US History I Final Exam Review

French and Indian War

Major battle between France and Great Britain over control of the Colonies.

Treaty of Paris, 1763

Ended the French and Indian War; France ceded most of its North American land to Britain.

Britain gained land but became strict about taxes on colonies

End of Salutary Neglect

Ended in 1763

Great Britain had more control of Colonies.

Proclamation of 1763

Prohibited Americans from moving West past the Appalachian mountains.

Sugar Act

Placed taxes on sugar and molasses imported into the colonies.

First act that taxed colonies - increased resistance.

Stamp Act

Taxed printed materials like newspapers and legal documents.
Led to protests and the formation of Sons of Liberty

Committees of Correspondence

Colonial groups that communicated British threats and coordinated resistance.
Unified colonies, spread revolutionary ideas.

Boston Massacre

British soldiers killed five colonists during a confrontation in Boston.
Used at propaganda - VERY exaggerated

Taxation without representation

Colonists' belief they shouldn't be taxed without having representatives in Parliament.
Key slogan and motivation for revolution.

Virtual Representation

British claim that Parliament represented all British subjects, including colonists.
Colonists rejected it.

Tea Act

Allowed the British East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonies, undercutting local merchants.
Led to Boston Tea Party

Quartering Act

Required colonists to house and supply British soldiers.

Invasion of privacy and colonial rights.

Boston Tea Party

Colonists, disguised as Native Americans, dumped British tea into Boston Harbor.
British responded with the Intolerable Acts.

Intolerable Acts

Harsh laws passed to punish Boston for the Tea Party, including closing the harbor.

United colonies in opposition.

Led to First Continental Congress.

Olive Branch Petition

Final peace offer sent by the Second Continental Congress, expressing loyalty to King George, asking for peace.

It was rejected - led to colonists pushing towards independence.

First Continental Congress

Meeting of delegates from 12 colonies in Philadelphia to organize colonial resistance against British rule and address grievances.

Agreements to boycott British goods, prepare militias.

Second Continental Congress

Managed war effort and moved towards independence - served as decision making body.

Formed the Continental Army, sent Olive Branch Petition, and later wrote the Declaration of Independence.

George Washington

Commander of the Continental Army and first Pres. of the US.

Strategic retreats, morale leadership, symbolized stability.

Sons of Liberty

Radical group of colonists who protested British policies and taxes.

Formed after the Stamp Act.

Organized protests and Boston Tea Party.

Daughters of Liberty

Women who supported the boycott of British goods - made homemade goods.

Showed that women were politically active and key to colonial resistance.

Thomas Jefferson

Main author of the Declaration of Independence and future Pres.

Ideas of natural rights shaped American identity.

Advantages/Disadvantages for Americans

Advantages: Strong motivation, local support, guerrilla tactics.

Disadvantages: Lacked training and resources.

Advantages/Disadvantages for British

Advantages: Professional army and navy.
Disadvantages: Unfamiliar territory, far from home.

Loyalists

Colonists who remained loyal to Britain and opposed the revolution because of: Belief in British rule, fear of instability, or economic ties to Britain.

Many fled the colonies after the war or faced persecution.

Patriots

Summary: Colonists who supported independence from Britain because of: Opposition to taxation without representation and British control.

Formed militias, fought in the Continental Army, and led the Revolution.

Ben Franklin

American diplomat and inventor who helped secure French support during the war.

Helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris and secured key French aid.

King George III

King of Britain during the American Revolution.

Sought to maintain British control over the colonies.

His stubbornness and policies helped unite the colonies against Britain.

Battles of Lexington and Concord

First armed conflicts of the American Revolution.

British attempt to seize colonial weapons and arrest leaders.

Sparked full-scale war; "the shot heard 'round the world."

Declaration of Independence

Document declaring the colonies’ independence from Britain because of: Ongoing British oppression and lack of representation.

Justified the revolution and sought international support.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Early and bloody battle; British won but suffered heavy losses.

British attempt to control high ground near Boston.

Boosted American morale and proved they could fight effectively.

Battle of Saratoga

Major American victory that turned the tide of the war.

British plan to cut off New England failed.

Convinced France to openly ally with the Americans.

Battle of Yorktown

Final major battle; British General Cornwallis surrendered.

Combined American and French forces trapped the British.

Led to peace talks and British agreement to end the war.

