AP US History Terms List (Complete)

Jamestown

The first successful settlement in colonial America, founded in May of 1607. Harsh conditions nearly destroyed the colony but in 1610 supplies arrived with a new wave of settlers. The settlement became part of the Virginia Company of London in 1620. The population remained low due to lack of supplies until agriculture was solidly established.

John Smith

Helped found and govern Jamestown. His leadership and strict discipline helped the Virginia colony get through the difficult first winter.

John Rolfe

He was one of the English settlers at Jamestown (and he married Pocahontas). He discovered how to successfully grow tobacco in Virginia and cure it for export, which made Virginia an economically successful colony.

Virginia House of Burgesses

Virginia's government modeled after Parliament. Created in 1619. First elected legislative assembly in the New World, established in the Colony of Virginia. Served as an early model of elected government in the New World.

Mayflower Compact

This document was drafted in 1620 prior to settlement by the Pilgrims at Plymouth Bay in Massachusetts. It declared that the 41 males who signed it agreed to accept majority rule and participate in a government in the best interest of all members of the colony. This agreement set the precedent for later documents outlining commonwealth rule.

William Bradford

A Pilgrim, the second governor of the Plymouth colony, 1621-1657. He developed private land ownership and helped colonists get out of debt. He helped the colony survive droughts, crop failures, and Indian attacks.

Plymouth Plantation

Site of the first Thanksgiving in 1621. The first permanent European settlement in southern New England. Separatists were here.

Massachusetts Bay Colony

One of the first settlements in New England; established in 1630 and became a major Puritan colony. Absorbed the Plymouth community. Later became the state of Massachusetts, originally where Boston is located. It was a major trading center.

Anglicanism

Relating to the church of England, a branch of Protestantism created by King Henry VIII that is designed to respect the government.

Proprietary Colony

Used to kick back money to the crown. The king gave land to one or more people in return for yearly payment; cash crops.

Restoration Colony

Any royal colony established after 1660, land grants in north america given by king charles II as a reward to his supporters

Halfway Covenant

A Puritan church document; In 1662, it allowed partial membership rights to the children of Visible Saints. Lessened the difference between the "elect" members of the church and the regular members.

Joint Stock Company

A business in which investors pool their wealth for a common purpose, then share the profits after success is reached.

Headright System

Parcels of land consisting of about 50 acres given to colonists who brought indentured servants into America. They were used by the Virginia Company to attract more colonists.

Bacon's Rebellion

1676 - A group of indentured servants were angry at Virginia Governor Berkley for trying to appease the Doeg Indians after they attacked the western settlements. The frontiersmen formed an army, with ___ as its leader, which defeated the Indians and then marched on Jamestown and burned the city. The rebellion ended suddenly when the leader died of an illness.

King Phillip's War

War between the Native American tribes of New England and British colonists that took place from 1675-1676. The war was the result of tension caused by encroaching white settlers. The chief of the Wampanoags, Metacom lead the natives. The war ended Indian resistance in New England and left a hatred of whites.

Thomas Hooker

A Puritan minister who led about 100 settlers out of Massachusetts Bay to Connecticut because he believed that the governor and other officials had too much power. He wanted to set up a colony in Connecticut with strict limits on government.

James Oglethorpe

Founder and governor of the Georgia colony. He ran a tightly-disciplined, military-like colony. Slaves, alcohol, and Catholicism were forbidden in his colony. Many colonists felt that Oglethorpe was a dictator, and that (along with the colonist's dissatisfaction over not being allowed to own slaves) caused the colony to break down and Oglethorpe to lose his position as governor.

William Penn

A Quaker that founded Pennsylvania to establish a place where his people and others could live in peace and be free from persecution.

Sir Edmund Andros

English military man affiliation with Church of England laid heavy restrictons on the courts the press, and the schools, and revoked all land titles he tried to escape wearing women clothing when boston mob tries to catch him he was sent back to england

Benjamin Franklin

American public official, writer, scientist, and printer. After the success of his Poor Richard's Almanac (1732-1757), he entered politics and played a major part in the American Revolution. Franklin negotiated French support for the colonists, signed the Treaty of Paris (1783), and helped draft the Constitution (1787-1789). His numerous scientific and practical innovations include the lightning rod, bifocal spectacles, and a stove.

Indentured Servants

People who could not afford their passage to the colonies could become this. A master would pay their passage, and in exchange, the ___ would serve that person for a set length of time (usually seven years) and then would be free.

