Chapter 5/6 History Test

Sons of Liberty (1765)

1.The Sons of Liberty were a secret organization formed in the American colonies during 1765, made up of male American colonists who opposed British taxation. The Sons of Liberty were particular active in Boston, where they were led by notable figures such as Samuel Adams and Paul Reviere. 2.The Sons of Liberty were formed in response to the passage of the Stamp Act in 1765, as many colonists believed that the Stamp Act had infringed upon the rights of the colonists. 3. The Sons of Liberty were responsible for a number of protests and acts of civil disobedience, including the Boston Tea Party in 1773, which led to further unity among the colonists

Stamp Act (1765)

1. The Stamp Act of 1765 was an act that required the colonists to pay a tax, represented by a stamp, on various forms of paper, documents, dice, and playing cards. The Stamp Act was a direct tax imposed by the British government without the approval of the colonial legislatures. 2.After the Seven Years War, Britain was deeply in debt, and the Stamp Act was a way for Britain to obtain revenue for paying off that debt. 3.The tax became very unpopular in the colonies, as many felt that they were taxed without representation in Parliament. Protests and demonstrations broke out, with many colonists refusing to pay the tax. Additionally, many colonists organized economic boycotts of British goods; many refused to buy British goods and instead purchased products made in the colonies, which hurt the British economy. Eventually, in 1766, the Stamp Act was repealed

Stamp Act Congress (1765)

1.In 1765, representatives from nine colonies met in New York City to form the Stamp Act Congress.The purpose of this Congress was to devise a protest against the Stamp Act. 2. Before the Stamp Act Congress, the Stamp Act was imposed, which was an act that required the colonists to pay a tax, represented by a stamp, on various forms of paper, documents, dice, and playing cards. The Stamp Act was not popular among the colonies, many felt that this was unfair, as the colonists were taxed despite having no representation in Parliament. Other colonies proposed a meeting between state delegates to discuss this issue, which later became the Stamp Act Congress. 3. At the Congress, the delegates drafted a set of resolutions that stated that the colonies had the right to govern themselves, and that the colonies could only be taxed by their own elected representatives. Despite the resolutions, the delegates made sure to mention that they were loyal to King George, but simply disagreed with the Stamp Act. Additionally, the Stamp Act Congress was the first time that representatives from different colonies came together to discuss a common issue. The Stamp Act Congress helped create a sense of unity among the colonists, which would later play a role in the American Revolution.

Declaratory Act of 1766 (1766)

1.The Declaratory Act of 1766 was a law passed by the British parliament in response to the repeal of the Stamp Act, stating that Britain had the right to make laws for the American colonies. 2. The Stamp Act, which had been passed in 1765 in order for the colonies to help pay back the debt Britain gained during the Seven Years War, had caused widespread protests and boycotts in the American colonies; the British government eventually repealed this act. However, the British government eventually packed the Declaratory Act in order to remind the colonies that they were still subject to British rule. 3.The Declaratory Act angered many colonists, as many believed that it was a direct attack on their rights and liberties. The Declaratory Act gave the British government complete control over the colonies, which was a direct contradiction to the colonists belief in their own right to self-determination. Furthermore, the Declaratory Act set the stage for further colonists and Britain. It was clear that the British government would not back down from its position of control over the colonies, which furthered the growing sense of rebellion among the colonies.

Daughters of Liberty (1766)

1.The Daughters of Liberty was a secret society formed by a group of women who played an important role in the American Revolution. They consisted of mostly middle class women who supported the boycott of British goods and promoted the domestic manufacturing of goods, by making their own. 2.The Daughters of Liberty first emerged in the 1760s, around the time of the Stamp Act. 3.The Daughters of Liberty organized boycotts of British goods,and encouraged colonists to make their own clothes, tea, and other products. During the Revolutionary War, the Daughters of Liberty made uniforms, blankets, and other supplies for the Continental troops, as well as raised money.