Treaty of Paris, 1783

Officially ended the Revolutionary War; recognized U.S. independence.

British defeat and loss of public support for the war.

Established U.S. borders and independence; Britain withdrew troops.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. national government, created during the Revolutionary War.

Fear of a strong central government like Britain’s.

Weak federal government led to instability and the need for a stronger constitution.

Strengths of Articles of Confederation

Gave states independence and established a system for western land settlement.

Desire to preserve state power and manage new territories.

Northwest Ordinance was a major success; proved limited in governing effectively.

Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation

No power to tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws; weak national government.

Intentional limits on federal authority.

Led to economic problems, rebellion, and calls for a stronger government.

Shay’s Rebellion

Armed uprising by Massachusetts farmers protesting taxes and debt because of: Economic hardship and lack of federal response under the Articles.

Exposed weaknesses of the Articles and led to the Constitutional Convention.

Constitutional Convention

Meeting in Philadelphia to revise the Articles, which instead produced the U.S. Constitution.

Created a new, stronger federal government structure.

US Constitution

The supreme law of the U.S., establishing the national government’s structure and powers.

Created federalism, separation of powers, and a stronger central government.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect individual rights such as freedom of speech, religion, the press, and the right to a fair trial. They were added to satisfy Anti-Federalist concerns about government power.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who believed in a strong central government. They argued that a national government was necessary to maintain order and unity.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to promote ratification of the Constitution and explain its principles, especially how it would prevent tyranny.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who wanted stronger state governments and demanded a Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms.

3/5ths Compromise

An agreement made at the Constitutional Convention to count each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation and taxation. It helped settle disputes between northern and southern states.

Great Compromise

A solution to a debate over representation in Congress. It created a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate with equal representation for each state.

Electoral College

A system for electing the president in which each state gets electors based on its congressional representation. It was designed to balance influence between large and small states.

Branches of Government

The U.S. government is divided into three branches: legislative (makes laws), executive (enforces laws), and judicial (interprets laws), to ensure separation of powers.

Role of Executive

Led by the president, the executive branch carries out laws, commands the military, manages foreign policy, and can veto bills.

Role of Legislative

Made up of Congress (House and Senate), the legislative branch writes laws, approves budgets, declares war, and checks the president.

Role of Judicial

The judicial branch interprets laws and includes the Supreme Court, which can declare laws or actions unconstitutional.

Principles of the Constitution

Key ideas like popular sovereignty, checks and balances, separation of powers, federalism, and limited government that form the foundation of the U.S. political system.

George Washington’s Presidency

Washington was the first U.S. president and set many precedents, like serving only two terms and forming a cabinet. He promoted neutrality in foreign affairs and warned against political parties.

Regional Differences

The North focused more on industry and trade, while the South relied on agriculture and slavery. These differences created early divisions in economy, culture, and politics.

Two Party System

Developed in the 1790s, this refers to the split between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, who disagreed over how strong the federal government should be.

Federalists/Democratic-Republicans

Federalists wanted a strong central government and supported trade and Britain. Democratic-Republicans favored states’ rights, supported farmers, and leaned toward France.

John Adams

The second U.S. president and a Federalist. His presidency included the unpopular Alien and Sedition Acts and conflict with France (Quasi-War).

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws passed under Adams that made it harder to become a citizen and punished people who criticized the government. Many saw them as violations of free speech.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Written by Jefferson and Madison, these argued that states could nullify unconstitutional federal laws, challenging federal power.

Invention of Cotton Gin

Eli Whitney’s invention made it easier to remove seeds from cotton, increasing cotton production and demand for enslaved labor in the South.

Revolution of 1800

Nickname for Jefferson’s election because power transferred peacefully from one political party to another (Federalists to Democratic-Republicans).

Marbury v Madison

A Supreme Court case that established judicial review, giving courts the power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Louisiana Purchase/Empire in Liberty

Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from France, doubling the U.S. and promoting westward expansion under the idea of spreading democracy.

Lewis and Clark

Explorers sent by Jefferson to map and explore the Louisiana Territory. They gathered information on geography, Native tribes, and natural resources.

Embargo Act

A law passed by Jefferson banning trade with all foreign countries to avoid war. It hurt the U.S. economy, especially in the North.

War of 1812

Fought between the U.S. and Britain over trade restrictions and impressment. The war boosted national pride and confirmed U.S. independence.

