2nd History Exam Study Guide

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the key figures, events, treaties, court cases, and reforms from early American history through the antebellum period.

Saratoga

An agricultural city in west central California, southwest of San Jose

Benedict Arnold

An American Revolutionary War officer who began as a hero for the Continental Army but later defected to the British, becoming infamous as a traitor

Ben Franklin

Celebrated as one of the Founding Fathers and known for his wit, curiosity, and contributions to science, politics, and everyday life

George Washington

Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and the first U.S. president

Friedrich von Steuben

Prussian-born military officer who transformed the Continental Army into a disciplined and Professional fighting force during the American Revolutionary War

Marquis de Lafayette

French aristocrat and military officer who helped the American colonies win independence and later played a key role in the French Revolution.

Yorktown

A historic site in southeastern Virginia, on the York River, north of Newport News, site of both the last battle of the American Revolution and a Civil War battle

Treaty of Paris (1783)

The agreement in which Great Britain officially recognized the United States as an independent nation and ended the American Revolutionary War

Loyalists

A person who remains loyal to the established ruler or government, especially in the face of a revolt

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States , creating a loose union of sovereign states under a weak central government. (1781)

Land Ordinance of 1785

Established a system of dividing land in the Western Territories and a system of funding public schools in the Western Territories, and reserved land in each Township for a school.

Northwest Ordinance

Rules for governing the Northwest Territory and created a process for new states to join the United States while banning slavery in that region

Phillis Wheatley

The first African American author of a published book of poetry

Richard Allen

American minister, abolitionist, and founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

Massachusetts Procedure

Set out the process for filing, litigating, and resolving civil cases in the state’s courts

Shays’ Rebellion

Uprising of Massachusetts farmers led by Daniel Shays who protested high taxes, debt, and property foreclosures. (1786)

Virginia Plan

A proposal by James Madison that suggested a stronger national government with three branches and a Congress where bigger states got more representatives.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal presented by William Paterson where each state would have equal representation, regardless of its population

Connecticut Plan

A proposal presented by Roger Sherman in 1787 that combined the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan

Three-fifths Compromise

An agreement made in 1787 that counted three out of every five enslaved people toward a state's population for representation in Congress and direct taxes.

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution and given to the federal government, such as collecting taxes, declaring war, and regulating trade between states.

Checks & balances

A system that prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the other branches.

Anti-Federalists

People who opposed ratifying the Constitution because they feared the federal government would become too powerful and wanted a Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms.

Federalists

People who supported ratifying the Constitution and wanted a stronger national government.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution that protect individual rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to encourage people to ratify the Constitution.

Alexander Hamilton

A Founding Father who supported a strong national government, helped write the Federalist Papers, and became the first Secretary of the Treasury.

James Madison

Founding Father known as the “Father of the Constitution” who helped write the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and co-wrote the Federalist Papers.

John Jay

Founding Father who co-wrote the Federalist Papers to support ratifying the Constitution and became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Thomas Jefferson

Founding Father who wrote the Declaration of Independence and became the third president of the United States.

John Adams

Founding Father who supported independence from Britain and became the second president of the United States.

Henry Knox

A general in the American Revolutionary War who served as the first Secretary of War under President George Washington.

Edmund Randolph

Founding Father who proposed the Virginia Plan at the Constitutional Convention and became the first U.S. Attorney General.

Funding & Assumption

Alexander Hamilton’s plan for the federal government to pay off the nation’s Revolutionary War debts and take over the states’ war debts.

Bank of the US

A national bank created by Alexander Hamilton to manage the government’s money, hold federal funds, and help stabilize the economy.

Whiskey Rebellion

A 1794 protest by farmers against a federal tax on whiskey, which showed that the new government could enforce its laws.

Anthony Wayne

An American general who defeated Native American forces at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794, helping the United States gain control of the Northwest Territory.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

A 1794 battle in which American troops led by Anthony Wayne defeated Native American forces, allowing the United States to gain more control over the Northwest Territory.

Jay Treaty

A 1794 agreement between the United States and Great Britain that settled some disagreements from the Revolutionary War and helped avoid another war.

Pinckney’s Treaty

A 1795 agreement between the United States and Spain that gave Americans the right to use the Mississippi River and trade through New Orleans.

Farewell Address

George Washington’s 1796 speech warning the United States to avoid political parties and permanent alliances with foreign countries.

XYZ Affair

A 1797–1798 conflict in which French agents demanded bribes from American diplomats, angering Americans and increasing tensions between the United States and France.

Quasi-War

An undeclared naval conflict between the United States and France from 1798 to 1800, caused by tensions over trade and the XYZ Affair.

Alien & Sedition Acts

Laws passed in 1798 that made it harder for immigrants to become citizens and punished people who criticized the government.

KY & VA Resolutions

Statements written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison arguing that states could challenge federal laws they believed were unconstitutional, in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts.

Aaron Burr

Thomas Jefferson’s vice president who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804.

Marbury v. Madison

An 1803 Supreme Court case that established judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional.

John Marshall

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who strengthened the power of the federal government.

Judicial review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional. It was established in the 1803 case of Marbury v. Madison under Chief Justice John Marshall.

Louisiana Purchase

In 1803, Thomas Jefferson bought land from France, doubling the size of the United States and allowing westward expansion.

Lewis & Clark

Explorers sent by Thomas Jefferson to explore the Louisiana Purchase and find a route to the Pacific Ocean, helped by the Sacajawea.

Sacajawea

A Native American woman who helped Lewis and Clark as a guide and interpreter during their expedition.

