US History Exam 1

Christopher Columbus

Explorer who reached the Americas in 1492.

Spanish exploration and colonization

Spain’s early conquest and settlement of the Americas.

French exploration and colonization

France’s North American trade‑focused settlements.

John Smith, John Rolfe, and Jamestown

Leaders who helped Jamestown survive and profit.

Separatist Puritans

Puritans who left England to form independent churches.

Joint-stock company

Business where investors share profits and risks.

Plymouth Colony / “Pilgrims”

Separatists who founded Plymouth in 1620.

Mayflower Compact

Early self‑government agreement by Pilgrims.

Massachusetts Bay Colony

Large Puritan colony founded in 1630.

“A Model of Christian Charity”

Winthrop’s sermon promoting unity and moral duty.

William Bradford

Pilgrim leader and longtime governor of Plymouth.

John Winthrop

Puritan governor who led Massachusetts Bay.

Founding of Connecticut

Colony formed by Puritan settlers seeking new land.

Founding of Rhode Island

Colony founded for religious freedom by dissenters.

New Netherlands becomes New York

Dutch colony taken by England in 1664.

Founding of Maryland

Colony founded as a refuge for Catholics.

Founding of Pennsylvania

Quaker colony founded by William Penn.

Founding of Carolina

Restoration colony created for English settlers.

Founding of Georgia

Buffer colony and refuge for debtors.

The Stuart kings

English monarchs ruling during early colonization.

James II of England

Stuart king overthrown in the Glorious Revolution.

The Glorious Revolution

1688 overthrow establishing constitutional monarchy.

John Locke

Philosopher promoting natural rights and consent.

Radical Whigs

Political thinkers warning against tyranny.

Indentured servanthood

Labor system exchanging work for passage.

Settlement of Georgia

Planned colony for defense and social reform.

Benign (salutary) neglect

Loose British oversight of colonies.

Jonathan Edwards

Key preacher of the First Great Awakening.

Benjamin Franklin

Colonial writer, scientist, and political leader.

The First Great Awakening

Religious revival stressing personal faith

George Whitefield

Traveling preacher who spread revivalism.

Mercantilism

Economic system controlling trade for national gain.

Seven Years’ War

Global conflict; in America, French vs. British.

French & Indian War (DATES)

1754–1763.

George III of England

British king during colonial crisis.

Proclamation of 1763

Banned settlement west of Appalachians.

Stamp Act

Tax on printed materials in colonies.

Sons of Liberty

Colonial group resisting British taxes.

Boston Massacre

1770 clash where British soldiers killed colonists.

Gaspee Incident

Burning of British customs ship by colonists.

Boston Tea Party

Colonists dumped British tea in protest.

Coercive (Intolerable) Acts

Punitive laws after the Tea Party.

First Continental Congress

Colonial meeting to coordinate resistance.

Revolutionary War (DATES)

1775–1783.

Lexington and Concord

First battles of the Revolutionary War.

Second Continental Congress

Body that managed the war and independence.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Early battle showing colonial resistance.

Declaration of Independence

1776 document declaring U.S. independence.

Whigs (Patriots) vs. Tories (Loyalists)

Supporters vs. opponents of independence.

George Washington (commander-in-chief)

Leader of Continental Army.

Thomas Paine / Common Sense

Pamphlet urging independence.

Battles of Trenton and Princeton

Washington’s surprise victories in 1776–77.

Valley Forge

Harsh winter camp where army trained.

Battle of Saratoga

Turning point that brought French alliance.

Alliance with France

French military support for the colonies.

Lord Cornwallis

British general defeated at Yorktown.

Nathaniel Greene / war in the South

American general using hit‑and‑run tactics.

Battle of Cowpens

Major American victory in the South.

Battle of Guilford Courthouse

Costly British win weakening Cornwallis.

Battle of Yorktown

Final major battle; British surrender.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Ended the war and recognized U.S. independence.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. government; weak central power.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

Meeting to create the U.S. Constitution.

Washington & Franklin at Convention

Prestigious leaders who guided the process.

James Madison

“Father of the Constitution.”

Alexander Hamilton

Strong nationalist; key constitutional advocate.

Virginia Plan

Representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Equal representation for states.

Connecticut Compromise

Combined both plans into two‑house Congress.

Three Fifths Compromise

Counted enslaved people as 3/5 for representation.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments protecting liberties.

Ratification debate

Federalists vs. Anti‑Federalists over Constitution.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Supporters vs. critics of strong central government.

The Federalist Papers

Essays supporting Constitution ratification.