APUSH midterm vocab

Mercantilism

An economic theory emphasizing that a nation’s wealth is based on the accumulation of gold and silver through trade and a favorable balance of exports over imports.

Columbian Exchange

The widespread exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and cultures between the Americas, Europe, and Africa following Columbus’s voyages.

Pueblo Revolt

An uprising of Pueblo Native Americans in New Mexico in 1680 against Spanish colonizers.

Anasazi

Ancient Native American civilization in the Southwestern U.S., known for cliff dwellings.

Encomienda System

A Spanish labor system granting settlers the right to extract forced labor from indigenous people.

Bartolome De Las Casas

Spanish missionary who advocated for the rights of indigenous people and criticized the encomienda system.

Iroquois Confederacy

A powerful alliance of six Native American nations in the Northeast.

Virginia Company

A joint-stock company that established the Jamestown colony in Virginia.

Chesapeake Colonies

Refers to the colonies of Virginia and Maryland, known for tobacco cultivation.

Middle Colonies

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware; known for diversity and agriculture.

Jamestown

The first permanent English settlement in North America, established in 1607.

Powhatan

The Native American leader of the Powhatan Confederacy, who interacted with early settlers at Jamestown.

Cash Crops

Crops grown primarily for sale rather than for personal use; tobacco was the major cash crop in the Chesapeake.

Indentured Servants

Laborers who agreed to work for a set number of years in exchange for passage to the Americas.

New England Colonies

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire; known for their Puritan settlements and fishing economy.

Mayflower Compact

The first governing document of Plymouth Colony, signed by the Pilgrims in 1620.

William Bradford

Leader of the Plymouth Colony and signer of the Mayflower Compact.

John Winthrop

The first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and a key figure in the Puritan migration.

“City upon a hill”

A phrase used by John Winthrop to describe the Massachusetts Bay Colony as a model of Christian virtue.

Pequot War

A conflict between the Pequot tribe and English settlers in Connecticut in the 1630s.

Thomas Hooker

A Puritan minister who founded the colony of Connecticut and promoted democratic principles.

Roger Williams

Founder of Rhode Island, advocating for religious freedom and the separation of church and state.

Anne Hutchinson

A religious dissenter in the Massachusetts Bay Colony who was banished for her beliefs.

King Philip’s War

A war between New England settlers and the Wampanoag tribe, led by King Philip (Metacom).

Virginia House of Burgesses

The first legislative assembly in the American colonies, established in Virginia in 1619.

Bacon’s Rebellion

An armed rebellion in 1676 led by Nathaniel Bacon against the Virginia government.

King William’s War

A war between England and France, fought primarily in North America from 1689 to 1697.

Triangle Trade

The transatlantic trade system involving the exchange of goods and slaves between Africa, the Americas, and Europe.

Middle Passage

The brutal sea voyage that brought African slaves to the Americas.

Stono Rebellion

A 1739 slave revolt in South Carolina.

Navigation Acts

A series of laws restricting colonial trade to benefit England.

Salutary Neglect

British policy of loosely enforcing trade regulations in the colonies, leading to more self-governance.

Albany Plan of Union

A proposal by Benjamin Franklin in 1754 to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies.

French and Indian War

A conflict between France and Britain in North America (1754-1763), part of the global Seven Years' War.

Proclamation of 1763

British decree forbidding American colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.

John Peter Zenger

Printer whose trial for libel set an important precedent for freedom of the press in America.

Stamp Act

1765 British law taxing printed materials in the colonies, leading to widespread protest.

Republican Motherhood

The idea that women should raise their children to be virtuous citizens of the new republic.

Stamp Act Congress

A meeting of representatives from the colonies in 1765 to protest the Stamp Act.

Sons of Liberty

A group of colonial patriots who organized resistance to British policies, including the Stamp Act.

Declaratory Act

British law asserting Parliament’s right to legislate for the colonies in all cases.

Townshend Acts

A series of British laws imposing duties on imported goods to the colonies, leading to protests.

Benjamin Franklin

Founding Father and inventor, a key figure in the American Revolution and the drafting of the Constitution.

Boston Massacre

A deadly 1770 clash between British soldiers and colonists, fueling anti-British sentiment.

Tea Act

British law granting the East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies, leading to the Boston Tea Party.

Boston Tea Party

A 1773 protest against the Tea Act in which colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor.

Intolerable Acts

A series of punitive laws passed by Britain in response to the Boston Tea Party.

1st Continental Congress

A 1774 meeting of colonial delegates to organize resistance to British policies.

Loyalists vs. Patriots

Loyalists supported British rule, while Patriots fought for independence.

Common Sense

A pamphlet by Thomas Paine advocating for American independence from Britain.

