Stages of the American Revolution

These flashcards cover key terms, events, and concepts from the stages of the American Revolution, focusing on foundational documents, pivotal events, and principles of government established during that period.

Incubation Stage

A phase in the American Revolution marked by early forms of self-governance and dissatisfaction with British rule.

Mayflower Compact

The first constitution in American history, signed in 1620 by pilgrims, outlining self-governance.

Virginia House of Burgesses

The first legislative house of government in America, establishing laws for the colonies.

Roger Williams

A key figure in the incubation stage who opposed the Puritan seizure of Native American lands.

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

The framework for the government of Connecticut, representing early colonial self-rule.

Bacon’s Rebellion

An armed uprising led by Nathanial Bacon against the royal government in Virginia, highlighting colonial unrest.

Navigation Acts

British laws that limited colonial economic independence and regulated trade, causing discontent.

Salutary Neglect

Britain's policy of loosely enforcing laws in its American colonies during the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Great Awakening

A series of religious revivals in American history that increased religious enthusiasm in the colonies.

The Enlightenment

A cultural and intellectual movement in Europe and America that emphasized reason and individualism.

The Seven Years War

A global conflict from 1756 to 1763 involving major powers, significantly impacting colonial America.

Writs of Assistance

General search warrants that allowed British customs officials to search colonial homes for smuggled goods.

Sugar Act

A British law taxing sugar and other goods to raise revenue and reduce smuggling in the colonies.

The Stamp Act

A 1765 British tax requiring stamps on legal documents and paper goods, provoking colonial outrage.

The Sons of Liberty

A secret organization of American colonists that protested British taxes through rallies and boycotts.

The Declaratory Act

A law asserting Parliament's authority to make laws binding American colonies in all cases.

The Townshend Acts

British laws taxing imports to the colonies, asserting control after the repeal of the Stamp Act.

Boston Massacre

A deadly confrontation in 1770 between British soldiers and Boston colonists, escalating tensions.

Committees of Correspondence

Colonial communication networks coordinating resistance against British rule and sharing information.

The Tea Act

A law allowing the East India Company a monopoly on tea sales, aggravating colonial unrest.

Boston Tea Party

A protest in 1773 where colonists dumped British tea into the harbor to oppose taxation without representation.

The Intolerable Acts

Punitive laws passed in 1774 to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, tightening British control.

The Quartering Act

Laws requiring colonists to house and supply British soldiers, seen as an infringement of liberty.

Battle of Lexington and Concord

The first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War in April 1775.

Continental Congress

A convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body during the Revolutionary War.

The Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, creating a weak central government.

Shay’s Rebellion

An armed uprising in response to economic hardships and tax increases, revealing weaknesses in the Articles.

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a strong central government with three branches, presented at the Constitutional Convention.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state at the Constitutional Convention.

Great Compromise

The agreement creating a bicameral legislature at the Constitutional Convention, balancing representation.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement counting three out of every five enslaved people for congressional representation.

Federalism

A system of government that divides power between a central authority and regional governments.

Checks and Balances

A principle of government where power is divided among branches to prevent abuse of power.

Federalists

Advocates for a strong central government and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of a strong central government and proponents of individual liberties during the ratification debate.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, addressing Anti-Federalist concerns over individual freedoms.