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What laws regulated colonial trade and ensured that goods were transported on English ships?
Navigation Acts
Why were the Navigation Acts created?
These laws were designed to promote English shipping and trade, requiring that certain goods produced in the colonies be shipped exclusively to England or English territories. They aimed to bolster the economy of England and restrict colonial trade with other nations.
What were Writs of Assistance and why were they significant in American history?
Writs of Assistance were legal documents that allowed British customs officials to search colonial homes and businesses for smuggled goods without specific warrants. They were significant because they fueled colonial resentment towards British authority and contributed to the growing desire for independence, leading to events like the American Revolution.
Who was James Otis and what was his significance in American history?
James Otis was a colonial lawyer and a key figure in the early resistance against British rule. He is best known for his opposition to Writs of Assistance in 1761, arguing that they violated the rights of colonists. His famous phrase, "A man’s home is his castle," highlighted the importance of privacy and led to increased colonial dissent.
What was the Gaspee Affair?
The Gaspee Affair occurred in 1772 when American colonists attacked and burned the British customs schooner HMS Gaspee in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. It was a protest against British taxation and enforcement, contributing to rising tensions leading to the American Revolution.
A network of communication established in the American colonies in the 1770s, the ________ facilitated the exchange of information and coordinated responses to British policies, helping to unify the colonies in their resistance efforts.
Committees of Correspondence
Sam Adams
Co-founder of the Sons of Liberty, he played a crucial role in events like the Boston Tea Party. A strong advocate for colonial rights, he helped galvanize public opinion against British rule and was a signatory of the Declaration of Independence. Later served as Governor of Massachusetts.
What was the 1st Continental Congress and when did it take place?
The 1st Continental Congress was a meeting of delegates from 12 of the 13 American colonies held in Philadelphia from September 5 to October 26, 1774, to address colonial grievances and organize resistance against British rule.
What is the Galloway Plan?
The Galloway Plan, proposed by Joseph Galloway in 1774, aimed to create a union of the American colonies under British rule, establishing a colonial parliament that would work alongside the British Parliament. It sought to address colonial grievances while maintaining loyalty to Britain, but it was ultimately rejected in favor of independence.
What were the Suffolk Resolves?
The Suffolk Resolves were a series of resolutions adopted in September 1774 by delegates from Suffolk County, Massachusetts. They called for the rejection of the Intolerable Acts, urged the formation of local militias, and encouraged economic boycotts against British goods, laying groundwork for colonial resistance.
Who were the Loyalists, also known as Tories, during the American Revolution?
Loyalists, or Tories, were American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown and opposed independence from Britain. They supported British policies and often faced hostility from Patriot colonists.
"rights of an Englishman"
A set of legal and political principles that originated in England, emphasizing individual liberties. These rights include protection against arbitrary government actions, the right to a fair trial, and the right to property. They significantly influenced democratic ideals and were foundational in the development of constitutional law.
Who were the Patriots during the American Revolution?
The Patriots were colonists who opposed British rule and sought independence, advocating for freedom and self-governance. Key figures included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin.
________ was a 17th-century English philosopher known for his contributions to political theory and epistemology. He argued that individuals have natural rights to life, liberty, and property, and his ideas influenced the development of modern democracy and the Enlightenment.
John Locke
What are Natural Rights?
Natural Rights are fundamental human rights that are believed to be inherent and universal, not granted by any government. They include the rights to life, liberty, and property, as articulated by philosophers like John Locke.
What was the impact of the Enlightenment on modern society?
The Enlightenment promoted ideas of individual rights, reason, and scientific thought, leading to democratic governance, human rights movements, and advancements in education and philosophy. It challenged traditional authority and inspired revolutions, such as the American and French Revolutions.
What was one major impact of the French and Indian War on British-American relations?
The French and Indian War led to increased British debt, prompting Britain to impose taxes on the American colonies, which fueled colonial resentment and contributed to the American Revolution.
French & Indian War
A conflict from 1754 to 1763 between Britain and France, primarily in North America, which was part of a larger global struggle.
What was the Treaty of Paris (1763)?
Ended the French & Indian War between Great Britain and France. Also seen as a truce between the two countries.
Mercantilism
Nationalist economic policy that is designed to maximize the exports and minimize the imports for an economy.
What is “salutary neglect”
The unofficial British policy where parliamentary rules and laws were loosely or not enforced on the American colonies and trade.
