Studied by 5 people
Aztec Empire
Dominated present day Mexico. Built the largest city in the world in 1325. Extremely organized. Had legal systems, advanced farming techniques, complicated political structures, and impressive architectural buildings. Had human sacrafices to their sun god.
Spanish Armada
Largest fleet in the 16th Century. Consists of 132 warships. Lost to England because of a “Strong Protestant Wind” that destroyed many ships against rocks. Was seen as a sign of god.
Powhatan Confederacy
Union of at least 30 Native American tribes created by Chief Powhatan in the 17th century. Came in contact with first settlers. Lived in uneasy peace with settlers because of Pocahontas. After he died, relationships declined and skirmishes broke out which ended the confederacy.
King Philip’s war
First war with the Natives in the 17th century. Fought over land and the execution of three of Metacoms men. Ended with Metacom being shot and killed. He was beheaded and placed on a spike as a warning to other natives.
Staple Crops
Crops eaten heavily in America. The Three Sisters were staple crops. (Corn, Beans, and Squash.)
Enlightenment
Revolution that emphasizes reason and science over religious authority. Upper-class movement. Encouraged critical thinking vs tradition. Private schools became more prevalent in the North.
Great Awakening
Religous movement that was caused by the growing popularity of the Englightenment. Majority if people were swept up by the movement. It divided towns and fueled the growth of new religous denominations such as methodists and baptists. Religous elites were scared that they were loosing control over people. Killed puritanism.
Loyalist
Colonists that were in the Thirteen Colonies who remained loyal to England. Included mostly upper-class colonists that wanted to keep their wealth and land. Wanted peaceful reconciliation.
Committe of Correspondence
A committee on towns, counties, and colonies that allowed men to express their ideas and coordinate efforts to resist British rule. They helped spread news and information about the patriot cause throughout the colonies.
Hessians
German militia men that were hired by the British. The British used them as a cheaper alternative to training their own soldiers. They were feared in the revolutionary war due to their discipline and ferocity.
Republican Ideology
Self government. Government reflects the will of the people. Zero tolerance for corruption. Rule of law. Absence of monarchy.
Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom
Disestablished the Church of England and guaranteed freedom of religion to all people. Separation of church and state. Forerunner of the first amendment.
Roman Catholicism
Played a role in the Christianization of the Native American population. Religion in England. Calvinism and Lutheranism branched of from this.
Columbian Exchange
Transferred plants, animals, disease, and people. New world goods such as corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and cassava went to the old world. Old world goods such as grapes, sugar cane, and coffee went to the new world. Led to a huge population boom.
Puritans
Desired reform of the Anglican Church. (England’s main religion.) Established the Massachusetts Bay colony. Helped establish towns and farms in early America. Was brought to an end by the Great Awakening.
Head Right
Legal grants of land given to settlers during the period of European colonization in the Americas. Made to encourage settlers to come to America. 50 acres per person.
Mayflower Compact
First government document to be signed in the New World. Bound colonists together and officially established a colony near the Hudson river.
Slave Codes
Allowed owners to punish slaves. Slaves couldn’t leave the owners property, could not assemble unless a white person was present, could not own firearms, cold not be taught to read or write, and could not posses literature. Made to prevent uprisings.
Deists
Enlightenment belief. Desired moral improvement and social justice. Stood for rational inquiry and religious toleration. Many founding fathers were this. Did believe in a supreme being but believed it did not intervene on earth.
Salutary Neglect
England’s unofficial policy that relaxed enforcement of trade regulations and other laws. This increased the autonomy of colonial legal institutions. Gave a feeling of self governance to colonists.
Patriots
Colonists that were weary of British laws. Wanted freedom from a “tyrannical” royal government. Ideology was based on Republicanism.
Common Sense
Written by Thomas Paine which advocated independence from great Britain and the creation of a democratic republic.
Valley Forge
Winter camping point of the Continental army. Had extremely low supplies and as a result about 1,700 to 2,000 soldiers died from disease and malnutrition. Marked the triumph of morale and military discipline over severe hardship.
Articles of Confederation
Served as the United States first constitution. Had a weak central government and left most of the power to the states.
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