Studied by 1 person
chapters 6-12
Albany Plan of Union
A proposal led by Benjamin Franklin in 1754 to unite the colonies and gain Native American support for the British, ultimately rejected by the colonies.
French and Indian War
A conflict from 1754 to 1763, also known as the Seven Years' War, primarily between Britain and France in North America.
Salutary Neglect
A British policy of avoiding strict enforcement of parliamentary laws, allowing the colonies to operate with a degree of autonomy until 1763.
Pontiac's Rebellion
A Native American uprising in 1763 against British rule in the Great Lakes region, leading to the Proclamation Line of 1763.
Proclamation Line of 1763
A boundary established by Britain that prohibited colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.
Sugar Act of 1764
A British law aimed at raising revenue through taxation on sugar and molasses, leading to colonial smuggling.
Stamp Act of 1765
A tax imposed by Britain on printed materials in the colonies, causing widespread anger and protests among colonists.
Stamp Act Congress
The first unified colonial response to British taxation, formed in 1765 to protest the Stamp Act.
Declaratory Act
A law passed by Britain in 1766 asserting its right to legislate for the colonies in all cases, including taxation.
Townshend Acts
A series of British taxes on imports, including tea and glass, enacted in 1767, which were met with colonial boycotts.
Boston Massacre
A deadly confrontation in April 1770 where British soldiers killed five colonists during a protest in Boston.
Tea Act of 1773
Legislation aimed at bailing out the British East India Company, leading to colonial discontent and the Boston Tea Party.
Boston Tea Party
A protest in December 1773 where the Sons of Liberty dumped 542 chests of tea into Boston Harbor in response to the Tea Act.
Intolerable Acts
A series of punitive laws passed by Britain in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party, including the Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Government Act, and the Quartering Act.
First Continental Congress
A gathering of colonial representatives in 1774 to organize resistance against British rule.
—> wanted peace…back to salutary neglect
Quebec Act
A 1774 law extending the boundaries of French Canada, which angered colonists by encroaching on their territory.
Lexington and Concord
The first battles of the Revolutionary War in April 1775, known as the "shot heard 'round the world."
Second Continental Congress
A meeting of colonial leaders in May 1775 that managed the war effort and eventually moved towards independence.
Olive Branch Petition
A final attempt by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 to avoid war with Britain, rejected by King George III.
Common Sense
A pamphlet by Thomas Paine published in January 1776 advocating for American independence from Britain.
Declaration of Independence
The formal statement adopted on July 4, 1776, declaring the colonies' independence from Britain.
John Locke
An Enlightenment philosopher whose ideas on natural rights influenced American revolutionary thought.
Battle of Saratoga
A pivotal battle in 1777 that marked a turning point in the Revolutionary War, leading to French support for the colonists.
Battle of Yorktown
The last major battle of the Revolutionary War in 1781, resulting in British surrender and American victory.
Republican Motherhood
The idea that women were responsible for raising children to be good citizens of the United States.
Republicanism
Power comes from the people
Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom
Created by Thomas Jefferson, it established religious freedom and influenced the Bill of Rights.
Popular Sovereignty
The principle that the authority of government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.
Articles of Confederation
Ratified 1781: the first governing document of the United States, which lacked a strong central government. All 13 states’ approval was needed to amend this document
Weaknesses of the AoC
no power to tax
could not regulate trade
no executive branch and court system
9/13 needed to pass laws
all states had one vote
all 13 states’ approval needed to amend this document
Executive Branch
The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws; DID NOT EXIST in the Articles of Confederation.
Judicial Branch
The branch of government that interprets laws; weak under the Articles of Confederation.
Land Ordinance of 1784
Established principle that territories could become states as their populations grew
Land Ordinance of 1785
Legislation that surveyed and divided land in the Northwest Territory and was SOLD to raise money.
Northwest Land Ordinance of 1787
Established a process for ADMITTING new territories into the Union (hit 60,000 ppl) and prohibited slavery in the Northwest, north of the Ohio River
Shays’ Rebellion
1786-87: A revolt led by Daniel Shay, consisting of poor farmers seeking lower taxes and an end to bank foreclosures. An event that showed America needed a strong central government.
Annapolis Convention
1786: A meeting led by Alexander Hamilton to discuss revising the Articles of Confederation, attended by only five states.
Philadelphia Convention
1787: A gathering of 55 delegates aimed at revising the Articles of Confederation that resulted in the creation of the Constitution. 12 states showed up (no RI)
Virginia Plan
A proposal for representation based on population in Congress, favoring larger states.
New Jersey Plan
A proposal for equal representation in Congress, favoring smaller states.
Great Compromise
Also known as the Connecticut Compromise, it established a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.
3/5 Compromise
An agreement that 60% of the slave population would be counted for representation in the House of Representatives.
Slave Trade Compromise
Allowed the continuation of the slave trade until the end of 1807.
Electoral College
A body established to elect the President, using electors rather than a direct popular vote.
Elastic Clause
A provision in the Constitution allowing Congress to make laws deemed necessary and proper for executing its powers.
Federalists
Supporters of a strong central government, including figures like Madison, Hamilton, and Washington.
Anti-Federalists
Opponents of a strong central government, advocating for more power to the states, represented by figures like Patrick Henry.
Federalism
The division of power between the national and state governments
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, created by James Madison, that guarantee individual freedoms and states' rights.
James Madison
The fourth President of the United States and the principal author of the Bill of Rights.
Cabinet
A group of advisors to the President, consisting of heads of various departments, though not mentioned in the Constitution.
Thomas Jefferson
The first Secretary of State and a leading figure in the early development of the United States, known for his opposition to Hamilton's policies.
