U.S. History: Unit 1 review

Declaration of Independence

the document recording the proclamation of the Second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain

Separation of Powers

the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government

Southern Colonies Economy

Made money by having slaves grow cash crops on plantations due to rich soil and warm climate.

Southern Colonies

Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia

Headright System

The Virginia Company's system in which settlers and the family members who came with them each received 50 acres of land

Salutary Neglect

An English policy of not strictly enforcing laws in its colonies

Middle Colonies

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware

Colonial Assemblies (representative government)

American representative assemblies wished to limit the powers of crown officials. House of Burgesses in Virginia was the first.

Navigation Acts

Laws that governed trade between England and its colonies. Colonists were required to ship certain products exclusively to England, forbidden from trading with other countries.

Shay's Rebellion (1786)

Armed uprising of western Massachusetts debtors seeking lower taxes and an end to property foreclosures. Inspired revision of Article of Confederation.

John Locke

Enlightenment philosopher who wrote of natural rights and inspired the writers of the Declaration of Independence

Bill of Rights

Added AFTER the Constitutional Convention; created to gain support of anti-Federalists; guaranteed rights of individuals

Lexington and Concord, 1775

First battle in the Revolutionary War, (AKA "shot heard round the world") fought in Massachusetts on April 19, 1775.

Royal Colony

a colony under direct control of the king

Battle of Saratoga

American victory over British troops in 1777 that was a "turning point" in the American Revolution. Convinced the French to join as allies of the colonists.

Articles of Confederation

First form of government for the United States.

France

European country that supported the colonists during the Revolutionary War.

Sugar Act

Law passed by the British Parliament setting taxes on molasses and sugar imported by the colonies. Aimed to reduce colonial smuggling.

Tobacco

Cash crop that made a profit and saved Jamestown

French and Indian War

British taxed colonists directly to pay off debts from this war.

Maryland

Southern colony that was established as a "holy experiment" for Catholics.

No taxation without representation

Colonists did not want to be taxed if they did not have a representative in Britain's Parliament.

House of Burgesses

Demonstrated early democracy in the colonies.

Pennsylvania

Founded by William Penn as a Quaker colony and a "holy experiment."

Intolerable Acts

A series of laws set up by Parliament to punish Massachusetts for its protests (Boston Tea Party) against the British.

"City Upon a Hill"

Phrase coined by John Winthrop to describe how their colony should serve as a model of excellence for future generations.

Great Compromise

Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature (Senate) and representation based on population in the other house (House of Representatives).

Rogers Williams

Rhode Island founder banished from Massachusetts.

New England Colonies Economy

based on fishing, shipbuilding, timber, and merchant trade

New England Colonies

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire

The Puritans' views and attitudes

Puritans emphasized reading and learning the bible; strong work ethic.

Stamp Act

1765; law that taxed printed goods, including: playing cards, documents, newspapers, etc.

Mercantilism

Economic theory where the thirteen colonies provide Great Britain with raw materials and markets for goods.

Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Pamphlet that advocated independence for the American colonies.

Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison to defend the Constitution and explain the need to strengthen the power of the national government.

Virginia Plan

"Large state" proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in bicameral congress.

New Jersey Plan

"Small state" proposal for the new constitution, calling for equal representation in unicameral congress.

Republicanism is the idea that

governments should be based on the consent of the people