Key Concepts of the American Revolution and Constitution

Mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasizes the accumulation of wealth, particularly gold and silver, by maintaining a favorable balance of trade.

Salutary Neglect

The British policy of loosely enforcing regulations and laws in the American colonies, allowing them to self-govern and flourish economically without much interference.

Seven Years' War

A war (1756-1763) primarily fought between Great Britain and France, with various European powers involved, including Spain, Austria, and Prussia.

Stamp Act

A 1765 law that imposed taxes on the colonies, contributing to revolutionary sentiment.

Boston Massacre

A 1770 incident that fueled anti-British sentiment among the colonists.

Intolerable Acts

A series of punitive laws passed in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party.

First Continental Congress

Assembled in 1774 to address colonial grievances and protest the Intolerable Acts.

Second Continental Congress

Met in 1775 and took on the role of governing during the war, eventually declaring independence from Britain in 1776.

Common Sense

A pamphlet by Thomas Paine that argued for independence and inspired many colonists.

Loyalist

An American colonist who remained loyal to Britain.

Patriot

A colonist who supported independence from Britain.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States that had strengths in winning the American Revolution but weaknesses like no power to tax.

Confederation

A loose alliance of states with a weak central government.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Established a process for admitting new states and prohibited slavery in the new territories.

Shays' Rebellion

A rebellion led by Daniel Shays against tax and debt policies in Massachusetts, highlighting weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Critical Period

The time between 1783 and 1787 when the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation became apparent.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the U.S. Constitution, fearing it would create too strong a central government.

Mercy Otis Warren

An influential writer and political thinker who supported independence and was critical of the Constitution.

Republicanism

A political ideology advocating for a government in which power resides in elected representatives rather than a monarch.

James Madison

Often considered the most active framer of the Constitution.

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

The Court ruled that students do not lose their First Amendment rights at school.

Shenck v. United States (1919)

The Court established the 'clear and present danger' test for speech limitations.

Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969)

The Court ruled that speech can only be restricted if it incites imminent lawless action.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

The Court ruled that government-directed prayer in public schools violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Kennedy v. Bremerton (2022)

The Court ruled that a public school coach's prayer on the field was protected by the First Amendment.