US History I FInal

Roanoke

The 1st 2 English colonies in failed in the 1585, but in 1607 the Virginia company founded Jamestown

Jamestown

Created by the Virginia Company

led by John Smith (work or starve)

Located on Chesapeake Bay= fertile land and navigable rivers

Swamps= protection from Indians

Much water non-drinkable (salt and freshwater mix)

Marshes= mosquitoes

Many colonists refused work, and looked for gold/ silver

Winter of 1609-1610: ¾ of population died of starvation

New cash crops: tobacco introduced by John Rolfe

War with Indians

Burned during Bacon’s Rebellion

John Rolfe

Englishman who taught colonists how to grow tabacco

John Smith

Leader of Jamestown who had a good relationship with Powhatan and implemented work or starve

Puritans

People who wanted to purify the Anglican church and created the Mass. Bay Colony where they tried to set an example because they thought they were predestined saints. They lived by values of thrift, diligence and morality.

Mayflower Compact

Pilgrims agreement to form a government and obey its laws

Founding of 13 original colonies

Virginia: Jamestown founded by Virginia company

New York: Originally New Amsterdam

Massachusetts: Mayflower landed unintentionally and Pilgrims made Plymouth Colony, Puritans made Mass Bay Colony, but eventually became one

Maryland: Founded as refuge for English Catholics

Rhode Island: Founded/ bought from Natives by Roger Williams when he was kicked out of Mass Bay Colony when he said Puritans didn’t have right to force land from Natives

Connecticut: Established by John Davenport and Puritans

New Hampshire: Land grant

Delaware: Forced Stuyvesant to give up New Sweden

Carolinas: Founded by Lords Proprietors and divided later divided into North and South

New Jersey: Originally New Netherlands

Pennsylvania: William Penn, “Holy Experiment” for political and religious freedom

Georgia: Founded by James Oglethorpe as haven for debtors and made prevent expansion of Spain’s Florida colony

House of Burgesses

1st legislative assembly in the American colonies. It was established in Virginia in 1619 and served as a representative body for the colonists to make laws and govern the colony.

Indentured Servants

Worked as field hands, common laborers, farmers, herders, sailors, maids and aprentices to tradesmen

common in Cheasapeake reagian of Virginia and Maryland because of tabacco cultivation 

Worked under contract for set period (4-7 years) in exchange for voyage to North America, clothes, housing, food, and sometimes payment in goods and land. 

Bonded laborers, so faced same kinds of exploitation as slaves

Triangular Trade

3 part voyage that brought enslaved Africans to America

Americas produce materials, England finishes goods, goods go to Africa, African slaves go to the Americas

Middle Passage

Route across the Atlantic in which enslaved Africans were carried in brutal, crowded, unsanitary conditions

Salutary neglect

Policy in which England allowed its colonies self rule

French and Indian War

War that pitted British and colonial allies against the French and Indians

Over control of the Ohio River Valley and Great Lakes

Great Meadows: Washington gained battle experience, Ft. Duquesne and Necesitity

Ended by the Treaty of Paris of 1763.

Proclamation Line of 1763

To keep peace after Pontiacs Rebellion, this was issued decreeing that English settlers would remain east of the Appalachian Mountains

Common Sense

Thomas Paine’s book that helped convince colonists Independence was the answer, depicting the king as an enemy of liberty, calling for a republic with opportunity based on merit, saying the government should be elected by the people and reinforcing Englightment ideas/ natural rights

Sugar Act

Assigned customs officers and special courts to collect taxes and prosecute smugglers

Stamp Act

1765 act by Parliament that placed a tax on all printed materials like newspapers books and contracts

Townshend Act

1767 tax on glass, lead, paper, paint and tea

Tea Act

When parliament repealed Townshend acts, this tax remained and Parliament gave the East India Company a deal that made its tea cheaper than tea sold in colonies, leading to the Boston Tea Party.

Coercive/ Intolerable Acts

Acts punishing Boston after Boston Tea Party

Included closing Boston ports, expanding the quartering act, increasing the governors power at the expense of legislature, allowing British officials to be tried in Britain and getting rid of town meetings

Boston Massacre

1770 shooting of 5 Boston citizens by British soldiers inciting lots of propaganda and motivation

Types of protest

Intellectual (argued government is social contract with citizens, advocated for natural rights)

Economic (Daughters of Liberty only wore homespun clothes, nonimportation agreements boycotted British goods)

Violence (tar and featherd tax collectors, mobs destroyed governor’s home and assaulted royal officials)

Boston Tea Party

1773 Patriot protest against British tax on tea where Patriots dumped British tea into Boston Harbor

Sons of Liberty

Associations of Patriots that protested against British taxes

1st Continental Congress

1774 meeting of colonial delegates to protest the Intolerable Acts

2nd Continental Congress

Colonial delegates who met in Philadelphia in May 1775 to organize a bigger fight against the British

Olive Branch Petition

U.S.’s final attempt at making reconciliation, reaffirming their allegiance to King George, but not Parliament. This petition was rejected and Britain sent more troops.

