Untitled Flashcards Set

Mercantilism

An economic theory prevalent in the 16th to 18th centuries, mercantilism posited that colonies existed primarily to benefit the mother country. This was done through controlled trade practices and the accumulation of wealth, primarily in the form of gold and silver. Under mercantilism, a nation's power was directly correlated with its economic wealth.

Favorable Balance of Trade

A favorable balance of trade is achieved when a country exports more goods than it imports. This not only increases national wealth but also strengthens the country's economic position internationally, allowing for the reinvestment of profits into the economy. The accumulation of raw materials from colonies contributed significantly to this balance, enhancing the mother country’s manufacturing capabilities.

Tobacco

Tobacco was a crucial cash crop that played a significant role in the economy of colonial Virginia and the southern colonies. Its cultivation required large tracts of land and labor, leading to the expansion of plantation systems, which in turn spurred the demand for slave labor to maximize profits and productivity.

Slavery in Colonial America

Slavery became an integral part of the economic framework of the southern colonies, where forced labor was predominantly used in agriculture. The institution of slavery was justified by economic, social, and racial ideologies, leading to a deeply entrenched system that would have lasting effects on American society.

Toleration Act of 1649

The Toleration Act of 1649 was a landmark Maryland law that granted religious freedom to all Christians, particularly benefiting Catholics in a time of Protestant majority. This act was significant in establishing a precedent for religious liberty in America, although dissenters such as Jews and atheists were not afforded the same protections.

Enlightenment in the Colonies

The Enlightenment was a transformative period characterized by an emphasis on reason, individualism, and scientific thought. Intellectuals in the colonies engaged with Enlightenment ideas from Europe, which began to influence American political thought and the push for independence, promoting concepts like liberty, democracy, and the social contract.

Great Awakening

The Great Awakening was a significant religious revival movement of the 1730s and 1740s that emphasized personal faith, emotional experiences, and a departure from established religious practices. This movement encouraged a more personal relationship with God and fostered a spirit of questioning authority, which would later resonate in the calls for independence.

Religious Toleration

Religious toleration became increasingly important in the colonies as diverse groups settled in America. The acceptance of varying religious beliefs and practices enabled a more pluralistic society, although conflicts did arise as different denominations often competed for followers.

Acts of Trade & Navigation

The Acts of Trade and Navigation were a series of British laws aimed at regulating colonial trade to ensure it primarily benefited Britain. These acts restricted colonial trade to British ships and required that certain goods be shipped exclusively to Britain, causing significant tension and resistance among colonists.

Stamp Act

The Stamp Act of 1765 was a British tax imposed on all paper goods in the colonies, which sparked widespread protests and opposition among colonists. The act was seen as an overreach of parliamentary authority and one of the first significant united actions by the colonies against British taxation without representation.

Stamp Act Congress

In 1765, the Stamp Act Congress was convened, marking the first time colonists organized collectively to address grievances against British rule. This congress sought to coordinate a response to the Stamp Act and laid the groundwork for further collaboration among the colonies.

Townshend Duties, 1767

The Townshend Duties consisted of a series of taxes instituted by the British government on imported goods, such as tea, glass, and paper, angering colonists and leading to boycotts and increased tension.

Tea Act, 1773

The Tea Act of 1773 granted the British East India Company the right to sell tea directly to the colonies, effectively undercutting local merchants. This led to significant backlash, as many colonists viewed it as a direct threat to their economic interests and autonomy.

Boston Tea Party

In 1773, the Boston Tea Party was a pivotal protest against the Tea Act, wherein colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped an entire shipment of British tea into Boston Harbor. This act of defiance was crucial in galvanizing public sentiment against British rule.

Intolerable or Coercive Acts

In response to the Boston Tea Party, the British Parliament enacted the Intolerable Acts, a series of punitive measures that further inflamed tensions between Britain and the colonies, leading to greater calls for unity among the colonies.

First Continental Congress

The First Continental Congress convened in 1774 as a response to the Intolerable Acts, bringing together colonial delegates to organize resistance and articulate their grievances to the British government.

Second Continental Congress

The Second Continental Congress met in 1775, taking on executive functions and ultimately leading to the decision to declare independence from Britain in 1776, managing the colonial war effort throughout the Revolutionary War.

Declaration of Independence

Drafted largely by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, the Declaration of Independence asserted the colonies' right to be free from British rule. It outlined the philosophical principles of governance and individual rights that became foundational to American democracy.

Treaty of Paris, 1783

The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1783, formally ended the Revolutionary War, recognizing the United States as an independent nation. The agreement set the boundaries of the new nation and granted various rights and privileges to the United States.

Annapolis Conference, 1786

The Annapolis Conference was an important gathering that addressed issues of trade and commerce among the states, leading to the call for a Constitutional Convention to rectify the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Land Ordinance, 1785

The Land Ordinance of 1785 established a systematic framework for surveying and selling land in the western territories, paving the way for westward expansion and settlement.