Barbary War

A war from 1801–1805 in which the United States fought North African states to stop attacks on American ships and demands for tribute.

Impressment

The British practice of forcing American sailors into the British Navy, which helped lead to the War of 1812.

Indefeasible allegiance v. naturalization

Britain believed people could never stop being British subjects, while the United States allowed immigrants to become American citizens

Chesapeake-Leopard Incident

In 1807, a British ship attacked an American ship and seized sailors, increasing tensions between the United States and Britain.

Embargo Act

In 1807, Thomas Jefferson banned American trade with foreign countries to avoid war with Britain and France, but it hurt the American economy.

Non-Intercourse Act

In 1809, the United States banned trade with Britain and France’s other trade restrictions were lifted, allowing trade with other countries.

Macon’s Bill #2

In 1810, the United States reopened trade with Britain and France, hoping they would stop interfering with American ships.

War Hawks

Members of Congress who wanted war with Britain because of impressment and British interference with American trade.

William Henry Harrison

U.S. general who defeated Native American forces at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811.

Tecumseh & the Prophet

Shawnee brothers who worked to unite Native American tribes to resist U.S. westward expansion. Tecumseh led the resistance, while the Prophet encouraged Native American cultural and religious renewal.

Battle of Tippecanoe

In 1811, William Henry Harrison defeated Native American forces led by the Prophet, weakening Tecumseh’s efforts to unite the tribes.

Oliver Hazard Perry

U.S. naval commander who defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.

Battle of Lake Erie

In 1813, the U.S. Navy defeated the British, gaining control of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.

USS Constitution

American warship known as “Old Ironsides” for defeating British ships during the War of 1812.

Ft. McHenry

Fort in Baltimore where the U.S. flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the War of 1812.

Francis Scott Key

Wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” after witnessing the American flag flying over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.

Battle of New Orleans

In 1815, Andrew Jackson led American forces to defeat the British in the War of 1812.

Hartford Convention

In 1814–1815, New England Federalists met to protest the War of 1812 and discuss changes to the government.

Treaty of Ghent

The 1814 treaty that ended the War of 1812 and restored the boundaries to what they were before the war.

Rush-Bagot Agreement

An 1817 agreement between the U.S. and Britain that limited naval forces on the Great Lakes.

Transcontinental Treaty

An 1819 treaty in which Spain gave Florida to the United States and the two countries set boundaries between their territories.

Monroe Doctrine

In 1823, President James Monroe warned European countries not to create new colonies or interfere in the Americas.

James Monroe

The fifth U.S. president (1817–1825), known for the Monroe Doctrine and the Era of Good Feelings.

Era of Good Feelings

A period after the War of 1812 when national pride grew and political conflict decreased under President James Monroe.

Henry Clay

A Kentucky politician who promoted the American System to strengthen the U.S. economy.

American System

Henry Clay’s plan to strengthen the U.S. economy through a national bank, protective tariffs, and internal improvements like roads and canals.

Missouri Compromise

An 1820 agreement that admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state to keep the balance between slave and free states.

Corrupt Bargain

The alleged deal in the 1824 election that made John Quincy Adams president after Henry Clay supported him, and Adams made Clay Secretary of State.

John Quincy Adams

The 6th U.S. president who won the 1824 election after the alleged Corrupt Bargain with Henry Clay.

Andrew Jackson

U.S. general who defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 and the 7th U.S. president who opposed the Corrupt Bargain and supported the common people.

Indian Removal Act

A law signed by President Andrew Jackson that forced Native Americans to leave their lands in the southeastern United States and move west of the Mississippi River.

Trail of Tears

The forced relocation of Native Americans to lands west of the Mississippi River, where thousands died from disease, hunger, and exhaustion.

Sequoyah

A Cherokee man who created a writing system for the Cherokee language, allowing the Cherokee people to read and write.

Tariff of Abominations

A high tax on imported goods that angered the South because it raised prices and benefited Northern manufacturers.

Nullification Crisis

A conflict in which South Carolina claimed it could ignore federal tariffs it considered unconstitutional, leading to a confrontation with President Andrew Jackson.

John C. Calhoun

Vice president under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson who supported states’ rights and argued that states could nullify (reject) federal laws they considered unconstitutional.

2nd Bank of the US

A national bank created to regulate the economy and control the money supply, which Andrew Jackson opposed and eventually shut down.

Nicholas Biddle

President of the Second Bank of the United States who fought to keep the bank open during Andrew Jackson’s war against it.

Stephen Austin

An American empresario who brought American settlers to Texas and helped establish a successful colony there under Mexican rule.

Alamo

A Texas mission where Texan rebels fought against the Mexican army during the Texas Revolution and were defeated.

Sam Houston

Leader of the Texas army who defeated Mexican forces at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, helping Texas win independence from Mexico.

San Jacinto

The battle where Sam Houston’s army defeated the Mexican army, securing Texas’s independence from Mexico.

Santa Anna

Mexican general and president who led the Mexican army against Texas during the Texas Revolution and was defeated by Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto.

James Fenimore Cooper

American author who wrote The Last of the Mohicans and other novels about frontier life and American history.

Washington Irving

American author who wrote The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle, helping establish American literature.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

American poet who wrote famous poems such as Paul Revere’s Ride and The Song of Hiawatha.

Edgar Allan Poe

American writer and poet known for his dark stories and poems, including The Raven, and for helping develop the detective fiction genre.

Nathaniel Hawthorne

American author who wrote The Scarlet Letter, a novel about sin, guilt, and Puritan society.