American Revolution, Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, the Early Republic, the War of 1812, Manifest Destiny, the Civil War, and Inventions

Flashcards about the American Revolution, Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, the Early Republic, the War of 1812, Manifest Destiny, the Civil War, and Inventions.

Federalism

A system of government that divides power between different levels of government

The Articles of Confederation

America’s first government

The Constitutional Convention

Took place in Philadelphia, May 25-September 17, 1787; where the Constitution was made

The Great Compromise

Happened in 1787; an agreement to resolve a dispute over-representation in the United States, providing for a bicameral Congress.

The Legislative Branch

Made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which form Congress (535 total seats)

Executive Branch

Made up of the President and Vice President of the United States, and the President’s Cabinet.

Judicial Branch

Made up of the Supreme Court and all Federal Courts; Supreme Justices terms are for life, with 9 total justices

Checks and Balances

Each branch checks on each other to balance each others power

The Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments of the United States; rights that the government can’t take away.

Amendments

Changes to the government and constitution

Citizen

A member of a country who shares responsibilities for the area and benefits from being a member.

Duty

Something a citizen is required to do by law.

Battle of Kekionga

The Miami tribe led by Little Turtle won the battle against Washington’s forces, resulting in a major American defeat with 600 dead Americans.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

The Shawnee tribe fought against General Wayne’s forces, resulting in an American Victory, gaining the territory of Ohio.

Whiskey Rebellion

Farmers protested Congress's law to tax the manufacture and sale on whiskey

Federalist Party

A political party whose main idea was a strong centralized federal government. Hamilton was the party leader, who liked an industrialized-based economy.

Democratic-Republican Party

A political party with the main idea of strong state governments who make their own laws. Jefferson was the party leader, who liked an agricultural economy.

XYZ Affair

President Adams sent 3 diplomats to France to restore diplomatic relations, who were met with hostility and were forced to pay a bribe of $25k to talk with the foreign minister; led to an undeclared naval war from 1798-1800.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Passed in 1798; the three laws were aimed at preventing criticism of the government and controlling foreign influence.

The Naturalization Act

The Naturalization Act extended the residency requirement from 5 years to 14 years.

The Alien Act

The Alien Act made it so the President can deport any immigrant deemed dangerous, especially during times of conflict.

The Sedition Act

The Sedition Act made it illegal to criticize the government.

The Corps of Discovery

Jefferson sends Meriwether Lewis to be the leader and William Clark to be the co-leader to explore the Louisiana Territory.

British Impressment

The British Navy stopped American merchant ships and abducted them and drafted them into the Royal Navy.

Orders in Council

A law passed by the British parliament to search American merchant ships for any British deserters and draft them into the Royal Navy.

The Embargo Act

Congress passes the Embargo Act, which hurts the American economy instead of the British economy.

The War Hawks

A group of American politicians who wanted aggressive policies towards the British and wanted to declare war on Britain.

The British Blockade

The British Navy blockades the American coast in an attempt to ruin their economy, leading to the American Navy failing to stop this and gets absolutely annihilated by the Royal Navy.

Fort McHenry, Baltimore

Major American Victory. Francis Scott Key was inspired by the American Flag that was still flying after the battle, leading to him writing the American Nation Anthem, the “Star Spangled Banner”.

The Impact of the War of 1812

Concluded with a new sense of patriotism and national pride erupting in America, where America gained newfound respect from other countries around the world.

Manifest Destiny

The idea that America was meant to expand its boundaries to the Pacific Ocean and spread democracy.

The Trail of Tears

Americans found gold in Georgia, where the Cherokee tribe lived, leading to Jackson ordering American troops to kick out the Native American tribes out of the South and send them to Oklahoma.

The Nullification Crisis

One of the main causes of the American Civil War. Jackson passed the Tariff Act, which the South opposed and harmed their economy.

Texan Revolution

Lasted from 1835-1836; a Texan Revolution, where the Alamo took place and the Battle of San Jacinto occured.

Mexican American War

Started over the American annexation of Texas; Robert E. Lee was the major general of the American army during this war.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

Bought Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah for $15 million for the United States.

The Mormons

A religious group founded by Joseph Smith; persecuted for their racist beliefs and polytheism, so they moved west into Utah.

California

Gold was discovered in California, officially starting the California Gold Rush in 1849, leading to rapid economic growth and was added as a State.

Fugitive Slave Law

A law that allowed Southerners to re-capture freed slaves, associating Northerners with slavery.

Battle of Vicksburg

A Union Victory in 1863, where the Union regained control over the Mississippi River.

Robert E Lee

General Robert E. Lee decides not to send troops to Vicksburg, as it is too risky.

Battle of Gettysburg

Was the bloodiest Battle in American History in 1863, with 51,000+ Casualties in 3 days, leading to a Union Victory.

Gettysburg Address

An iconic 2-hour speech by Lincoln in 1863, where he doesn’t alienate Confederate soldiers who died, instead calling them Americans.