Townshend Acts (1767)

1.The Townshend Acts were a series of Acts passed by the British government in 1767, which placed new taxes on imported goods such as tea, paper, glass, and lead. Additionally, the Townshend Acts expanded the power of British customs officials to search colonial homes and businesses for smuggled goods. 2.The Townshend Acts were a response to the continued resistance and protests by the American colonists against the earlier Stamp Act. The British government hoped that the Townshend Acts would both generate revenue and demonstrate the authority of the British Parliament over the colonies. 3.However, The Townshend Acts were met with strong opposition and protest in the colonies, with many Americans boycotting British goods and arguing that the taxes were unfair, as they were imposed without their consent. Many British merchants suffered economic losses, and ultimately led to the repeal of all the Townshend Acts except for the act on tea in 1770.

Boston Massacre (1770)

1.The Boston Massacre was an event that occurred in 1770, in Boston, which resulted in the death of five colonists. This incident occurred when a group of British soldiers opened fire on a group of colonists that had been taunting and throwing rocks at them. 2.The colonists had been harassing the British soldiers as a means to protest against the high taxes and British soldiers occupying Boston.3.The events that followed the Boston massacre further inflamed tensions between the colonists and the British. The propaganda campaign that followed the Boston Massacre was significant, figures such as Paul Revere depicted the British soldiers as cold-blooded murderers in newspapers. Furthermore, the Boston massacre led to the establishment of the Committees of Correspondence, which were groups of American colonists who corresponded with each other in order to coordinate resistance to British policies. Additionally, the Boston Massacre led to the repeal of the Townshend Acts.

Boston Tea Party (1773)

1.The Boston Tea Party was a political protest that took place in 1773, in Boston, Massachusetts, where American colonists dumped 342 chests of tea, imported by the British East India Company, into the Ocean. 2.The Boston Tea Party was an act of defiance against the Tea Act, which allowed the British East India Company to sell tea directly to the American colonies. This undercut the American merchants who sold tea, and led to widespread resentment among the colonists, who thought they had been taxed without representation in Parliament. Additionally, many people in the colonies drank tea, therefore, the Tea Act affected almost everybody.3.In response to the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed the Coercive Acts, harsh measures designed to punish Boston and assert British authority over the colonies.The Coercive Acts included the Boston Port Act, which closed the port of Boston until the destroyed tea was paid for, and the Massachusetts Government Act, which revoked the colony's charter and placed it under military rule.Additionally, the British government sent over 10,000 troops to Boston and other colonial cities in response to the Boston Tea Party, which further escalated tensions between the colonists and British authorities, as many colonists saw the presence of troops as an invasion of their rights and freedoms.

Coercive Acts (1774)

1.The Coercive Acts were a series of laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 to punish the American colonists for the Boston Tea Party. These acts included the Boston Port Act, which closed the port of Boston until the tea was paid for, the Massachusetts Government Act, which evoked the colony's charter and gave the British governor more power, and the Quartering Act, which required colonists to provide lodging for British troops. 2.The Coercive Acts were created in response to the Boston Tea Party, where colonists threw over 300 crates of tea into the ocean,which took a toll on British businesses. 3.The Coercive Acts had significant consequences for the American colonies and contributed to the escalation of tensions between the colonies and Great Britain. Firstly, because the Coercive Acts closed the port of Boston until the city paid for the destroyed tea from the Boston Tea Party, the local economy was severely impacted, and many families were left destitute. Additionally, the Quartering Act required British officials to provide lodging and provisions for British troops stationed nearby out of their own pocket, which was a significant financial burden to many. Lastly, the Massachusetts Government Act allowed the British governor to appoint and dismiss officials, and even allowed him to move trials of British soldiers accused of crimes to other colonies or Great Britain, denying colonists their right to a fair trial.

