Colonial Society and the American Revolution

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering significant events, terms, and figures related to the Colonial Society and the American Revolutionary period.

What were primary sources in historical research?

Original documents or physical objects from the time being studied.

What is the Consumer Revolution?

A period from 1650 to 1800 where colonists began buying more consumer goods than ever before.

What was commodity money?

A type of currency consisting of goods or materials used in place of cash when hard money was scarce.

Why is Barbados significant historically?

It was a wealth-generating island where sugar exports surpassed those of all continental colonies by 1680.

Who were the Quakers?

A religious group in the colonies known for their opposition to slavery and belief in equality.

What is a Provincial Colony?

A type of colony tightly controlled by the Crown and led by governors appointed by the king.

What was the role of the Proprietary Colony?

These colonies were owned by individuals or groups who appointed governors and enjoyed more freedoms.

What is a Charter Colony?

A colony with a complex government structure that included executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

What is coverture?

A legal principle that ensured married women lost all political and economic rights to their husbands.

Who was Increase Mather?

A prominent New England minister who played a key role in promoting the First Great Awakening.

What was the significance of George Whitefield?

He was an influential itinerant preacher who popularized the revivalist spirit of the Great Awakening.

What sparked Pontiac's War?

Conflict emerged from Native American resistance to British colonial expansion after the Seven Years' War.

What was the Royal Proclamation of 1763?

A decree by King George III that limited colonial expansion west of the Appalachian Mountains.

What event marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War?

The battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.

What was the significance of the Boston Massacre?

A confrontation in 1770 that heightened tensions between colonists and British soldiers, leading to increased anti-British sentiment.

What was the Tea Act of 1773?

An act allowing the British East India Company to sell tea to the colonies without the usual taxes, provoking colonial unrest.

What happened during the Boston Tea Party?

In December 1773, colonists dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor as a protest against the Tea Act.

What were the Coercive Acts?

A series of punitive laws passed by Britain in response to the Boston Tea Party, also known as the Intolerable Acts.

What was the purpose of the First Continental Congress?

To coordinate a unified response to British policies and to address grievances of the colonies.

What notable document did Thomas Paine publish in 1776?

Common Sense, which argued for American independence from Britain.

What was the Declaration of Independence?

The proclamation adopted on July 4, 1776, declaring the colonies' freedom from British rule.

What was the outcome at the Battle of Saratoga?

This American victory convinced France to support the rebels with military aid.

What was the significance of the Articles of Confederation?

The first constitution of the United States, which created a weak central government.

Who were the Federalists?

Supporters of the Constitution who advocated for a strong national government.

What were the Anti-Federalists?

Opponents of the Constitution who demanded a Bill of Rights to safeguard personal liberties.

What was Shays’ Rebellion?

An armed uprising in 1786-1787 led by farmers protesting economic injustices and weak state policies.

What did the Great Compromise establish?

A bicameral legislature with representation based on population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

What is the Electoral College?

A body of electors established by the Constitution to elect the President and Vice President of the United States.

What principle did the Virginia Plan advocate?

The establishment of a strong federal government with a two-house legislature based on population.

What did the New Jersey Plan propose?

It proposed equal representation for all states in a unicameral legislature.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual liberties.

What was the impact of the Great Awakening on American society?

It encouraged a spirit of questioning authority and increased religious diversity.

What was the Seven Years' War also known as?

The French and Indian War, which set the stage for colonial resistance to British rule.

What started the conflicts leading to the American Revolution?

Colonial dissatisfaction with British taxes and lack of representation.

What role did women play during the American Revolution?

They participated in boycotts, supported the war effort, and took on roles traditionally held by men.

How did enslaved people respond to the Revolutionary War?

Many took the opportunity to seek freedom, often by escaping to join British forces.

What type of government did the U.S. establish after winning independence?

A republic with elected representatives and a written constitution.

What were public grievances outlined in the Declaration of Independence?

Lists of colonial grievances against King George III, justifying their desire for independence.

What was the major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

The inability of Congress to levy taxes or regulate trade.

What led to the Constitution being ratified?

A compromise on contentious issues like representation and rights, leading to a foundation for a stronger federal government.

What was the significance of Common Sense?

It galvanized public opinion towards independence through direct, accessible arguments.

What was John Locke's influence on the American Revolution?

His ideas about natural rights and government by consent inspired the revolutionary leaders.

How did the Revolutionary War affect the concept of liberty?

It sparked debates about freedom and equality that would redefine American values.

What was the economic impact of the Revolutionary War on the colonies?

Disruption of traditional trade routes and the need to establish new economic systems.

How did colonial politicians view the need for a strong central government post-war?

They believed it was necessary to prevent conflicts and maintain order within states.

What was the outcome of the Constitutional Convention?

The drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which established a federal government and a system of checks and balances.

How did the concept of representation change with the Great Compromise?

It combined population-based representation with equal state representation.

What were the ripple effects of Shays’ Rebellion?

It alarmed leaders and highlighted the need for a stronger central government.

How did the American identity evolve during the post-war period?

It incorporated notions of individual rights and civic responsibility.

What was the role of political parties in the early United States?

They emerged from debates over the Constitution and the vision for America's future.