What is the Proclamation of 1763
Issued after the Treaty of Paris and transferred French territory in North America to Great Britian.
external tax issue
tax placed on exports and imports
Sugar Act
Passed in 1764, this act was already in use but because of salutary neglect, both the Americans and the British, the original tax was ignored. This tax was placed to raise funds from the colonies to pay for the war.
Colonists protested and led ______ against British goods because of the Stamp Act, Sugar Act, and Townsend Acts.
Boycotts
non-importations
Colonists refused to import goods from Great Britain because of their Acts placed on the colonies.
Colonists came together to form _____ against British.
riots
What is the Boston Tea Party and when did it occur?
In 1773, the Sons of Liberty led the riot. They dressed as indigenous people and boarded the ships. They destroyed 342 chests of tea and pushed Britain to the brink.
internal tax issue
Tax placed on products produced in and for the colonies.
What is the Stamp Act and when did it go into effect?
Passed in 1765, this act required colonists to pay a tax on various forms of papers, documents, and playing cards. Documents included marriage certificates. Without this stamp, the document would not be ligitemized.
Stamp Act Congress
passed a “Declaration of Rights and Grievances,” which claimed that American colonists were equal to all other British citizens, protested taxation without representation, and stated that, without colonial representation in Parliament, Parliament could not tax colonists.
What is the Declaratory Act?
Passed in 1766, this British law gave Parliament the power to make laws for the American colonies and tax them.
American Protests
protested for the removal of british soldiers in the colonies, protested the Tea Act, etc.
What are the Intolerable Acts and when did they go into affect?
These acts were passed in 1774 and was a collection of 4 laws. The Boston Port Act closed Boston Harbor to all ships as punishment for the Boston Tea Party. The Massachusetts Government Act restructured the government of the Massachusetts colony to give more power to the King which included forbidding town meetings. The Impartial Admin of Justice Act allowed British officials accused of capital crimes in the Massachusetts Bay colony to be tried in England or in another colony. And the Quartering Act was a series of laws that required colonists to house British soldiers during peacetime.
“no taxation without representation”
Quoted from James Otis, it was a verbal protest against taxes being imposed upon a people that felt that they had no say in the matter.
“Virtual Representation”
a concept used by the British government to argue that members of Parliament represented the entire British empire, not just the people who elected them.
What are the Townsend Duties?
Series of taxes passed by parliament in 1767 to raise revenue for governing the American colonies. These taxes were imposed on products such as glass, lead, paint, and tea.
What is Lexington/Concord?
These were the first battles of the American Revolutionary war which took place in 1775. Both battles were fought in Massachusetts and were a major turning point in the war as it led to a surge of support against the British.
What is the 2nd Continental Congress and when did it meet?
This congress was a gathering of delegates from the 13 colonies. They met in 1775 after the battles of lexington and Concord. This fully marks the beginning of the American Revolution.
Common Sense
A political pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775-76 that urged people in the colonies to fight for independence from Great British. Helped to rally citizens against Britian.
What is the Battle of Saratoga and when did it occur?
A series of two battles fought in upstate New York in 1777. The battles was a turing point in the was as the Americans defeated the British although they lost in the second battle.
What is the Battle of Yorktown and when did it occur?
Final major battle of the American Revolution which occurred in 1781. The American and French forces teamed up to defeat the British.
Who created the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson is the original writer of the document although it was edited and changed from its original work. Many of Jeffersons work was changed but he still played a significant role in the creation of it.
Why was the Declaration of Independence created and when was it passed?
A reaction to years of injustices waged by Britian that served to unite the thirteen colonies together. It was also created to declare to the world the the United States of America considered themselves independent from Britian. Is also states the principles on which our government, and our identity as Americans, are based. This was passed in 1776 on July 4th.
Who aided the Americans with their revolution?
The French
How did the French aid the Americans?
They provided supplies, arms and ammunitions, uniforms, and troops and naval support to the Americans. This assistance was motivated by their desire to humiliate the British.
What was the Treaty of Paris (1783) ?
This treaty ended the American Revolution and formally recognized the United States as an independent nation.
What are the Articles of Confederation and when was it created?
A written document that established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Britian and it was created in 1777 but not ratified until 1781.
Western land claims
Countries claimed land after the war when the British left. Between 1781 and 1785, the “landed” states ceded their western land claims to Congress.
What is the Northwest Ordinance (1787)?
