European Exploration, Colonial America, and Early U.S. History Key Concepts

Portugal

Which of the following European nations was the first to navigate the African coast and reach India?

Diseases

After the arrival of Europeans, the greatest number of Indigenous people died as a result of

Maize (corn)

Early peoples in the Americas became experts in growing plants that became primary food crops, especially this native American plant.

Spain

Which nation funded Columbus's first voyage to explore and colonize the Americas?

Growing tobacco

How did the Jamestown colony finally attain a measure of prosperity?

It became a royal colony under direct English control (the crown)

The Virginia Company declared bankruptcy in 1624. How did this development impact the colony?

Fur trade

What was the primary economic focus of the Dutch in New Netherland?

Religious dissent/Challenging male authority

Anne Hutchinson was kicked out of Massachusetts for what reason?

George Whitefield

Which of the following English preachers delivered revival sermons that emphasized immediate conversion?

Churches

When Puritans founded New England towns, they built which of the following structures early in the process?

The Tavern

By 1700, which of the following institutions was the most democratic and important in the American colonies?

Brazil

Africans were enslaved in large numbers in which of the following South American colonies?

It imposed a tax on all paper/printed materials

Which of the following statements about the 1765 Stamp Act is accurate?

Punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea and assert British authority

The purpose of the Coercive Acts was to

Pontiac's Rebellion

The outbreak of violent resistance against new British policies regarding land and tribal gifts in 1763 came to be known as

The British won but suffered heavy losses

Which of the following occurred at the Battle of Bunker Hill?

Assert Parliament's authority over colonies

What was the purpose of the Declaratory Act of 1766?

Government is based on a social contract; people can overthrow it if it violates rightsJohn Locke's contract theory

John Locke's contract theory of government argued that

The Olive Branch petition.

Three weeks after the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Continental Congress sent George III

Taxation without representation, Virtual Representations

Why did many colonists believe that George Grenville's new colonial policies violated their rights as British subjects?

German mercenaries hired by Britain

Which of the following statements accurately describes the Hessians during the Revolutionary War?

It boosted morale and encouraged perseverance

Which of the following statements about Thomas Paine's The American Crisis is accurate?

New York City

Which city did the British capture and occupy early in the American Revolution, making it the headquarters of both the Royal Navy and the British army?

Encouraged French support for the Americans

Which of the following was a result of the Battle of Saratoga?

General John Burgoyne

This general surrendered his army of over 5,800 troops at the Battles of Saratoga, creating a catastrophic defeat for the British.

French Navy

The arrival of ships from this imperial power helped the Americans achieve victory at the Battle of Yorktown.

Motivation for French Alliance

To weaken Britain and gain influence.

Treaty of Paris of 1783

Ended the revolutionary war, recognized U.S. independence and set borders, and set the boundary of Mississippi.

Articles of Confederation

This was the first plan for a permanent form of government for the United States.

Bill of Rights

Written to protect individual liberties, including Speech, Press, Religion, Assembly, and Petition.

Washington's Farewell Address

Advised the United States to avoid permanent foreign alliances and political parties, standing armies/large overbearing militaries.

Madison's Virginia Plan

Strong central government with three branches with representation based on population and two house legislature.

Constitutional Convention

Assembled in May 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation.

Nine states

The Constitution was to be considered ratified as soon as it was approved by

Great Compromise

Created a bicameral legislature (Senate equal, House by population) or congress.

No official religion; free exercise guaranteed. Congress cannot establish a religion.

In regard to religion, which of the following is true of the Constitution?

Shays's Rebellion

Led by Daniel Shays and a group of farmers who were indebted.

Washington's Inaugural Address

Emphasized national unity, neutrality, and caution in foreign affairs.

Presidential Authority

According to the Constitution, the president has the authority to declare war, enforce laws, command the military, conduct foreign policy.

James Madison

The Constitutional Convention's most gifted political theorist, and the man who emerged as its most active figure.

Republicanism Characteristics

Citizen participation, elected representatives, limited government.

Hartford Convention

Delegates limited the power of Democratic Republicans, specifically southern farm owners, protested the War of 1812, and suggested constitutional amendments.

Defense of Fort McHenry

One of the most remembered aspects of the British assault on Baltimore that inspired the national anthem.

Jefferson's Embargo Act

Stop all American exports.

Commodore Perry's Victory

Gained control of Lake Erie and forced British retreat to Canada.

Treaty of Ghent

Ended the War of 1812; restored prewar border status.

Marbury v. Madison

The Supreme Court chief justice who established the principle of judicial review was John C. Marshall.

Impressment

Imprisonment of U.S. sailors into British navy service.

Henry Clay

A vocal war hawk against the British in 1811.