Study Guide for History to 1877 Midterm

What was the Great Awakening?

A significant religious revival movement in the American colonies during the early to mid-18th century, characterized by increased fervor, emotional sermons, and a more personal approach to faith.

What was the significance of the Battle of Saratoga?

It was a pivotal battle in the American Revolutionary War in 1777 that shifted the momentum in favor of the American colonists and persuaded France to openly support the American cause.

What was the Mayflower Compact?

An agreement reached by the Pilgrims on the Mayflower in 1620, establishing a self-governing colony based on majority rule.

What was the Columbian Exchange?

The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World following Columbus's voyages.

What did the Proclamation Line of 1763 establish?

A boundary prohibiting colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains to stabilize relations with Native Americans.

Who was Anne Hutcherson?

A Puritan spiritual leader known for her theological dissent and advocacy for women's rights in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

What were the Navigation Acts?

A series of laws aimed at regulating colonial trade to benefit England, restricting the colonies from trading with other countries.

Who were the Conquistadors?

Spanish or Portuguese explorers and soldiers involved in the early conquest and colonization of the Americas.

What is Cahokia known for?

It was a pre-Columbian Native American city known for its massive earthen mounds and significant urban center prior to European contact.

What triggered Bacon’s Rebellion?

A 1676 uprising in Virginia, led by Nathaniel Bacon, fueled by frustrations over land scarcity and government inaction against Native American attacks.

Who were the Puritans?

English religious dissenters seeking to purify the Church of England, known for their strict moral code and commitment to education.

What was King Philip's War?

A conflict between New England colonists and Native American groups led by Metacom, arising due to tensions over land encroachment.

Who was Roger Williams?

An English theologian who founded the Rhode Island colony and advocated for the separation of church and state and religious freedom.

What were the Sons of Liberty?

A group of colonial activists formed to oppose British taxation and organize resistance, especially against the Stamp Act.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, protecting individual liberties and limiting federal government powers.

What was the Glorious Revolution?

A political revolution in 1688 that led to the overthrow of King James II and the establishment of parliamentary sovereignty in England.

Who was William Penn?

An English Quaker and founder of Pennsylvania, known for advocating religious freedom and democratic governance.

What was the Middle Passage?

The horrific sea journey endured by enslaved Africans transported to the Americas, characterized by brutal conditions and high mortality rates.

What are indentured servants?

Laborers who agreed to work for a specified number of years in exchange for passage to the New World, land, or other benefits.

What happened to Roanoke Colony?

The first English attempt at permanent settlement in North America, known for the mysterious disappearance of its inhabitants.

What is Common Sense?

A political pamphlet by Thomas Paine advocating for independence from Britain and the establishment of a democratic republic.

Who was Patrick Henry?

A prominent American revolutionary known for his declaration 'Give me liberty, or give me death!' and mobilizing support for the Revolution.

What was the English Civil War?

A series of conflicts between Parliamentarians and Royalists from 1642 to 1651, leading to significant changes in governance in England.

What is the Triangular Trade Route?

A system of transatlantic trade linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas, involving the exchange of goods and enslaved Africans.

What was the Powhatan Confederation?

A union of Algonquian-speaking tribes in Virginia led by the Powhatan chief, crucial during early English colonization.

What was the Battle of Yorktown?

The decisive battle of the American Revolutionary War, leading to the surrender of British forces and the end of their rule in the colonies.

What was Shay’s Rebellion?

An uprising by Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices, highlighting weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.

What does mechanism refer to in the context of the Constitution?

The processes and structures created to ensure functional government, including checks and balances and separation of powers.

What are The Federalist Papers?

A series of essays advocating for the ratification of the Constitution, addressing concerns about government power.

What were the Intolerable Acts?

A series of punitive laws passed by Parliament in 1774 aimed at enforcing British authority in the colonies.