Colonial Beginnings and Early American History

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the colonial beginnings and early American history, focusing on topics such as the triangular trade, significant events, legislation, and early governance.

Triangular Trade

A system of transatlantic trade where raw materials were sent from North America to Europe, enslaved people from Africa to North America, and goods back to Europe.

Christopher Columbus

an admiral who completed four voyages across the Atlantic, opening the way for the widespread European exploration of the Americas.

Jamestown

The first permanent English colony in North America, established in 1607 and named after King James I.

Bacon's Rebellion

A revolt in 1675 against Native Americans and the colonial government of Virginia due to land disputes and lack of support.

John Rolfe

Travelled to Jamestown with John smith and had the idea of planting cash crops like tobacco, later married Pocahontas

Indentured Servants

Individuals who worked for a certain number of years in exchange for passage to America, often facing harsh conditions.

The Mayflower Compact

A set of rules for self-governance established by the English settlers (Pilgrims) who traveled on the Mayflower in 1620.

Plymouth & Massachusetts bay

A settlement established by the Pilgrims in 1620 in present-day Massachusetts, known for seeking religious freedom.

John Winthrop

Led the English puritan settlement in the Massachusetts bay colony

Salem witch trials

A series of accusations of witches in Massachusetts between 1692-93

Quaker

A religious group that settled in Pennsylvania, named after William penn

Mercantilism

For trade, you must only use British ships and products

Navigation act

British law that controlled trade and allowed mercantilism

Glorious revolution

Parliament dislikes king James II and William II gets power as the first constitutional monarch

Enlightenment period

People have potential, rights freedoms, reading becomes more important, 1600s-1700s

john locke

“tabula rasa” (blank slate), the theory that anyone can learn something, and everyone is born without natural ideas.

benjamin franklin

Submitted and reviewed the Declaration of Independence

slavery

used as free labour, Africans, as they are easy to spot and have no prior knowledge of the land and could be controlled more easily than indentured servants.

George Grenville

The British Prime Minister who implemented the Sugar Act in 1764 to help offset Britain’s war debt.

'No taxation without representation'

A slogan summarizing the primary grievance of the American colonists against British taxation policies, emphasizing the lack of political representation.

Sons of Liberty

A group of colonial merchants and tradesmen formed to oppose British policies and taxes, often through protests and acts of violence.

The Boston Massacre

A confrontation in 1770 where British soldiers killed five colonists, escalating tensions between Britain and America.

Tea Act

A 1773 act that allowed the British East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonies for cheap, undermining local merchants.

Patrick Henry

Founding father “give me liberty or give me death”

Declaration of Independence

A document written primarily by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 declaring the colonies' separation from Britain, detailing grievances against King George III.

Patriots vs. Loyalists

Patriots supported independence from Britain, while Loyalists remained loyal to the British crown, comprising roughly one-fifth of the colonial population.

Bunker Hill

The first major battle of the American Revolution in 1775, demonstrating that colonial forces could stand up to the British army after they could not overtake the hill after 3 waves.

Treaty of Paris 1783

The agreement that officially ended the Revolutionary War, recognizing American independence and establishing borders for the new nation.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, creating a loose confederation of states with a weak central government.

Shays' Rebellion

An uprising in 1786-87, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and prompting calls for a stronger federal government.

The Great Compromise

An agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that established a two-house legislature, balancing representation by population and equal state votes.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no branch of government becomes too powerful, allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.