Lectures 1-13 (Main Ideas)

What was the Covenant Chain?

A series of alliances and treaties between the Iroquois Confederacy and British colonies for trade and diplomacy.

Why did the Iroquois lose influence after the Seven Years’ War?

Their diplomatic power weakened as Britain gained land and no longer needed their alliance as much.

What was the Stamp Act of 1765?

A British tax on paper goods in the colonies that required a stamp, sparking major resistance.

Who were the Sons of Liberty?

A group of patriots who organized protests and riots against British taxation, especially the Stamp Act.

What was the significance of the Stamp Act Congress?

It was the first unified colonial response to British policy, asserting that only colonial assemblies could tax the colonies.

Which group was among the first to oppose slavery in the British Atlantic?

The Quakers, who preached against slavery and advocated for gradual emancipation.

Who was Olaudah Equiano?

A formerly enslaved African who wrote a powerful autobiography that helped fuel abolitionist movements.

What happened at the Battle of Saratoga?

It was a turning point in the Revolutionary War that convinced France to ally with the Americans.

What was the importance of the Siege of Yorktown?

It was the final major battle of the Revolutionary War, ending with British General Cornwallis’s surrender.

What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation?

It served as the first constitution for the U.S., creating a weak central government and strong state sovereignty.

What problem did Shay’s Rebellion highlight?

The inability of the government under the Articles of Confederation to respond effectively to economic crises and uprisings.