Colonial origins- Manifest Destiny

Columbus

Explorer who mistakenly discovered the Americas in 1492.

Aztecs

Advanced society in Mexico known for science and math.

Mayans

Central American civilization known for their calendar.

Incas

South American civilization known for advanced building skills.

Vikings

First Europeans to land in Newfoundland, Canada around 1,000 AD.

Treaty of Tordesillas

1492 agreement dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal.

Columbian Exchange

Exchange of goods between Old World and New World.

Joint-stock company

Corporation with shared ownership and limited liability.

Jamestown

First successful English colony in Virginia, established in 1607.

House of Burgesses

First legislative assembly in Virginia, established in 1619.

Headright System

Each colonist received land for bringing in new settlers.

Indentured servitude

Labor system where workers paid off debt with service.

Bacon's Rebellion

1675-6 uprising due to social and economic disparities in Virginia.

Pilgrims

Separatists who arrived on the Mayflower in Plymouth in 1620.

Puritans

Calvinists who sought to purify the Church of England.

Mayflower Compact

Agreement for self-government among Pilgrims in Plymouth.

Massachusetts Bay Colony

Colony established in 1630 by Puritans in Boston.

King Philip's War

1675-76 conflict between Mass. Bay Colony and neighboring Indians.

Mercantilism

Economic system aiming to create wealth and power through colonies.

Navigation Acts

Regulations controlling trade between colonies and mother country.

Enlightenment

Belief in natural laws over divine preferences.

Benjamin Franklin

Symbol of Enlightenment through inventions.

John Locke

Authored Two Treatises on Government, emphasizing natural rights.

Natural Rights

Rights to life, liberty, and property.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Author of The Social Contract, advocating popular sovereignty.

Great Awakening

Religious revival emphasizing individual relationships with God.

George Whitefield/Jonathan Edwards

Key figures in the Great Awakening.

Salutary Neglect

British policy of lax enforcement in the colonies.

French and Indian War

Seven Years' War leaving Britain in significant debt.

Pontiac's Rebellion

Native American attacks on British forts post-war.

Proclamation of 1763

British ban on settlement west of the Appalachians.

Sugar Act

Tax on various paper items to raise revenue.

Stamp Act

Direct tax on paper items, leading to colonial protests.

Stamp Act Congress

Assembly to oppose the Stamp Act and discuss colonial rights.

Townshend Acts

Indirect taxes on common imported goods.

Boston Massacre

Incident where British soldiers killed five colonists.

Gaspee Incident

Burning of a British tax ship by Rhode Island colonists.

Tea Act

British law cutting tea prices but maintaining tax.

Coercive Acts

Punitive laws following the Boston Tea Party.

1st Continental Congress

Assembly to address the Intolerable Acts.

Lexington and Concord

First military engagements of the American Revolution.

Common Sense

Pamphlet advocating independence by Thomas Paine.

Declaration of Independence

Document declaring the American colonies' independence from Britain.

Articles of Confederation

First written constitution; alliance of independent states with limited central power.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Law for land settlement; land surveyed, mapped, and divided into townships.

Northwest Ordinance

Law governing territories; led to statehood, banned slavery, respected Indian rights.

Congress

Central governing body with limited power; each state had one vote.

2/3 Majority

Required for passing laws under the Articles of Confederation.

No Executive Branch

Absence of a body to enforce laws under the Articles of Confederation.

Interstate/Foreign Trade Regulation

Lacked by Congress under the Articles of Confederation, causing inefficiency.

National Court System

Nonexistent under the Articles of Confederation, leading to poorly defined laws.

Western Lands Issue

Major concern addressed by the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance.

6 Mile by 6 Mile Square Townships

Division of land under the Land Ordinance of 1785 for settlement and organization.

Territories to Statehood

Process outlined by the Northwest Ordinance for territories like Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.

Plan for Westward Settlement

Result of the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance, extending to the west coast.

Precedent

Actions serving as examples for others to follow

Debt

Significant amount owed, causing financial burden

Lawlessness

Absence of law and order, chaotic conditions

Executive Departments

Government agencies responsible for specific areas of governance

Cabinet

Group of advisors to the President, responsible for enforcing laws

Judiciary Act of 1789

Legislation establishing the court system to interpret laws

Bill of Rights

Set of amendments protecting individual freedoms

Assumption Act

Legislation requiring payment of all state and national debts

National Bank

Institution for storing money, issuing currency, and providing loans

Mint Act of 1792

Legislation establishing the production of currency and decimal system

Tariffs

Taxes on imports or exports, influencing trade

Whiskey Excise Tax

Tax on whiskey production leading to the Whiskey Rebellion

Sectionalism

Divisions between regions, particularly North and South

Federalists

Political party supporting a strong national government and business interests

Democratic-Republicans

Political party favoring strong states' rights and agrarian society

Proclamation of Neutrality

Declaration by Washington to stay out of European conflicts

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws aimed at restricting immigrants and limiting free speech

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

States' declarations asserting the right to nullify unconstitutional laws

Nullification

Doctrine allowing states to invalidate federal laws they deem unconstitutional

Adams Administration

Presidential term of John Adams from 1797 to 1801

Revolution of 1800

Jefferson's election, peaceful power transfer

Louisiana Purchase

Acquisition of 820,000 sq. miles from France

Lewis + Clark Expedition

Exploration for water route, trade, geography

Barbary Wars

Conflict with North African pirates

Chesapeake Affair

British attack on U.S. Navy ship

Embargo

Halting all U.S. trade to hurt British, French

Burr Conspiracy

Burr's attempt to create a separate Western empire

Jefferson's Evaluation

Doubled U.S. size, maintained Federalist programs

Jacksonian Period

Era from 1824-1840 characterized by Andrew Jackson's presidency and democratic changes in the U.S.

John Quincy Adams

President from 1825-1829, Demo-Rep., known for the 'corrupt bargain' and lack of accomplishments.

Andrew Jackson

President from 1829-1837, won against Adams in a dirty campaign, known for his democratic beliefs and common appeal.

Spoils System

Presidential practice of appointing loyal supporters to government positions, regardless of qualifications.

Margaret (Peggy) Eaton Affair

Controversy involving Jackson's friend's wife, leading to cabinet dissolution and political blame.

Indian Removal Act

1830 policy by Jackson to relocate Native Americans, leading to the Trail of Tears after his presidency.

National Bank Crisis

Conflict over the Bank of the United States, which Jackson vetoed and replaced with 'Pet Banks.'

Tariff Battle

Dispute over protective tariffs, leading to the 'Tariff of Abominations' and nullification crisis in South Carolina.

Calhoun

Vice President who advocated for nullification, leading to a clash with Jackson and his eventual resignation.

Clay Compromise

Agreement to gradually lower tariffs over 10 years to resolve the nullification crisis.

Third Rail of American Politics

Concept referring to the sensitive issue of slavery that Jackson avoided during his presidency.

Antebellum

Period before the war, specifically referring to the 1820s-1850s in this context

Second Great Awakening

Religious revival movement in the early 19th century emphasizing salvation through faith and hard work