First Continental Congress (1774)

1.The First Continental Congress was a meeting of delegates from twelve of the thirteen American colonies. The delegates discussed ways to address their grievances with the British government, and drafted a petition to King George the 3rd, requesting that the Coercive Acts be repealed 2.The First Continental Congress was conveyed in response to the Coercive Acts passed by the British Parliament in 1774. The Coercive Acts were met with widespread opposition and outrage in the colonies, many believed that they were a direct attack on their rights and liberties. In response, the colonial assemblies called for a united colonial response to the acts, which became the Continental Congress.3. The Congress issued a statement of grievances to the British government, and established the Continental Association, a network of committees that would enforce a boycott of British goods until their grievances were addressed.

Battle of Lexington and Concord (1775)

1.The Battle of Lexington and Concord was a military engagement in 1775, during the American Revolutionary War; this was also the first battle of the Revolutionary War, and took place in the towns of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. 2. In the months leading up to the battle, tensions continued to escalate. Th eBritish government ordered the confiscation of colonial arms and ammunition, and sent troops to seize military supplies stored in Concord, where they were met with resistance. This confrontation soon turned violent, and both sides exchanged gunfire. 3.The consequences of the Battle of Lexington and Concord were significant, the battle resulted in the first military engagement between the British and American colonists, which led to the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. Additionally, after the battle, many colonists rallied around the cause of indepence, and the Continental Congress authorized the formation of a Continental Army to fight against the British.

Second Continental Congress (1775)

1.The Second Continental Congress was a convention of delegates rom the thirteen colonies that met in Philadelphia, in 1775 during the early stages of the American Revolution.The Second Continental Congress approved a series of important documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Olive Branch Petition. 2.The Second Continental Congress conveyed following the outbreak of an armed conflict between British troops and American colonists at the Battle of Lexington and Concord.The Second Continental Congress was tasked with overseeing the ongoing war effort against Britain.3.The Second Continental Congress authorized the creation of the Continental Army, with George Washington as its commander-in-chief. Additionally, the Second Continental Congress also issued a series of important documents, including the Olive Branch Petition, which was a final appeal to king George 3 for peace and reconciliation. Additionally, the Second Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which formally declared the colonies' independence from Great Britain and laid out the principles from which this new nation was founded.

Olive Branch Petition (1775)

1.The Olive Branch Petition was a document sent by the Second Continental Congress to King George 3rd in 1775.The purpose of the petition was to urge the king to address and resolve the grievances that the colonies had against the British government, without resorting to war. The document expressed the colonists' loyalty to the British crown and their desire for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.2.The Olive Branch petition was drafted in the wake of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and was an attempt to avoid an all-out war between the colonies and Britain. The Congress believed that the king might be willing to address their grievances and end the conflict, rather than risk a war.3.However, the king rejected the Olive Branch Petition and instead declared the colonies to be in open rebellion. The rejection of the Olive Branch Petition revealed to the colonists that the British government was not willing to compromise, and that a peaceful resolution to this conflict was unlikely. Finally, the rejection of the Olive Branch petition helped gain public support for the American Revolution, and strengthened the resolve of the colonists to fight for this cause.

King's Response to Olive Branch Petition (1775)

1.King George 3rds response to the Olive Branch petition, which was a document sent by the Second Continental Congress asking the King to resolve the grievances they had against the British government, was to reject it and declare the colonies to be in a state of rebellion. The King believed that the colonies were challenging his authority, and that the acts of resistance could be considered treason. 2The Olive Branch Petition was sent by the Second Continental Congress to King George in 1775, as a final attempt at reconciliation with Great Britain. At this point, tensions between the colonists and the British government had already escalated into full-scale military conflicts, and the colonists used the Olive Branch Petition as an attempt to not go to the point of all-out war with Britain.3.The King's response to the petition, was seen by a betrayal by many colonists who had hoped for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The rejection of the Olive Branch petition further escalated tensions between the colonists and the British government, and ultimately led to the start of the Revolutionary War.

