APUSH Exam Review

City upon a hill

• refers to John Winthrop's vision for the Massachusetts Bay Colony, a beacon of religious and moral example to the world

• Puritans

• 1630s

Encomienda system

• a labor system used by the Spanish in their American colonies

• granted Spanish colonists the right to demand labor and tribute from Indigenous people in exchange for protection and Christianization

• but often resulted in forced labor and abuse. 

headright system

• a land grant program

• encouraged settlement in the American colonies

• offered settlers land (usually 50 acres) for each indentured servant they brought to the colonies, and in exchange the servants would work for them for a extended period of time

• The settlers had to pay for the indentured servants passage

indenture servants

• individuals who agreed to work for a specific period in exchange for passage to the Americas and sometimes other benefits like land

• were a significant source of labor in the early colonial period, particularly in the Chesapeake and Southern colonies. 

• Bacon’s Rebellion

• First indentured servants then slaves
  

joint-stock company

• a business structure where investors pooled capital to fund ventures like exploration and colonization, sharing both profits and risks,

• was crucial to the establishment of early English colonies. 

• The Virginia Company → the first permanent English settlement in Jamestown, Virginia

mercantilism

• the economic theory and practice where a nation's strength is measured by its gold reserves

• achieved through exporting more than importing

• colonies serve as sources of raw materials and exclusive markets for the "mother country”

• The Navigation Acts: These acts, designed to ensure British colonies traded exclusively with Great Britain, were a direct application of mercantilist principles. 

• Trade with Colonies: Colonies were encouraged to produce raw materials and then send them to the "mother country" for processing and manufacturing, which were then sold back to the colonies or other markets. 

• limited the colonies economic growth, causing tension between Britain and the colonies → American Revolution

middle passage

• a key component of the triangular slave trade

• refers to the forced transatlantic voyage of enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas

• a journey marked by horrific conditions and high mortality rates.

praying towns

• refer to settlements established by English colonial governments in New England from 1646 to 1675

• aimed to convert local Native Americans to Christianity

• Created tension between the two different cultures

proprietary colony

• a land grant given by the King to an individual or a small group of individuals (called proprietors) to govern and develop

• with the proprietor having significant control over the colony's affairs. 

• The proprietor could make laws, grant land, collect rents and fees, establish towns, create legislative bodies and courts, and authorize churches within their colony. 

royal colony

• a colony directly ruled by the English monarch

• the king appointed the governor and council, and all profits going to the Crown. 

• While colonists could create their own legislative bodies to make local laws, the royal governor had veto power, limiting the governing rights of the colonists → yet, the colonists can withhold the governor’s salary, forcing them to make decisions the colonists want.

salutary neglect

• An era when Britain loosely enforced laws and regulations in the American colonies

• Began after the fall of the Dominion of New England

• allowed them significant autonomy in governance and trade

• fostered a sense of independence and a unique colonial identity. 

• economic growth in the colonies

• Ended after the French and Indian War when Britain was in severe debt.

slavery

• Was first brought to America in 1619

• In the 1600s-1700s slavery wasn’t as popular → indentured servants, the Royal African Company’s monopoly, high mortality rate among colonists, were expensive

• Began popular → Bacon’s Rebellion, better mortality rates, the Royal African Company lost its monopoly, England standard of living was improving

• Stono Rebellion, Nat Turner’s Rebellion, John Brown’s Harper’s Ferry Raid

• Abolitionists

• Harret Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, William Lloyd Garrison, Nat Turner, Harriet Beecher Stowe, David Walker, John Brown, Denmark Vesey

• Amistad, American Anti-Slavery Society, West African Squadron, American Colonization Society

• Gag Resolution, Missouri Compromise, Compromise of 1850, Crittenden Compromise, Fugitive Slave Act, Kansas-Nebraska Act

• 13th, 14th, 15th, amendment

• Underground Railroad

tariffs

• taxes on imported goods, used to raise revenue, protect domestic industries

• Tariff of Abominations → Nullification Crisis, Smoot Hawley Tariff

• Pro-Tariff: industrialists, the north, Republicans

• Anti-Tariff: farmers, the south, Democrats

Bacon’s rebellion

• 1676, uprising in colonial Virginia → discontent grew between the wealthy planters in the Tidewater region and the poorer settlers on the frontier, who felt neglected and vulnerable to Native American attacks. 