Declaration of Independence

1776

Explained the reasons for American independence from Great Britain

4 sections: Why writing Declaration (Preamble), purpose of government(protect rights), list of grievances against king, actual declaration

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson

George Washington

Virginian chosen to command the Continental Army, leading colonial troops in early battle in French and Indian War, giving him battle experience

Called Father of our country, he attracted crowds to Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention

Favored Ratification

Elected president of Convention and 1st president of the U.S.

Founding Fathers

members of the convention that drew up the US Constitution in 1787, including Washington, John Adams, Samuel Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Jay, etc.

Battle of Lexington and Concord

April 18th 1775 fight that started the war

Paul Revere and Will Dawes midnight ride warned that the redcoats were coming, leading to the militia being able to mobilize, fight and win against the British soldiers

Battle of Bunker Hill

Guns put on Breed’s hill which overlooks Boston Harbor, giving the Americans the high ground. 2000 British charged Americans and the 3rd time they won the Hill. Even though they technically won the Brits lost 1000 soldiers and it became a moral victory for Americans.

Battle of Trenton

Surprise victory by Washington on Christmas 1776

Battle of Yorktown

Final major battle of Revolution where a large British army was forced to surrender in October 1781

Battle of Saratoga

American victory in New York (1777) that led to alliance with France

Styles of Fighting (strengths/ weaknesses)(Britain vs. colonies)

Colonies: Continental Congress had no authority to form military, so they formed militias, so they’re were “soldiers” everywhere and they never had to transport the whole army, but they never knew how many soldiers to expect

Britain: underestimated Patriots, “rushed” (frontal assault) into battle as they were used to fighting on flat land, hired brutal Hessian mercenaries angering colonists

Treaty of Paris

Treaty ending that French and Indian War and giving Great Britain Florida (Spain allies of French) and almost all land in Canada as well as all French lands east of Mississippi River except New Orleans. In return the French got many Caribbean islands and Spain got Havana and Manila

Articles of Confederatin

1st national constitution created by the 2nd Continental Congress under the leadership of John Dickinson of Pennsylvania in 1777 creating a loose league of states.

Problems with Articles of Confederation

• No federal courts

• Congress couldn’t raise money through tax

• Congress couldn’t regulate commerce between states or states and foreign nations

• Congress couldn’t form militias

• Debt mounted

• Other coutries didn’t take American seriously

• Amending articles took all 13 states

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Set up system to create states and govern territories where settlers were guaranteed freedom of religion, trial by jury, and rights of common law, abandoning the British model of keeping colonies subordinate. Congress established territorial government and appointed governor who retained veto power after an assembly could be elected at 5000 men. At 60,000 residents a territory could apply to be a state. It barred slavery, required a republican constitution, promised settlers basic freedom and resulted in 5 new states.

Shay’s Rebellion

an uprising of armed farmers who marched on a federal arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts, in protest against higher taxes. Though it failed, it showed many a stronger central government was needed

Constitutional Convention

Meeting of 53 of nations top leaders from 12 states at Pennsylvania State House to propose Amendments to the Articles, which needed 2 big changes: the power to tax and power to regulate interstate and international commerce

Constitution (vs. A.o.C.)

A.o.C.:

Weak central government

Congress could not raise money through tax

Congress could not regulate commerce

No federal court system

All states needed for amendments

Unicameral legislation

Constitution:

String central government

Gave Congress power to tax

Congress regulates interstate/ international commerce

Power divided between federal governments and states and some powers like issuing money forbidden to states

3 branches of government (Supreme Court, bicameral legislation)

9/13 states for amendments

Same:

Congress could declare war/Conduct foreign policy

Protects natural rights

Shows how to govern country

New Jersey Plan

Paterson’s plan for unicameral legislature, giving each state 1 vote with no power to veto state laws and retaining most features of the Articles

Executive committee instead of 1 leader

States retain sovereignty except for few powers given to federal government

Virginia Plan

Madison’s plan for strong federal government who could tax, regulate commerce and veto state laws.

Divided power between branches including federal courts and a strong president to command the military and manage foreign relations as well as a House of Representatives and Senate both based on population

James Madison

Referred to as Father of Constitution

Favored large republic with diverse interests to preserve common good, wanting system with checks and balances to ensure liberty

Proposed Virginia Plan

Wrote 28 essays in Federalist Papers

Great Compromise

Roger Sherman’s plan which included a House representing the population and a Senate with 2 votes per state as well as a system of federalism, dividing power between federal government and states

Included the 3/5th compromise

3/5 Compromise

northerners agreed to count each slaver as 3/5th of a person for determining electoral votes and seats in Congress in return for Southern support of the Constitution

Federalists vs. Antifederalists

Federalist favored fast ratification of Constitution, stressing weaknesses of Articles, while Antifederalist opposed ratification of Constitution, fearing loss of liberties, a distant elite emerging and the absence of a bill of rights as well as threat to state debtor relief laws which saved many farmers, who distrusted the wealthy, lawers and merchants, from foreclosure

Bill of Rights

Avoided statements about equality (slave, woman, etc.)

