Studied by 0 people
Seven Years War
A conflict that began in 1754 in the Ohio Valley, leading to a major war in Europe and America, and ended in 1763, transforming North America.
British-Colonial Tensions
Differences in fighting styles, military protocols, taxation, and leadership that increased tensions during the Seven Years War.
End of Salutary Neglect
The conclusion of the Seven Years War in 1763 marked the end of Britain's neglect towards the colonies, leading to increased debt and contempt towards colonists.
Grenville's Acts
Legislation passed from 1763 to 1765, including the Sugar Act, Currency Act, Quartering Act, and Stamp Act, which imposed taxes and regulations on the colonies, sparking resistance.
Stamp Act Crisis
The 1765 crisis following the Stamp Act's passage, leading to ideological arguments, the formation of resistance organizations like the Sons of Liberty, and the Stamp Act Congress.
Townshend Acts
Taxes imposed in 1767 on trade goods imported from Britain, designed to raise revenue for royal officials' salaries, leading to further colonial resistance.
Boston Massacre
The killing of five civilians in Boston in 1770, sparked by tensions with customs officials and British troops, serving as a political weapon for the patriots.
Calm Before the Storm
A period from 1770 to 1772 where the colonies remained superficially calm, with accusations of British oppression and conspiracy, but without a call for independence yet.
Committee of Correspondence
A group led by Samuel Adams in Boston created to gather support for the patriot cause in response to the implementation of the Townshend Act by the British in Fall 1772.
Tea Act
Passed in May 1773, this act made the East India Company's tea the only legal tea in America, aiming to save the company from bankruptcy and enable competitive pricing, leading to the Boston Tea Party in December 1773.
Coercive Acts
Enacted in 1774 as a response to the Boston Tea Party, including the Port Bill, Government Act, Quartering Act, and Administration of Justice Act, which aimed to punish Massachusetts and limit colonial power.
Continental Congress
Formed in September 1774, it aimed to define American grievances, develop a resistance plan, and establish a constitutional relationship with Britain, leading to the implementation of the Continental Association.
Olive Branch Petition
Sent to King George III in 1776, it sought peace and reconciliation between the colonies and Britain but was rejected, pushing the colonies further towards independence.
Common Sense
A book by Thomas Paine published in January 1776, which challenged colonial assumptions about their relationship with Britain and played a significant role in pushing for independence.
Declaration of Independence
Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson and adopted on July 4, 1776, it declared the colonies' independence from Britain, emphasizing principles like life, liberty, and the consent of the governed.
Battle of Bunker Hill
Fought in 1775, marked a turning point in the Revolutionary War, showing the British that the colonists were a formidable force and leading to a shift in British strategy towards the Middle Colonies.
Treaty of Paris (1783)
Signed on September 3, 1783, it recognized the United States as an independent nation and established firm national boundaries, marking the end of the Revolutionary War.
Republicanism
After the war, Americans debated different interpretations of republicanism, including the necessity of sacrifice for the common good, the role of individual self-interest, and widening participation in government to give ordinary people a say.
Judith Sargent Murray
Advocate for women's education, argued for equal intelligence between men and women, and advocated for girls to receive the same education as boys.
Republican Motherhood
Concept emphasizing women's role in teaching children and promoting virtue and sacrifice in the early American republic.
Gradual Emancipation
Process initiated in the North to abolish slavery gradually, with states like Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey passing laws to end slavery.
Racist Theory Development
Post-revolutionary era saw the formal development of racist theories in the South, attributing inherent inferiority to African Americans and associating negative characteristics with all blacks.
Articles of Confederation
The first national constitution of the United States, established a weak central government with a unicameral legislature, limited powers, and inability to enforce laws or collect taxes effectively.
Land Ordinances of 1784/1785
Laws outlining the process of transferring public land to private ownership in the Northwest Territories, including the division into states, townships, and revenue allocation for public schools.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Legislation detailing the process for territories to become states, ensuring equal rights, prohibiting slavery, and establishing requirements for statehood in the Northwest Territories.
Shays' Rebellion
Uprising led by Daniel Shays in 1787, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and prompting the call for a Constitutional Convention to address the need for a stronger central government.
Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan
Proposals at the Constitutional Convention, with the Virginia Plan advocating for a strong national government and bicameral legislature based on population, while the New Jersey Plan favored a unicameral legislature with equal state representation.
Bicameral legislature
A legislative body with two separate chambers or houses.
Separation of powers
The division of governmental responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent the concentration of power in one group or individual.
Checks and balances
A system in which each branch of government has some measure of influence over the other branches, ensuring that no one branch becomes too powerful.
Three-Fifths Compromise
Agreement that counted each enslaved individual as three-fifths of a person for the purpose of representation and taxation.
Ratification
The formal approval of the Constitution by special conventions in at least 9 states, as outlined in the ratification clause of the Constitution.
