Colonial America: Exchange, Systems, and Colonies

Columbian Exchange

Transfer of plants, animals, and germs between the Atlantic regions, transforming diets and causing devastation to native populations.

Encomienda system

A system where Spanish individuals were granted land with native labor to work in fields and mines.

Enslaved African labor

The replacement of deceased natives with African slaves, imported under the asiento system, with a tax per imported slave.

Jamestown colony

The first permanent English colony founded by the Virginia Company, facing challenges like disease and starvation.

Plymouth colony

A royal colony founded in 1624, one of two new colonies in the New England region.

Massachusetts Bay colony

Founded by Puritans aiming to purify the Anglican Church, leading to the establishment of Boston.

Rhode Island

Founded by Roger Williams, serving as a religious refuge and a combination of Providence and Portsmouth colonies.

Pennsylvania, 'The Holy Experiment'

A large land tract given to William Penn, implementing a Frame of Government and guaranteeing religious freedom.

House of Burgesses

The lower house of the colonial Virginia Legislature, granting supplies and originating laws similar to the British House of Commons.

Mayflower Compact

A rudimentary form of self-governance on the Mayflower, allowing male Puritans to vote for a governor.

Mercantilism

A theory where a country's wealth is determined by exporting more than importing, widely accepted and applied by England post-civil war in 1651.

Metacom's War (King Philip's War)

A war between settlers and natives named after Chief Metacom, leading to the expulsion of the English.

Bacon's Rebellion

An uprising led by Nathaniel Bacon against the government, resulting in raids and the burning of Jamestown.

Triangular Trade

Trade between North America, Europe, and Africa, often involving rum, slaves, and sugar cane.

Pueblo Revolt

A revolt by Pueblo Indians against Spanish aggression, leading to the expulsion of the Spanish and a less harsh rule upon their return.

Indentured servants

British individuals who agreed to work for room and board under a contract until the end of their service.

The institution of slavery

Implemented policies to keep Africans and their offspring as slaves, meeting the strong demand for a dependable workforce.

Resistance to slavery

Actions like hunger strikes, escape attempts, and cultural expressions used by slaves to resist their condition.

The Economy

Distinct characteristics of New England, Middle Colonies, and Southern Colonies in terms of farming, industries, and workforce.

The Great Awakening

A religious movement marked by fervent expressions of faith, led by influential figures like George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards.

Albany Plan of Union

A plan by Benjamin Franklin proposing intercolonial government and military cooperation, setting the groundwork for future unity.

Immediate Effects of the Seven Years' War

Resulting in British supremacy in North America, challenging native autonomy and influencing future conflicts.

Pontiac's Rebellion

An attack by Chief Pontiac's forces on British colonies in response to western expansion and British policies.

Proclamation of 1763

A British decree prohibiting colonists from settling west of the Appalachians, leading to defiance and border transgressions.

Stamp Act

Enacted by Parliament in 1765, the first direct tax paid by the people in the colonies.

Stamp Act Congress

A reaction to the Stamp Act, where colonial representatives met in New York to oppose the act.

Intolerable Acts

Also known as the Coercive Acts, conceived in response to the Boston Tea Party, consisting of several punitive measures.

Thomas Paine's Common Sense

Argued for the Colonies to split from Britain, generating widespread demand for independence.

Second Continental Congress

Met in Philadelphia in 1775, with delegates divided on the issue of independence from Britain.

Declaration of Independence

Document created by Thomas Jefferson, adopted on July 4, 1776, declaring independence.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Recognized the US as an independent nation, marking the end of the Revolutionary War.

Republican Motherhood

Called for the education of women and set the Mississippi River as the western boundary of the nation.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution, ratified in 1781, establishing a central government with limited powers.

Shays's Rebellion

An uprising against high state taxes and imprisonment, put down in 1787.

The Great Compromise

A proposal that led to the House of Representatives having each state represented based on population.

The Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted a slave as three-fifths of a person for determining representation in the House of Representatives.

Federalists & Anti-Federalists

Supporters and opponents of the Constitution, representing the first political parties.

Federalism

The division and sharing of power between federal and state governments, with the federal government gaining more power.

Separation of Powers

The division of the nation's power among three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, protecting against abuse of power.

Hamilton's financial program

Included creating a national bank, paying off national debt, and supporting new industries.

French Revolution

Had an impact on the US, leading to the Proclamation of Neutrality and involvement of 'Citizen' Genet.

Whiskey Rebellion

A farmers' rebellion in 1794 against the whiskey tax, ended with little bloodshed.

Washington's Farewell Address

Advised against involvement in European affairs, forming permanent alliances, and creating political parties.

The Alien & Sedition Acts

Empowered the president to deport non-US citizens and allowed newspapers to criticize the government.

The Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions

Established the principle of nullification, allowing states to void federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.

Eli Whitney's cotton gin

Invented the cotton gin, which revolutionized cotton production and increased the demand for slaves.