What were the main causes behind the American Revolution?

Taxation without representation, British military presence, and a desire for individual rights.

What was one significant consequence of the American Revolution?

It led to a growing emphasis on democracy and individual freedoms in the new nation.

In what way did the Revolutionary War create new opportunities for some groups?

It provided chances for social mobility, particularly for women and formerly enslaved people.

What was the political ideology that influenced the Constitutional Convention debates?

Expressed through the documents and speeches advocating for balance between liberty and order.

What are the legacies of the American Revolution?

They include the establishment of the U.S. as a sovereign nation and the promotion of republican ideals globally.

What did the Treaty of Paris 1783 accomplish?

It officially ended the Revolutionary War and recognized American independence.

What were primary sources in historical research?

Original documents or physical objects from the time being studied.

What is the Consumer Revolution?

A period from 1650 to 1800 where colonists began buying more consumer goods than ever before.

What was commodity money?

A type of currency consisting of goods or materials used in place of cash when hard money was scarce.

Why is Barbados significant historically?

It was a wealth-generating island where sugar exports surpassed those of all continental colonies by 1680.

Who were the Quakers?

A religious group in the colonies known for their opposition to slavery and belief in equality.

What is a Provincial Colony?

A type of colony tightly controlled by the Crown and led by governors appointed by the king.

What was the role of the Proprietary Colony?

These colonies were owned by individuals or groups who appointed governors and enjoyed more freedoms.

What is a Charter Colony?

A colony with a complex government structure that included executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

What is coverture?

A legal principle that ensured married women lost all political and economic rights to their husbands.

Who was Increase Mather?

A prominent New England minister who played a key role in promoting the First Great Awakening.

What was the significance of George Whitefield?

He was an influential itinerant preacher who popularized the revivalist spirit of the Great Awakening.

What sparked Pontiac's War?

Conflict emerged from Native American resistance to British colonial expansion after the Seven Years' War.

What was the Royal Proclamation of 1763?

A decree by King George III that limited colonial expansion west of the Appalachian Mountains.

What event marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War?

The battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.

What was the significance of the Boston Massacre?

A confrontation in 1770 that heightened tensions between colonists and British soldiers, leading to increased anti-British sentiment.

What was the Tea Act of 1773?

An act allowing the British East India Company to sell tea to the colonies without the usual taxes, provoking colonial unrest.

What happened during the Boston Tea Party?

In December 1773, colonists dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor as a protest against the Tea Act.

What were the Coercive Acts?

A series of punitive laws passed by Britain in response to the Boston Tea Party, also known as the Intolerable Acts.

What was the purpose of the First Continental Congress?

To coordinate a unified response to British policies and to address grievances of the colonies.

What notable document did Thomas Paine publish in 1776?

Common Sense, which argued for American independence from Britain.

What was the Declaration of Independence?

The proclamation adopted on July 4, 1776, declaring the colonies' freedom from British rule.

What was the outcome at the Battle of Saratoga?

This American victory convinced France to support the rebels with military aid.

What was the significance of the Articles of Confederation?

The first constitution of the United States, which created a weak central government.

Who were the Federalists?

Supporters of the Constitution who advocated for a strong national government.

What were the Anti-Federalists?

Opponents of the Constitution who demanded a Bill of Rights to safeguard personal liberties.

What was Shays’ Rebellion?

An armed uprising in 1786-1787 led by farmers protesting economic injustices and weak state policies.

What did the Great Compromise establish?

A bicameral legislature with representation based on population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

What is the Electoral College?

A body of electors established by the Constitution to elect the President and Vice President of the United States.

What principle did the Virginia Plan advocate?

The establishment of a strong federal government with a two-house legislature based on population.

What did the New Jersey Plan propose?

It proposed equal representation for all states in a unicameral legislature.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual liberties.

What was the impact of the Great Awakening on American society?

It encouraged a spirit of questioning authority and increased religious diversity.

What was the Seven Years' War also known as?

The French and Indian War, which set the stage for colonial resistance to British rule.

What started the conflicts leading to the American Revolution?

Colonial dissatisfaction with British taxes and lack of representation.

What role did women play during the American Revolution?

They participated in boycotts, supported the war effort, and took on roles traditionally held by men.

How did enslaved people respond to the Revolutionary War?

Many took the opportunity to seek freedom, often by escaping to join British forces.

What type of government did the U.S. establish after winning independence?

A republic with elected representatives and a written constitution.

What were public grievances outlined in the Declaration of Independence?

Lists of colonial grievances against King George III, justifying their desire for independence.

What was the major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

The inability of Congress to levy taxes or regulate trade.

What led to the Constitution being ratified?

A compromise on contentious issues like representation and rights, leading to a foundation for a stronger federal government.

What was the significance of Common Sense?

It galvanized public opinion towards independence through direct, accessible arguments.

What was John Locke's influence on the American Revolution?

His ideas about natural rights and government by consent inspired the revolutionary leaders.

How did the Revolutionary War affect the concept of liberty?

It sparked debates about freedom and equality that would redefine American values.

What was the economic impact of the Revolutionary War on the colonies?

Disruption of traditional trade routes and the need to establish new economic systems.