IMPORTANT EVENTS

John Rolfe

Introduced tobacco cultivation in Virginia.

William Bradford

Governor of Plymouth Colony, chronicled early settlers.

Thomas Hooker

Founded Connecticut, promoted democratic governance.

The New England Confederation

Alliance of New England colonies for mutual defense.

The Dominion of New England

Administrative union of New England colonies.

Massachusetts Bay Co.

Chartered company for Puritan settlement in New England.

King Philip's War

Conflict between Native Americans and New England settlers.

The French & Indian War

Conflict between Britain and France in North America.

The Great Awakening

Religious revival movement in the 18th century.

The Association

Colonial boycott of British goods.

Boston Tea Party

Protest against tea tax, led to punitive measures.

Committees of Correspondence

Networks for communication among colonies.

Suffolk Resolves

Colonial response to Intolerable Acts, called for resistance.

Jefferson vs. Hamilton

Debate over federal power and economic policy.

Republican Government

System based on elected representatives and popular sovereignty.

Shay's Rebellion

1786 uprising against economic injustices in Massachusetts.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Regulated land sales in the Northwest Territory.

Electoral College

System for electing the President via state electors.

Franco-American Alliance

Treaty between France and the U.S. during Revolutionary War.

Genet Affair

French diplomat's actions that violated U.S. neutrality.

Transcendentalism

Philosophical movement promoting individual intuition and nature.

The Webster-Ashburton Treaty

1842 treaty resolving U.S.-British border issues.

Copperheads

Northern Democrats opposing the Civil War.

Credit Mobilier

Scandal involving railroad construction kickbacks.

James B. Weaver

Prominent Populist leader and presidential candidate.

Treaty of Tordesillas

Divided New World between Spain and Portugal.

Dale's Laws

Regulated Virginia's agricultural production in 1611.

Patroonship

Land grant system encouraging Dutch settlement.

Headright system

Land allocation to encourage settlement in colonies.

John Smith

Leader of Jamestown, promoted survival strategies.

Lost Colony

Roanoke Island settlement that mysteriously vanished.

Jamestown

First permanent English settlement in America.

The 'Starving Time'

Winter 1609-1610 with severe food shortages.

Act of Toleration

Maryland law granting religious freedom to Christians.

Joint-Stock Company

Business entity for colonial ventures, shared risks.

James Oglethorpe

Founded Georgia as a debtor's colony.

House of Burgesses

First elected legislative assembly in America.

Bacon's Rebellion

1676 uprising against colonial government in Virginia.

Fundamental Orders

First written constitution in America, Connecticut.

Anne Hutchinson

Challenged Puritan orthodoxy, promoted religious freedom.

Antinomianism

Belief in salvation without adherence to moral law.

Roger Williams

Advocated for separation of church and state.

William Penn

Established Pennsylvania as a Quaker haven.

John Winthrop

Led Puritans to Massachusetts, envisioned 'City upon a Hill.'

Navigation Laws

Regulated colonial trade to benefit England.

The Mayflower Compact

Agreement for self-governance by Pilgrims.

Treaty of Paris (1763)

Ended French and Indian War, ceded territories.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Formally ended American Revolutionary War.

George Grenville

British Prime Minister, imposed taxes on colonies.

Paine's Common Sense

Pamphlet advocating independence from Britain.

The Poor Richard's Almanack

Published by Benjamin Franklin, offered practical wisdom.

Stamp Act Congress

First unified colonial response to British taxation.

Continental Congress

Assembly of colonial representatives for governance.

Colonial Population Growth

Increase in settlers due to immigration and birth.

Mercantile Theory

Economic theory prioritizing trade balance and wealth.

Triangular Trade

Trade route linking Europe, Africa, and Americas.

Salutary Neglect

British policy allowing colonial self-governance.

The Proclamation of 1763

Restricted colonial expansion westward after the war.

The Zenger Trial

Established precedent for freedom of the press.

Internal vs. External Taxes

Distinction between domestic and foreign tax imposition.

Writs of Assistance

General search warrants used by British authorities.

'No Taxation w/o Representation'

Colonial slogan against British taxation policies.

Boston Massacre

1770 confrontation leading to civilian deaths.

French Aid in the Revolutionary

Support from France crucial for American victory.

Declaration of Rights & Grievances

Colonial response to British policies, asserting rights.

Quartering Act

Required colonists to house British troops.

Declaratory Act

Asserted British authority over colonies post-Stamp Act.

The Gaspee

British revenue schooner burned by colonists.

Virtual Representation

British claim that colonists were represented in Parliament.

Quebec Act

Extended Quebec's boundaries, angered colonists.

Voting in the American Colonies

Limited to white male property owners.

The Circular Letter

Call for colonial unity against British policies.

Olive Branch Petition

Last attempt at reconciliation with Britain.

Privateering

Authorized private ships to attack enemy vessels.

The Bill of Rights

First ten amendments protecting individual liberties.

Slavery & the Northwest Territory

Debate over slavery's expansion into new territories.

Women's roles before & after the Revolutionary War

Shifted from domestic to more public responsibilities.

Articles of Confederation

First governing document of the United States.

Strengths & Weaknesses of Articles

Limited federal power, led to constitutional convention.

Washington's Neutrality Proclamation

Declared U.S. neutrality in foreign conflicts.

Loose vs. Strict Interpretation

Debate over constitutional interpretation methods.

The Federalist Papers

Essays promoting ratification of the Constitution.

Montesquieu's The Spirit of Laws

Influential work on government and separation of powers.

Hamilton's Economic Plan

Strategies to stabilize and grow the U.S. economy.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Established the federal judiciary system in the U.S.

Whiskey Rebellion

1794 protest against whiskey tax by farmers.

Virginia Plan

Proposal for a bicameral legislature based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal representation.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Established governance for Northwest Territory and statehood process.

Father of the Constitution

James Madison, key architect of the U.S. Constitution.

Elastic Clause

Allows Congress to pass necessary laws beyond enumerated powers.

Supremacy Clause

Federal law takes precedence over state laws.

Washington's Cabinet

Advisory group to President Washington, including key leaders.

Neutrality Proclamation of 1793

Declared U.S. neutral in European conflicts.

Jay's Treaty

1794 agreement resolving issues with Britain post-Revolution.

Impressment

British practice of forcing American sailors into their navy.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

1794 battle that ended Native American resistance in Ohio.

Treaty of Greenville

1795 agreement that ceded Native lands to U.S.

Louisiana Purchase

1803 acquisition of territory from France, doubling U.S. size.

War of 1812

Conflict between U.S. and Britain over maritime rights.