Exploration, Colonization, and Early American History

This set of flashcards covers important terms and definitions related to exploration, colonization, and early American history, aimed at helping students review and prepare for exams.

Ohio Company

A Virginia land speculation company that encouraged colonists to settle in the Ohio Valley.

William Penn

Quaker who was given a grant for land in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Ohio Valley

Land fought over by Great Britain and France beginning in 1754.

Bacon's Rebellion

Frontier farmers fought Virginia government for help to fight the Indians.

Triangular Trade

Trade network involving New England (rum), Africa (slaves), and the West Indies (sugar).

Mercantilism

Economic policy where a mother country works to establish a favorable balance of trade.

Headright System

Settler who paid for voyage received 50 acres of land.

Glorious Revolution

Uprising which brought William and Mary to power in England.

John Rolfe

Cultivated quality tobacco in Virginia for Europe.

Albany Plan of Union

Benjamin Franklin's proposal to unite the colonists against the French in the French and Indian War.

King Philip's War

Battles between Puritans and Native Americans that ended Indian power in New England.

Joint-Stock Company

Investors who put up capital to fund exploration, such as the Virginia Company.

Pontiac

Ottawa Chief who led a rebellion against settlers west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Mayflower Compact

Established by the Pilgrims as a guide for self-government.

Proclamation of 1763

Forbade colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Dominion of New England

New England Colonies put under control of Edmund Andros.

Royal Charter

Official permit issued by a monarch.

Middle Passage

The journey of slaves from Africa to the New World.

Quakers

Religious group against war and slavery, who purchased land from Native Americans.

Captain John Smith

Took control of Jamestown stating, 'he that will not work, shall not eat.'

Salutary Neglect

Period when Great Britain relaxed its grip on colonial trade and the Navigation Acts.

Indentured Servants

Migrants who worked for seven years to pay off their voyage.

Powhatan

Leader of Native Americans in Virginia.

Great Awakening

Colonial religious movement that increased membership in established churches.

George Grenville

Prime Minister of Great Britain who imposed taxes on American colonists.

Anne Hutchison

Massachusetts resident exiled for questioning Puritan predestination.

John Winthrop

First governor of Massachusetts.

Salem Witch Trials

Event in New England leading to the deaths of over 20 individuals in the 1690s due to social tension.

Puritans

Religious group that wanted to reform the Anglican Church.

Manhattan

Island in New York purchased by Dutch settlers.

Maryland Act of Toleration

Law allowing religious toleration of all Christian religions.

Roger Williams

Religious leader of Massachusetts who formed Rhode Island.

Treaty of Paris 1763

Settled the French and Indian War and opened western land for British and colonists.

Navigation Acts

Parliament restrictions to stop colonies from trading with other countries.

House of Burgesses

The first legislative assembly in the colonies.

William Pitt

British Prime Minister who helped the English and colonists defeat the French.

Pequot War

Puritan massacre of nearly all Native Americans in Connecticut in 1637.

Articles of Confederation

First form of government for the U.S. placing most power in the states.

Virginia Plan

Proposed a bicameral legislature where both houses would be determined by a state's population.

Shays's Rebellion

Farmers in Massachusetts rebelled to stop farm foreclosures, leading to the Constitutional Convention.

New Jersey Plan

Plan proposed by William Patterson for equal representation of each state in Congress.

Great Compromise

Plan by Roger Sherman calling for a bicameral Congress with one house based on population and the other equally represented.

Battle of Saratoga

Turning-point battle of the Revolutionary War that secured French aid.

Federalist Papers

Essays written to convince New Yorkers to ratify the Constitution.

Three-fifths Compromise

Provision where 3 of every 5 slaves would be counted for representation and taxation.

Slave Trade Compromise

Provision where Congress could only regulate the slave trade until 1808.

Common Sense

Pamphlet by Thomas Paine justifying the independence movement.

Intolerable Acts

Legislation by Parliament to punish colonists for the Boston Tea Party.