Mercantilism

An economic system to increase a nation's wealth by government regulation of all of the nation's commercial interests. The amount of gold and silver you own defines how powerful you are. (Europe in 18th C)

Navigation Acts

Laws that governed trade between England and its colonies. Colonists were required to ship certain products exclusively to England. These acts made colonists very angry because they were forbidden from trading with other countries.

The Great Awakening

Religious revival in the 1730-40s, helped by Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield; inspired controversy over emotionalism/revivalism versus traditionalist Protestantism; nevertheless united the colonists as a people.

George Whitefield

One of the key preachers of the great awakening. Had seven revival tours, very popular man. "New Light" preacher, known for his talented voice inflection and ability to bring many a person to their knees.

The Enlightenment

A philosophical movement; Started in Europe in the 1700's and spread to the colonies. Emphasized reason and the scientific method. Writers of the enlightenment tended to focus on government, ethics, and science, rather than on imagination, emotions, or religion. Many members of the Enlightenment rejected traditional religious beliefs in favor of Deism, which holds that the world is run by natural laws without the direct intervention of God.

Deism

The religion of the Enlightenment (1700s). Followers believed that God existed and had created the world, but that afterwards He left it to run by its own natural laws. Denied that God communicated to man or in any way influenced his life.

John Locke

English philosopher who advocated the idea of a "social contract" in which government powers are derived from the consent of the governed and in which the government serves the people; also said people have natural rights to life, liberty and property.

French and Indian War

Was a war fought on American soil over control of the Ohio River Valley-- English defeated the French in 1763. Historical significance: established England as number one world power and began to gradually change attitudes of the colonists toward England for the worse.

The Albany Congress

Meeting called by Great Britain of 13 colonial representatives in New York in order to develop a treaty with Native Americans and plan the defense of the colonies against France - exceeding these limited objectives, the assembly adopted the ___ Plan of Union

Proclamation of 1763

A proclamation from the British government which forbade British colonists from settling west of the Appalacian Mountains, and which required any settlers already living west of the mountains to move back east. 1763.

Stamp Act of 1765

Was issued in order to raise revenues to support the new British military force. Mandated the use of stamped paper certifying the payment of taxes. Colonist were angrily aroused and felt that this act was jeopardizing the basic right of the colonists as Englishmen. 1765.

Sons of Liberty

A radical political organization formed after the passage of the Stamp Act to protest various British acts; organization used poth peaceful and violent means of protest

Coercive Acts

This series of laws were very harsh laws that intended to make Massachusetts pay for its resistance. It also closed down the Boston Harbor until the Massachusetts colonists paid for the ruined tea. Also forced Bostonians to shelter soldiers in their own homes.

Olive Branch Petition

On July 8, 1775, the colonies made a final offer of peace to Britain, agreeing to be loyal to the British government if it addressed their grievances (repealed the Coercive Acts, ended the taxation without representation policies). It was rejected by Parliament, which in December 1775 passed the American Prohibitory Act forbidding all further trade with the colonies.

"Common Sense"

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that criticized monarchies and convinced many common men the imminent need to break away from Britain.

Second Continental Congress

They organized the continental Army and called on the colonies to send troops; selected George Washington to lead the army, and appointed the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence.

Treaty of Paris 1783

This treaty ended the Revolutionary War, recognized the independence of the American colonies, and granted the colonies the territory from the southern border of Canada to the northern border of Florida, and from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River. 1783.

The Northwest Ordinance

Provided the basis for governing much of western territory. The law created a new territory north of the Ohio River which would eventually be divided into three to five states.

Shay's Rebellion

___ and his farmer followers demanded that the state issue more paper money and less taxes. The gov gives in.

The Constitution

Written to explain the rights of the people and the powers of the federal government, by James Madison.

James Madison

Intellectual known as "The Father of the Constitution".

Anti-federalists

Group of people that believed in the peoples' vote, and having strong state governments.

The Federalist Papers

Written and put in newspapers to be used as propaganda towards the general public.

Alexander Hamilton

Strong federalist leader with a high intensity for war.

Loose Interpretation

Not exactly what the constitution states but along the general outline; Hamilton

Strict Interpretation

Follow the constitution word for word; Jefferson

Federalists

Strong central government and bank; the wealthy people; Hamilton.