Alexander Hamilton
The first Secretary of the Treasury, known for his financial policies and the establishment of a national bank.
Judiciary Act of 1789
Legislation that organized the Supreme Court, establishing one chief justice and five associate justices. Also set up the lower courts.
John Jay
The first Chief Justice of the United States and a prominent Federalist, known for writing The Federalist Papers.
Tariffs
Taxes on foreign goods intended to protect American industry by making imported goods more expensive.
Assumption Plan
Report on Public Credit called for the federal government to pay off the national debt at face value and assume the war debt of the states. Part of Alexander Hamilton’s Financial Plan
Excise Tax
A tax on specific goods produced within a country notably applied to whiskey during Hamilton's Financial Plan.
Creation of a National Bank
Would help create a stable, healthy economy and currency. Led to a huge debate over the power of the federal government
Whiskey Rebellion
A 1794 uprising in southwestern Pennsylvania against the excise tax on whiskey, demonstrating the power of the federal government.
Shays’ Rebellion
An armed uprising in 1786-1787 that highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
Neutrality Proclamation: 1793
A declaration by President Washington urging Americans to remain impartial in foreign conflicts, particularly between France and Britain.
Treaty of Greenville
An agreement in which Native Americans ceded land in the Old Northwest to the United States.
Pickney’s Treaty
1795: A treaty with Spain that granted Americans navigation rights on the Mississippi River and land north of Florida.
XYZ Affair
A diplomatic incident in which French agents demanded bribes from American diplomats, leading to increased tensions between the U.S. and France.
Alien and Sedition Acts
Laws that increased residency requirements for citizenship and imposed penalties for criticizing the government, seen as violations of the First Amendment.
Naturalization Act
increased time from 5 to 14 years for immigration to become American citizens
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
A state can nullify federal laws passed by Congress if they felt that they were too unconstitutional. Created by Jefferson and Madison to oppose federal laws that Democratic-Republicans felt were unconstitutional.
Jay’s Treaty
1794: British agreed to leave the forts on the frontier, but said nothing about stopping BR’s harassment of US ships or natives
Washington’s Farewell Address: 1796
1796: warned the nation against permanent alliances and the existence of political parties
Jeffersonian America
The period in U.S. history from 1802 to 1812 characterized by Thomas Jefferson's presidency and the Democratic-Republican Party's rise to power.
Election of 1800
A pivotal election where Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams, marking the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in the U.S.
Revolution of 1800
The term used to describe the peaceful transfer of power from the Federalists to the Democratic-Republicans, demonstrating the effectiveness of the constitutional system. No Federalist became president after this election.
Federalists in 1800
A political party that lost control of the presidency and Congress in the Election of 1800, attempting to maintain power through the judicial branch.
Judiciary Act of 1801
Legislation that created new judicial positions filled by Federalist candidates during the last days of John Adams' presidency, leading to the "midnight appointments."
Marbury vs Madison
A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare federal laws unconstitutional.
Judicial Review
The power of the Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of federal laws, significantly expanding judicial power.
Thomas Jefferson
The first Democratic-Republican president who implemented policies such as reducing the national debt and military size, while maintaining some Federalist policies.
Louisiana Purchase
The 1803 acquisition of the Louisiana territory from France for $15 million, which doubled the size of the United States and supported Jefferson's vision of an agrarian society.
James Monroe
The envoy sent by Jefferson to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans and part of Florida, ultimately leading to the Louisiana Purchase.
Lewis and Clark Expedition
A scientific exploration led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the newly acquired Louisiana territory and claim the Oregon Territory.
Aaron Burr
Jefferson's vice president who became embroiled in controversy, including a duel with Alexander Hamilton and a plot to secede New England states.
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
A 1807 incident where the British ship Leopard attacked the American ship Chesapeake, leading to heightened tensions and the Embargo Act.
Embargo Act of 1807
A law enacted by Jefferson that banned all U.S. trade with foreign nations in response to violations of American neutrality, resulting in economic decline.
War of 1812
A conflict between the United States and Great Britain that resulted in increased nationalism and the Treaty of Ghent.
Era of Good Feelings
A period following the War of 1812 characterized by a rise in nationalism and the dominance of the Democratic-Republican Party.
James Monroe
The fifth President of the United States, elected in 1816, during the Era of Good Feelings.
Democratic-Republican Party
The political party that dominated the Era of Good Feelings, known for its focus on states' rights and agrarian interests.
Sectionalism
The growing division and conflict between different regions of the United States, particularly over issues like slavery and economic policy.
American System
A plan proposed by Henry Clay to unify the U.S. economy through tariffs, a national bank, and internal improvements.
Tariff of 1816
The first protective tariff in the United States, designed to support American industry and manufacturing.
Second Bank of the United States
Established to ensure financial stability and provide credit, part of the American System.
Internal Improvements
Development of infrastructure such as roads and canals to enhance transportation and economic interdependence.
Erie Canal
A significant transportation project completed in 1825 that linked New York to the Midwest.
Missouri Compromise
A legislative agreement in 1820 that allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state and Maine as a free state, establishing a boundary for slavery.
Tallmadge Amendment
A proposed amendment that sought to gradually emancipate slaves in Missouri, highlighting tensions over slavery.
John Quincy Adams
Secretary of State under Monroe, known for his role in several key treaties and the Monroe Doctrine.
Rush-Bagot Treaty
An agreement between the U.S. and Britain that limited naval armaments on the Great Lakes.
Adams-Onis Treaty
A treaty in which Spain ceded Florida to the United States and defined the boundary between the U.S. and New Spain.
