SOL Review for Virginia and United States History
Characteristics of Early Exploration and Settlements (VUS.2)
New England
Puritans seeking religious freedom.
Established a "Covenant Community" based on religious principles.
The Mayflower Compact: an early agreement for self-government.
Direct democracy through town meetings.
Southern Colonies
Motivated by economic opportunities.
"Cavaliers": English nobility who received large land grants from the King of England.
Middle Atlantic Colonies
Settled by English, Dutch, and German-speaking immigrants.
Sought religious freedom and economic opportunities.
Indentured Servants (VUS.2)
Agreed to work on tobacco plantations for a set period to pay for their passage to the New World.
Interactions of Cultures (VUS.2)
Exploration and colonization led to worldwide commercial expansion.
Agricultural products were exchanged between the Americas and Europe.
Colonization inspired ideas of representative government and religious tolerance.
Consequences of Interactions (VUS.2)
Conflicts between English/Spanish settlers and American Indians.
Indians lost territories and succumbed to European diseases.
French exploration in Canada had less immigration and more cooperative relations with natives.
Slavery (VUS.2)
The agricultural economy in the Southern colonies and the Caribbean led to the introduction of slavery.
First Africans arrived in Jamestown in 1619 to work on tobacco plantations.
Motivations for European Settlement (VUS.2)
New England: Religious freedom.
Middle Atlantic: Religious freedom and economic opportunity.
Virginia & Southern Colonies: Economic opportunities.
Influence of Motivations on Settlement (VUS.2)
European exploration and colonization resulted in the redistribution of the world’s population.
Millions of people from Europe and Africa moved to the New World, voluntarily and involuntarily.
Jamestown (VUS.2)
Established in 1607.
Founded by the Virginia Company of London as a business venture.
First permanent settlement in North America.
Virginia House of Burgesses: the first elected assembly in the New World.
The House of Burgesses is the precursor to today's General Assembly of Virginia.
Colonial Economic Activity and Political Institutions (VUS.3)
Economic and political institutions developed in ways that were either European or distinctively American.
Climate, soil conditions, and natural resources shaped regional economic development.
New England: shipbuilding, fishing, lumbering, small-scale subsistence farming, and manufacturing.
Middle Colonies: shipbuilding, small-scale farming and trading, larger cities with commercial centers.
Southern Colonies: large plantations with cash crops (tobacco, rice, and indigo) for sale to Europe; small-scale subsistence farming, hunting, and trading further inland.
Strong belief in private ownership of property and free enterprise.
Political Life in the Colonies (VUS.3)
New England: town meetings, direct democracy model.
Middle Colonies: democratic principles reflecting the basic rights of Englishmen.
Southern Colonies: maintained stronger ties with Britain; planters played leading roles in representative colonial legislatures.
American Revolution (VUS.4c)
Boston Tea Party.
First Continental Conference (all colonies except Georgia).
Boston Massacre.
War began with skirmishes at Lexington and Concord.
Factors Leading to Colonial Victory (VUS.4d)
Benjamin Franklin negotiated the Treaty of Alliance with France.
The war was not popular or supported in Great Britain.
George Washington's leadership kept the army together.
French assistance at the Battle of Yorktown secured American victory.
Slavery/Indentured Servants (VUS.3)
Introduced due to plantation economies and labor shortages.
Southern colonies' coastal lowlands required cheap labor.
Indentured servants met some labor needs, especially in Virginia.
Africans were forcibly imported as enslaved labor.
Middle Passage: Triangular trade routes brought enslaved Africans to the Southern colonies.
The slavery-based agricultural economy eventually led to conflict between the North and South, culminating in the Civil War.
The Great Awakening (VUS.3)
Religious movement in the mid-1700s.
Led to rapid growth of Methodist and Baptist religions.
Challenged established religious and governmental orders.
Laid the foundations for the American Revolution.
Social Characteristics of the Colonies (VUS.3)
New England: based on religious standing and intolerance of dissenters; Rhode Island founded by dissenters.
Middle Colonies: multiple religious groups with religious tolerance; more flexible social structures and a middle class.
Southern Colonies: social structure based on family status and land ownership; strong ties to the Church of England; small subsistence farms, hunters, and traders further inland.
Enlightenment (VUS.4a)
Development of new ideas about the rights of people and their relationship to their rulers.
John Locke's ideas:
All people possess natural rights to life, liberty, and property that rulers cannot take away.
Original power resides in the people.
Social contract: Individuals consent to form a government to protect their rights, promising to obey its laws.
Limited government: Powers are restricted to those consented by the people.
Right to alter or overthrow: People can change or abolish government that threatens their natural rights.
These ideas challenged dictatorial rule and promoted concepts of sovereignty and rights of the people.
The Declaration of Independence (VUS.4a)
Authored by Thomas Jefferson.
