Social Studies Final 2.0

Beringia

The land bridge upon which the earliest Americans crossed

Northwest Passage

The route that Western European nations sent explorers in search of a direct water route to Asia

Hernando Cortes

Conquistador who lead the Spanish invasion of Mexico

Ferdinand Magellan

Explorer who circumnavigated the world

Mayflower Compact

To establish laws for the general good

Town Meetings

Meetings held in New England to discuss important community issues

Pennsylvania

was founded when King Charles II granted the land to William Penn

Boston Massacre

the conflict where British soldiers shot at protesters

Jamestown

was the first English colony to succeed

William Bradford

leader of the Plymouth colony

Boston Tea Party

held by Massachusetts colonists to protest the British tax on tea

Loyalists

those who sided with the British throughout the Revolutionary War

Valley Forge

the site of Washington's Continental Army encampment during the winter of 1777-1778

Battles of Lexington and Concord

These battles started the Revolutionary War

Constitutional Convention

the meetings and secret debates held to compromise and ratify laws for America. It took place in Philadelphia, in 1787

Samuel Adams

leader of the colonial protests against British taxes

Declaration of Independence

explains life liberty and the pursuit of happiness

Articles of Confederation

the first American constitution

Bill of Rights

the first ten amendments of the Constitution. It guarantees freedom of speech, rights for people accused of crimes, and protection against abuse of power

Thomas Jefferson

author of the Declaration of Independence

James Madison

known as the father of the united states constitution

Thomas Paine

author of Common Sense which greatly influenced opinions throughout the colonies

Checks and Balances

system of keeping power among branches balanced

Supreme Court

can check the power of legislative branch by declaring a law unconstitutional

Legislative

passes laws

Executive

headed by President

Great Compromise

was an agreement on the number of state representatives in Congress

Judiciary Act

it's purpose was to set up a federal court system

Federalist Party

was lead by ALEXANDER HAMILTON. believed in a strong government, and believed the wealthy should lead the nation.

Louisiana Purchase

the effect of this purchase was the US had doubled in size

Lewis and Clark

were sent to explore and map the Louisiana Purchase

French and Indian War

took place in the Ohio Valley

Monroe Doctrine

the purpose of this doctrine was to warn European nations not to interfere with the Americas

The Spoil System

the practice of rewarding supporters with political jobs

Gold Rush

was in California where the population was growing because people were in search of gold

Telegraph

allowed workers in different parts of the country to exchange information quickly

Cotton Gin

was invented by Eli Whitney; a machine that removed seeds from cotton fiber

Manifest Destiny

the idea that meant the US should expand to the Pacific Ocean

Bringham Young

led the Mormons and settled in Utah in the late 1840s

Erie Canal

allowed western farmers to transport goods in New York City

Underground Railroad

helped to free slaves by providing secret hiding places and routes to the North

Imports/Exports

imports are goods brought into the country; exports are goods sent to markets outside a country

Eli Whitney

invented the cotton gin

Samuel Morse

invented the telegraph

Harriet Tubman

leader of the Underground Railroad

British Advantages in the War (3)

Well-trained troops, worlds best navy, loyalist support