• highlighted tensions between wealthy planters and frontier settlers/indentured servants

• ultimately leading to a shift towards enslaved African labor

the Columbian Exchange

• refers to the widespread transfer of plants, animals, diseases, cultures, human populations, and technologies between the Americas and the Old World, following Christopher Columbus's voyages

the First Great Awakening

• a period of religious revival in the 18th century that swept through the British colonies

• emphasized personal religious experience and challenging established religious authority

• ultimately lead to increased religious diversity and influencing the path towards American independence.

• Prominent preachers like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield played a crucial role in spreading the revivalist message. 

• The Great Awakening challenged the authority of established religious institutions and clergy.

• fostered a sense of religious unity and contributed to the development of a distinct American religious identity. 

Huron Confederacy

• a group of Iroquoian-speaking people situated in the southern part of Georgian Bay and east along the St. Lawrence River

• traded with Europeans for weapons, and were a target of the Iroquois Confederacy's wars. 

• The Huron were involved in the French and Indian War

King Phillip’s War

• a devastating conflict between English colonists and Native Americans in New England, primarily the Wampanoag,

• resulted in the destruction of many English settlements and the decimation of Native American populations. 

• The war largely ended Indian resistance in southern New England, paving the way for further English expansion. 

Pequot War

• a conflict in 1636-1637 between the Pequot tribe and an alliance of colonists from the Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and Saybrook colonies

• resulted in the Pequot's near annihilation. 

• The Pequot were decisively defeated, and many were killed, enslaved, or dispersed to other tribes → pequot extinction

Pueblo Revolt

• also known as Popé's Rebellion

• was a successful 1680 uprising by the Pueblo people in present-day New Mexico against Spanish colonial rule

• driven by religious persecution, exploitation, and cultural suppression.

• The revolt was successful in driving the Spanish out of New Mexico for 12 years, allowing the Pueblo people to reestablish their religious institutions and government.  

• The Pueblo Revolt is considered the most successful Native American uprising against a colonizing power in North America

Salem witch trials

• involved a series of hearings and prosecutions of individuals accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693

• The trials took place in the context of a deeply religious Puritan society

• The trials were fueled by a combination of factors, including religious fervor, economic anxieties, social unrest → poorer/traditional people accused richer/modern people

• a stark example of the dangers of mass hysteria, religious intolerance, and the abuse of power

Spanish Armada defeat

• a pivotal event in American history

• securing English Protestantism

• established England as a major naval power

• paved the way for future English exploration and colonization in U.S, while weakening Spain's global dominance. 

• context: the Armada was dispatched by Spain in 1588 to invade England and overthrow Queen Elizabeth I, who was a Protestant ruler, and restore Catholicism. 

The “starving time”

• refers to the harsh winter of 1609-1610 in Jamestown, Virginia

• severe food shortages led to widespread starvation, disease, and even cannibalism

• resulted in the deaths of about three-quarters of the colonists.

• The colonists were too busy looking for gold instead of farming 

Stono Uprising

• a significant slave revolt in colonial South Carolina

• resulted in the deaths of both colonists and enslaved people

• prompted stricter slave codes. 

• during this era, slave revolts were not successful

Anne Hutchinson

• a Puritan spiritual leader in colonial Massachusetts

• challenged “predestination”, and criticized the rigid doctrines of the Puritan clergy

• ultimately she was banished since she claimed she got this revelation from God.

Bartolomé de las Casas

• a Spanish missionary and friar

• advocated against the brutal treatment of Native Americans in the Spanish colonies particularly the encomienda system

• vs Sepulveda

Calvinists

• followers of the theology of John Calvin

• played a significant role in the 16th-century Protestant Reformation and influenced the development of Reformed churches → Puritans

• Predestination: God already decreed who was saved or not, but Calvinists tried to live holy lives in order to prove that they were part of the “elect.”
  