Reflected ideas of Locke and Paine.
Listed grievances against the King of England.
Key Principles:
Equality: "all men are created equal."
Unalienable Rights: "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Consent of the Governed: governments derive power from the people.
Right to alter or abolish government.
Key Principles and Participation (VUS.4b)
Political Participation (EQUALITY)
Extending the franchise
Upholding due process of law
Providing free public education
*Social participation (LIBERTY)
*Abolishing slavery
*Extending civil rights to women and other groups
*Economic participation (PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS)
*Regulating free enterprise system
*Promoting economic opportunity
*Protecting property rights
Colonists' Divisions During the Revolution (VUS.4c)
Patriots: believed in complete independence from Britain; inspired by Locke, Paine, Patrick Henry.
Loyalists (Tories): remained loyal to Britain due to cultural and economic ties; believed taxation was justified.
Neutrals: colonists who tried to stay uninvolved.
American Indians (VUS.6b)
Displaced during westward migration; defeated in conflicts, removed from homelands.
"Trail of Tears": relocation from Atlantic Coastal states to Oklahoma.
Influence of Locke and Paine (VUS.4a)
New political ideas about the relationship between people and their government helped to justify the Declaration of Independence.
The revolutionary generation formulated the political philosophy and laid the institutional foundations for the system of government under which American’s live.
The American Revolution was inspired by ideas concerning natural rights and political authority, and its successful completion affected people and governments throughout the world for many generations.
Thomas Paine's Common Sense challenged the rule of American colonies by the King of England, contributing to a growing sentiment for independence.
Anglo-French Rivalry (VUS.4c)
Led to the French and Indian War: French driven out of Canada and territories west of Appalachian Mountains.
Britain angered American colonies by:
Proclamation of 1763: Prohibited settlement west of Appalachian Mountains.
New taxes: Stamp Act, tea, sugar to repay war debts.
Virginians on Ratification (VUS.5d)
Opponents of ratification: Patrick Henry and George Mason.
Proponents of ratification: George Washington and James Madison.
Federalist (VUS.5d, 6a)
Strong central government.
Promote economic development and public improvements.
Supported the Bank of the United States.
Supported the Jay Treaty and undeclared war on France.
Led by John Adams and Alexander Hamilton.
Supported by bankers and business interests in Northeast.
Modern day - primary role for federal government is solving national problems
Anti-Federalist
Feared a strong central government was destructive to the rights of individuals and prerogatives of the states.
Wanted an agricultural economy
Led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
Party called Democratic-Republicans.
Supported by farmers, artisans, and frontier settlers in the South.
Modern day - concerns and champions of liberty, individual initiative and free markets
Chief Justice John Marshall’s important cases (VUS.5e)
Marbury v. Madison: Established judicial review.
McCulloch v. Maryland: Upheld implied powers.
Gibbons v. Ogden: Economic affairs regulation.
These cases are the foundation blocks of the courts authority to mediate disagreements between branches of governments, levels of government and competing business interests.
Constitutional Convention (VUS.5b)
Federal law is the supreme law of the land.
States retain some autonomy.
Balanced power between large and small states.
Congress has two houses: Senate (2 per state) and House (based on population).
*Slaves counted as 3/5ths of the population for representation in the House.
*Developed 3 co-equal branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial.
*Checks and balances between branches.
*Limited powers of federal government to those identified in the Constitution.
Articles of Confederation (VUS.5a)
Provided for a weak national government.
Gave Congress no power to tax or regulate commerce among the states.
Provided for no common currency.
Gave each state one vote regardless of size.
Provided for no executive or judicial branch.
George Mason (VUS.5c)
Wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights: basic human rights should not be violated by governments.
Thomas Jefferson (VUS.5c, 6a)
Wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom: outlawed established church.
His election in 1800 was the first election in which powers was peacefully transferred from one political party to another.
James Madison (VUS.5c)
"Father of the Constitution."
Kept the best records of the convention.
Authored "Virginia Plan" (3 branches of government).
Authored much of the Bill of Rights.
Used Virginia Declaration of Rights and Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom to help draft the amendments.
Causes of the War of 1812 (VUS.6c)
British interference with American shipping and western expansionism.
Factors Influencing Westward Movement (VUS.6b)
Thomas Jefferson purchased Louisiana Territory from France.
Lewis and Clark explored the new territories west of Mississippi, Sacajawea served as guide and translator.
Victory over British in War of 1812 produced Americas claim on the Oregon Territory, increased migration to Florida which was acquired from Spain.
Monroe Doctrine:
American continents should not be considered for future colonization from Europe.
Nations in the Western Hemisphere are different.
The US would take it as a threat to her own peace and safety any attempt by European powers to impose their system on us.
The US would not interfere in European affairs.
Settlers sought land to own and farm.
Railroads and canals supported the growth of industry and movement westward.