Chartered a government for the Northwest territory, provided a method for admitting new states to the Union from the territories, and listed a Bill of Rights.
Economic Problems faced by the Americans after the war
Debt- the war cost money and government could’ve raise taxes so it had to borrow money from states
Inflation - dramatic increase as government tries to escape debt and causes states to pass taxes to cover their debt
Interstate trade
The exchanging of goods and services between people and businesses located in different states. The top three exports were tobacco, wheat & flour, and rice while manufactured goods were 2/3 of imports.
Foreign Affairs with France
Deteriorated after the war as France had been using the Americans to launch their own revolution and had tried to control them during the first treaty of Paris.
Foreign Affairs with Spain
Spain overtook Florida and Menorca. They also claimed rights to the Mississippi river and stated that if the Americans wanted to use it, they would have to pay the Spanish.
Foreign Affairs with Great British
British signed the peace treaty but refused to leave America and restricted trade.
Characteristics of the New State Constitutions
States retained much of the political and national power and offered only a little to the national government in fear of creating a monarchy.
What is the Annapolis Convention and when did it occur?
A meeting inceipently aimed at constructing uniform parameters to regulate trade between states during the war. It functioned as Marylands provincial government from 1774-1776.
What is Shay’s Rebellion and when did it occur?
This rebellion occurred shortly after the end of the war in 1786. This rebellion was led by farmers and war veterans angry at the government as many of the imposed taxes affected them the most.
What is the Philadelphia Convention and when did it occur?
A Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia which occurred in 1787. This meeting addressed the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation.
Background of delegates in the Philadelphia Convention
Majority of delegates were highly educated men who were fluent in Latin & Greek and knowledgeable about history and philosophy.
The Federalist Papers
A collection of essays written by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton in 1788. These essays urged for the ratification of the United States Constitution.
What are the Bill of RIghts?
These amendments guaranteed the rights to freedom from establishment of religion, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association, freedom for people to get together peacefully, and freedom for people to send petitions to their government.
Ratification process
Under the new nation government, 9 out of the 13 states had to agree for a law to be passed and all 13 states had to agree for a law to be changed
Who were known Federalisits?
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, James Jay, George Washington, etc.
Alexander Hamiltion
One of the founding fathers of the united states, he was the first secretary of treasure and is known for the creation of the national bank.
James Madison
One of the founding fathers of the united states and was the fourth president of the united states. He was also an author of the US constitution.
John Jay
An author of the federalist papers, was the first chief justice of the US, and created the Jays Treaty which settled outstanding disputes with Britian
What are Antifederalists?
Believed that a strong central government could become corrupt and tyrannical.
Patrick Henry
An anti-federalist who opposed the US constitution and feared the a strong federal government would favor the rich.
The Supreme Law of the Land
The US Constitution
Federalism
a system of government in which the same territory is controlled by a strong central government.
Delegated Powers
Powers granted to the government under the US Constitution
Concurrent Powers
Powers that are shared by both the federal government and state governments.
Reserved Powers
Powers that are not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution
Separation of Powers
a model that divides the government into separate branches, each of which has separate and independent powers.
Legislative
Congress- only part of the government that can make laws
Executive
President
Judicial
US Supreme Court and all courts beneath it
What could the national government not do?
couldn’t raise taxes, couldn’t draft troops, no regulation of trade, no executive branch, no court system, etc.
What could the national government do?
make treaties, raise an army, declare war, create postal office, etc.
Paul Revere
created the first piece of propaganda with the Boston Massacre and organized a system to detect and warn others in advance of British troop movements.
Republican form of government
the power of government is held by the peopl
Necessary & Proper Clause
enables congress to pass special laws to require other departments of government to prosecute or adjudicate particular claims
Checks & Balances
a system that allows each branch of a government to amend or veto acts of another branch so as to prevent any one branch from having too much power
What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?
an agreement made during the U.S. Constitution. where enslaved people as only three-fifths of a person when determining a state’s population for representation in Congress.
What is the Great Compromise and when did it occur?
an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convetion in 1787 that established the structure of the US Congress
What is the Virginia Plan
A proposal for a strong central government with three branches that was presented at the Constitutional COnvention in 1787. legislative, judicial, and executive
What is the New Jersey Plan?
a proposal for the United States COngress that called for a single house with equal representation for each state.
What is the Boston Massacre and when did it occur?
British soldiers fired into a crowd killing 5 civilians. These soldiers were later put on trial for their crimes.