Common Sense by Thomas Paine (1776)

1.Common Sense is a political pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776.It was a call to action for the American colonists to fight for their independence from Great Britain. The pamphlet argued that the American colonists had outgrown the need for British control and that they would be better off governing themselves. It also criticized the idea of a hereditary monarchy and argued that people should have the right to choose their own leaders. 2.At the time Common Sense was published, the 13 colonies were debating the idea of declaring independence from Great Britain; Common Sense was published after key events had happened, such as the Battle of Lexington and Concord, and the rejection of the Olive Branch Petition.3.Common Sense was widely read and discussed in the colonies. It had a significant impact on public opinion in the colonies, many people who were neutral or loyal to Britain were persuaded to support independence. The pamphlet was widely circulated and read aloud in taverns and public gatherings.

Declaration of Independence (1776)

1.The Declaration of Independence is a document written by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the 13 colonies regarded themselves as independent states and no longer part of the British empire. The document begins with philosophical principals on which the colonies based their independence, including the idea that all men are created equal and have rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Additionally, the document lists specific grievances against the British monarchy and justifies the colonies' decision to separate from Britain, such as the fact that King George did not bother to listen to any of the colonists grievances. 2.The historical context leading up to the Declaration of Independence was a series of events that had escalated tensions between the colonies and Great Britain. These events included the Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, the Boston massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the Coercive Acts. These events fueled resentment and frustration among the colonies towards British rule. Additionally, the colonies had already been at war with Britain for a year by the time the Declaration of Independence was adopted.3.The Declaration of Independence had several immediate consequences. Firstly, it was printed and distributed throughout the colonies and read aloud in public gatherings, gaining support for the Patriot cause and inspiring many to enlist in the Continental Army. Furthermore, it also helped secure foreign aid from France, who saw an opportunity to weaken its longtime rival, Great Britain, by supporting the American Revolution.

Battle of Saratoga (1777)

1.The Battle of Saratoga was the turning point of the American Revolution that took place in 1777. The British forces were attempting to divide and conquer the colonies by capturing New York, and cutting off New England from the other colonies. However, the Americans were able to stop the British advance and force them to surrender. 2. At this time, the British Parliament could not believe that the war wasn't over yet, and there was much pressure to end the war. The British forces were attempting to divide and conquer the colonies by capturing New York, and cutting off New England from the other colonies.3.The British lost the Battle of Saratoga, and the Americans captured their army of over 11,000 men. This victory was a turning point in the war, because it convinced France to officially enter on the side of the Americas, providing them with much-needed resources and support.

Battle of Yorktown (1781)

1.The Battle of Yorktown was a battle in the American Revolution, fought in 1781, and took place in Yorktown, Virginia. It was the last major battle of the war and resulted in a decisive victory for the American forces. 2.The War had already been going on for several years at this time, but due to aid from France, the war was going in the Americans favor. The Americans saw the British moving their troops in Yorktown as an opportunity to surround the British army and cut off their supplies. 3. The Battle of Yorktown led to the eventual surrender of the British army and marked the end of the war, and forced the British to recognize the independence of the United States. Additionally, the battle of Yorktown boosted the morale of the American people,and also led to a shift in British opinion. Many British citizens became disillusioned with the war and called for an end to the conflict. Furthermore, the battle of Yorktown helped secure American control over the southern colonies which were an important source of agricultural and economic wealth, and helped the United States bolster income.

Articles of Confederation (1781)

1.the articles of confederation were the first written constitution of the United States, which was adopted by the congress in 1777, and ratified by all states in 1781. The article states that each state had its own government, and that the federal government had limited powers. 2. The historical context surrounding the creation of the articles of confederation was the need for a unified government among the 13 colonies during the revolutionary war. The continental congress appointed a committee to draft the articles in 1776x and they were finally ratified in 1781.3. The articles of confederation created a weak central government with limited powers. This prevented the National government from effectively regulating commerce, collecting taxes, and enforcing laws. Additionally, because the government under the Articles of Confederation lacked the power to regulate trade and commerce among the states, economic issues such as inflation and financial instability became apparent. Lastly, farmers in 1786 rebelled against the government due to high taxes and debt, which would be known as shays rebellion. The National government under the articles of confederation was unable to respond to the rebellion, leading to concerns about the stability of the government.

