Colonization & Early America to Modern America Summary

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to Colonization and Early America, the American Revolution, the new nation formation, and subsequent historical developments through Modern America.

New England Colonies

Religion-based settlements (Puritans), characterized by town meetings, small farms, trade, and shipbuilding.

Mid-Atlantic Colonies

Known as the 'Breadbasket colonies' for wheat and oats, with a diverse population and significant port cities.

Southern Colonies

Features large plantations, cash crops like tobacco and rice, and the use of enslaved labor.

Jamestown (1607)

The first permanent English settlement in America, known for its tobacco economy and establishment of the House of Burgesses.

Mercantilism

An economic system where colonies exist primarily to benefit the mother country by exporting more than they import.

Trans-Atlantic Trade / Triangular Trade

Trade network between Europe, Africa, and the Americas; included the brutal Middle Passage for enslaved Africans.

Great Awakening

A religious revival in the 18th century that led to new denominations and questioned established authority.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Debate over the ratification of the Constitution; Federalists supported a strong central government while Anti-Federalists advocated for states' rights.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States that was ultimately too weak to maintain government functions.

Emancipation Proclamation

An executive order issued by Abraham Lincoln that freed slaves in the rebelling states during the Civil War.

Industrial Growth

Significant economic expansion characterized by the rise of big businesses like Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Vanderbilt.

Progressive Era

A period of reform in the early 20th century that targeted issues such as labor rights, food safety, and monopolistic practices.

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States, impacting foreign and domestic policies.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Landmark legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation that aimed to eliminate barriers to voting for African Americans and protect their right to vote.

Manifest Destiny

The 19th-century belief that American expansion westward was both justified and inevitable.