Comprehensive US History Notes

Bacon’s Rebellion

1676 revolt in Virginia led by Nathaniel Bacon against Governor William Berkeley, highlighting class tensions and resistance to colonial rule. It was triggered by economic hardship among former indentured servants, lack of available land, and resentment towards the governor's lenient policies towards Native Americans.

The Gaspee Incident (1772)

A colonial act of defiance against British authority in which Rhode Islanders burned the British revenue cutter Gaspee after it ran aground in Narragansett Bay. It was caused by increasing enforcement of trade regulations by the British, resentment of the Townshend Acts, and growing colonial opposition to British policies.

Committees of Correspondence

Groups formed to warn neighboring colonies about incidents with Britain, broadening the resistance movement. They emerged due to increasing tensions between the colonies and Great Britain, sparked by events like the Boston Massacre and the Gaspee Incident, leading to a need for better colonial communication.

First Continental Congress

A meeting in 1774 in response to the Coercive and Quebec Acts, aiming to unify colonial response against British policies.

Treaty of Paris

Treaty signed after the French and Indian War, in which Britain gained lands of Canada and east of the Mississippi River (excluding New Orleans). The war (1754-1763) was fought between Great Britain and France for control of North America, resulting in British victory and significant territorial gains.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, establishing a weak federal government. It was replaced by the US Constitution in 1789. It was created due to a desire to avoid a strong central government like the British monarchy, fear of centralized power, and the need for a unified government during the Revolutionary War.

Shay’s Rebellion

A 1786 uprising led by farmers in Massachusetts, protesting economic injustices and government policies. It was caused by economic depression following the Revolutionary War, high taxes, and debt burden on farmers, leading to widespread discontent.

US Constitution

Ratified in 1789, replacing the Articles of Confederation, it established a stronger federal government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. It addressed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, including the inability to regulate trade, raise taxes, and enforce laws, leading to calls for a stronger national government.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights and liberty and preventing government abuse of power. It was created due to concerns among Anti-Federalists about the lack of protection for individual liberties in the original Constitution, leading to demands for a Bill of Rights as a condition for ratification.

1st Amendment

Protects freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and sets requirements for search warrants based on probable cause.

5th Amendment

Protects the right to due process, prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy, and ensures compensation for takings.

6th Amendment

Protects the right to a fair trial, including the right to a speedy trial, an impartial jury, and legal counsel.

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

Hamilton’s Economic Plan

Policies proposed by Alexander Hamilton to stabilize the American economy, including federal assumption of state debts, establishment of a national bank, and promotion of manufacturing. It was created because the new nation faced significant economic challenges, including war debt, lack of credit, and unstable currency, leading to Hamilton's proposals for economic reform.

Hamilton vs Jefferson

Hamilton advocated for loose construction of the Constitution, distrust of the people, and despised the French Revolution, while Jefferson favored strict construction, trusted the people, loved the French, and believed in the “instability of liberty.”

The Whiskey Rebellion

A 1794 uprising in western Pennsylvania, protesting the federal excise tax on whiskey, which was seen as unfairly targeting small farmers. It tested the new government's ability to enforce its laws and maintain order and was triggered by Hamilton's excise tax on whiskey, aimed at raising revenue to pay off national debt, disproportionately affected small farmers in western Pennsylvania.

Washington’s Farewell Address

A letter written by George Washington in 1796, advising against political parties and foreign alliances, aiming to maintain national unity and independence. It was prompted by concerns about growing political divisions, the rise of political parties, and entanglement in foreign conflicts, prompting Washington to offer guidance to the nation.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws passed in 1798 that restricted immigration and limited free speech, aimed at dissent against the government. They were controversial and seen as an infringement on civil liberties and were passed due to the Quasi-War with France, fear of foreign influence, and desire to suppress political opposition, leading to the passage of these controversial laws by the Federalist-controlled Congress.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Political statements in 1798 and 1799 asserting that states could nullify federal laws they felt were unconstitutional, inspired by the Alien and Sedition Acts. They were created due to opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts, assertion of states' rights, and belief in the compact theory of government, leading to these resolutions.

Nullification Act

Principle that a state can invalidate any federal law deemed unconstitutional.

XYZ Affair

A diplomatic incident in 1797-1798 where French agents demanded bribes from American diplomats, leading to an undeclared naval conflict. It was caused by tensions between the United States and France, French interference with American shipping, and diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict, leading to the demand for bribes by French agents.

Causes of the War of 1812

Included trade restrictions, impressment of American sailors, and conflicts with Native Americans. These were caused by British impressment of American sailors, interference with American trade, and support for Native American resistance to westward expansion, leading to calls for war against Great Britain.

