College US Unit 2

First Continental Congress (1774)

A meeting of delegates from twelve of the Thirteen Colonies in Philadelphia that organized a boycott of British goods and drafted a Declaration of Rights in response to the Coercive/Intolerable Acts.

Second Continental Congress (1775)

A convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that functioned as the de facto national government during the Revolutionary War, creating the Continental Army and adopting the Declaration of Independence.

Olive Branch Petition

A final attempt by the Second Continental Congress to avoid war with Great Britain by pledging loyalty to King George III and asserting American rights; it was rejected by the king.

Thomas Jefferson

The principal author of the Declaration of Independence, leader of the Democratic

Declaration of Independence

The formal document adopted on July 4, 1776, announcing the thirteen American colonies' separation from Great Britain and setting forth principles of natural rights and government by consent.

George Washington

Commander

Land Ordinance of 1785

A system adopted under the Articles of Confederation to survey, divide, and sell western land in orderly townships, reserving one section in each town for public education.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Established a process for admitting new states to the Union from the Northwest Territory, guaranteed civil liberties, and permanently banned slavery in the region.

Lexington and Concord

The first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War, fought in Massachusetts in April 1775 and known as the "shot heard 'round the world."

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, which created a weak national government with a unicameral legislature and no power to tax or regulate trade.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

The peace agreement that officially ended the Revolutionary War, establishing American independence and defining territorial boundaries stretching to the Mississippi River.

Common Sense by Thomas Paine

A widely read 1776 pamphlet that used plain language to argue for immediate American independence from Britain and the creation of a democratic republic.

Patriots/Loyalists

Patriots supported American independence from Great Britain, while Loyalists (Tories) remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution.

Shays's Rebellion

An armed uprising of western Massachusetts farmers protesting debt and taxes in 1786–1787 that highlighted the weaknesses of the central government under the Articles of Confederation.

James Madison

Known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role at the Constitutional Convention, co

Alexander Hamilton

First Secretary of the Treasury, leader of the Federalist Party, and architect of the national bank and financial system aimed at building a strong central government.

Federalists/Anti

Federalists

The Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym "Publius" to promote the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791, which guarantee individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and trial by jury.

Washington's Farewell Address

George Washington's 1796 parting advice warning the nation against permanent foreign alliances, foreign entanglements, and political factionalism/parties.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Four laws passed by the Federalist Congress in 1798 that restricted immigration, made citizenship harder to obtain, and criminalized criticism of the government.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

Political statements written secretly by Jefferson and Madison asserting that states had the right to declare unconstitutional federal acts null and void.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Jefferson used to justify his purchase of foreign land by asserting the president's ability to form treaties which overall changed his tight perspective on the constitution.

Great Compromise

An agreement at the Constitutional Convention that created a bicameral legislature, blending proportional representation in the House of Representatives with equal state representation in the Senate.

Revolution of 1800

The peaceful transfer of presidential power from the Federalist Party (John Adams) to the Democratic

Three

Fifths Compromise

French Revolution

A major social and political conflict in France starting in 1789 that divided American political parties between supporters of France (Republicans) and Great Britain (Federalists).

Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)

A formal announcement issued by George Washington declaring the U.S. neutral in the conflict between Great Britain and France.

XYZ Affair

A 1797 diplomatic scandal where French agents requested bribes from U.S. envoys, sparking an undeclared naval war known as the Quasi

Louisiana Purchase

Purchase of the middle part of the current U.S that doubled the original size. Sold to us for 15 min by Napoleon for war costs

John Marshall

The influential Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1801–1835) whose decisions established judicial review and strengthened federal authority over states.

Marbury v. Madison

established Judicial Review by claiming that the Judiciary Act was unconstitutional

Hartford Convention (1814)

A secret meeting of New England Federalists opposing the War of 1812, which led to the political collapse of the Federalist Party due to allegations of treason.

Andrew Jackson

Gained popular support… as a national war hero after winning the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812, later becoming the 7th President and leading the Jacksonian Democracy movement.

Embargo Act (1807)

Jefferson banned U.S foreign trade to stop Britain and France from violating our neutrality. Resulted in economic depression for the U.S and did not affect Britain.

Treaty of Ghent (1814)

ended war of 1812 but did not consider the original problems

Lewis and Clark Expedition

An 1804–1806 expedition commissioned by Jefferson to map the newly acquired western territory, explore routes to the Pacific Ocean, and establish trade with Native tribes.

War of 1812

A conflict between the U.S. and Great Britain caused by British impressment of American sailors, trade restrictions, and support for Native American resistance on the frontier.

Sectionalism

Loyalty or devotion to a specific region or section of the country (North, South, or West) rather than to the nation as a whole.

Lowell System

A textile manufacturing model developed in Massachusetts that used automated machinery and housed young, unmarried farm women ("Lowell Mill Girls") in factory dormitories.

Henry Clay

A Kentucky politician known as the "Great Compromiser" who developed the American System and brokered major legislative deals like the Missouri Compromise.

Missouri Compromise (1820)

An agreement admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state while banning slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36°30' parallel.

Panic of 1819

The first major peacetime financial crisis in the U.S., marked by widespread bank failures, farm foreclosures, and unemployment following post

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

A U.S. foreign policy declaration warning European nations against creating new colonies or interfering in the political affairs of the Western Hemisphere.