Christopher Columbus

• Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer

• under Spanish sponsorship, landed in the Americas in 1492

• initiated the Columbian Exchange and European colonization, with both positive and negative consequences for the Old and New Worlds. 

Congregationalists

• a Calvinist Protestant tradition, primarily Puritan, who believed in individual church autonomy

• each local church was independent and self-governing, with the power to choose its own minister and manage its own affairs. 

• all men that belong to the Congregational church was able to vote

• became the dominant religious tradition in the New England colonies, with churches playing a significant role in colonial life. 

• Congregationalists were often intolerant of other religious groups. 

• in the beginning, congregational churches only get membership to Puritans that were a part of the “elect”

Conquistadors

• Spanish explorers and conquerors

• in the 15th and 16th centuries, played a pivotal role in the Spanish conquest of the Americas

• driven by the pursuit of wealth, glory, and the spread of Christianity, leading to significant cultural exchange and the establishment of Spanish colonies

• Hernán Cortés, Francisco Pizarro, Hernando de Soto, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado

George Whitefield

• a prominent figure in the First Great Awakening

• was a British Anglican minister and evangelist

• had powerful preaching and oratory skills that helped spread religious revival throughout the American colonies. 

• considered a "New Light" preacher, embracing the emotional aspects of the Great Awakening and supporting the movement. 

John Rolfe

• best known for successfully cultivating tobacco → “Father of Tabacco”

• led to a profitable cash crop, that made southern colonies’ economies skyrocket, especially Virginia

• married to Pocahontas. 

John Smith

• a leader who helped the Jamestown colony survive through his leadership and the implementation of a "work or starve" policy

• helped establish the first permanent English settlement

Jonathan Edwards

• a prominent American theologian and preacher

• played a crucial role in the First Great Awakening

• emphasized personal and emotional faith

• delivered the famous sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God": a powerful and dramatic address that vividly portrays the consequences of sin and the wrath of God. 
  

Juan de Oñate

• a key figure in the colonization of New Mexico, led an expedition in 1598

• founded the Province of Santa Fe de Nuevo México, and became its first colonial governor,

• is also known for the controversial Ácoma Massacre: Oñate arrived with an army, set fire to the pueblo, and ordered the right foot to be cut off every man over 25, resulted in the deaths of approximately 800-1000 Ácoma people. 

Mestizos

• a person of mixed European and indigenous ancestry, primarily used to describe individuals in the former Spanish Empire. 

Metacomet

• also known as King Philip

• the Wampanoag chief who led the Native American forces in King Philip's War (1675-1676),

• a conflict against English colonists in New England, fought to preserve their land and way of life. 
  

Pilgrims

• an English Separatist religious group

• wanted religious freedom/escaping religious persecution in England

• traveled to Holland first, however their children were becoming like Hollanders

• traveled to North America on the Mayflower and established the Plymouth Colony in 1620. 

• Mayflower Compact: upon arrival, the Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact, a document that established a framework for self-governance in the new colony, it was first of many parliaments that flourished in the colonies. 41 men signed the document, no women.

Pocahontas

• a significant figure representing the early interactions between Native Americans and European colonists, particularly in the Jamestown colony.

• was the daughter of Chief Powhatan, and her actions, including her marriage to John Rolfe

• played a role in shaping early Anglo-Powhatan relations. 

Powhatan Confederacy

• a powerful alliance of Native American tribes in the Virginia area during the early 17th century

• was led by Chief Powhatan → wanted to have an alliance with the Jamestown colony in order to scare his enemies

• played a crucial role in interactions with English settlers, particularly at Jamestown, involving both trade and conflict. 
  

Pueblo people

• Pueblo people are significant for their successful revolt against Spanish colonial rule in the 1680s, a rare instance of Native American triumph

• lived in Southwestern environment through agriculture and complex irrigation systems. 

Puritans

• English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who sought to "purify" the Church of England

• wanted to eliminate Catholic practices and established a more Protestant faith

• Puritans had a strong moral code and believed in living a life that reflected their religious beliefs. 

• Separatists: A type of Puritans that wanted to break away from the Church of England completely.

• Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay is where they settled → were usually a tight knit community

• “city upon a hill”

• Roger Williams, John Winthrop, Anne Hutchison

• predestination, the elect, visible saints, congressional church, church membership, believed in public displays as criminal punishment

• Salem Witch Trials

Roger Williams

• was a Puritan who founded the Colony of Rhode Island

• advocated for religious freedom and separation of church and state, which were revolutionary ideas at the time → he was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony

Virginia Company

• a joint-stock company chartered in 1606

• played a crucial role in establishing the first permanent English settlement in North America, Jamestown

• The Virginia Company's charter established the concept of self-government in the American colonies. 
  

Sir Walter Raleigh

• a prominent figure in the Elizabethan era

• known for his role in the failed Roanoke colony → the first English attempt at colonization in North America

Wampanoags

• a Native American tribe

• primarily known for their initial interactions with the Pilgrims in what is now Massachusetts

• were crucial role in the Pilgrims' survival and later their involvement in King Philip's War. 

Bering Strait

• a land bridge that emerged connecting Asia and North America, allowing for human migration across it → the first people in America

Jamestown

• the first permanent English settlement in North America, founded in 1607

• founded by the Virginia Company as a commercial venture

• The early years were marked by hardship, including disease, food shortages, and conflicts with Native Americans, leading to high mortality rates among the settlers. → “the starving times”

• John Smith, Powhatan Confederacy

• the House of Burgesses: the first democratically elected legislative body in the American colonies

Massachusetts Bay Colony

Middle Colonies

• a diverse region characterized by fertile land, a mixed economy (farming and trade)

• a relatively tolerant society → distinct from the New England and Southern colonies. 

• New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware

New England colonies/Northern colonies

• were founded for religious freedom and economic opportunity

• developed a unique society based on Puritan beliefs

• had a mixed economy of farming, fishing, shipbuilding, and trade

• faced challenges like conflicts with Native Americans and religious dissent. 

• Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire

• education was highly valued, leading to the establishment of schools and colleges, which focused on training ministers. 

• New England towns often held town meetings, where residents could participate in local governance. 

• wasn’t racially diverse → indentured servants

Act of Toleration

• passed in Maryland in 1649, granted religious freedom to all Christians within the colony

• although it did not extend to non-Christians, it was a significant step towards religious tolerance in the early American colonies. 

• Maryland was founded by Lord Baltimore, a Catholic, as a safe haven for Catholics in a predominantly Protestant England. 

Dominion of New England

• King James II sought to consolidate control over the colonies, enforce mercantilist policies (like the Navigation Acts), and suppress colonial autonomy.

• King James II appointed Edmund Andros as the governor of the Dominion, a move that was deeply resented by the colonists. 

• it was a royal administrative district encompassing several New England colonies (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, later including New York and New Jersey)

• aimed at increasing royal control and enforcing mercantilist policies

• but it ultimately failed and was dissolved after the Glorious Revolution → the colonies reverted to their previous forms of government. 

• demonstrated the growing tensions between the colonies and the British crown.

• highlights the colonists' resistance to centralized control and their desire for self-determination → one step closer to the American Revolution

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

• a foundational document for the Connecticut Colony

• established a detailed colonial government structure with legislative elections open to all inhabitants, not just church members,

• considered a key step in the development of representative government. 

• The Virginia House of Burgesses and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were similar in that both provided for representative democracy.

Halfway Covenant

• the Congregational church was loosing church membership

• so the Congregational churches adopted this in colonial New England in the 1660s

• allowed baptized but unconverted parents to have their children baptized

• granted partial church membership without requiring a personal conversion experience.

• more women had church membership because of this

• diluted “the elect” and people that weren’t → hurt the religious fervor that Puritans that had in the past

Maryland Toleration Act

• passed in Maryland in 1649, granted religious freedom to all Christians within the colony

• although it did not extend to non-Christians, it was a significant step towards religious tolerance in the early American colonies. 

• Maryland was founded by Lord Baltimore, a Catholic, as a safe haven for Catholics in a predominantly Protestant England. 