Wanted by Antifederalist

1st 10 amendments of the Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights:

Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition

Right to bear arms

Prohibits quartering troops in private homes

Protects from unreasonable search and seizure

Due process

Right to speedy, public trial in state where offense was committed

Right to jury in civil cases in federal courts

Prohibits excessive bail and curl punishment

People have rights beyond those in constitution

Powers not granted to national government belong to states and people

Amendment

An article in the U.S. Constitution

A small change to improve a piece of legislation

Ratify

To officially approve

Federalism

System dividing power between state governments and the federal government

Delegated vs. Reserved Powers

Delegated: powers given to federal government like producing money, declaring war, running foreign relations and international and interstate commerce

Reserved powers: powers not given to federal government, reserved for states like marriage, election laws, police and fire department, etc.

3 Branches of Govenment

Executive Branch (president: natural born citizen/ citizen at time of adoption of Constitution, elected by electoral college for 4 year term): Commander and chief of US military, could appoint judges and veto legislation

Judicial Branch: Supreme court, rest of federal court system formalized in Judiciary Act of 1789

Legislative Branch: Senate (upper house, 2 votes each, 6 year term elected by state assemblies): approves legislation, House of Representative (lower house, 2 year term elected by people) introduces legislation

Checks and Balances

Each branch of government has power to limit actions of other 2

Washington’s Presidency

1st president who set precedents for running government such as retiring after 2 terms. He opened western land for settlers, kept the nation out of war, developed foreign trade and put the nation on solid financial footing His farewell address advised successors to temper political strife in favor of national unity.

Washington’s precedents

• Cabinet

• Court System

  • 13 district and 3 circuit courts

  • Federal courts serve as appeals court

  • Office of Attorney General prosecutes legal cases for government

• 2 term presidency

• Negotiating treaties and recognizing foreign governments

Cabinet

Officials who head the major executive departments and advise to President

Whiskey Rebellion

1794 protest by farmers in wester Pennsylvania against the excise tax on whiskey

1st true test of Federal authority

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

Report of Public Credit: Federal government assume state debt and bonds would be sold to wealthy investors

Excise tax

Tax on alcohol such as the tax that sparked the Whiskey Rebellion

Hamilton’s National Bank

proposed high tax on imported goods and an excise tax as well as replace agriculturally based economy with commerce/ manufacturing to regulate state banks and insure business support

Loose vs. Strict construction

Loose: Broad interpretation of Constitution relying on implied powers of Congress which federalist favored

Strict: Narrow interpretation of Constitution that limits Congress’s actions only to powers specifically granted by Constitution which the Democratic Republicans prefered

Federalists vs. Democratic Republicans

Federalists: Strong central government, loose construction, economy based on manufacturing/ trade, pro-British

Democratic Republicans: States should have more power, strict construction, economy based on farming, pro-French

Impressment

Practice of forcing American sailors to serve in the British navy

Jay’s Treaty

1794 treaty with Britain that removed British soldiers from American lands but maintained restrictions on American shipping and Americans had to repay pre Revolutionary War debt owed to Britain

Washington’s Farewell Address

Washingtons statement waring against geographic separation, political parties, accumulation of debt and foreign influence.

Adam’s Presidency

2nd president of U.S. who was favored in the North

His cabinet was not loyal to him

President during XYZ affairs, but later sought peace with France, angering Hamilton and leading to him not becoming president again

XYZ Affair

Incident in which French officials demanded bribes to stop French seizures of American shipping

Alien and Sedition Acts

1798 Federalist laws to restrict public criticism and deport immigrants most of whom supported Democratic Republicans

Sedition: Jailed/ fined people who criticized government

Alien: Any immigrant president found dangerous deported and anyone from country in war with could be deported

Election of 1800

Hamilton persuaded his friends in Congress to vote Jefferson over Burr when there was a tie in electoral votes. This was the 1st peaceful transfer of power to another political party and a 12th Amendment was made in 1804 for the president and VP to be named separately on each electors ballot. Democratic Republicans took control of the presidency, Congress and most state governments, ending the Federalist era.

Louisiana Purchase

Land between Mississippi River and Rocky Mountains bought by the U.S. from France in 1803

Doubled area of U.S.

