APUSH Key Terms!!!

Encomienda

Spanish colonial labor system where conquistadors were granted the right to demand labor from indigenous peoples in return for protection and religious instruction.

Headright System

A land grant program used in the English colonies, particularly in Virginia, to attract settlers and address labor shortages

Indentured Servitude

a labor system used in early America where individuals contracted to work for a set period to pay off their passage to the colonies

Joint-stock company

a business entity where individuals invested money, becoming shareholders and sharing in the company's profits for the purpose of developing and settling land

Mercantilism

the economic policy where a nation seeks to increase its wealth by exporting more than it imports, primarily through the use of colonies to provide resources and serve as markets, focused on a “trade balance”

Middle passage

the sea journey undertaken by slave ships from West Africa to the West Indies

Praying towns

settlements established by English Puritans to convert Native Americans to Christianity

Proprietary colony

a type of British American colony where the king granted land and the right to govern to an individual or a group

Revivalism

increased religious fervor, the rise of new denominations, and a shift in religious authority towards individuals and away from established clergy

Royal Colony

a colony directly governed by the monarch

Salutary Neglect

an unofficial British policy from the late 1600s to the mid-1700s, where the British government relaxed enforcement

Spanish Mission System

the establishment of Catholic religious outposts by Spain in the Americas

Tariffs

Taxes on foreign goods, placed on Americans by British (eg Wool Tariff and Molasses Tariff)

Anne Hutchinson

a significant figure in early colonial America, known for challenging both religious and social norms in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, called a heretic

Bartolome de las Casas

Against the atrocities committed by the Spanish against the Native Americans

George Whitefield

Anglican preacher during the first great awakening

John Rolfe

Married pocahontas, made jamestown successful

Johnathan Edwards

English Preacher during First Great Awakening

Juan de Onate

Governor of New Mexico colony, forceful conversion

Roger Williams

Puritan minister and theologian, founded rhode island colony

Sir Walter Raleigh

Attempted to build a colony in Roanoke island, “lost colony”

Wampanoags

Native AMericans in SE Massachusettes

Zambos

Native American and African ancestry, les castas system

Act of Toleration

Two acts that gave limited religious freedom in colonies

Dominion of New England

a single colonial administrative unit formed by King James II in 1686, encompassing the New England colonies (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire), attempt to end salutary neglect

fundamental orders of connecticut

established a representative government in the Connecticut colonies, making it arguably the first written constitution in the American colonies.

Halfway Covenant

a Puritan solution to address declining piety by allowing the children of baptized but unconverted church members to be baptized and thus become church members

Maryland Toleration Act

granted religious freedom to all Christians in the colony, though it did not extend to non-Christians (protects Catholics)

Checks and Balances

a system designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful

Common Sense by Thomas Paine

1776 Pamphlet on the American Revolution, argued for independence, very popular

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

This economic plan included a national debt (assuming state debts) and the creation of a national bank. Aimed to establish the nation's creditworthiness, promote national unity, and stimulate economic growth. 

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

political statements, drafted in 1798 and 1799, that asserted the power of states to nullify federal laws deemed unconstitutional, particularly the Alien and Sedition Acts

Pontiac’s Rebellion

a major uprising by Native American tribes against the British in 1763-1766, following the French and Indian War, led to proclamation line of 1763

Shay’s Rebellion

the rebellion stemmed from economic hardship, high taxes, and the threat of farm foreclosures. It demonstrated the government's inability to maintain order and protect property rights, contributing to the movement for a new constitution. 

Whiskey Rebellion

tax revolt by western Pennsylvania farmers who protested the excise tax on whiskey, which was a major source of income for them, proved usefulness of federal troops and new constitution

Benjamin Franklin

Founding father, diplomat, proposed albany plan of union

Committees of Correspondence

colonial bodies established primarily to facilitate communication and coordinate action among the American colonies in the face of British policies leading up to the American Revolution

George Grenville

British prime minister who proposed the Navigation Acts, Sugar Act, Stamp Act, etc.

James Madison

4th president, wrote the federalist papers, developed bill of rights

John Adams

2nd president, only one term as president

John Jay

Wrote federalist papers, negotiated jay’s treaty, 1st chief justice of the supreme court

Albany Plan of Union

a plan for the colonies to unite for defense and trade during the French and Indian War

Currency Act

British law enacted in 1764 that aimed to regulate currency in the American colonies

Declaration of Independence

13 colonies declared their independence from Britain

Declatory Act

asserted Parliament's full authority to make laws and statutes binding on the American colonies in all cases, including taxation

Federalist Papers

a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, published in 1788 to persuade the public to ratify the U.S. Constitution

1st National Bank

the first federally chartered bank in the United States, operating from 1791 to 1811, established by Alexander Hamilton to manage national debt and stabilize economy

First Continental Congress

A meeting by delegates with 12 of the 13 colonies to discuss and coordinate a unified colonial response to the British government's Intolerable Acts

Franco-American Alliance

a military alliance between the United States and the Kingdom of France during the American Revolutionary War

Great Compromise (Conneticut Compromise)

resolved the debate over representation in the new federal government during the Constitutional Convention. created a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate where each state received equal representation

Jay’s Treaty

Allowed for trade with Britain, limited access to British West Indies, Canadian-Maine Border

New Jersey Plan

Proposed at constitutional congress, equal representation regardless of population

Northwest Ordinance

Arguably the only good thing from the Articles of Confederation, It granted religious freedom, banned slavery, and allowed for statehood