Fallout of the War of 1812

Increased nationalism, economic independence, and decline of the Federalist Party.

Federalist Party

A political party in the early United States that advocated for a strong central government, dominant in the 1790s but declined after the War of 1812.

Hartford Convention

Meetings held by the Federalist Party in 1814, discussing grievances regarding the War of 1812, which led to the party's decline. It was caused by opposition to the War of 1812, economic grievances in New England, and desire to protect regional interests, leading to this meeting of Federalist delegates.

Treaty of Ghent

Agreement signed in 1814 that ended the War of 1812, restoring relations between the United States and Great Britain.

Battle of New Orleans

Fought on January 8, 1815, after the Treaty of Ghent, where American forces, led by Andrew Jackson, achieved a decisive victory against the British.

John C. Calhoun

Believed that slavery was necessary and natural and advocated for states' rights and the doctrine of nullification.

William Lloyd Garrison

An abolitionist and journalist known for his outspoken opposition to slavery, who founded the anti-slavery newspaper "The Liberator" in 1831.

Texas Independence (1836 - 1845)

The political struggle and resulting war in which Texas broke away from Mexico, eventually becoming an independent republic before joining the United States. This was due to cultural and political differences between American settlers in Texas and the Mexican government, disputes over slavery, and Santa Anna's centralizing policies, leading to the Texas Revolution.

The Mexican War (1846 - 1848)

A conflict between the United States and Mexico, sparked by territorial disputes after the annexation of Texas, leading to significant territorial gains for the U.S. It was caused by the annexation of Texas by the United States, border disputes between the U.S. and Mexico, and President Polk's expansionist ambitions, leading to armed conflict.

Treaty of Guadaloupe-Hidalgo

An 1848 agreement that ended the Mexican War, where Mexico ceded vast territories, including California and New Mexico, to the United States.

Know-Nothing Party

A political party from the 1850s, created after the Whigs fell apart, with a platform of anti-immigration. It was formed due to an increase in immigration, particularly from Ireland and Germany, led to nativist sentiments and the rise of anti-immigrant political movements.

Manifest Destiny

Belief that it was the divine right of the United States to expand westward across the North American continent, with the goal of spreading democracy and capitalism.

The Pony Express

A mail service that delivered messages and mail using horseback riders across a network of relay stations, operating from 1860 to 1861. It emerged due to the need for faster communication between the East and West Coasts, especially before the completion of the transcontinental telegraph.

Steam Revolution

Technological advancements in steam power during the 19th century, which transformed transportation and industry, including steamships and locomotives.

James K Polk

Known for expansionist policies, served as the 11th President of the United States, and was a proponent of Manifest Destiny.

Thomas Edison

An American inventor and businessman known for his development of the electric light bulb, phonograph, and motion pictures, significantly impacting modern technology.

Causes of the Industrial Revolution in the US

Innovations, availability of natural resources, expanding transportation network, and growing labor force driven by immigration.

Sinking of the Lusitania

A British ocean liner torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1915, resulting in 1,198 deaths, including 128 Americans, contributing to anti-German sentiment in the U.S. This was caused by World War I, unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany, and the ship being a British ocean liner.

Selective Service Act - 1917

Law that authorized the U.S. federal government to raise an army for World War I through compulsory enlistment of men, establishing a draft system. It was enacted due to the U.S. entry into World War I and the need to quickly raise a large army.

The Committee of Public Information

Agency created by the U.S. government during World War I to promote public support for the war, utilizing propaganda and media outlets. Its creation was prompted by the U.S. entry into World War I and the need to mobilize public opinion in support of the war effort.

Espionage Act (1917)

Federal law that imposed severe penalties for espionage, sabotage, and obstruction of military recruitment during World War I, aimed at protecting national security. It was passed due to the U.S. entry into World War I and concerns about espionage and sabotage.

Sedition Act (1918)

Law that expanded the Espionage Act by prohibiting obstructive speech against the U.S. government or military during World War I, targeting anti-war sentiments and dissent. It was created due to the expansion of the Espionage Act due to the ongoing World War I and the perceived need to suppress dissent.

Schenk vs US (1919)

Supreme Court case that upheld the conviction of Charles Schenck for violating the Espionage Act, establishing the "clear and present danger" standard for restricting free speech during wartime. It was caused by prosecution under the Espionage Act for distributing leaflets urging men to resist the draft.

Abrams vs US (1919)

Supreme Court case that upheld the conviction of individuals for distributing pamphlets against U.S. intervention in Russia during World War I, reinforcing limitations