Jefferson wanted to expand west so more Americans could be farmers

Jefferson asked to buy New Orleans, Napoleon offered all Louisiana Territory

Jefferson contradicts his strict construction

Lewis and Clark’s Expedition

“Corps of Discovery” (learn about land, climate, natives, etc.) sent by Jefferson to explore the Louisiana Territory

Aaron Burr

New York politician who became VP after Hamilton urged Federalist congressmen to back Jefferson

Later killed Hamilton in duel

John Marshall

Chief Justice on the Supreme court who applied Federalist principles by supporting Judicial Review in Marbury v. Madison and limiting state power to interfere with business contracts in Dartmouth College v.s Wood ward and Fletcher v. Peck. In McCulloch v. Maryland when Maryland tried to tax a branch of the 2nd National Bank, he ruled that the power to tax is the power to destroy and a state can’t use taxes to destroy a bank created by Congress, broadly defining commerce.

Marbury vs. Madison

1803 Supreme Court case (Marshall)

Established the Court as the final judge of the constitutionality of congressional actions

Judicial review: power to decide if act of Congress of President is constitutional

Judicial Review

Court’s role is to determine if acts of Congress or the President are constitutional

Embargo Act

Government by Jefferson order by suspending trade, hoping a loss of American goods would change British policies

Effects of Embargo Act

American merchants and farmers suffered from unemployment, bankruptcy and loss of profits

Causes of War of 1812

British interfere with American shipping

British interfere with American expansion into western frontier

Southerners want Florida, which is owned by Britain’s ally Spain

War Hawks want to expel Britain completely from North America

War Hawks

Nationalistic western and southern Congressmen who urged war with Britain in 1812

Henry Clay

Senator, planner of the American System and founder of the Whig Party in 1833 who threw his support behind Adam’s in the 1824 election

John C. Calhoun

Vice president who made a bill to pay for roads and canals to tie the country together. He later resigned to lead South Carolina’s fight over nullification in the Senate

Major Battles of War of 1812

Battle of Tippecanoe: Harrison fears Native uprising and quickly strikes and “The Prophet” (Native temporary leader) delivers fiery oratory. The Confederation of eastern tribes disintegrates and Harrison deemed hero.

U.S.S. Constitution defeated H.M.S. Guerriere

Oliver Hazard Perry defeated British fleet on Lake Erie

Britains 4 part attack in America (Maine, New York, Maryland (burned D.C., but failed to take Baltimore), New Orleans)

Battle of New Orleans: After Treaty of Ghent (hadn’t gotten news of it yet), made Jackson a national hero

Important people in War of 1812

Tecumseh: Native American who fought American expansion

William Henry Harrison: Governor of Indiana Territory who strikes Natives

Madison: stopped trade with Great Britain

John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay led War Hawks

Andrew Jackson defeated the Seminoles and seized a fort a Pensacola and crushed Brits at Battle of New Orleans

Treaty of Ghent

Treaty that ended the War of 1812, where both sides agreed to return to pre war boundaries and a commission was set up to discuss future boundary disputes.

Sam Houston

Texas army commander, President of the Lone Star Republic, and territorial governor and senator of Texas. He led a counterattack at the Battle of San Jacinto where Sanata Anna was defeated.

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

Charismatic general who seized power of Mexico in 1834

Lone Star Republic

New nation created by Texans in 1835

The Alamo

Texas garrison where Santa Anna executed the defenders following battle in 1836

James K. Polk

An expansionist democrat elected president on a promise to obtain Oregon and Texas.  He made a deal to split Oregon, extended the 49th parallel border with Canada to the Pacific Ocean, and tripled the size of Texas, claiming land as far as Rio Grande.

Mexican-American War

Invasion of Mexico by U.S. leading to the U.S. gaining more land

Revolution in Texas led to war with Mexico

American expansionist sough territory in South/West

Mexico invited settlers, who accepted Mexican citizenship, worshiped Catholic Church and followed Mexican constitution, by offering inexpensive land, but Americans ignored

War officially declared when Mexican patrols killed U.S. soldiers

U.S. easily defeated Mexico

Ended by Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, in which Mexico sold a third if its territory to the U.S.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hialgo

The 1848 agreement that ended the Mexican-American War, including the sale of 1/3rd of Mexican territory to America. The U.S. got California and New Mexico and the Texas border was set to Rio Grande, all for $15 million.

Compromise of 1850

Legislation designed by Clay to avoid division between North and South

Popular Sovereignty

Followers believed a territory’s voters should decide whether to allow slavery

Fugitive Slave Act

Stringent laws that required citizens to apprehend fugitive slaves in the North

Dred Scott Decision

A Missouri slave sued for freedom because his owner moved him to a free state, but the court ruled he was property so he couldn’t sue, angering those in the North and pleasing those in the South.

Underground Railroad

Secret network of people who helped slaves escape from South

Harriet Tubman

Former slave who led slaves into freedom through underground railroad