Northwest Ordinance, 1787

The Northwest Ordinance organized the Northwest Territory and included provisions for the admission of new states, while also banning slavery in the region, setting a precedent for future territories.

Federalist Papers

The Federalist Papers were a series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. These essays outlined the principles behind the Constitution and the necessity of a strong central government.

Constitutional Convention, 1787

The Constitutional Convention was convened to address the issues of governance under the Articles of Confederation, ultimately resulting in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, which established the framework for the federal government.

Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions

The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were political statements asserting that states had the right to nullify federal laws deemed unconstitutional, a key early expression of states’ rights theory.

XYZ Affair

The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic conflict between the United States and France in the late 1790s that escalated tensions and contributed to the naval conflicts known as the Quasi-War.

Alien & Sedition Acts

During John Adams's presidency, the Alien and Sedition Acts restricted the rights of immigrants and curbed free speech, provoking significant opposition and criticism, particularly from the Democratic-Republicans.

Midnight Judges Appointments

The Midnight Judges were a group of last-minute judicial appointments made by President John Adams just before he left office, aimed at maintaining Federalist influence within the judiciary.

Judiciary Act, 1789

The Judiciary Act of 1789 established the federal court system and defined the jurisdiction of federal courts, including the creation of the position of attorney general, and played a crucial role in shaping the judicial landscape of the United States.

Second Great Awakening, 1800s

The Second Great Awakening was a religious revival that emerged in the early 19th century, promoting social reforms such as abolition, temperance, and women's rights, and emphasizing individual piety and personal dedication to faith.

Embargo Act, 1807

The Embargo Act was a law that prohibited American ships from trading with foreign nations, aimed at protecting American interests during rising tensions with Britain and France but ultimately harming the American economy.

War Hawks

The War Hawks were members of Congress in the lead-up to the War of 1812 who advocated for military action against Britain, driven by issues such as trade restrictions and territorial expansion.

Treaty of Ghent, 1814

The Treaty of Ghent officially ended the War of 1812, restoring territorial boundaries but leaving many underlying issues unresolved, thus failing to decisively settle tensions between the United States and Britain.

Rush-Bagot Agreement

The Rush-Bagot Agreement was a treaty between the United States and Britain that effectively demilitarized the Great Lakes, aiming to reduce tensions and prevent naval conflicts in the region.

“Era of Good Feelings”

The “Era of Good Feelings” refers to a period of relative political harmony and national unity during the presidency of James Monroe, characterized by a lack of partisan conflict and a focus on national development.

“Status quo ante bellum”

The term “status quo ante bellum” is Latin for "the state before the war," used to describe the outcomes of the Treaty of Ghent, which restored conditions and boundaries that existed prior to the War of 1812.

Missouri Compromise, 1820

The Missouri Compromise was significant legislation that admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state to maintain a balance of power in Congress, while also establishing the 36°30' parallel as a boundary for future states regarding slavery.

Provisions

Provisions refer to specific clauses or conditions included in laws, treaties, or agreements. These conditions often spark debate and contention within political discussions and legislative processes.

Nullification

Nullification is a political theory positing that states have the right to invalidate any federal law they deem unconstitutional, a concept that appeared in the debates leading up to the Civil War.

Indian Removal Act

The Indian Removal Act of 1830 was a law that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral homelands to designated "Indian Territory" west of the Mississippi River, resulting in significant suffering and loss of life.

Trail of Tears

The Trail of Tears refers to the forced migration of the Cherokee and other tribes, where thousands suffered and died from disease, starvation, and exposure during their relocation to Oklahoma.

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia was a Supreme Court case in which the court ruled that the Cherokee were a domestic dependent nation, effectively denying them the ability to sue for sovereignty and leading to further legal battles over their rights.

Seneca Falls Convention

The Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 was the first women's rights convention held in the United States, advocating for various women's rights, especially suffrage, and is often credited with launching the women's rights movement.

New Harmony, Oneida, Brook Farm

These were notable 19th-century utopian communities that aimed to create ideal societies based on cooperative living, shared property, and social reform initiatives, reflecting the zeitgeist of reform and communalism.

Transcendentalism

Transcendentalism was a philosophical movement in the early 19th century that emphasized individualism, self-reliance, and a deep connection to nature, encouraging people to trust their instincts and intuition over societal norms.

Texas Annexation

The Texas Annexation in 1845 refers to the incorporation of the Republic of Texas into the United States, a politically contentious act that reignited conflicts with Mexico and was part of America's manifest destiny.

Polk’s Strategy for California

President Polk’s strategy for acquiring California involved territorial expansion and military engagement, specifically inciting conflict with Mexico, ultimately leading to the Mexican-American War.

1846—Causes of Mexican War

The Mexican War was precipitated by complex disputes, particularly surrounding Texas's borders and the U.S. ambition for expansion, highlighting the conflicts inherent in manifest destiny ideology.