Exploration and Early Colonization

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering significant terms and concepts related to the Age of Exploration, Colonial America, the American Revolution, and key historical developments through the early 19th century.

Age of Exploration

European desire for new trade routes and wealth.

Christopher Columbus

Italian explorer sailing for Spain; opened the Americas to Europe.

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

Agreement dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal.

Conquistador

Spanish explorers who conquered Native American civilizations.

Hernán Cortés

Conquered the Aztecs; Aztecs viewed him as a god.

Francisco Pizarro

Conquered the Incas.

Sir Francis Drake

English explorer and privateer; circumnavigated Earth and raided Spanish ships for Queen Elizabeth.

Sir Walter Raleigh

Sponsored early English colonization; Roanoke.

Roanoke

First English settlement attempt; mysteriously disappeared.

Jamestown

First permanent English colony.

New England Colonies

Very religious; wanted close relationship with England.

Middle Colonies

Diverse population; trade-based economy.

Southern Colonies

Plantation economy; relied heavily on slavery.

Colonial Society

Structured social hierarchy that caused conflict.

Mercantilism

Economic system that maximizes exports and minimizes imports to benefit the mother country.

Effect of Mercantilism

Colonies become dependent and not fully self-sufficient.

Navigation Acts

Laws regulating colonial trade.

Navigation Acts Rule #1

Goods must be imported and exported on British ships.

Navigation Acts Rule #2

Goods must go through England first.

Navigation Acts Rule #3

3/4 of ship crew had to be British.

Bacon’s Rebellion

Uprising of Virginia farmers against Governor Berkeley.

Nathaniel Bacon

Leader of Bacon’s Rebellion.

Cause of Bacon’s Rebellion

Economic hardship, unfair taxes, conflict with Native Americans.

Bacon’s Demand

Wanted war with Natives; governor wanted peace.

Result of Bacon’s Rebellion

Attacked wrong tribe; caused Native anger.

Significance of Bacon’s Rebellion

England sent troops; colonies relied more on slavery.

Leisler’s Rebellion

Uprising led by Jacob Leisler, a German merchant.

Cause of Leisler’s Rebellion

Colonists opposed being ruled by a Catholic king.

Leisler’s Strategy

Promised power and money; acted like Robin Hood.

Result of Leisler’s Rebellion

England sent troops and executed Leisler.

Significance of Leisler’s Rebellion

Showed economic inequality and that anyone could rise to power.

Salem Witch Trials

People with less power accused those in power of witchcraft.

Who Was Accused

Mostly women and teenagers.

Impact of Salem Witch Trials

Mass casualties and fear.

Cause of Salem Witch Trials

Challenge to Puritan faith and authority.

All Three Rebellions

Challenged social hierarchy and required England to intervene.

French and Indian War

War between Britain and France over North American land.

George Washington

Started the war; lacked military experience.

Fort Necessity

Washington panicked and built it; later surrendered.

British Advantages

Larger population, strong navy, more money and resources.

British Disadvantages

Colonies were not unified.

French Advantages

Strong forts, Native alliances, knowledge of land, better fighting style.

French Disadvantages

Limited access routes.

Native Americans

Unreliable allies; supported whichever side was winning.

General Braddock

British general with 500 soldiers; failed badly.

William Pitt

New British leader; focused on winning the war.

1759 Turning Point

Native Americans switched support to Britain.

Colonial Reaction

Colonists felt important to England.

Treaty of Paris (1763)

France gave Canada and land east of Mississippi to England.

Proclamation Line of 1763

Banned settlement west of Appalachians.

Colonist View of Proclamation

Thought Britain feared colonists gaining power.

British Reason for the proclimation line

Wanted to avoid Native conflict.

Stamp Act

Tax on printed materials to pay war debt.

Colonial Reaction to Stamp Act

Boycotts and black market led by John Hancock.

Sugar Act

Lowered sugar tariff but increased taxes on molasses.

Declaratory Act

Parliament claimed right to govern colonies in all cases.

Townshend Acts

Raised customs duties on everyday goods.

Boston Massacre

Result of riots over taxation without representation.

Gaspee Affair

Rhode Islanders attacked British ship enforcing Navigation Acts.

Common Sense

Pamphlet arguing independence was America’s true interest.

Lexington and Concord

British tried to capture Sam Adams and John Hancock.

Paul Revere

Warned colonists of British arrival.

Minutemen

Colonial soldiers ready at a minute’s notice.

Second Continental Congress

Met in Philadelphia; formed Continental Army.

Declaration of Independence

Written by Thomas Jefferson.

Battle of Trenton

December 26, 1776; surprise attack on Hessians.

Washington Crossing the Delaware

Symbol of perseverance.

Effect of Trenton

Boosted American morale.

Battle of Saratoga

Burgoyne surrendered in 1777.

Importance of Saratoga

France allied with the U.S.

Battle of Yorktown

Washington, Greene, Rochambeau, and de Grasse defeated Cornwallis.

French Role at Yorktown

Blocked British navy.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Recognized U.S. independence; British withdrew troops.

Articles of Confederation

One-branch government; very weak national power.

Problems with Articles

No taxing power, no courts, no enforcement, economic chaos.

Amending Articles

Required unanimous approval.

Northwest Ordinance (1785)

Surveyed and sold western land.

Northwest Ordinance (1787)

Process for territories to become states.

Constitutional Convention

Met to fix Articles; created new Constitution.

Key Leaders in consitutional convention

Washington, Madison, Franklin, Hamilton.

Great Compromise

Two-house legislature: House (population) and Senate (equal).

Federalists

Supported strong central government.

Founded the federalist party

Hamilton.

Anti-Federalists

Supported strong state governments.

Anti-Federalist Leaders

Jefferson, Burr.

Washington’s Presidency

Set two-term precedent.

Farewell Address

Warned against political parties.

National Bank

Hamilton’s plan to create a bank and government bonds.

Whiskey Rebellion

Farmers revolted against whiskey tax.

Washington’s Response

Sent 13,000 soldiers to enforce law.

Alien Acts

Allowed deportation of foreigners.

Naturalization Act

Increased residency requirement to 14 years.

Sedition Act

Made criticism of government illegal.

Why Sedition Act Was Controversial

Violates freedom of speech.

Election of 1800

Tie between Jefferson and Burr.

Role of Hamilton

Supported Jefferson.

12th Amendment

Separate elections for President and VP.

Louisiana Purchase

Doubled U.S. size.

Jeffersonian Democracy

Limited government; agrarian society.

Jefferson’s Budget Cuts

Reduced army and navy to lower taxes.