U.S. History Exam

Columbian Exchange

D: Widespread transfer of animals, culture, technology, and diseases
E: European exploration, colonization of Americas
S: Increased trade, food production, slavery.

Mercantilism

D: Government maximizes exports and accumulates precious metals
E: Nation's wealth determined by exports and trade
S: American Revolution

Albany Plan

D: A proposal by Ben Franklin to create a unified government for the 13 colonies.
E: French and Indian War
S: Marked as one of the first attempts at colonial unity, laying groundwork for future cooperation.

Natural Rights

D: Fundamental human rights, life, liberty, property, that are inherent and cannot be surrendered.
E: Developed during enlightenment periods, advocating individual freedom
S: Influenced Declaration of Independence, emphasized "unalienable rights"

Articles of Confederation

D: First constitution of the U.S. which established a weak central government
E: Created to avoid strong central government
S: U.S. Constitution

Quasi War

D: Undeclared naval war between U.S. and France
E: XYZ Affair
S: Strengthened U.S. Navy and decline of Federalist Party

Marbury v. Madison

D: 1803 Supreme Court case establishing the principle of judicial review.
E: William Marbury sued for his commission as a justice of the peace, which had been denied by James Madison.
S: Established the power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional, strengthening the judiciary.

Tecumseh's War

D: A conflict between the U.S. and Native American tribes led by Tecumseh, aiming to resist American encroachment on their lands.
E: U.S. expansion into Native territories.
S: Tecumseh's defeat diminished Native American resistance, paving the way for further U.S. expansion.

Prosser's Rebellion

D: Failed 1800 slave revolt led by Gabriel Prosser
E: Inspired by ideals of liberty from the American and French Revolutions and the harsh conditions of slavery
S: Inspired other rebellions

Paternalism

D: The idea that certain individuals or groups had a duty to care for those under their authority as they would for their own family.
E: Justification by slaveholders to defend the institution of slavery by portraying it as a "benevolent" system.
S: Reinforced the social hierarchy and was used to rationalize the continued existence of slavery, delaying abolitionist movements

Democratic Republican

D: Political party founded by Thomas Jefferson that advocated for states' rights and limited federal government.
E: Opposition to the Federalist party
S: Shaped early American politics and governance during the first party system.

Hartford Convention

D: A series of meetings held in where Federalist delegates discussed grievances against the War of 1812 and the ruling Democratic-Republican government that NEVER went into effect.
E: New England states were economically strained by the war and opposed the national government's handling of it, especially the blockade and the impact on trade
S: This convention marked the decline of the Federalist Party, as their perceived disloyalty was viewed unfavorably by the public.

Era of Good Feelings

D: Period after the War of 1812 marked by political unity and a lack of partisan conflict
E: The Collapse of the Federalist Party and the dominance of the Democratic-Republican Party
S: Increased focus on national infrastructure but also masked growing sectional tensions

Secession

D: Act of formally withdrawing from a union or federation, particularly Southern states leaving U.S.
E: Rooted in disputes over slavery, states' rights, and Abraham Lincoln
S: Civil War

Abolitionists

D: Person who sought to abolish slavery during the 19th century.
E: Since the inception of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, critics voiced disapproval of the system and its cruel ways.
S: Emancipation Proclamation

Spoils System

D: Gave away political offices to supporters, job for votes.
E: Corrupt Bargain
S: Included getting rid of entrenched government officials; gets rid of people that have been in government for a long time.

Second Great Awakening

D: religious revival in the United States from the late 18th century to the mid-19th century, marked by widespread revivals, emotional preaching, and a surge in conversions.
E: Reaction to secularism and the perceived moral decline of society.
S: Inspired numerous reform movements, including abolitionism, temperance, and women's rights.

California Gold Rush

D: The first major discovery of gold was found at Sutter's Mill on January 24, 1848.
E: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, ends the Mexican-American War and gives The U.S. ownership of California
S: Huge rise in immigration, the economy goes up.

Seneca Falls Convention

D: The 1848 meeting in New York, the first organized call for women's rights in the U.S
E: Rising activism and desire for equality inspired by abolitionist movements.
S: Sparked the women's rights movement, leading to future suffrage and equality campaigns.

Mexican-American War

D: A conflict between the U.S. and Mexico (1846-1848) over Texas and other territorial disputes.
E: U.S. annexation of Texas and desire for California and the Southwest.
S: Resulted in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, expanding U.S. territory and fueling debates over slavery.

Fugitive Slave Act

D: Law passed requiring the return of escaped slaves to their owners, even from free states.
E: Compromise of 1850
S: Escalated tensions and Underground Railroad

Popular Sovereignty

D: 36'30 -> Bad look for Politicians
E: Compromise of 1850
S: Bleeding Kansas, Kansas/Nebraska Act

Draft Riots

D: Violent protests against the draft, applied only to the poor who couldn't buy their way out. Irish scared of losing jobs.
E: Know-Nothing Party, 13th Amendment
S: Highlighted class and racial tensions.

Monitor v. Merrimac

D: Naval battle during Civil War utilizing Ironclad ships
E: Creation of Ironclad ship to break Union blockade
S: Revolutionized naval warfare