Mayflower Compact

Navigation Acts

• a series of laws passed by the British Parliament in the 17th century to restrict colonial trade

• aimed to benefit the British economy through mercantilism by controlling colonial exports and imports

• ultimately contributing to growing colonial resentment and tensions leading to the American Revolution. 

• Smuggling: Colonists often resorted to smuggling to circumvent the restrictions imposed by the Acts, particularly for goods like sugar and molasses, which were in high demand but subject to high taxes when imported from England. 

Checks and balances

• the principle of government where each branch (legislative, executive, and judicial) has powers to limit or restrain the actions of the other branches, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful. 

• the U.S. Constitution establishes a system of separation of powers, dividing governmental authority among three distinct branches.

• Legislative Branch (Congress): Makes laws.

• Executive Branch (President): Enforces laws.

• Judicial Branch (Supreme Court): Interprets laws.

Common Sense

• a 1776 pamphlet, written by Thomas Paine

• was a pivotal piece of American Revolution propaganda that advocated for independence from Great Britain

• argued for a government based on the consent of the governed and inspiring popular support for the cause. 

• Key Arguments:

  • Monarchy is inherently flawed

  • America should be independent 

  • The colonists had been mistreated

• The pamphlet's arguments and ideas about self-governance and individual rights influenced the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. 

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

• crucial for the young US, aimed to establish a stable economy

• Addressing the National Debt:

  • Assumption of State Debts: Hamilton proposed that the federal government assume the debts incurred by both the federal government and the states during the Revolutionary War, arguing that this would establish the nation's creditworthiness and ensure stability. 

  • Paying off the Debt: He advocated for a combination of taxation and the establishment of a national bank to manage the repayment of the debt, both domestic and foreign. 

• Establishing a National Bank:

  • The Bank of the United States: Hamilton championed the creation of a national bank, arguing it would serve as a safe place to deposit government funds, facilitate the issuance of a national currency, and provide loans to businesses, thereby stimulating economic growth. 

• Promoting Manufacturing:

  • Tariffs and Subsidies: Hamilton believed in a mercantilist approach, advocating for tariffs on imported goods to protect American manufacturers and government subsidies to support domestic industries. 

  • Internal Improvements: He also supported investments in infrastructure, such as roads and canals, to facilitate trade and economic development. 

• Opposition to Hamilton's Plan:

  • Agrarian Ideals: Thomas Jefferson and his followers, who favored an agrarian economy, opposed Hamilton's plan, fearing the rise of a powerful central government and the potential for the dominance of merchants and financiers over farmers → Jefferson: 10th amendment vs Hamilton: Necessary and Proper Clause

  • Constitutional Concerns: Some argued that Hamilton's proposals, particularly the national bank, went beyond the powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution. 

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

• The Alien and Sedition Acts, passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress in 1798, aimed to suppress dissent from the Democrats and strengthen the government's power

• drafted by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, asserted that states could nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional

• promoted the idea of states' rights and the compact theory of the Constitution. 

Loose constructionism vs Strict constructionism

• strict constructionism emphasizes a narrow, literal reading of the U.S constitution

• while loose constructionism allows for a broader interpretation considering historical context and evolving societal norms. 

• Advocates: Federalists, like Alexander Hamilton, believed in a strong central government and supported a broad interpretation of the Constitution. 

• Advocates: Anti-Federalists/Democrats, like Thomas Jefferson, favored limited government and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. 

Nullification

• refers to the theory that states can invalidate federal laws they deem unconstitutional

• a concept that fueled the Nullification Crisis of 1832-1833

• fueled the Civil War

Republican Motherhood

• an idea that emphasized the crucial role of women in shaping the nation

• wanted mothers to instill republican values and civic virtue in their children, especially sons, to ensure the success of the new republic. 

• The idea of Republican Motherhood led to increased educational opportunities for women, as it was believed that they needed to be educated to effectively raise virtuous children.

• Republican Motherhood recognized the critical role women played in the American experiment, even if their political rights were limited. 

• The concept of Republican Motherhood, while initially focused on domestic roles, laid the groundwork for future women's activism and calls for greater political participation.  

