Colonial America to Marbury v. Madison

Mayflower Compact

A legal agreement established by the Pilgrims in 1620 that established self-government in Plymouth Colony. It was the first governing document of the colony and laid the foundation for democratic principles in America.

Puritans

A religious group in England who sought to reform the Church of England. They believed in strict religious discipline and wanted to purify the church of what they saw as corrupt practices.

Separatists

A religious group who sought to separate from the Church of England entirely. They believed that the church was beyond reform and that they needed to form their own independent congregations.

Middle Passage

A brutal sea journey that transported African slaves to the Americas as part of the transatlantic slave trade. It was a horrific and inhumane experience for the enslaved Africans.

Triangular Trade

A trade system between Europe, Africa, and the Americas that involved the exchange of goods, slaves, and raw materials. It played a significant role in the growth of the Atlantic economy and the spread of slavery.

Indentured Servitude

A labor system in which individuals worked for a specified period in exchange for passage to the New World. They would sign a contract, or indenture, agreeing to work for a certain number of years in return for their transportation.

Mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasized wealth accumulation through a favorable balance of trade. It promoted government intervention in the economy, the acquisition of colonies, and the establishment of monopolies to ensure economic prosperity.

Navigation Acts

A series of British laws that restricted colonial trade in order to benefit the mother country. They aimed to control colonial commerce and ensure that the colonies remained economically dependent on Britain.

Virtual Representation

The British claim that the American colonies were represented in Parliament, even though they did not have direct representation. It was a source of tension between the colonies and Britain, as the colonists believed they should have a voice in the decisions that affected them.

French and Indian War

A conflict between Britain and France for control of North America. It resulted in British victory but also led to a significant increase in British debt, which ultimately contributed to tensions with the American colonies.

Intolerable Acts

A series of punitive laws imposed by Britain on the American colonies in response to the Boston Tea Party. They were intended to punish Massachusetts and assert British authority, but they only further fueled colonial resentment and resistance.

Common Sense

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776 advocating for independence from British rule. It argued that it was common sense for the American colonies to break away from Britain and establish their own government based on democratic principles.

Battle of Saratoga

A decisive American victory during the Revolutionary War. It is considered a turning point in the war because it convinced France to formally ally with the United States, providing crucial support in the fight against Britain.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781. They created a weak central government with limited powers, as the framers were wary of creating a strong central authority after their experience with British rule.

Constitutional Convention

A meeting held in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation. It ultimately led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which established a stronger central government and addressed the weaknesses of the Articles.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. They provided a detailed explanation and defense of the proposed system of government.

Alien and Sedition Acts

A series of laws passed by John Adams' administration in 1798 to limit criticism of the government. They targeted immigrants and restricted freedom of speech, leading to widespread opposition and controversy.

Hamilton vs. Jefferson

The political and economic differences between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson during the early years of the United States. Hamilton favored a strong central government, a strong economy, and close ties with Britain, while Jefferson advocated for states' rights, agrarianism, and a more independent stance from Britain.

Manifest Destiny

The belief that the United States was destined to expand westward and spread its influence across the continent. It was used to justify territorial expansion, often at the expense of Native American tribes and other nations.

Abolitionists

Activists who worked to end slavery through various means, including moral persuasion, legal action, and the Underground Railroad. They played a crucial role in the fight against slavery and the eventual emancipation of enslaved individuals.

Cotton Gin

An invention by Eli Whitney that revolutionized cotton production in the early 19th century. It greatly increased the efficiency of separating cotton fibers from the seeds, leading to a significant increase in cotton production and the demand for slave labor.

Erie Canal

A waterway that connected the Great Lakes to New York, completed in 1825. It facilitated transportation and trade between the Midwest and the East Coast, significantly reducing shipping costs and spurring economic growth in the region.

Tariff of Abominations

A controversial tariff passed in 1828 that caused tensions between the North and South over economic interests. It imposed high import duties on certain goods, benefiting Northern manufacturers but hurting Southern agricultural interests.

Nullification

The idea that states had the right to reject federal laws deemed unconstitutional. It was a theory championed by John C. Calhoun and other Southern states' rights advocates as a means to resist federal authority, particularly in relation to issues such as tariffs and slavery.

Jackson's Bank War

President Andrew Jackson's opposition to the Bank of the United States in the 1830s. Jackson believed that the bank wielded too much power and favored the wealthy elite. His efforts to dismantle the bank had significant economic repercussions and contributed to the development of the two-party system.

Trail of Tears

The forced removal of Native American tribes, particularly the Cherokee, from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to designated Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. It resulted in the death and suffering of thousands of Native Americans and is considered a dark chapter in American history.

Corrupt Bargain

An alleged deal between Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams during the 1824 presidential election. It is claimed that Clay, who was Speaker of the House at the time, used his influence to secure Adams' election in exchange for a position in Adams' administration. The controversy surrounding the election contributed to the rise of Andrew Jackson and the Democratic Party.

Whigs

A political party in the United States during the mid-19th century. They opposed the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic Party, advocating for a strong federal government, internal improvements such as infrastructure projects, and a policy of neutrality on the issue of slavery.

Monroe Doctrine

A U.S. policy announced by President James Monroe in 1823. It asserted opposition to European interference in the Americas and warned European powers against establishing new colonies or interfering with independent nations in the Western Hemisphere.

Missouri Compromise

An agreement reached in 1820 to maintain a balance between free and slave states in the United States. It admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, and it prohibited slavery in the remaining Louisiana Purchase territory north of the 36°30' parallel.

Maps in War of 1812/Revolutionary War/Immigrant Settlements

The utilization of maps played a crucial role in military strategy during the War of 1812 and the Revolutionary War. Maps were used to plan and execute military campaigns, understand terrain, and assess the movements of enemy forces. Additionally, maps were important in understanding immigrant settlement patterns, helping to track population growth, and plan for infrastructure development.

American System

An economic plan proposed by Henry Clay in the early 19th century. It emphasized internal improvements such as roads and canals, a strong central government, and protective tariffs to promote American industry and economic growth.

War Hawks

Advocates for war, particularly during the War of 1812. They were members of Congress, mostly from the South and West, who pushed for military action against Britain to defend American honor, protect American interests, and expand American territory.

Hartford Convention

A meeting of New England states held in 1814 during the War of 1812. It was convened to discuss grievances against the federal government and consider the possibility of secession. While secession did not occur, the convention highlighted regional tensions and contributed to the decline of the Federalist Party.

Marbury v. Madison

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1803 that established the principle of judicial review. It affirmed the Court's power to declare laws unconstitutional and played a significant role in shaping the balance of power between the branches of government.