U.S. History Chapters 6–8: Revolution, Constitution, and Early Republic

What were the main causes of the American Revolution?

Disagreements over British taxation, colonial rights, and political authority.

What event ended in 1763 and led to British debt?

The Seven Years' War.

What did the Proclamation of 1763 prohibit?

Colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.

What was the purpose of the Sugar Act of 1764?

To strengthen enforcement of duties on molasses and use vice-admiralty courts for smugglers.

What did the Currency Act of 1764 restrict?

Colonial paper money.

What direct tax did the Stamp Act of 1765 impose?

A tax on printed materials, including newspapers and legal documents.

What did the Declaratory Act of 1766 assert?

Parliament's power to legislate for the colonies in all cases.

What did the Townshend Acts of 1767 impose duties on?

Goods including glass, lead, paint, and tea.

What key concept did colonists argue regarding taxation?

No taxation without representation.

What was the significance of the Stamp Act Congress in 1765?

Delegates from nine colonies met to defend colonial rights and oppose taxation without representation.

What happened during the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770?

British soldiers fired into a crowd, killing five colonists, including Crispus Attucks.

What was the Boston Tea Party?

Protesters dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor to oppose the Tea Act.

What were the Coercive Acts also known as?

The Intolerable Acts.

What did the First Continental Congress do in 1774?

Coordinated resistance and created the Continental Association for boycotts.

What event marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War?

The fighting at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775?

The British captured the position but suffered heavy casualties.

What did the Virginia Resolves of 1765 defend?

Colonists' rights as British subjects.

What was the purpose of the Olive Branch Petition in 1775?

To reconcile with King George III while war was underway.

Who wrote the influential pamphlet 'Common Sense'?

Thomas Paine.

What did the Declaration of Independence announce?

The colonies' independence and outlined natural rights and grievances against King George III.

Who was the principal drafter of the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson.

What was the significance of the Lee Resolution on July 2, 1776?

It formally proposed that the colonies become independent states.

Who was King George III?

The British monarch during the Revolution who supported efforts to suppress colonial rebellion.

What role did Samuel Adams play in the American Revolution?

He was a major organizer of anti-British resistance.

What was John Dickinson known for?

Writing 'Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania' arguing against revenue-raising duties.

What was the impact of the Great Awakening on the Revolution?

It encouraged individuals to develop personal relationships with God, challenging established authority.

What was the significance of the Battle of Trenton in 1776?

Washington's victory boosted American morale after previous defeats.

What was the significance of the Battle of Trenton?

Washington crossed the Delaware River and defeated Hessian troops, boosting American morale after defeats in New York.

What major victory at Saratoga influenced French support for the American Revolution?

The Battle of Saratoga in 1777, which was a turning point that convinced France the revolutionaries had a realistic chance of winning.

What was Valley Forge known for during the winter of 1777-1778?

It was the Continental Army's winter encampment marked by severe shortages, disease, and exposure, resulting in over 2,500 American deaths.

How did French assistance impact the American Revolution?

The Treaty of Amity and Commerce and French involvement helped transform the Revolution into a global conflict.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Yorktown?

Washington's forces, supported by French troops and naval forces, trapped British General Cornwallis, forcing his surrender.

What did the Treaty of Paris (1783) accomplish?

It officially ended the Revolutionary War and secured American independence.

What was the Articles of Confederation?

The first national framework created in 1781, which left Congress unable to levy taxes, regulate commerce, or establish a federal judiciary.

What was the significance of Shays's Rebellion?

It highlighted the weakness of the Articles of Confederation and convinced leaders that a stronger central government was necessary.

What was the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?

It created a bicameral Congress with House representation based on population and two senators per state.

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

It counted three-fifths of the enslaved population for purposes of representation and taxation, increasing slaveholding states' political influence.

Who were the Federalists?

Supporters of ratification of the Constitution and a stronger national government, including figures like Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.

What were the Federalist Papers?

Essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay defending the proposed Constitution and encouraging its ratification.

What was Hamilton's major proposal regarding state debts?

The federal government would assume responsibility for states' remaining Revolutionary War debts.

What was the purpose of the Bank of the United States established in 1791?

To hold government money, issue banknotes, and help stabilize financial markets.

What was the Whiskey Rebellion?

A violent resistance by western Pennsylvania farmers against the federal whiskey tax, demonstrating the new government's ability to enforce federal law.

What was the outcome of Jay's Treaty?

Britain agreed to withdraw from forts in the Northwest Territory and compensate certain merchant losses, but it did not end impressment.

What was the impact of the French Revolution on American politics?

It divided Americans, with Federalists fearing revolutionary radicalism and Democratic-Republicans generally sympathizing with France.

What was Republican Motherhood?

The expectation that women would raise educated, virtuous citizens, although they did not receive equal political rights.

What was the consequence of Loyalist migration after the American Revolution?

Approximately 60,000 Loyalists left the United States, many settling elsewhere in the British Empire.

How did the American Revolution affect slavery?

Several Northern states moved toward gradual emancipation, while slavery persisted elsewhere, exposing contradictions between liberty and slavery.

What was the main idea of Chapter 7 regarding the new nation?

After independence, Americans struggled to build a stable government, leading to the Constitution due to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

What was the Citizen Genêt Affair?

A diplomatic incident in 1793 where French diplomat Edmond-Charles Genêt encouraged American action against France's enemies, challenging Washington's neutrality policy.

What was the XYZ Affair?

A diplomatic incident from 1797-1798 where French intermediaries demanded payments before negotiations with American diplomats, increasing anti-French sentiment.

