American History Primary Sources and Early Republic

Flashcards covering primary sources, key historic figures, Anti-Federalist and Federalist essays, and early political milestones from the American Revolution through the early nineteenth century.

Common Sense

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in early 1776 that critiqued the monarchy, made a case for independence from the British Empire, and sold at least 500,000 copies.

Remember the Ladies Letter

A letter written on March 31, 1776, by Abigail Adams to John Adams asking him to be more generous and favorable to women than his ancestors when founding the new government.

Committee of Five

The committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence, which included Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.

Jefferson's Letter to Walter Jones

An 1814 letter written by Thomas Jefferson describing George Washington's intellect, temperament, abilities, and nearly perfect overall character to former Virginia congressman Walter Jones.

Benjamin Franklin's Memoir

An autobiography published in 1818 by Franklin's heirs detailing his life, including his role as the primary American publisher for revivalist George Whitefield.

George Whitefield

An Anglican clergyman and revivalist during the First Great Awakening whose writings and sermons were published in North America by Benjamin Franklin.

Robert Yates

An Anti-Federalist delegate who wrote under the pen name Brutus to oppose the U.S. Constitution, arguing that the United States was too vast to be governed as a free republic.

Brutus

The pseudonym used by Anti-Federalist writer Robert Yates in essays attacking the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Federalist No. 10

An essay authored by James Madison under the pseudonym Publius that discussed the danger of political factions and argued that a large representative republic prevents majority tyranny.

Publius

The shared pseudonym used by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay when authoring The Federalist Papers.

William Jackson

The official secretary of the 1787 Constitutional Convention who kept minimal records primarily recording vote tallies on specific issues.

James Madison's Notes on the Constitutional Convention

A detailed unofficial record of shorthand notes taken by Madison during the debates of 1787, sold to the U.S. government by Dolly Madison in 1838, and published in 1840.

International Slave Trade Abolition

A constitutional agreement allowing Congress to readdress and potentially ban the importation of new slaves from Africa after 20 years, which was formally enacted in 1808.

Washington's Farewell Address

A public statement written by George Washington as he retired from the presidency, advising the nation to avoid political partisanship and warning against permanent foreign alliances.

Convention of 1800

A treaty negotiated between the United States and France under Napoleon Bonaparte that officially terminated the 1778 French Alliance.

Revolution of 1800

The presidential election of Thomas Jefferson that marked the first peaceful transition of political power between opposing political parties in U.S. history.