Era of Good Feeling

A period of political unity and national pride after the War of 1812, mostly under President James Monroe, with only one major political party.

Henry Clay’s American System

A plan to strengthen the U.S. economy with a national bank, protective tariffs, and internal improvements like roads and canals.

Market Revolution

A major change in the U.S. economy as people began producing goods for sale instead of personal use, fueled by new technology and transportation.

Inventions

New technologies like the telegraph, steam engine, and mechanical reaper improved communication, transportation, and farming.

Transportation Revolution

Growth of roads, canals, and railroads that helped connect regions, speed up trade, and boost the economy.

Necessary Evil v Positive Good of Slave System

Some Southerners argued slavery was a necessary evil, while others claimed it was a positive good that benefited both races—used to defend slavery.

Sectionalism/Era of Hard Feelings

Growing loyalty to regions (North, South, West) over the nation, especially on issues like slavery and economy, replacing earlier national unity.

Abolitionist Movement

A social and political effort to end slavery in the U.S., led by people like Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison.

Missouri Compromise

A law that allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state and Maine as a free state, keeping the balance in Congress, and banned slavery north of 36°30'.

Election of 1824

A disputed election where John Quincy Adams became president after a “corrupt bargain” with Henry Clay, angering Andrew Jackson’s supporters.

Indian Removal Act/Trail of Tears

A law that forced Native American tribes off their land in the Southeast. Thousands died during forced relocation to the West, especially the Cherokee.

White Male Suffrage

By the 1820s, most states had removed property requirements for voting, allowing more white men to vote regardless of wealth.

Jacksonian Democracy

A political movement led by Andrew Jackson that expanded democracy for white men and promoted the “common man,” but excluded others.

Mexican War

War between the US and Mexico over Texas and other Western land.

Caused by US annexation of Texas and a border dispute.

Led to US gaining Western land and debates about Westward expansion

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Ended the Mexican War, Mexico seceded much of SW to US

After US victory and opened new territories for settlement and more slavery debates

Gold Rush

Mass migration to CA after gold was discovered

CA population grew, leading to statehood

Compromise of 1850

A list of new laws that aimed to ease tensions between free and slave states

Included the Fugitive Slave Act, which was controversial

Fugitive Slave Act

Required all citizens to capture runaway slaves, denied accused slaves of a jury trial

Appeased South but angered Abolitionists

Personal Liberty Laws

Northern states counter the Fugitive Slave Act by protecting runaway slaves

Increased tensions between North and South

Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin

A novel that showed the horrors of slavery, influencing public opinion in the US

Southern Gov. wanted to censor it to keep Southern people ignorant

Frederick Douglass

A former slave, abolitionist, writer, speaker who advocated for African American rights

William Lloyd Garrison

Published The Liberator: spread the moral wrongs of slavery to the South

Helped the abolitionist movement

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Overturned Missouri Compromise

Allowed settlers in Kansas and Nebraska to vote on slavery

Led to Bleeding Kansas

Formation of the Republican Party

Combined the Free Soil and Whig Parties

Popular in the North - opposed slavery

Bleeding Kansas

Violence in Kansas between pro and anti-slavery settlers

Dred Scott Decision

Supreme Court ruled that slaves were property, had no rights, and Congress couldn’t ban slavery

Divided the North and South, raised tensions

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Debates focused on slavery and popular sovereignty

Senate race between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas

John Brown’s Raid

Seized a federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, trying to start a slave revolt

Failed and Brown became a martyr in the North

Election of 1860

Abraham Lincoln won the presidency without any Southern electoral votes. His election caused Southern states to begin seceding from the Union.

Abraham Lincoln

The 16th U.S. president who opposed slavery’s expansion. He led the country through the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Southern Secession

After Lincoln’s 1860 election, Southern states began leaving the Union, starting with South Carolina. They feared Lincoln would end slavery and formed the Confederate States of America.

Border States role

Slave states like Maryland and Kentucky that stayed in the Union. Their loyalty was crucial for Union strategy, especially for controlling rivers and railroads.

Union advantages/disadvantages

The North had more people, industry, railroads, and a strong navy, but weaker military leadership and less motivation to fight.

Confederate advantages/disadvantages

The South had better generals and home-field advantage, but fewer resources, smaller population, and little manufacturing.

Battle of Antietam

A major Union victory in 1862, and the bloodiest single day in U.S. history. It gave Lincoln the momentum to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.