the Americas and the rest of the world following Columbus's voyages.

Encomienda System

A labor system in Spanish colonies that granted land and Native American laborers to Spanish conquistadors and settlers.

Puritans

English Protestants who sought to purify the Church of England and establish a more religious society.

Indentured Servitude

A labor system where people paid for their passage to the New World by working for an employer for a fixed number of years.

Navigation Acts

A series of laws passed by the British Parliament that restricted colonial trade to England.

The Great Awakening

A religious revival in the American colonies during the 1730s and 1740s, characterized by emotional sermons and increased religious participation.

French and Indian War

A conflict between Great Britain and France for control of North America, resulting in British victory and increased control over the colonies.

Enlightenment

A philosophical movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and human rights.

First Continental Congress

A colonial congress convened in 1774 to protest British policies and coordinate resistance.

Common Sense

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776, advocating for American independence from Britain.

Declaration of Independence

The document declaring American independence from Britain, adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781, which created a weak central government with limited powers.

Shays' Rebellion

An uprising in Massachusetts in 1786-1787, led by farmers protesting high taxes and debt, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention

A convention convened in Philadelphia in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation, which instead created a new constitution with a stronger federal government.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, arguing in favor of the United States Constitution.

Federalists

Supporters of the United States Constitution, who favored a strong central government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the United States Constitution, who feared a strong central government and advocated for states' rights.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights and freedoms.

Great Compromise

A compromise reached during the Constitutional Convention, establishing a bicameral legislature with representation in the House based on population and equal representation in the Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise

A compromise reached during the Constitutional Convention, counting enslaved persons as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation and taxation.

Proclamation of Neutrality

George Washington's policy of remaining neutral in foreign conflicts, particularly between Britain and France.

Jay's Treaty

A treaty between the United States and Britain in 1794, resolving some issues left over from the Revolutionary War but angering many Americans who felt it favored Britain.

Pinckney's Treaty

A treaty between the United States and Spain in 1795, granting Americans the right to navigate the Mississippi River and use the port of New Orleans.

Quasi-War

An undeclared naval conflict between the United States and France from 1798 to 1800, sparked by French anger over Jay's Treaty.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Controversial laws passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress in 1798, restricting immigration and freedom of speech and press.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

Statements written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, asserting the right of states to nullify federal laws.

Revolution of 1800

The peaceful transfer of power from the Federalist Party to the Democratic-Republican Party with the election of Thomas Jefferson in 1800.

Louisiana Purchase

The purchase of a large territory from France in 1803, doubling the size of the United States and giving it control of the Mississippi River.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

An expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark from 1804 to 1806, exploring the Louisiana Purchase and the Pacific Northwest.

War of 1812

A war between the United States and Britain from 1812 to 1815, caused by British violations of American maritime rights and impressment of American sailors.

Hartford Convention

A meeting of New England Federalists in 1814 to discuss their grievances and consider secession from the Union, demonstrating the divisions within the United States during the War of 1812.

Battle of New Orleans

A battle fought after the War of 1812 had officially ended, in which American forces under Andrew Jackson defeated the British at New Orleans.

Era of Good Feelings

A period of national unity and political harmony in the United States following the War of 1812, during which the Federalist Party declined and the Democratic-Republican Party dominated.

Panic of 1819

A financial panic in 1819, caused by overspeculation in land and investments, marking the end of the Era of Good Feelings and leading to economic hardship.

Missouri Compromise

An agreement reached in 1820, admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, and prohibiting slavery in the remaining Louisiana Purchase territory north of the 36°30′ parallel.

Monroe Doctrine

A declaration by President James Monroe in 1823, warning European powers not to interfere in the affairs of the Americas and asserting American dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

Jacksonian Democracy

The expansion of voting rights to more white men during the 1820s and 1830s, marking a shift toward greater democracy in the United States.

Spoils System

The practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs, associated with President Andrew Jackson.

Nullification Crisis

A political crisis during Andrew Jackson's presidency, involving South Carolina's attempt to nullify the federal tariffs of 1828 and 1832.

Trail of Tears

A forced migration of Cherokee Indians from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to Oklahoma in 1838-1839, resulting in thousands of deaths.

Seminole Wars

A war between the United States and the Seminole Indians in Florida from 1835 to 1842, resulting in the forced removal of most Seminoles to Oklahoma.

Bank War

Andrew Jackson's efforts to dismantle the Second Bank of the United States, which he believed was corrupt and served the interests of the wealthy elite.

Whig Party

A new political party formed in the 1830s to oppose Andrew Jackson and the Democratic Party, advocating for a strong central government and economic development.

Panic of 1837

A financial crisis in 1837, caused by Jackson's economic policies and overspeculation in land and investments, resulting in bank failures and economic depression.

Transcendentalism

Religious and philosophical movement that emphasized individualism and the importance of intuition and nature.

Utopian Communities

Idealistic communities established in the 19th century to create perfect societies based on cooperation and equality.

Second Great Awakening

A series of religious revivals in the 19th century that led to increased church membership and social reform movements.

Abolitionism

A movement to end slavery, which gained momentum in the 19th century.

Social Reform Movements

Organized efforts to improve society through reforms such as temperance, education, and prison reform.

underground railroad

A network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved people to escape to freedom in