APUSH Unit 2 Key Terms

Navigation Acts

only English and American ships allowed to colonial ports; dissent began in 1763

Mercantilism

ensured trade with mother country, nationalism; too restrictive on colonial economy, not voted on by colonists

Charles II, James II

tried to rule as absolute monarchs without using Parliament, little to no sympathy for colonial legislatures

William and Mary

ended the Dominion of New England, gave power back to colonies

The Glorious Revolution

William and Mary kicked James II out of England (exiled into France), allowed more power to the legislatures

The Enlightenment

emphasis on human reason, logic, and science (acquired, not nascent, knowledge); increased followers of Christianity

Benjamin Franklin

connected the colonies to Britain, opposed to unnecessary unfair taxation; strong influence on Albany Plan

The Great Awakening

began by Edwards to return to Puritanism, increased overall religious involvement, gave women more active roles in religion, more and more ministers sprouted up throughout the country; mainly affected towns and cities

Jonathan Edwards

Puritan minister, led revivals, stressed immediate repentance

New Lights vs. Old Lights

New Lights brought new ideas, rejected by Old Lights; both sought out institutions independent of each other

Albany Plan of Union

colonies proposed colonial confederation under lighter British rule (crown-appointed president, "Grand Council"); never took effect

French and Indian War

French threat at the borders was no longer present, therefore the colonies didn't need English protection; more independent stand against Britain

Proclamation of 1763

prohibited settlements west of Appalachian, restriction on colonial growth

Salutary Neglect

Parliament took minor actions in the colonies, allowing them to experiment with and become accustomed to self-government, international trade agreements

Writs of Assistance

search warrants on shipping to reduce smuggling; challenged by James Otis

Townshend Act (1767)

similar to Navigatio; raised money to pay colonial officials by American taxes; led to Boston boycott of English luxuries

Sugar Act

increased tariff on sugar (and other imports), attempted to harder enforce existing tariffs

Stamp Act

taxes on all legal documents to support British troops, not approved by colonists through their representatives

Stamp Act Congress

held in New York, agreed to not import British goods until Stamp Act was repealed

Virginia Resolves

"no taxation without representation," introduced by Patrick Henry

Currency Act

prohibited colonies from issuing paper money, destabilized colonial economy

Sons of Liberty

organized and controlled resistance against Parliamentary acts in less violent ways (strength of martyrdom), advocated nonimportation

Declaratory Act

allowed Parliament to completely legislate over the colonies, limited colonists' say

Boston Massacre

British soldiers shot into crowd of snowball fight; two of nine soldiers (defended by John Adams) found guilty of manslaughter

Committees of Correspondence

committees appointed from different colonies to communicate on matters; asserted rights to self-government, cooperation between colonies

Tea Act (1773)

intended to save British East India Company from bankruptcy, could sell directly to consumers rather than through wholesalers (lowered prices to compete with smuggled tea)

Boston Tea Party

peaceful destruction of British tea in Boston Harbor by colonists disguised as Indians

Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts)

in reaction to the Boston Tea Party; closing of Boston Harbor, revocation of Massachusetts charter (power to governor), murder in the name of royal authority would be tried in England or another colony

Suffolk Resolves

organize militia, end trade with Britain, refuse to pay taxes to Britain

Olive Branch Petition

politely demanded from the king a cease-fire in Boston, repeal of Coercive Acts, guarantee of American rights

Thomas Paine, Common Sense

stressed to the American people British maltreatment and emphasize a need for revolution; appealed to American emotions

George Washington

American commander-in-chief; first president, set precedents for future presidents, put down Whiskey Rebellion (enforced Whiskey Tax), managed first presidential cabinet, carefully used power of executive to avoid monarchial style rule

Patriots

most numerous in New England, fought for independence

Loyalists

fought for return to colonial rule, usually conservative (educated and wealthy)

British strengths and weaknesses

British citizenship outnumbered colonies', large navy and professional army; exhausted resources (Hessians hired), national debt

Colonial strengths and weaknesses

fair amount of troops, short guerilla tactics, strong leaders (Washington); nonprofessional army that could not handle long battles

Battle of Saratoga

American general Horatio Gates was victorious over British general Burgoyne

Battle of Yorktown

last major battle; surrender of Cornwallis, led King George III to officially make peace with the colonies

Treaty of Paris (1783)

full American independence, territory west of Appalachian ceded to America, loyalists to be compensated for seized property, fishing rights off of Newfoundland

American society during the Revolution

British-occupied cities, new governments, fighting by any with experience, loaned money, African-Americans and Native Americans involved

Articles of Confederation

states joined for foreign affairs, Congress reigned supreme (lacked executive and judicial), one vote per state, 2/3 vote for bills, unanimous for amendments; too much power to states, unable to regulate commerce or taxes

Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom (1786)

foundation for First Amendment, offered free choice of religion, not influenced by state

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

defined process for territories to become states (population reached 60,000), forbade slavery in the new territories

Alexander Hamilton

loose interpretation of Constitution, leader of Federalist Party

James Madison

strong central government, separation of powers, "extended republic"

Shays's Rebellion

mistreated farmers, fear of mobocracy, forced people to think about central government

Commerce Compromise

congress could tax imports but not exports

Federalism

strong central government provided by power divided between state and national governments, checks and balances, amendable constitution

Changes in the Constitution from the Articles

stronger union of states, equal and population-based representation, simple majority vote (with presidential veto), regulation of foreign and interstate commerce, execution by president, power to enact taxes, federal courts, easier amendment process

Articles' achievement

system for orderly settlement of West

Elastic Clause ("necessary and proper")

gives Congress the power to pass laws it deems necessary to enforce the Constitution

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Anti-Federalists wanted states' rights, bill of rights, unanimous consent, reference to religion, more power to less-rich and common people; Federalists wanted strong central government, more power to experienced, separation of church and state, stated that national government would protect individual rights

The Federalist Papers

written anonymously by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison; commentary on Constitution, republicanism extended over large territory