• Republican Motherhood vs Cult of Domesticity

Strict constructionism

Virtual Representation

• refers to the British government's claim that members of Parliament represented all British subjects, including colonists, even those who didn't vote for them, which the colonists rejected → argued that they should have direct representation in Parliament or be taxed only by their own elected representatives.They felt that they should not be subject to laws and taxes passed by a body in which they had no say.

Washington’s Farewell Address

• National Unity and Union: Washington strongly advocated for the preservation of the Union, warning against the dangers of sectionalism and division among the states. He believed that a united nation was essential for strength and stability. 

• Avoiding Political Factions (Parties): He cautioned against the rise of political parties and factions, which he saw as a threat to national unity and the ability of the government to function effectively. 

• Neutrality in Foreign Affairs: Washington advised against becoming entangled in foreign conflicts and alliances, urging the nation to pursue a policy of neutrality in international affairs. He believed that remaining aloof from foreign entanglements would allow the United States to focus on its own development and security. 

• Setting a Two-Term Precedent: By voluntarily retiring after two terms, Washington established a precedent.

Battle of Concord

• a key event in the American Revolutionary War

• marked the beginning of armed conflict between British forces and colonial militias

• the "shot heard 'round the world"

• The British, outnumbered and outmaneuvered, were forced to retreat back to Boston, marking an American victory.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

• The battle was a key event in the Northwest Indian War, a conflict between the United States and a confederation of Native American tribes (including Shawnee, Ottawa, and others) who were allied with the British. 

• The victory led to the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, in which several Native American tribes ceded vast territories in the Northwest Territory to the United States. 

• The battle is often seen as a turning point that weakened Native American resistance in the region. 

Battle of Lexington

• marked the start of the American Revolutionary War

• "shot heard 'round the world"

• occurred when British troops and colonial minutemen clashed

Battle of Saratoga

• a pivotal turning point in the American Revolutionary War

• resulted in a decisive American victory that convinced France to formally ally with the United States, providing crucial military and financial support. 

• boosted American morale

Battle of Yorktown

• a decisive victory for the Continental Army and their French allies

• marked the end of major land battles in the American Revolutionary War

• lead to the British surrender and paved the way for peace negotiations and the Treaty of Paris in 1783. 

Boston Massacre

• a pivotal event in the lead-up to the American Revolution, occurred on March 5, 1770

• happened when British soldiers fired on a group of colonists, resulting in casualties and fueling anti-British sentiment. 

• became a powerful symbol of British oppression and fueled the movement towards independence

`Boston Tea Party

• Context: The Tea Act, passed in 1773, aimed to bail out the struggling British East India Company by granting it a monopoly on tea sales to the American colonies, while also maintaining the existing import duty. 

• Colonial Opposition: While the Tea Act actually made tea cheaper for colonists, they viewed it as an attempt to control their trade and legitimize taxation without representation, which they strongly opposed. 

• The Protest: On the night of December 16, 1773, members of the Sons of Liberty, disguised as Native Americans, boarded three British East India Company ships in Boston Harbor and dumped the tea into the water. 

• Significance: The Boston Tea Party became a symbol of colonial resistance to British policies and a major catalyst in the escalating tensions leading to the American Revolution. 

• British Response: The British government responded to the Boston Tea Party with the Coercive Acts (also known as the Intolerable Acts), which included closing Boston Harbor, sending more troops, and altering the Massachusetts colonial charter. 

Pontiac’s Rebellion

• a major Native American uprising after the French and Indian War

• colonists vs Native Americans

• resulted in the British issuing the Proclamation of 1763 → aimed to prevent further conflicts with Native Americans. 

Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War)

• a global conflict (1754-1763) between Great Britain and France

• primarily over territory and resources

• ultimately leading to British dominance in North America

• set the stage for the American Revolution → Britain places taxes on the colonies

• Albany Congress: Delegates from various British colonies met to discuss a unified colonial response to French expansion and frontier defense, however only a few colonies actually went showing the lack of unity among the colonies

Shay’s Rebellion

• Context: The rebellion occurred in the wake of the Revolutionary War, when Massachusetts, like other states, faced economic hardship, including high taxes, debt, and foreclosures on farms. 