Lexington and Concord

First conflict of the Revolutionary War (Shot heard 'round the world).

Constitutional Convention

Meeting to revise the Articles of Confederation, resulting in a new Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

Group that persuaded states not to ratify the Constitution until a Bill of Rights was added.

James Madison

Father of the Constitution.

Battle of Bunker Hill

First large-scale battle of the Revolutionary War.

Sons of Liberty

Colonial political resistors led by Samuel Adams.

Federalists

Group that attempted to persuade the states to ratify the Constitution.

Treaty of Paris 1783

Agreement that ended the Revolutionary War and granted American independence.

The Bill of Rights

First ten amendments to the US Constitution protecting individual rights.

George Washington

Commander in Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Olive Branch Petition

Final attempt of the Second Continental Congress to make peace with Great Britain.

Townshend Acts

Group of taxes aimed at generating revenue to pay for the English army in the Colonies.

John Jay

First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Alexander Hamilton

First Secretary of the Treasury whose financial plan led to the formation of political parties.

Declaration of Independence

Document explaining why the Colonies sought independence from Great Britain.

Boston Tea Party

Event where Sons of Liberty dumped crates of tea into Boston Harbor.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Act to survey and divide western lands for sale.

Republicanism

Idea that government should be based on consent of the people.

Stamp Act

First direct tax on the colonists.

Boston Massacre

Violent event in Massachusetts where British troops killed 5 colonists.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Law establishing the process for territories to become states and outlawing slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Crispus Attucks

Former slave among those killed during the Boston Massacre.

Battle of Yorktown

Final decisive battle of the Revolutionary War where Cornwallis surrendered.

Checks and Balances

System preventing any branch of government from dominating others.

Patrick Henry

Protested taxation without representation, famously stating 'Give me liberty or give me death!'

Marquis de LaFayette

French officer who helped secure financial aid and military training for American troops.

Federalism

Powers divided between central and state governments.

Pinckney's Treaty

Treaty made between the US and Spain that secured navigation rights on the Mississippi River.

Embargo Act of 1807

Law prohibiting American trade with European nations.

National Bank Compromise

Settlement dividing Cabinet into strict and loose constructionists in interpreting the Constitution.

Francis Scott Key

Wrote 'The Star-Spangled Banner' during the Battle of Fort McHenry.

Democratic-Republicans

One of the first two political parties, led by Jefferson and Madison.

Miami Confederacy

Group of Native Americans led by Chief Little Turtle defeated at Fallen Timbers.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Response to Alien and Sedition Acts calling for state nullification of laws.

Jay's Treaty

Treaty between US and Britain attempting to avoid war, failing to address major concerns.

Judiciary Act of 1801

Adams's reorganization of the national court system and appointment of Federalist judges.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws created to stop criticism of the Adams Administration during Quasi War.

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court case establishing the principle of judicial review.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Law providing for a Supreme Court with a Chief Justice and 5 associate justices.

XYZ Affair

Diplomatic issue where French agents demanded a bribe to speak with the foreign minister.

Whiskey Rebellion

Response to excise tax leading to a revolt.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

Overland expedition to explore the Louisiana Purchase territory.

Treaty of Ghent

Peace treaty ending the War of 1812.

Tippecanoe

1811 battle between William Henry Harrison and Tecumseh's Indians.

Battle of New Orleans

Final battle of the War of 1812 that made Andrew Jackson a national hero.

Midnight Judges

Judges appointed by Adams in the last weeks of his presidency.

Hartford Convention

Federalist opposition to the War of 1812 discussing secession.

Louisiana Purchase

Land purchased by the US from Napoleon in 1803 under Jefferson.

Tecumseh

Shawnee leader urging Native Americans to attack settlers in the Northwest Territory.

Washington's Farewell Address

Warning against entangling alliances with foreign nations.

War of 1812

Conflict where the US declared war on Britain over impressment and territorial issues.

Sacajawea

Shoshone woman who acted as a guide for Lewis and Clark.