Eli Whitney's cotton gin led to the spread of slavery in deep south.
Texas migration led to a revolt against Mexican rule.
Victory during the Mexican War led to new territories.
Frederick Douglas (VUS.7bf)
Supported full equality for African Americans
Advocated for the passage of 14th and 15th Amendments.
Encouraged federal government to protect rights of freedmen in the south.
Served as ambassador to Haiti in the civil service.
Issues Dividing America in the First Half of the 19th Century (VUS.6e)
*Sectional tensions —economic interests
*North—industrial, protective of tariffs, manufactures goods from foreign competition
*South– agricultural opposed high tariffs that made the price of imports more expensive
*Sectional tensions–westward expansion
*Based upon compromise, new states were balanced by Congress between ―free‖ and ―slave‖ states
*Missouri Compromise drew and east-west line through Louisiana—slavery prohibited above the line and allowed below except that slaver was allowed in Missouri in the north
*Compromise of 1850—California is a free state, while South-western territories acquired from Mexico would decide on their own.
*The Kansas-Nebraska Act 1854—repealed Missouri Compromise—giving Kansas and Nebraska the choice to allow slavery; Bloody Kansas was a fight by both sides on the slavery issue
*The Sectional tensions—debates over the nature of the Union
*South Carolina argued sovereign states could nullify Tariff of 1832 and other acts of Congress
*President Jackson threatened to send federal troops to collect the tariff revenues
*Sectional tensions—Slavery (VUS.6e)
*Virginia Revolts—Nat Turner and Gabriel Prosser
*Harsh laws against fugitives
*Abolitionists in the south were intimidated into silence
*Northerners—William Lloyd Garrison published The Liberator
*Viewed slavery as a violation of Christian principles
*Fugitive slave events pitted Southern owners against Northerners who opposed returning escaped slave to bondage.
Abraham Lincoln (VUS.7b)
President of United States during Civil War.
Insisted Union be held together by force if necessary.
Emancipation Proclamation (VUS.7c)
Freed slaves in rebelling states.
Made abolition of slavery a Northern war aim.
Discouraged foreign interference.
Allowed for African American soldiers in Union Army.
Gettysburg Address (VUS.7c)
Civil War to preserve a nation dedicated to equality.
Government ruled – "of the people, by the people, and for the people."
One nation, not sovereign states.
Reconstruction Political Effects—Lincoln (VUS.7d)
US was one indivisible nation.
Confederate governments were illegitimate.
Reconstruction: restore legitimate Southern state governments loyal to the Union.
Federal government should not punish the South.
Political Democracy After the War of 1812 (VUS.6d)
"The Age of the Common Man."
Equality in the political process for adult white males.
Rise of interest group politics and sectional issues.
Changing style of campaigning.
Increased voter participation.
Andrew Jackson personified the "democratic spirit".
The Federalist Party disappeared, new parties were organized in opposition to the Democratic Party.
Women’s Suffrage Movement
At the same time of the abolitionist move- ment, the movement to give equal rights to women grew.
Seneca Falls Declaration
Leaders—Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony become involved before and after Civil War.
19th Amendment
Causes of the Civil War (VUS.7a)
Sectional disagreements and debates over tariffs, slavery and the states’ rights
Northern abolitionist v. Southern defenders of slavery
US Supreme Court - Dred Scott decision
Publication Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Ineffective presidential leadership in 1850s
Series of failed compromises over the expansion of slavery
President Lincoln’s call for federal troops in 1861
Major Events of the Civil War (VUS.7b)
Election of Lincoln, followed by secession of southern states
Fort Sumter: opening confrontation of Civil War
Emancipation Proclamation: issued after the Battle of Antietam
Gettysburg: Turning point of the Civil War
Appomattox: Site of Lee’s surrender to Grant
Radical Republicans (VUS.7d)
Lincoln’s death a few days after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, they influenced the process of Reconstruction with stricter and more punitive measures
*Aggressively voted other civil rights to African Americans clashing with Andrew Johnson over the topic of Civil Rights for freed slaves
*Impeached Andrew Johnson but failed to remove him from office.
Jefferson Davis (VUS.7b)
US senator who became president of the Confederate States of America
Robert E. Lee (VUS.7bf)
Confederate General of Virginia Army
Lee opposed secession, but did not feel the Union should be held together by force.
Urged Southerners to reconcile and rejoin the US
Served as president of Washington and Lee College
Emphasized the importance of education to the nation’s future
Ulysses S. Grant (VUS.7bf)
Union military commander—won victories in South when others failed
Urged radical Republicans not to be harsh with former Confederates
Elected president and served during Reconstruction
Advocated rights for freed man
Opposed retribution directed at the defeated South
Reconstruction (VUS.7d)
Reconstruction period ended following presidential race of 1876
Compromise of 1877: Republicans agreed to end military occupation of the South in return for support from Southern Democrats.
