United States History I Honors Review Sheet for Mid-Term Exam 2025

Mercantilism

An economic system in which nations seek to increase their wealth and power by obtaining large amounts of gold and silver and establishing favorable trade.

Battle of Bunker Hill

A battle where 1500 British troops attacked, and despite running out of ammunition, Americans held off British assaults, resulting in heavy British casualties.

House of Burgesses

The first example of 'representative government' in America.

Whiskey Rebellion

A rebellion against an excise tax on whiskey imposed by Hamilton during Washington's presidency, which was suppressed without violence.

Democracy

A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

Battle of Yorktown

The final major battle in the Revolutionary War, leading to British surrender and the beginning of peace negotiations.

Boston Massacre

An incident on March 5, 1770, where a confrontation between colonists and British soldiers resulted in the deaths of five colonists.

Anti-Federalist

Opponents of the Constitution who demanded a Bill of Rights.

Federalist

Advocates for the Constitution and a strong federal government.

Alien Acts

Laws that increased residency requirements for citizenship and allowed the president to deport or imprison foreigners.

Nullification

The belief that a state has the right to void a federal law it deems unconstitutional.

Sedation Acts

Laws that made it a crime to publish or speak out against the government.

Jay’s Treaty

A treaty that addressed issues between the US and Britain, including the evacuation of military posts and compensation for seized ships.

XYZ Affair

A diplomatic incident where French diplomats demanded bribes from the US delegation, leading to calls for war.

Pickney Treaty

A treaty with Spain granting the US access to the Mississippi River and establishing a border between US and Spanish territory.

Shay’s Rebellion

A protest led by Massachusetts farmers against low farm prices and high taxes, highlighting weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.

Great Compromise

An agreement that established a bicameral legislature, combining both population-based representation and equal state representation.

Common Sense

A pamphlet by Thomas Paine that encouraged colonies to seek independence from Great Britain.

3/5 Compromise

An agreement that determined how slaves would be counted for representation and taxation purposes.

National Bank

A financial institution proposed by Hamilton that Jefferson opposed, representing a debate over the interpretation of the Constitution.

Mayflower Compact

A foundational document that established a government based on majority rule among the Pilgrim settlers.

Congress

The legislative branch of the US government, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Checks and balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing individual liberties.

Political Parties

The first political divisions in the US, primarily between the Democratic-Republicans and Federalists.

Electoral College

A system for electing the president via state-appointed electors.

Boycott

A refusal to purchase goods in an effort to protest or demand change.

Jamestown

The first permanent English colony in North America, established in 1607.

Tories

Americans who remained loyal to Britain during the Revolutionary War.

Pontiac’s Rebellion

A Native American uprising led by Chief Pontiac against British settlement in the Great Lakes region.

Constitution

The foundational legal document of the US, ratified in 1789, outlining the structure of government.

Reserved Powers

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government, reserved for the states.

Federalist Papers

A collection of essays advocating for the ratification of the Constitution.

Tariff

A tax on imports or exports.

Navigation Acts

Laws to regulate colonial trade to benefit Britain.

Committees of Safety

Colonial groups formed to organize resistance against British rule.

Proclamation of 1763

An order forbidding American colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Stamp Act

A tax that required colonists to purchase special stamped paper for legal documents and publications.

Boston Tea Party

A protest against British taxation where colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor.

Second Continental Congress

A gathering of colonial delegates that managed the war effort and adopted the Declaration of Independence.

Constitutional Convention

A meeting that originally aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation but resulted in the drafting of the Constitution.

Virginia Plan

Proposed a bicameral legislature based on population, presented by Madison during the Constitutional Convention.

1st Continental Congress

A gathering of colonial representatives that met to address colonial grievances and organize resistance.

Ratification

The formal approval of an agreement or treaty.

Olive Branch Petition

A final plea to King George III from Congress to avoid war.

Writs of assistance

Legal documents allowing British officials to search any property for smuggled goods.

Minutemen

Colonial militia members ready to fight at a moment's notice.

Strict Construction

A literal interpretation of the Constitution.

Loose Construction

A broad interpretation of the Constitution.

Sons of Liberty

A group founded by Samuel Adams to resist British taxation and policies.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the US, establishing a loose alliance of states.

Election of 1800

An election that resulted in a tie between Jefferson and Burr, leading to a House decision in favor of Jefferson.

Judiciary Act of 1801

An act that created new circuit courts and reduced the Supreme Court justices.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare a law unconstitutional.

Thomas Paine

An influential writer whose pamphlet 'Common Sense' advocated for American independence.

Molly Pitcher

A woman who contributed to the Revolutionary War by supplying water and even fighting in the battle.

Gilbert Stuart

An American painter known for his portrait of George Washington.

Alexander Hamilton

The first Secretary of the Treasury, who advocated for a strong central government and a national bank.

George Washington

The first President of the United States and commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

James Madison

The 'Father of the Constitution' who played a key role in drafting and promoting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.