STAAR Review: U.S. History (Colonial America to Reconstruction)

These flashcards cover key events, documents, and figures from Colonial America through the Civil War and Reconstruction.

What year was Jamestown founded?

1607

What significant document was signed by the Pilgrims in 1620?

The Mayflower Compact

What event marked the beginning of the American Revolution?

The first shots fired at Lexington and Concord in 1775

What document declared American independence in 1776?

The Declaration of Independence

When was the Constitution written?

1787

What significant land acquisition occurred in 1803?

The Louisiana Purchase by President Jefferson

What were the three main reasons for European exploration?

Gold, God, and Glory

What economic system did European nations adopt in the 1600s and 1700s?

Mercantilism

What was the first representative government in the English colonies?

House of Burgesses in Virginia

What was the significance of the Mayflower Compact?

It was an agreement to operate by majority rule in the Plymouth colony.

Who founded Massachusetts and for what reason?

John Winthrop for religious freedom.

Which colony was founded for trade and farming?

Virginia

What was the purpose of the Albany Plan of Union?

To unite the colonies to defeat the French.

What was the outcome of the Treaty of Paris 1763?

It ended the French and Indian War and gave Britain land to the Mississippi River.

What was the main reaction of colonists to the Stamp Act?

Protests and the rallying cry of 'No Taxation without Representation!'

What did the Townshend Acts tax?

Glass, lead, tea, silk, paint, and paper.

What was the Middle Passage?

The voyage from Africa to the Americas where enslaved Africans were transported.

What was the death rate during the Middle Passage?

15-20%

What was the Great Awakening?

A religious movement in the 1730s that encouraged democratic ideals in religion.

Who was a leading figure of the Great Awakening?

Jonathan Edwards

What was one effect of the Great Awakening on colonial society?

It led to greater religious tolerance and the formation of new churches.

What was the primary cash crop in Virginia during the colonial period?

Tobacco

Why did colonists turn to African slavery?

To meet the increased demand for labor in tobacco production.

What did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut establish?

The first written constitution in the colonies.

What was the significance of salutary neglect?

It allowed colonies to become more self-sufficient and independent.

What was the role of the colonial representative governments?

To provide law and order and represent the interests of the colonists.

What were the conditions like on slave ships during the Middle Passage?

Horrible, with enslaved Africans packed tightly and suffering high mortality rates.

What was the purpose of the Quartering Act?

To force colonists to supply and pay for housing and supplies for British soldiers.

What was the Boston Tea Party?

An event where colonists dumped chests of tea into Boston Harbor as a protest against the Tea Act.

What were the Intolerable Acts?

A series of punitive measures against Boston, including shutting down the port and forbidding town meetings.

What did the Quebec Act do?

Set up a government in Canada, took land claimed by colonists, and protected the rights of the French.

What economic theory influenced British colonial policy?

Mercantilism, which held that a nation's strength came from building up its gold supply and expanding trade.

Where were the first shots of the American Revolution fired?

Lexington, Massachusetts.

What was the significance of the Battle of Concord?

It was the first real battle of the American Revolution, resulting in a U.S. victory and heavy British casualties.

What was Valley Forge known for?

It was where the Continental Army trained during a brutal winter, emerging as a disciplined force under Washington.

What was the turning point of the American Revolution?

The Battle of Saratoga, which convinced France to ally with the United States.

What ended the American Revolution?

The Treaty of Paris of 1783, which recognized U.S. independence and ceded land to the U.S.

Who was Sam Adams?

A leader who wrote pamphlets to unite colonists against Britain and was a member of the Sons of Liberty.

What was Thomas Paine's contribution to the Revolution?

He wrote 'Common Sense' and 'The Crisis', advocating for independence from Britain.

What was the role of King George III during the Revolution?

He disbanded colonial legislatures, imposed heavy taxes, and refused the Olive Branch Petition.

What was the Articles of Confederation?

The first American constitution that created a weak federal government with limited powers.

What did Shay's Rebellion demonstrate?

It highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger federal government.

What was the outcome of the Constitutional Convention?

The Articles of Confederation were replaced with a new Constitution to create a stronger federal government.

What was the Virginia Plan?

A proposal for a strong national government with representation based on population.

What was the New Jersey Plan?

A proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.

What was the Great Compromise?

An agreement that established a bicameral legislature with one house based on population and one with equal representation.

What was the 3/5 Compromise?

An agreement that allowed 3/5 of a state's slave population to be counted for representation and taxation.

Who was George Washington?

The leader of the Continental Army and a highly respected figure in the American Revolution.