Declaration of Independence

The 1776 document declaring the American colonies’ independence from Britain.

George Washington

Commander of the Continental Army and the first president of the United States.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, later replaced by the current U.S. Constitution.

Northwest Ordinance

Legislation passed in 1787 establishing a process for admitting new states from the Northwest Territory.

Treaty of Paris

The 1783 agreement that ended the Revolutionary War and recognized American independence.

Shays’ Rebellion

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

Constitutional Convention

The 1787 meeting in Philadelphia to draft the U.S. Constitution.

Great (CT) Compromise

The agreement during the Constitutional Convention to create a bicameral legislature, with representation by population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

3/5 Compromise

The agreement counting each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.

Separation of Powers (Checks and Balances)

A system of government in which the powers of each branch are balanced and can limit the powers of the others.

Federalists

Supporters of the U.S. Constitution and a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the U.S. Constitution, advocating for stronger state governments and a Bill of Rights.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Legislation that established the structure and jurisdiction of the federal court system.

Loose vs. Strict Constructionism

Debate over the interpretation of the Constitution: loose construction allows broader interpretation, while strict construction limits interpretation to the literal text.

Alexander Hamilton’s Economic Plan

A proposal to stabilize the U.S. economy by establishing a national bank and assuming state debts.

Thomas Jefferson’s Agrarian Republic

Jefferson’s vision of the U.S. as a nation of independent farmers with limited government.

Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans

The two main political parties in early America, with Federalists supporting strong central government and Democratic-Republicans favoring states’ rights.

Whiskey Rebellion

A 1794 rebellion against a federal tax on whiskey, showing the strength of the new government.

Washington’s Farewell Address

George Washington’s final speech advising against political parties and foreign alliances.

XYZ Affair

A diplomatic incident between the U.S. and France that led to an undeclared naval war.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws passed during the Adams administration that targeted immigrants and restricted freedom of speech.

VA and KY Resolutions

Political statements by Virginia and Kentucky declaring the Alien and Sedition Acts unconstitutional.

Revolution of 1800

The peaceful transfer of power from the Federalists to the Democratic-Republicans after the 1800 election.

Thomas Jefferson

Third President of the United States, responsible for the Louisiana Purchase and the Embargo Act of 1807.

Louisiana Purchase

The 1803 acquisition of French territory that doubled the size of the U.S.

Agrarian Republic

Jefferson’s ideal for the U.S. to be a nation of small farmers with minimal government intervention.

James Madison

4th President of the United States and a key author of the Constitution.

War of 1812

A military conflict between the U.S. and Britain, sparked by issues like impressment and trade restrictions.

Hartford Convention

A meeting of New England Federalists in 1814 to discuss grievances over the War of 1812, leading to the collapse of the Federalist Party.

James Monroe

5th President of the United States, known for the Monroe Doctrine and the Era of Good Feelings.

Era of Good Feelings

A period of political unity and national pride in the U.S. during Monroe’s presidency (1817-1825).

Monroe Doctrine

A U.S. foreign policy declaration in 1823 warning European powers against further colonization in the Americas.

Missouri Compromise

A 1820 agreement admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state to maintain the balance in Congress.

Henry Clay’s American System

A plan for economic development including a national bank, protective tariffs, and internal improvements.

Corrupt Bargain of 1824

The alleged deal between John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay to sway the presidential election in Adams' favor.

Universal Manhood Suffrage

The expansion of voting rights to all adult white men, regardless of property ownership.

Andrew Jackson

7th President of the U.S., known for his populist policies, Indian Removal Act, and opposition to the national bank.

Spoils System

The practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs.

Sectionalism

A focus on the interests of a particular region over the country as a whole, often leading to regional conflict.

Erie Canal

A canal completed in 1825 connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River, spurring economic growth.

Robert Fulton

Inventor of the steamboat, revolutionizing transportation and trade.

Tariff of Abominations and Nullification Crisis

A controversial tariff in 1828 that led to South Carolina’s attempt to nullify the law and the threat of secession.

Indian Removal Act

A 1830 law that forced the relocation of Native American tribes to lands west of the Mississippi River.

Trail of Tears

The forced relocation of the Cherokee people to Oklahoma, resulting in the deaths of thousands.

Pet Banks

State banks favored by Andrew Jackson to replace the Bank of the United States.

Panic of 1837

An economic depression caused by the collapse of state banks and a speculative land bubble.

Whigs

A political party formed in opposition to Andrew Jackson, advocating for a stronger federal government.

Martin Van Buren

8th President of the U.S., who faced the Panic of 1837.

William Henry Harrison

9th President of the U.S., who died shortly after taking office, leading to the succession of John Tyler.

John Tyler

10th President of the U.S., known for his pro-states’ rights stance and his vetoes of Whig legislation.