End of the Revolution and Articles of Confederation Era

Set of vocabulary flashcards focused on key terms and concepts from the American Revolutionary period and the Articles of Confederation.

Hessians

German mercenaries hired by the British during the American Revolution.

Valley Forge

A site that exemplified American resilience and was where troops were trained.

Alliance

An agreement to work together, often formalized as a treaty.

Battle of Yorktown

The last major battle of the American Revolutionary War, resulting in British surrender.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

The agreement that ended the Revolutionary War and defined U.S. geographical borders.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, establishing a weak federal government from 1783 to 1787.

Shays Rebellion

An armed uprising in 1786-87 by farmers in Massachusetts protesting economic injustices and weak government.

Federal courts

Courts established by federal law, which are absent under the Articles of Confederation.

Guerilla Warfare

A form of irregular warfare that includes sneak attacks, targeting military leaders, and fighting from advantageous positions.

Financial backing by Netherlands

Support from the Netherlands that helped finance the American Revolution.

Shorter supply lines

A military advantage where forces are better supplied due to proximity to resources.

Congress cannot tax (Articles of Confederation)

A limitation of the Articles preventing Congress from enforcing tax collection.

No chief executive (Articles of Confederation)

The absence of a central leadership under the Articles, leading to a lack of enforcement of laws.

9/13 states must agree to laws

A requirement for legislation under the Articles of Confederation, complicating the law-making process.

Inability to regulate

A key weakness under the Articles, where the federal government could not control state laws or regulations.