8th Grade Social Studies Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and important events from 8th-grade social studies.

Exploration Reasons

Religion (God), Wealth (Gold), Fame and International Recognition (Glory)

Jamestown

Founded in 1607, it was the first permanent English settlement.

Plymouth

Founded in 1620, where Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact.

Mayflower Compact

An agreement signed by Pilgrims to establish self-government.

Virginia House of Burgesses

The first representative assembly in North America.

Colonies Reasons

Religious and Political Freedom, Economic Opportunity.

New England Colonies

Included Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island.

Middle Colonies

Included New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware.

Southern Colonies

Included Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia.

Plantation

Large farms used to produce cash crops like sugar, cotton, tobacco.

Cotton Gin

Invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, it made cotton production easier.

Thomas Hooker

Founder of Connecticut, called the Father of American Democracy.

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Early written constitution; established self-governance.

William Penn

Founded Pennsylvania as a refuge for Quakers.

Anne Hutchinson

Banished from Massachusetts, founder of Rhode Island.

Triangular Trade

Trade system where Africa sent slaves, America sent raw materials, and Europe sent guns and rum.

French and Indian War

Fought between English and French for Ohio Valley; English won.

Treaty of Paris 1763

Ended the French and Indian War; France lost Canada and land east of the Mississippi.

Proclamation Line of 1763

Prohibited colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Sugar Act 1764

Tax on sugar, coffee, wines; evaded by colonists.

Stamp Act 1765

Law taxing printed goods like documents and newspapers.

Townshend Acts

Tax on leads, glass, paint, and tea.

Tea Act

Allowed British East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonies.

Intolerable Acts

Response to Boston Tea Party; closed Boston Port and reduced colonial assembly powers.

Declaration of Independence

1776 statement explaining colonies' desire for independence.

Lexington and Concord

First battles of the American Revolution; marked by 'the shot heard around the world'.

Saratoga

Turning point battle of the revolution; led to French support for the colonies.

Yorktown

Last battle of the revolution; British surrendered after being surrounded.

Treaty of Paris 1783

Ended the Revolutionary War; recognized American independence.

John Locke

Philosopher who believed in natural rights: life, liberty, and property.

Charles de Montesquieu

Proposed separation of powers in government.

George Mason

American leader whose objections led to the Bill of Rights.

Magna Carta

1215 document limiting the king's ability to tax and guaranteeing due process.

English Bill of Rights

1689 laws protecting the rights of English subjects.

George Washington

1st President of the United States; commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.

Samuel Adams

Leader of the American Revolution; founder of the Sons of Liberty.

Benjamin Franklin

Founding Father, diplomat, inventor; negotiator for French support.

Alexander Hamilton

1st Secretary of the Treasury; advocated for a national bank.

Patrick Henry

Orator who spoke for colonial independence; known for 'Give me liberty or give me death'.

James Madison

'Father of the Constitution'; Federalist leader and fourth President.

Thomas Paine

Pamphleteer who supported American independence and the French Revolution.

Abigail Adams

Wife of John Adams; advocated for women's rights.

Wentworth Cheswell

1st African American elected to public office in America.

Mercy Otis Warren

19th century American historian who wrote about the American Revolution.

James Armistead

African American spy during the Revolution.

Bernardo de Galvez

Governor who supported Americans during the revolution.

Crispus Attucks

First person killed in the American Revolution at the Boston Massacre.

Haym Salomon

Polish Jew who financed the American Revolution.

Marquis de Lafayette

French general who supported American independence.

John Paul Jones

Navy commander in the American Revolution.

King George III

King of England who imposed taxes on the colonies.

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the U.S.; had significant weaknesses.

Philadelphia Convention 1787

Meeting to revise the Articles, resulting in the Constitution.

Anti-Federalist

Opponents of the Constitution who favored states' rights.

Federalist

Supporters of the Constitution advocating for a strong national government.

War of 1812

Conflict between US and England; rooted in trade disputes.

Popular Sovereignty

Government's power stems from the consent of the governed.

Republicanism

Government in which representatives are elected to create laws.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments.

Separation of Powers

Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and Balances

System allowing each government branch to limit the powers of others.

Limited Government

Government's powers are restricted by the Constitution.

Individual Rights

Rights guaranteed to individuals.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments to the Constitution protecting individual liberties.

1st Amendment

Guarantees freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms.

3rd Amendment

Prohibits quartering of troops in private homes.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

Rights of accused persons; guarantees due process.

6th Amendment

Rights in criminal prosecutions; includes right to attorney.

7th Amendment

Right to jury in civil trials.

8th Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

9th Amendment

Ensures rights not listed in the Constitution are not denied.

10th Amendment

Powers not delegating to the federal government are reserved for states.

George Washington's Presidency

Established key traditions in American governance.

John Adams

1st Vice-President and 2nd President; advocate for press freedom.

Thomas Jefferson

3rd President who wrote the Declaration of Independence.

James Madison

Federalist leader and 4th President.

Monroe Doctrine

Us foreign policy opposing European interference in the Americas.

James Monroe

5th President; known for the Era of Good Feelings.

Mexican War

Conflict over land disputes leading to significant territorial gain.

James K. Polk

President who sought to expand US territory.

Jacksonian Democracy

Movement to increase political power for the common man.

Industrialization

Development of industries for machine production.

Mercantilism

Economic policy to increase national wealth through trade surplus.

Free Enterprise

Economic system with minimal government interference.

Manifest Destiny

Belief that American expansion across the continent was justified.

Gadsden Purchase

Agreement where the US acquired land from Mexico to facilitate railroad construction.

Florida Cession 1819

Acquisition of Florida from Spain.

Abolition Movement

Campaign against slavery.

Public Education Movement

Advocacy for education rights for all students.

Labor Reform Movement

Efforts to improve working conditions.

Women's Rights Movement

Efforts to improve women's status in society.

Temperance Movement

Campaign to reduce alcohol consumption.

Sectionalism

Exaggerated loyalty to a particular region.

Bleeding Kansas

Violent conflict over slavery in Kansas.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Allowed new states to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty.

Susan B. Anthony

Social reformer advocating for women's suffrage.

Henry David Thoreau

Transcendentalist who advocated civil disobedience.

Sojourner Truth

Abolitionist and women's rights advocate.