Olive Branch Petition

An attempt by the Americans to reconcile halfway through the revolution

Pinckney’s Treaty

United States and Spain that resolved territorial disputes and granted Americans navigation rights on the Mississippi River, particularly through the port of New Orleans

Proclamation of Neutrality

GW declared the United States would not take sides in the European war between Britain and France following the French Revolution

Quebec Act

1774 act which expanded the borders of Quebec, limiting Westward expansion for Americans leading to colonial discontent

Second Continental Congress

a governing body of colonial delegates that met in Philadelphia following the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War in 1775, they made decisions and officially declared independence

Townshend Acts

a series of British laws passed in 1767 that imposed taxes on goods imported into the American colonies, including glass, lead, paint, and tea

1763 Treaty of Paris

Ended seven years war

Virginia Plan

Plan proposed during the constitutional congress that gave votes depending on population

American System

a proposed economic plan by Henry Clay to strengthen the United States' economy after the War of 1812

Boom and bust

periods of rapid economic growth (boom) followed by a sharp decline (bust) in a specific area or industry, lead to urban development and economic fluctuations

Caucus System

a closed meeting of party members, especially within Congress, used to nominate candidates and plan political strategies, this became less common as primary elections rose to popularity

corrupt bargain

the outcome of the 1824 presidential election, where John Quincy Adams became president despite Andrew Jackson winning the popular vote. Clay helped Adams win in exchange for a position on cabinet

Gag rule

a procedural rule that prohibited the consideration of any petitions related to slavery, enacted by the House of Reps, 1836-1844

Jacksonian Democracy

Shifted power from elites to the people

Pet banks

state-chartered banks that received federal deposits after President Andrew Jackson moved government funds out of the Second Bank of the United States

Spoils system

the practice of a successful political party giving public office to its supporters.

State’s rights

the rights and powers held by individual US states rather than by the federal government.

Universal white manhood suffrage

the expansion of voting rights in the US during the 1820s-1850s, primarily to encompass nearly all adult white males, regardless of property ownership

Election of 1824

John Quincy Adams defeated Andrew Jackson in 1824 by garnering more electoral votes through the House of Representatives, even though Jackson originally received more popular and electoral votes.

Gold Rush

a rapid influx of people to a region where gold has been discovered, seeking to get rich quick.

Hartford Convention

a secret meeting held in Hartford, Connecticut from December 15, 1814 to January 5, 1815; Downfall of the federalist party :0

Nat Turner’s Rebellion

a slave revolt in 1831 in Southampton County, Virginia, led by Nat Turner, an enslaved preacher who believed he was divinely called to lead his people to freedom. Increased anxiety and restrictions on slaves.

Panic of 1819

the first major financial crisis in the United States, triggered by a combination of factors including rapid westward expansion, a cotton boom, and instability in the banking system

Panic of 1837

a major financial crisis in the United States, characterized by a collapse of banks, plummeting stock prices, and a shortage of gold and silver

Seminole Wars

a series of conflicts between the United States and the Seminole Indians in Florida, primarily during the early to mid-19th century

War of 1812

fought between the United States and Great Britain from 1812 to 1815. Caused by British interference with American trade and the impressment of American sailors into the Royal Navy

War Hawks

Consisted of Democratic Republicans in the House of Reps, wanted war with Britain (war of 1812) to “defend honor”

Brook Farm

19th-century transcendentalist utopian community, highly influenced by transcendence

Erie canal

A transportation route that connects NYC to the Great Lakes region, facilitated movement of goods and peoploe

Lowell System

Labor system used in early 1800s that employed young, unmarried women and provided them with housing.

Cumberland Road

first federally funded highway in the US, connected Eastern states to Great Lakes region

Oregon Territory

A region encompassing present-day oregon, washington, idaho, british columbia, etc. Key area for westwards expansion

Republic of Texas

Independent nation created after the Texas Revolution. America refused to annex Texas at first, forming this republic. In 1845, Texas was annexed into the US under the Polk administration

Embargo Act of 1807

General trade embargo on all foreign nations during the Jefferson Administration in response to impressment and to prevent increased warfare. Hurt American economy and was eventually repealed.

Force Bill

Use federal military to enforce federal tariffs, made by Jackson

Indian Removal Act

Allowed President to negotiate treaties with Native American tribes in existing states. Facilitated the forced relocation of Native American nations.

Non-Intercourse Act

Replaced the Embargo Act and reopened American trade to all countries EXCEPT Britain and France

Second Bank of the US

Created after the War of 1812 to stabilize the economy by managing currency, regulating state banks, and providing loans. It was vetoed by Jackson as he believed that it was undemocratic.

Specie Circular

Executive order that required the payment for public lands to be done using exclusively gold or silver

Tariff of Abominations

Protective tariff on European goods, opposed to by the Southerners who relied on foreign trade and led to the Nullification Crisis

40 acres and a mule

A promise, later broken, made to newly freed African Americans after the Civil War

Loyalty Oath

A pledge of allegiance, required of Confederates post Civil War

Nativism

The policy of protecting the interests of native-born or established inhabitants against those of immigrants

Popular soverignty

The idea that the residents of a territory should decided if slavery was allowed or not

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

A novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe that increased sectional conflict by portraying slavery as brutal and immoral. Argued for immediate abolition

Bleeding Kansas

A period of political turmoil in the Kansas Territory. Caused by the Kansas-Nebraska Act which allowed settlers to use popular soverignty. Led to a series of armed conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces.

Election of 1860

Abraham Lincoln won without a single vote from the South, immediate secession