What was the significance of John Paul Jones?

He was a daring American sea captain known for his victory and inspiring leadership during naval battles.

Who was Abigail Adams?

An early advocate for women's rights who urged her husband to 'remember the ladies'.

What role did Marquis de Lafayette play in the Revolution?

He brought French soldiers to assist the Americans and fought alongside George Washington.

Who was Crispus Attucks?

The first casualty of the American Revolution, killed during the Boston Massacre.

What did Haym Salomon do?

He played an important role in financing the American Revolution.

Who was Thomas Jefferson?

The principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States.

What did the Federalists favor regarding government structure?

They favored a strong central government and a loose construction of the Constitution.

Who were the prominent Federalists?

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

What was the primary concern of the Anti-Federalists?

They wanted a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties and feared a powerful central government.

Name two prominent Anti-Federalists.

George Mason and Patrick Henry.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual rights.

What historical document limited the power of the ruler in England?

The Magna Carta (1215).

What rights did the English Bill of Rights (1689) protect?

It protected individual rights, including the right to a trial by jury and prohibited cruel and unusual punishment.

What was the significance of the Mayflower Compact (1620)?

It established a form of self-government and majority rule among the Pilgrims.

What did the Declaration of Independence (1776) assert?

It declared the colonies' independence from Britain and guaranteed inalienable rights like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

What were some grievances against the King of England listed in the Declaration of Independence?

Dissolving colonial legislatures, imposing taxes without consent, and depriving citizens of trial by jury.

What are the Federalist Papers?

A series of essays written to defend the Constitution and advocate for a strong central government.

What year was the Constitution ratified?

1787.

What is federalism?

The distribution of power between the federal government and the states.

What are the three branches of government established by the Constitution?

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches.

What principle ensures that no one branch of government has too much power?

Checks and balances.

What does popular sovereignty mean?

Political power rests with the people, who can create, alter, and abolish government.

What does limited government entail?

The government is bound by laws and cannot exceed its powers as defined by the Constitution.

What does the separation of powers refer to?

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

What are individual rights?

Rights that protect individuals from government overreach, such as those outlined in the Bill of Rights.

How can the Constitution be amended?

An amendment must be passed by 2/3 of both Houses of Congress and ratified by 3/4 of the state legislatures.

How many times has the Constitution been amended?

27 times since its ratification in 1787.

What does the Second Amendment protect?

The right to bear arms.

What does the Fourth Amendment protect against?

Illegal search and seizure.

What rights are guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment?

Rights of the accused, including due process and protection against double jeopardy.

What does the Eighth Amendment prohibit?

Cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail.

What does the Ninth Amendment state?

It reserves rights not specifically enumerated in the Constitution for the people.

What does the Tenth Amendment reserve?

Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states.

What are inalienable rights?

Rights that cannot be surrendered, taken away, or transferred, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

What is civil disobedience?

Refusal to obey government laws as a means of passive resistance due to moral conviction.

Which historical figure is known for refusing to pay taxes as an act of civil disobedience?

Henry David Thoreau

What grievance in the Declaration of Independence relates to taxation?

Taxation without representation

How was the grievance of 'taxation without representation' addressed in the U.S. Constitution?

All states have representation in Congress, which sets taxes.

Which amendment addresses the grievance of the King having absolute power?

The Constitution allows Congress to override a Presidential veto.

What does the 1st Amendment guarantee?

Freedom of speech.

What does the 3rd Amendment prohibit?

Quartering of troops in private homes without consent.

What protection does the 4th Amendment provide?

Protection against unwarranted search and seizure.

What rights are guaranteed by the 6th and 7th Amendments?

The right to a speedy public trial and the right to trial by jury.

What significant action did George Washington take regarding the Presidential Cabinet?

He appointed a cabinet, setting a precedent for future Presidents.

What was the Federal Judiciary Act of 1789?

A law passed to establish the federal court system during Washington's administration.

What principle was established by the Marbury v. Madison case?

Judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

What was the Whiskey Rebellion?

A rebellion by farmers against a government tax on whiskey, which Washington suppressed with federal troops.

What was the main economic policy of Alexander Hamilton?

Creating a strong federal government and a national bank.

What did the Alien and Sedition Acts do?

Restricted immigration and limited free speech during wartime.

What was the significance of the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions?

They asserted states' rights to nullify federal laws deemed unconstitutional.

What was the Embargo Act of 1807?

A law that prohibited American trade with foreign nations to avoid involvement in the Napoleonic Wars.

What was the Louisiana Purchase?

The acquisition of the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million, doubling the size of the U.S.