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Navigation Acts (1660-1663)
Required colonial shipping to be carried on English/colonial ships with English and/or colonial crews.
Wool Act (1699)
Prohibited woolen goods from being exported from the colony where they were manufactured.
Hat Act (1732)
Prohibited export of beaver hats from their colony of origin and limited the number of apprentices for masters.
Iron Act (1750)
Allowed raw iron production but prohibited the construction of furnaces for finished goods.
Molasses Act (1733)
Placed tax on molasses, sugar, and rum imported from outside the empire.
Mercantilism
Economic policy measuring wealth by the amount of gold/silver a country possesses to create a favorable balance of trade.
Political Structure of Colonial Governments
Colonies had elected bicameral legislatures and royal governors with significant autonomy under salutary neglect.
Glorious Revolution (1688)
James II was deposed by William and Mary in a bloodless revolution, leading to the dissolution of Dominion of NE.
'Lower House'
Typically called State Houses or Assemblies, responsible for most legislation and held great post-Revolution power.
'Balanced Government'
A government that includes legislative, executive, and judicial branches to separate and balance power.
King William’s War / Queen Anne’s War / King George’s War
A series of intercolonial wars setting the stage for the French and Indian War.
Albany Congress
Proposed plan of Union led by Ben Franklin to respond to French and native attacks, but failed to gain support.
French and Indian War (7 Years’ War)
North American theater of conflict between Britain and France, resulting in British victory and expansion of colonies.
William Pitt
Secretary of State in 1757 and Prime Minister from 1766-68; understood colonial concerns and secured loyalty.
General Edward Braddock
Led British forces in a disastrous attempt to evict the French from Ohio River Valley; was killed in action.
General James Wolfe
Captured Quebec in 1759, a major British victory and turning point in the French and Indian War.
King George III
British monarch during 1760-1820; inherited a debt-ridden empire and was king through the end of the French and Indian War.
Writs of Assistance
Search warrants used to enforce anti-smuggling Acts without requiring cause, angering colonists.
James Otis
Lawyer who argued against writs of assistance, galvanizing revolutionary sentiments despite losing the case.
Proclamation of 1763
Prohibited colonists from settling West of the Appalachian mountains to prevent conflicts with natives.
George Grenville
Prime Minister in 1763 who imposed a new system of control over the colonies that aggravated colonists.
Sugar Act (1764)
Eliminated illegal sugar trade through strict enforcement of taxes, establishing vice admiralty courts.
Currency Act (1765)
Eliminated paper currency, harming small farmers.
Quartering Act (1765)
Required colonists to house British troops that were permanently stationed in the colonies.
Stamp Act (1765)
First direct tax on colonies, taxing documents and inspired large backlash leading to its repeal.
Virtual Representation
British theory that Parliament represented all subjects irrespective of geographic location.
Internal vs. External Taxes
Colonists accepted external taxes (on imports) but opposed internal taxes (on goods sold in colonies).
Patrick Henry
VA House of Burgesses member who fueled resistance against Britain, famously declaring 'Give me liberty or give me death'.
Stamp Act Congress
Meeting of delegates from 9 colonies in NY to respond to the Stamp Act, passing resolutions against it.
Non-Importation
Colonial boycotts of British goods in protest of various acts like the Stamp Act.
Vice-admiralty Courts
Courts presided over by British Magistrates with jurisdiction over maritime matters, often used for smuggling.
Declaratory Act
Passed after the repeal of the Stamp Act, asserting Parliament's authority over the colonies.
Charles Townshend
Became Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1767, enacted Townshend Duties to shift revenue collection.
Townshend Duties (1767)
Taxes on most imports and increased customs officials in US ports.
John Dickinson
Author of 'Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania' arguing against internal taxes like the Stamp Act.
Boston Massacre
March 5, 1770, conflict between UK troops and colonists in Boston, resulting in the deaths of five colonists.
John Adams
Key figure in drafting the Declaration of Independence, first Vice President, and early Federalist leader.
Thomas Hutchinson
Massachusetts politician blamed for tensions leading to the Revolution, including enforcement of taxes.
Seneca Falls, Black Panthers, Vietnam, South Carolina
Historical groups that directly referenced the Declaration of Independence in their documents.
Lord North
Prime Minister during the Revolution who passed the Coercive Acts and took a largely hands-off approach.
Intolerable Acts of 1774
Colonial nickname for Coercive Acts, enacted following Boston Tea Party to punish colonists.