What was the Quasi-War?

An undeclared naval conflict between the United States and France in the late 1790s.

What were the Alien and Sedition Acts?

Federalist legislation from 1798 that allowed action against certain foreign nationals and punished criticism of the government, sparking controversy over civil liberties.

What did the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions argue?

Written by Jefferson and Madison, they argued that federal power was limited by the Constitution and that states could challenge unconstitutional federal laws.

What did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 establish?

It banned slavery in the Northwest Territory, north and west of the Ohio River.

What was the Naturalization Act of 1790?

Legislation that restricted naturalization to free white persons.

What did the Fugitive Slave Law of 1793 do?

It strengthened legal protections for enslavers seeking the return of escaped enslaved people.

What was the significance of the cotton gin?

It made short-staple cotton processing more efficient and helped expand plantation slavery westward.

What was the slave-trade compromise?

The Constitution protected the transatlantic slave trade from federal prohibition until 1808.

What was the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom?

A proposal drafted by Jefferson that ended state financial support for religion in Virginia.

What is disestablishment in the context of religion?

The gradual ending of government-supported official churches, contributing to greater religious competition.

What was the outcome of the Election of 1800?

Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied at 73 electoral votes; the House resolved the deadlock, choosing Jefferson.

What was established by Marbury v. Madison (1803)?

Chief Justice John Marshall established the precedent of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional.

Who was Daniel Shays?

He was associated with Shays's Rebellion, a revolt against economic injustices.

What was the significance of the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804)?

It was a successful uprising against French colonial slavery that inspired Black Americans and alarmed white slaveholders.

What was Gabriel's Rebellion?

A planned uprising in 1800 organized by Gabriel in Richmond, Virginia, which was discovered before it could proceed.

Who was Benjamin Banneker?

A Black surveyor who challenged Jefferson's racist theories and defended the intellectual equality of Black people.

What did David Walker advocate in his 1829 publication?

He condemned slavery and racism and advocated for resistance in 'Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World.'

What were Jefferson's priorities during his presidency?

Reducing federal expenditures, cutting internal taxes, lowering the national debt, and emphasizing government accountability to citizens.

What was the Louisiana Purchase?

A 1803 purchase of Louisiana from Napoleon's France for $15 million, which doubled U.S. territory and improved access to the Mississippi River.

What was the Embargo Act of 1807?

A law restricting foreign commerce to pressure Britain and France to respect U.S. neutrality, which ultimately damaged the American economy.

Who was Tecumseh?

A Shawnee leader who sought to unite Native American nations into a confederacy to resist U.S. territorial expansion.

What was the Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)?

A battle where American forces defeated the Western Confederacy, leading to further U.S. expansion.

What was the Treaty of Greenville (1795)?

An agreement that followed Native defeat and facilitated further U.S. expansion in the Northwest.

What happened at the Battle of Tippecanoe (1811)?

William Henry Harrison's forces attacked Tenskwatawa's movement, weakening Tecumseh's confederacy.

What was the Treaty of Fort Jackson (1814)?

A treaty that forced major Creek land cessions following their defeat in the War of 1812.

What event led to the death of Tecumseh?

Tecumseh died fighting American forces during the War of 1812.

What were the main causes of the War of 1812?

Impressment, trade restrictions, conflict on the frontier, and War Hawks advocating for war.

Who signed the declaration of war for the War of 1812?

President James Madison signed the declaration on June 18, 1812.

What was the significance of the invasions of Canada during the War of 1812?

Early American invasions failed, but later campaigns regained Detroit and weakened British and Native forces.

What happened during the Burning of Washington in 1814?

British troops captured and burned major government buildings in Washington, D.C.

What inspired Francis Scott Key to write 'The Star-Spangled Banner'?

The American defense of Baltimore during the Battle of Fort McHenry in 1814.

What did the Treaty of Ghent accomplish?

It ended the War of 1812 and largely restored prewar relations and boundaries.

What was the outcome of the Battle of New Orleans?

Andrew Jackson defeated British forces, boosting American national pride after the peace treaty was signed.

What was the Hartford Convention?

A gathering of New England Federalists protesting the War of 1812 and proposing constitutional changes.

What did the American System propose?

Strengthening the national economy through a national bank, protective tariffs, and internal improvements.

What was the Monroe Doctrine?

A declaration that the Western Hemisphere should be closed to new European colonization.

Who was associated with the Louisiana Purchase?

Thomas Jefferson, who oversaw the acquisition of the territory from France.

What was the significance of the Battle of Saratoga?

It convinced France to support the American cause during the Revolutionary War.

What document officially ended the Revolutionary War?

The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1783.

What rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Shays's Rebellion, which led to the Constitutional Convention.

Who proposed the Virginia Plan?

James Madison proposed the Virginia Plan during the Constitutional Convention.

What was the Great Compromise?

A bicameral Congress with population-based House representation and equal representation in the Senate.

What case established judicial review?

Marbury v. Madison in 1803.

What was Jefferson's largest territorial acquisition?

The Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

Who led a Native confederacy against U.S. expansion?

Tecumseh, alongside his brother Tenskwatawa.

What were two major causes of the War of 1812?

British impressment and trade restrictions, along with frontier tensions.

What treaty ended the War of 1812?

The Treaty of Ghent, signed on December 24, 1814.

What was the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

To protect individual liberties through ten amendments.

What did the Alien and Sedition Acts do?

Expanded actions against foreigners and punished certain political criticism.

What were the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions?

They challenged federal overreach and asserted state constitutional authority.