• a 1786-1787 uprising in Massachusetts led by Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays

• highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

• exposed the federal government's inability to quell an armed rebellion and address economic hardships

• ultimately contributing to the call for a stronger national government. 

• lead to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the creation of the U.S. Constitution. 

Whiskey Rebellion

• a 1791-1794 tax protest in western Pennsylvania against the federal excise tax on whiskey

• demonstrated the new government's ability to enforce laws and establish federal authority. 

• highlighted the tensions between federal authority and local resistance, and setting a precedent for how future civil unrest would be handled. 

XYZ Affair

• Context: Following the French Revolution, the United States sought to remain neutral but faced challenges from both France and Great Britain. 

• The Incident: American diplomats sent to France to negotiate a resolution were met with demands for a bribe and a loan before they could even speak with the French Foreign Minister. 

• Public Reaction: The news of the demands, leaked to the public by President John Adams, sparked outrage and anti-French sentiment in the United States. 

• Consequences:

  • Quasi-War: The XYZ Affair led to an undeclared naval war (Quasi-War) between the United States and France from 1798 to 1800. 

  • Alien and Sedition Acts: The tensions with France, along with concerns about foreign influence, led to the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts, which restricted immigration and freedom of speech. 

  • Convention of 1800: Ultimately, the Quasi-War ended with the Convention of 1800, which terminated the 1778 Treaty of Alliance with France and established a new, non-alliance relationship. 

Abigail Adams

• wife of John Adams and mother of John Quincy Adams

• was a prominent figure during the Revolutionary era

• a key figure in the development of the concept of "Republican Motherhood"

• she advocated for women's rights, opposed slavery, and supported women's education, becoming a vital confidante and advisor to her husband. 

Alexander Hamilton

• First Secretary of the Treasury: Hamilton's time in this position (1789-1795) was pivotal in shaping the nation's financial system. 

• Financial Plan

• Advocate for a Strong Central Government: Hamilton was a Federalist, believing in a strong central government capable of promoting economic stability and national unity. 

• Constitutional Convention: He played a significant role in the Constitutional Convention, advocating for a strong executive branch and a system of checks and balances. 

• The Federalist Papers

• Death: He died in 1804 after being shot in a duel with Aaron Burr. 

Anti-Federalists

• a group who opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1787

• feared a strong central government

• advocated for states' rights and a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties. 

• the anti-federalist party ended after the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights in 1788 and 1791

• most anti-federalists later joined the Democratic-Republican party

Benjamin Franklin

• a prominent Founding Father

• a key figure in the American Revolution

• known for his inventions, diplomacy, and contributions to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. 

Committees of Correspondence

• were crucial communication networks that allowed colonial leaders and citizens to share information about British actions and strategies for resistance,

• fostering unity and coordination in the lead-up to the American Revolution

• the Sons of Liberty used committees of correspondence to organize resistance between cities. 

• One of the main leaders was Samuel Adams

Democratic-Republican Party

Formation and Origins:

• The Democratic-Republican Party was founded in the 1790s by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in opposition to the policies of Alexander Hamilton and the Federalist Party.

• The party grew out of opposition to the Federalist Party, which was led by Hamilton and advocated for a strong central government, a national bank, and closer ties with Britain.

• The Democratic-Republicans, often called "Jeffersonian Republicans," supported states' rights and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. They feared that a strong central government could lead to tyranny.

Key Beliefs:

• States' Rights: The Democratic-Republicans believed in a limited federal government and wanted more power to be given to the states. This was in contrast to the Federalists, who believed in a strong central government.

• Strict Interpretation of the Constitution: They favored a narrow interpretation of the Constitution, arguing that the federal government should only have the powers explicitly granted by the Constitution.

• Agrarian Society: The Democratic-Republicans believed that the United States should remain primarily an agrarian society. They were suspicious of the growth of cities and industrialization, fearing that they would lead to corruption and inequality.

• Support for France: The party was more sympathetic to revolutionary France, especially during the French Revolution, as opposed to the Federalist preference for Britain.

• Opposition to a National Bank: They opposed the creation of a national bank, arguing that it was unconstitutional and would give too much power to the federal government and the wealthy elite.

