From Colonies to Independence

Flashcards about the transformation of British colonies in America into an independent nation with its own distinct identity, covering the period from 1754 to 1800.

French and Indian War (1754-1763)

Part of the larger Seven Years' War, sparked by territorial disputes between British colonists and the French, particularly in the Ohio River Valley.

Albany Plan of Union

A plan proposed by Benjamin Franklin during the congress that called for a more centralized colonial government for better defense coordination but was rejected due to colonial reluctance to be taxed.

Peace of Paris (1763)

Signed in 1763, it resulted in the French being almost entirely removed from North America, the Louisiana Territory ceded to Spain, and British land holdings in North America more than doubled.

Royal Proclamation of 1763

Issued by the British government to ease tensions between colonists and American Indians, forbidding colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.

End of Salutary Neglect

The policy where Britain shifted from loosely enforcing parliamentary laws in the American colonies to stricter control and enforcement of laws.

Quartering Act of 1765

Required colonists to house and feed British soldiers.

Stamp Act of 1765

Taxed all paper items, including newspapers, playing cards, and contracts.

Virtual Representation

British leaders argued that members of Parliament represented all British citizens, regardless of locality.

Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty

Organizations that emerged to advocate for the repeal of the Stamp Act.

Declaratory Act

Asserted Parliament's right to pass any law they wished in the colonies.

Townsend Acts (1767)

Imposed new taxes on goods imported to the colonies, including paper, glass, and tea, sparking organized protests and boycotts.

Boston Massacre

An event in 1770 where British troops killed four colonists, perceived as a sign of increasing British tyranny.

Boston Tea Party (1773)

A direct response to the Tea Act of 1773. Colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor to protest the British East India Company's monopoly.

Coercive Acts/Intolerable Acts

Passed by Parliament in retaliation for the Boston Tea Party, which included closing Boston Harbor until the tea was paid for.

Continental Congress (1774)

Colonial leaders gathered to address violations of their liberties by Parliament, agreeing on the need to resist further British encroachment.

Natural Rights

Rights endowed to all human beings by God, not a government, and therefore cannot be taken away.

Social Contract

The power to govern resides in the people, who willingly give some of that power to a government capable of protecting their natural rights.

Republicanism

The superiority of a republican form of government, especially one with a separation of powers allowing each branch to check and balance the others.

"Common Sense"

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in early 1776 that argued persuasively for independence, swaying public opinion.

Continental Congress

Established the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as its general.

Battle of Saratoga (1777)

Convinced the French to ally with the Americans during the Revolutionary War.

Articles of Confederation

Provided the new nation with a constitution and a government after gaining independence.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Regulated westward migration, provided a plan for how unformed territories could be occupied and then applied to the Union for statehood, and abolished slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Shays' Rebellion

Highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention of 1787

Called to revise the Articles of Confederation, leading to the creation of a new constitution.

Virginia Plan

Representation by population (favored by larger states).

New Jersey Plan

Equal representation for all states (favored by smaller states).

Great Compromise

Established a bicameral Congress with representation by population in the House and equal votes per state in the Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Three-fifths of the enslaved population would be counted for representation purposes.

Federalist Papers

Essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison to persuade the public of the Constitution's merits.

Republican Motherhood

Women could influence political realities by raising virtuous, liberty-minded sons.

Federalists

Washington and Hamilton favored policies that strengthened the central government.

Whiskey Rebellion of 1794

Hamilton imposed a tax on whiskey, which angered poor frontier farmers.

Elastic Clause

Congress has the right to make any law that is necessary and proper in order to carry out its other responsibilities.

Democratic-Republicans

Favored limited federal power and considered policies like the debt plan and the National Bank as federal overreach.

Federalists

Advocated for policies like the debt plan and the National Bank.

Washington's Farewell Address

Warned against the divisive effects of political parties and entanglement in foreign alliances.

XYZ Affair

French officials demanded a bribe before negotiations could begin, sparking outrage among both Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

In response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, these resolutions asserted that states could nullify federal laws deemed unconstitutional.

Indian Trade and Intercourse Act

This law aimed to regulate interactions and ensure fair dealings between settlers and Indians but was largely ignored by settlers.

Pinckney Treaty

Established the border between the U.S. and Spain at the 31st parallel.