Quebec Act
Granted civil government to Ohio River Valley, sparking fears of a Catholic bishop's appointment.
First Continental Congress
Convene in September 1774 to denounce Intolerable Acts and prepare for defensive war.
Declaration and Resolves
Passed by the First Continental Congress, listing grievances against the King and a colonial bill of rights.
Galloway Plan
Narrowly rejected proposal by Joseph Galloway to avoid war and create a union under Britain.
The Association
Agreed to boycott British imports as part of the Declaration and Resolves.
James Wilson
Prominent lawyer involved in the Declaration of Independence and the creation of the executive branch.
Lexington and Concord
Opening battles of the Revolutionary War where colonial militia ambushed British troops.
Second Continental Congress
Convene after Lexington/Concord to discuss independence; saw divisions among delegates.
Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Powerful pamphlet advocating independence, arguing against British rule over America.
Gen. William Howe
British forces commander in North America, criticized for failing strategies in New York.
Thomas Jefferson
Primary author of the Declaration of Independence and early leader in the Anti-Federalist movement.
George Washington
Leader of the Continental Army, first president of the US, and central figure during the Revolution.
Battle of Saratoga
Decisive American victory leading to French alliance; marked turning point in the Revolutionary War.
French Alliance 1778
Formal recognition of the US by France and provision of military support following Saratoga.
Yorktown
Final major battle of the Revolutionary War resulting in British surrender.
Treaty of Paris 1783
Negotiated treaty resulting in US independence and territorial concessions.
Articles of Confederation
Document creating a weak central government; structured government during the early years after independence.
'The Critical Period'
Time from 1783-1789 when the new nation faced challenges in government and economy under Articles.
'The Experimental Period'
Period (1787-1789) advocating debate on ratification of the Constitution between Federalists and Anti-federalists.
The Grid
Land selling system for northwest territories established by the 1785 Land Ordinance.
Land Ordinance of 1785
Established grid system for land in northwest territory, aiding settlement and organization.
Salutary Neglect
British policy of non-interference in colonial economic affairs prior to the French and Indian War.
Annapolis Convention 1786
Gathering of delegates to address trade barriers among states, leading to calls for change in Articles.
Northwest Ordinance 1787
Created a process for admitting new states to the Union and ensured religious freedom.
Shays’ Rebellion
Revolt led by farmers in Massachusetts over taxation, highlighting flaws in the Articles.
Constitutional Convention
Meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 to create a stronger Constitution to replace the Articles.
⅗ Compromise and Great Compromise
Compromises regarding slave counts for representation and creation of a bicameral legislature.
Federalists vs. Antifederalists
Opposing factions post-Constitution, Federalists supported ratification, Antifederalists opposed it.
The Federalist Papers
Essays promoting the ratification of the Constitution, highlighting the need for a strong central government.
State Constitutions
Documents based on republicanism, many strong with veto power and bills of rights.
John Wilkes
MP representing Middlesex, denied his seat, rallying colonist support against Parliament.
Olive Branch Petition
Last appeal to King George III by the 2nd Continental Congress, rejected following violent conflicts.
Virginia House of Burgesses
First legislative assembly in the colonies, influential in American political development.
Paxton Boys
Uprising in 1763 for tax relief, indicating divisions within the colonies.
Loyalists
Colonists loyal to Britain during the Revolutionary War, mainly found in NYC and Southern colonies.
Molly Pitcher
A woman who took her husband's place as a gunner during the Revolution, symbolizing women's contributions.
Republicanism
System of government based on the notion of a government by the people.
Civic Virtue
Behaviors necessary for maintaining a successful republican society.
Declaration of Independence
Document justifying American independence primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson.
Samuel Adams
Radical leader instrumental in organizing resistance against British policies, such as the Boston Massacre.
Committees of Correspondence
Networks for communication among colonies to promote trade and revolutionary sentiment.
Regulators and the Battle of Alamance
Uprising in NC opposing government corruption, ultimately leading to a failed rebellion.
Tea Act 1773
Allowed British East India Company to sell tea directly to colonies, undermining colonial merchants.
Boston Tea Party
Protest where colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor, sparking British retaliation.
Edmund Randolph
Participated in drafting the VA Plan; later chaired the VA ratification committee.
William Paterson
Proposed the NJ Plan at the Constitutional Convention, advocating for equal state representation.
Alexander Hamilton
Key proponent for a strong central government, founding Federalist, and first Secretary of Treasury.