East India Tea Company

• was granted a monopoly on tea trade with the colonies by the British government through the Tea Act of 1773, which colonists viewed as a form of taxation without representation and led to the Boston Tea Party. 

• While the Tea Act actually lowered the price of tea, colonists viewed it as an attempt to undermine their rights and control their trade, as well as a way to legitimize taxation without representation. 

• The Boston Tea Party

Federalists

• refers to supporters of a strong national government who advocated for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, believing a centralized authority was essential for order and national survival. 

• Influential Figures: prominent figures associated with the Federalist movement include Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. 

• they generally favored closer ties with Great Britain and opposed the French Revolution. 

• a national bank

George III

• the British monarch whose policies and actions, particularly regarding the American colonies, led to the American Revolution and the loss of the 13 colonies. 

George Grenville

• the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1763 to 1765

• was significant because his policies, particularly the implementation of the Stamp Act and other measures to raise revenue from the American colonies, significantly contributed to the growing tensions that led to the American Revolution. 

• Grenville believed that taxes were the colonists duty to accomplish since Britain protected the colonies during the French and Indian War

George Washington

• the first president of the United States

• a key figure in the American Revolution

• a pivotal leader in establishing the new nation's government and setting precedents for the presidency. 

• Washington’s Farewell Address

• a Founding Father

• James Madison

• known as the "Father of the Constitution"

• played a pivotal role in shaping early American government

• served as the fourth President (1809-1817)

• authored key documents like the Federalist Papers, the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions and the Bill of Rights. 

• Madison’s emphasis on republican principles and limited government helped shape U.S

• was president during the war of 1812

• Political Developments

  • Hartford Convention

• Economic Developments

  • Tariff of 1816

• Social and Cultural Developments

  • Second Great Awakening

• Foreign Policy Developments

  • Impressment

  • Non­intercourse Act of 1809

  • Macon’s Bill No. 2 (1810)

  • Battle of Tippecanoe (1811)

  • War of 1812

  • Battle of New Orleans (1814)

John Adams

• a federalist

• the second president of the U.S

• Political Developments: Alien and Sedition Acts, Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, Marshall Court, midnight judges

• XYZ affair, and Quasi war

John Jay

• An American diplomat

• Jay negotiated a treaty with Great Britain (Jay's Treaty) to resolve outstanding issues, including British occupation of forts in the Northwest Territory and impressment of American sailors.

• While the treaty was controversial, it helped prevent war between the United States and Great Britain → yet caused tensions between France and U.S

Loyalists

• Loyalists were colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown

• opposed the American Revolution and the pursuit of independence. 

• during and after the Revolution, many Loyalists faced persecution, loss of property, and were forced to flee to Canada or Britain. 

Minutemen

• refers to members of the colonial militia trained to be ready to fight at a minute's notice

• played a crucial role in the early battles of the war. 

• Minutemen were not professional soldiers but rather citizen-soldiers, trained and equipped to defend their communities. 

Patriots

• refers to colonists who supported independence from British rule and actively fought for it

• advocated for self-governance and republican ideals. 

• Many Patriots joined the Continental Army, led by George Washington, to fight for independence. 

• Groups like the Sons of Liberty, who organized resistance against British policies, were also considered Patriots. 

Paxton Boys

• a group of Pennsylvania frontiersmen

• formed a vigilante group to defend themselves from perceived Indian attacks

• known for the Conestoga Massacre and an armed march on Philadelphia. 

Redcoats

• the British soldiers, specifically those in the British Army, who wore distinctive red uniforms during the American Revolutionary War. 

• The presence of Redcoats, often stationed to enforce unpopular laws and policies, became a source of tension and resentment among the colonists, contributing to the growing unrest that led to the American Revolution. 

Sons of Liberty

• a secret, underground Patriot political organization

• formed in the Thirteen Colonies in the lead-up to the American Revolution

• known for their resistance against British policies like the Stamp Act and the Tea Act. 

• The Sons of Liberty included figures like Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and John Adams, who later became prominent leaders of the American Revolution. 

• Daughters of Liberty were women that made food, clothes, and resources for America in order for the U.S to fully boycott Britain’s goods.