Democratic-Republicans

Strong state powers; the common people; Jefferson

Jay's Treaty

John Jay, sent by Washington, goes to England to negotiate

Whiskey Rebellion

Angry farmers got mad because a tax was put on their whiskey, so no profit was made

XYZ Affair

Three shady French men said the US would have to pay a large sum of money to talk to French leaders

Alien and Sedition Acts

Raise naturalization to 15 years and the president and deport any dangerous citizen; also the current party can't be basked in writing

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

Madison and Jefferson encouraged the states to nullify the alien and sedition acts because the federal government had exceeded their power

Revolution of 1800

End of the Federalist party; start of Jefferson's presidency (aka Jeffersonian Revolution)

Marbury vs. Madison

first large court case, Marbury sues Madison for ; establishes judicial review

John Marshall

chief justice; makes decisions that strengthen the central government

Embargo of 1807

Prohibits trade with and cargo from leaving the US going to England or France; Jefferson's way of punishing England

The War of 1812

Started over neautrality and impressment; ends with the Treaty of Ghent

Clay's American System

Makes the US economically self-sufficient; high protective tariff, strong national bank, internal improvements (transportation)

Hartford Convention

End of the Federalist party; They complain about the war, states' rights and the president's term length

Monroe Doctrine

The US won't mess in EU's business if they stay out of our's; Neutralize the threat of Europe

National road (Cumberland Road)

After the War of 1812 people migrated to the Old Northwest on the new central road

McCullough vs. Maryland

Maryland cannot tax the national bank, the power to tax is the power to destroy; establishes judicial review

Missouri Compromise

11 free states, 11 slave states; created by Henry Clay

John Quincy Adams

Awesome Secretary of State; Federalist; likes tariffs and improvements; hates slavery

Worcester vs. Georgia

Cherokee's are told they can stay on their land and won't be forced out

Gibbons vs. Ogden

New York monopoly for a shipping company; Marshall says "no" and strengthens Fed power

Lowell System

Women work in mills to get money for the family; There is one manager

Tariff of Abominations

Raised taxes on imported manufactured goods; economically protected the North but harmed the South

John C. Calhoun

South Carolina politician; wanted each section of the country to share federal power equally; senator

Daniel Webster

Great American Orator; several important speeches as a lawyer and a congressman; representative of North in pre-civil war

Specie Circular

Andrew Jackson's policy that required hard gold to be used in all land transactions with the federal government

Second Great Awakening

An early 1800's spiritual movement that emphasized personal salvation and perfection from sin; Charles Finney

Tocqueville's Democracy in America

When Tocqueville came to America and wrote his observations in a popular novel

Transcendentalism

Ralph Waldo Emerson; each person had direct communication with God; churches aren't necessary

Abolitionsm

The idea of anti-slavery; many people in the North support this movement

Nat Turner's Rebellion

The largest slave uprising in American history; occurred in Virginia and left 55 white southerners dead

Whig Party

Supported industry; favored protective tariffs and Clay's American system; Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, John C. Calhoun are members of this party

Seneca Falls

Large meeting of women to gain womens' rights- such as voting

Manifest Destiny

Divine right to settle the land from coast to coast

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

Mexico gave the US Teas and Southern lands, we paid Mexico $15 million in exchange

Free Soil Party

Party containing mostly Northerners, formed because they wanted slavery banned- it competes with small farms

Republican Party

Free soil + Know-Nothings + Whigs + Northerners merged into a purely sectional party. Liberal and anti-slave

Popular Sovereignty

The people of the new territories should decide for themselves if the state should be free or slave

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin; helped bring along the civil war

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Repealed the Missouri Compromise; Popular Sovereignty would decide slavery in these states

Stephen Douglas

One of the masterminds of the Compromise of 1850 and a man who introduced the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Is for popular sovereignty

Know Nothing Party

Nativist political party; opposed immigrants and catholics; founded in the 1840's; also known as the American Party, Star Spangled Banner Party

Dred Scott decision

MO slave that achieves freedom, then is re-enslaved. Supreme court rules him as a slave. Also says all states are legally slave states (5th amendment) and that all slaves are private property, forever unable to become freed.

John Brown

Radical abolitionist; believed God wanted him to end slavery. Led Harper's Ferry and Pottawatomie Creek massacre

Emancipation Proclamation

Lincoln freed all slaves in states that had seceded. Released after Union's win at Antietam. Law not enforced.

Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction

Pardoned the confederates, put them out of office and government, not paying for damages.

Homestead Act

offered 160 acres of land to any settler who would pay a $10 registration fee and live there for 5 years, cultivate, improve it.

Morill Act

Provided a generous gift of land for education purposes

Military Reconstruction Act

(1867) This legislation divided the south into five districts and were placed under direct control of Northern troops

Freedman's Bureau

Gave food, clothing, education and jobs tot he freed slaves

13th Amendment

(1865) Freed all slaves and abolished slavery

14th Amendment

This granted, in the constitution, the full citizenship to all native-born or naturalized Americans, including slaves