8th Grade Social Studies STAAR® Study Sheet

Reasons for exploration

Wealth, religion, expanding empires, claiming territory, new trade routes to Asia through the Northwest Passage.

Spanish Colonization

Spain claimed Florida, Texas, and California; built missions.

French Colonization

France claimed land in the New World to profit from fur trading.

New England Colonies

Rocky soil, cold climate, harbors; focused on fishing, lumber, and shipbuilding; founded for religious freedom.

Roger Williams

Founded Rhode Island to escape religious persecution.

Massachusetts

New England colony founded by Puritans/Pilgrims for religious freedom; Boston is the major port city.

Middle Colonies

Rich farmland, moderate climate; grew oats, wheat, grain; raised livestock.

Quakers

The first anti-slavery group who lived in Pennsylvania.

Southern Colonies

Fertile soil and warm climate; cash crops; dependent on the Transatlantic Slave Trade for plantation labor.

Maryland

Founded for Catholics seeking religious freedom.

Reasons for growth of representative/self-government

Distance from Britain, Pilgrim’s Mayflower Compact, Virginia House of Burgesses, Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, First Great Awakening, John Locke.

Mercantilism

British-controlled colonial trade that angered colonists.

Proclamation of 1763

Law prohibiting colonists from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains; colonists ignored it.

Consent of governed

Belief that British should have colonists’ permission to pass taxes; a main reason for the American Revolution.

Intolerable Acts

British response to Boston Tea Party; led to formation of the First Continental Congress.

Declaration of Independence

Written by Thomas Jefferson; a list of grievances against King George III and the right to create a new government.

Unalienable rights

Rights everyone has from birth: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Saratoga

Turning point of the war; France began supporting the Americans.

Yorktown

Last major battle; British defeated and signed the Treaty of Paris recognizing U.S. independence.

Articles of Confederation

First government; weak due to fear of abuse of power; lacked an executive branch and the ability to regulate trade.

Northwest Ordinance

Process for admitting new states to the U.S.; required population of 60,000 settlers to apply.

Great Compromise

Decided the number of representatives large and small states would send to Congress.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement on how slaves would count for representation and taxation.

Federalist

Supported the Constitution and a strong central government; key figures include Alexander Hamilton and James Madison.

Anti-Federalist

Opposed the Constitution; sought more power for state governments and a bill of rights; key figures include Patrick Henry and George Mason.

Checks and balances

System where each branch of government has power over the others to prevent one branch from becoming too powerful.

Citizen responsibilities

Include serving on juries, voting in elections, staying informed, and obeying laws.

1st Amendment

Guarantees freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable search and seizure.

6th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a trial by jury.

8th Amendment

Protects against cruel and unusual punishment.

10th Amendment

States that rights not given to the federal government are reserved for the states.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

Stabilized the economy by establishing a National Bank, paying off war debt, implementing whiskey tax, and imposing tariffs.

Washington's Farewell Address

Warned against permanent foreign alliances and the creation of political parties.

Federalist Party

Led by Alexander Hamilton; supported a strong federal government and an industrial economy.

Democrat-Republican Party

Led by Thomas Jefferson; favored limited federal power and an agricultural economy.

Marbury v. Madison

Established judicial review; gave the Supreme Court power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Gibbons v. Ogden

Established federal rule over interstate trade.

Louisiana Purchase

1803 acquisition that doubled the size of the U.S.; gained fertile farmland and access to the Mississippi River.

Causes of War of 1812

British impressment of U.S. sailors.

Monroe Doctrine

Prevented European colonization of land in the Western Hemisphere.

Jacksonian Democracy

Increased voter participation; perceived by opponents as too powerful with policies favoring the common man.

Nullification Crisis

Dispute over whether South Carolina could nullify a federal law; involved states' rights versus federal authority.

Worcester v. Georgia

Court favored Natives in a case regarding the Indian Removal Act; President Jackson ignored the ruling.

Hudson River School

Art movement focusing on landscapes and nature.

Effects of the War of 1812

Increased U.S. manufacturing due to British goods boycott.

Industrial Revolution

Period marked by new inventions improving farming and factory production, making goods cheaper.

Cotton gin

Expanded cotton production, increasing demand for agricultural labor.

Interchangeable parts

Revolutionized production efficiency, leading to mass production and lower prices.

Free enterprise

An economic system with minimal government regulation, based on supply and demand.

Women in the workforce

Started working outside the home, primarily in textile mills.

Canals

Man-made waterways that reduced transportation costs and promoted city growth.

Steamboat and railroads

Technological advancements that greatly improved goods transportation efficiency.

Telegraph

Invented by Samuel Morse; used for rapid long-distance communication.

Urbanization

Movement of