Shays' Rebellion (1786/1787)

1.Shays rebellion was an uprising that happened in Massachusetts during 1786 and1787. The rebellion was led by Daniel Shays, a former soldier in the continental army; he and his followers were outraged by the high taxes and debts given out by the government. 2.The historical context of Shays' Rebellion is rooted in the economic struggles faced by farmers and rural workers in post-Revolutionary War America. Many farmers had taken out loans to pay for land and equipment during the war, but as the economy faltered in the post-war period, they struggled to repay those debts. In response, state governments, including Massachusetts, raised taxes and aggressively pursued debt collection, leading to widespread frustration and anger among farmers and other rural workers.3 while the rebellion was put down by state militias and the federal army, it served as a wake up call to the country leaders about the need for a stronger central government capable of quelling domestic unrest. It also played a key role in the drawing of the US constitution, which replaced the articles of confederation with a more powerful federal government.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 (1787)

1. The northwest ordinance of 1787 was an act passed by the US congress that established the process for admitting new states to the union from the territory northwest of the Ohio River. Historically. The territory northwest of the Ohio river was acquired by the US after the seven years war as part of the treaty of Paris. The United States had to develop a plan for governing this territory, and the northwest ordinance was one of the most important laws passed to achieve this goal. The Northwest Ordinance established a process for creating new states, with a population of at least 60,000. It also prohibited slavery in the region, guaranteed freedom of religion, and provided for public education. The law was significant because it established a precedent for admitting new states to the Union and laid the groundwork for the eventual expansion of the United States to the Pacific Ocean.The consequences of the Northwest Ordinance were profound. By establishing a clear process for admitting new states, the United States was able to expand its territory while maintaining a balance of power between slave and free states. The prohibition of slavery in the Northwest Territory also set the stage for the eventual abolition of slavery in the United States. The guarantee of public education in the region was also a significant step forward in the development of American education. Overall, the Northwest Ordinance was an important law that helped shape the future of the United States.

The Great Compromise (1787)

1.The Great Compromise was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in the United States. The great Compromise established a bicameral legislature, consisting of two houses: the Senate and the house of representatives. In the Senate, each state would have an equal number of representatives, ensuring that smaller states would have an equal voice. In the House of Representatives, representation would be based on population, granting more influence to the larger states. 2.At the time, the states were divided over how their populations should be counted for the purpose of determining representation in Congress. Larger states argued for representation based on population, while smaller states believed in equal representation for each state regardless of size.3.The Great Compromise achieved a balance of power between the interests of larger and smaller states. Additionally, the agreement demonstrated the willingness of delegates to negotiate and compromise for the greater good. By finding a middle ground, they laid the foundation for a stronger federal government, which helped maintain national unity and stability. The compromise established the idea that opposing factions could come together and find common ground through negotiation and compromise, and would influence other significant compromises in U.S history, such as the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850.

3/5 Compromise (1787)

1.The ⅗ Compromise was a key agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in the United States. It addressed the issue of how enslaved individuals would be counted for the purpose of determining a state's population, and, consequently, its representation in the House of Representatives. Under the ⅗ Compromise, it was decided that enslaved individuals would be counted as 3/5ths of a person when determining the population of a state. 2.In the Southern States, where slavery was prevalent, wanted enslaved individuals to be counted fully as part of the population. They believed that including enslaved people in their population would increase their representation in Congress. The Northern States, on the other hand, opposed this idea, arguing that if enslaved individuals were considered citizens for representation, they should also have the rights and privileges of citizens.3. The Compromise gave Southern States greater representation in the House of Representatives by counting 3/5ths of their enslaved population. This gave the South more influence over legislation and political decision-making, particularly on issues related to slavery. Additionally, : The compromise deepened the divide between the Northern and Southern states on the issue of slavery. It heightened regional tensions and fostered a growing sense of sectionalism, which eventually led to the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861.

Fugitive Slave Clause (1787)

1.The Fugitive Slave Clause was a provision included in the U.S Constitution in 1787, and addressed the issue of escaped slaves fleeing from one state to another. The Fugitive Slave Clause stated that if an enslaved person escaped to a free state, they were still considered the property of their owner, and they were required to be returned to their owner if captured. The clause obliged the states to cooperate in the capture and return of escaped slaves, thereby reinforcing the institution of slavery and the property rights of slaveholders.2.At this time, slavery was a deeply entrenched institution in many Southern States, while several Northern states had begun to abolish slavery. The idea of fugitive slaves, those who escaped from slaveholding states to seek freedom in free states, created tensions and conflicts between these regions. The inclusion of the Fugitive Slave Clause was part of a series of compromises made during the Constitutional Convention to maintain unity and secure the approval of all states. It aimed to address concerns raised by Southern states that their property rights, namely enslaved individuals, would not be respected in free states 3.The enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Clause created tensions between free states and slaveholding states. It strained relations as free states were expected to assist in the capture and return of escaped slaves, even if they morally opposed slavery. This conflict contributed to the growing divide between the North and South and fueled the abolitionist movement. Additionally, The Fugitive Slave Clause and the strict enforcement of fugitive slave laws prompted enslaved individuals to seek refuge in free states or flee to Canada. The clause indirectly contributed to the growth of the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses that helped escaped slaves reach freedom in the North or in Canada.Lastly, The enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Clause highlighted the fundamental differences between the Northern and Southern states regarding the issue of slavery. It contributed to the growing sectionalism and ultimately played a role in the eruption of the American Civil War.

Federalists and Anti-Federalists (1787)

1.During the time of the United States' founding, Federalists and Anti-Federalists were two opposing political factions with differing views on the structure and powers of the federal government. The Federalists were supporters of the proposed United States Constitution and advocated for its ratification. They believed in a strong central government that would be able to unify the newly formed states, establish a stable economy, and protect individual liberties.They argued for the necessity of a strong executive branch, a federal judiciary, and enumerated powers granted to the federal government.The Anti-Federalists were opponents of the proposed Constitution and expressed concerns about the potential for an overly powerful central government. They feared that the Constitution lacked sufficient protections for individual rights and liberties, as well as the potential for abuse of power. Anti-Federalists believed in a more decentralized government structure, with greater power reserved for the states. 2.After gaining independence from Britain, the United States initially operated under the Articles of Confederation, a weak central government that granted significant power to the individual states. However, the weaknesses of the Articles, such as the inability to levy taxes and regulate commerce effectively, led to economic instability and difficulties in governing the nation as a whole.In 1787, delegates from the states gathered in Philadelphia to draft a new constitution to address the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation. The debates and discussions during the Constitutional Convention laid the foundation for the divisions between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The federalists strongly supported the new Constitution and sought its swift adoption. On the other hand, anti-federalists expressed concerns about the potential for centralized power and the lack of explicit protections for individual rights. 3.The anti federalists demanded the inclusion of a Bill of Rights to safeguard individual liberties and limit the power of the central government. While the constitution was adopted, the efforts of the anti-federalists resulted in the addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution after its ratification. Additionally, the Federalists and Anti Federalists laid the groundwork for the development of political parties in the United States. The Federalist party emerged as the dominant political force during the early years of the United States. On the other hand, the Anti-Federalists and their supporters involved into te Democratic-Republucain Party. These party systems shaped early American politics and set the stage for future political divisions. Overall, the consequences of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists debates and actions laid the foundation for the early political, legal, and constitutional development of the United States.