Led to the "Jim Crow Era," denying African Americans their rights.
Reconstruction: Economic Impact (VUS.7d)
South: devastated, agricultural-based economy, labor changed, source of labor was changed due to loss of slaves- poorest section of nation for decades.
North and Midwest: growing industrial economies, US emergence as a global economic power.
Transcontinental Railroad: westward movement of settlers.
Civil War Impact on Home Front (VUS.7e)
Women assumed nontraditional roles.
Managed homes and families with scarce resources.
Often faced poverty and hunger.
Assumed new roles in agriculture, nursing, and war industries.
Modern Industrial Economy (VUS.8b)
Technological change spurred growth in northern cities.
Laissez-faire capitalism and land grants to railroad builders.
Increasing labor supply from immigration and migration.
Possession of wealth of natural resources and navigable rivers.
Discrimination Against African Americans (VUS.8c)
Laws limited freedoms of African Americans.
"Jim Crow" laws enforced segregation.
Crimes (lynching's) were directed at African Americans.
Plessy v. Ferguson: "separate but equal" did not violate the 14th Amendment.
African Americans migrated to Northern cities.
Inventions/Innovations
Corporation (limited liability)
Bessemer Steel process
Light Bulb (Thomas Edison) - electricity as source of power and light
Telephone (Alexander Graham Bell)
Airplane (Wright Brothers)
Assembly-line manufacturing (Ford)
Industrial Leaders
Andrew Carnegie (steel)
J.P. Morgan (finance)
John D. Rockefeller (oil)
Cornelius Vanderbilt (railroads)
Civil War Amendments (VUS.7d)
13th: Abolished slavery.
14th: Prohibited states from denying equal rights under law.
15th: Voting rights guaranteed regardless of race.
The Common Soldiers (VUS.7e)
Warfare involved hand-to-hand combat.
Wartime diaries and letters home record harsh reality of war.
After war, soldiers in the south returned home to find destroyed homes and poverty
Soldiers on both sides lived with permanent disabilities
American Growth and Expansion in the Late 19th and Early 20th Century (VUS.8a)
*Westward Movement
*American Cowboy—long cattle drives over unfenced open land
*Incentive ―Free Public Land‖ - Homestead Act of 1862
*African Americans moved west to seek job opportunities
*New technologies - railroads, mechanical reaper - made farming profitable
*Forcible removal of American Indians from their land continued as settlers moved west following Civil War
*Immigration
*Prior to 1871 immigrants came from Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Norway and Sweden
*From 1871 - 1921 immigrants came from Italy, Greece, Poland, Russia, Hun- gary, Yugoslavia and Asia
*Came seeking freedom and better lives for families
*Chinese workers worked Transcontinental Railroad.
*Worked textile and steel industry for low pay and dangerous working conditions
*European immigrants entered through Ellis Island in New York
*American Melting Pot
*limits to immigration - Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and Immigration Restriction Act of 1921
*Growth of Cities
*Large manufacturing cities—Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and New York Workers families often lived in harsh conditions, or crowded tenements and slums. Housing shortages in cities need for new public services such as water and sewer and public transportation.
Progressive Movement (VUS.8d)
*Goals
*Government controlled by the people
*Guaranteed economic opportunities through government regulations
*Elimination of social injustices
*Accomplishments
*Local Government—new governments to meet the needs of urbanization (commissioner-style and city managers)
*State Governments—referendum, initiative, recalls
*Elections—primary elections, direct election of US senators (17th Amendment), secret ballots
*Child Labor—muckraking literature describing abuses of child labor, child labor laws
*Labor Unions—Organization (Knights of Labor, American Federation of Labor founded by Samuel Gompers, American Railway Union founded by Eugene V. Debs and International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union Strikes—Haymarket Square Riot; Homestead Strike; Pullman Strike)
Antitrust Laws— Sherman Anti-Trust Act: Prevents any business structure that ―restrains trade‖ (monopolies);Clayton Anti-Trust Act: Expands Sherman Act; outlaws price-fixing; exempts unions from Sherman Act
The New Deal (VUS.10d)
*Changed the role of government to a more active participant in solving problems
*Roosevelt rallied a frightened nation in which one in four workers were unemployed
Minorities Contribute to Allied Victory
African Americans served in segregated military units (Tuskegee Airmen) and Asian Americans served in Nisei Regiments while Navajo Code Talkers used oral language.
US Abandon Isolationist Foreign Policy?
Growth in international trade occurred from the late 1800s to World War I the first era of a true “global economy” with the creation of international markets.
United States involvement World War I (VUS.9b)
*Begun in Europe 1914 America is neutral for 3 years with much pressure to get involved Enter because of German submarine warfare which violated the freedom of the seas
Americans wanted to ―make the world safe for democracy‖ Wilson’s 14 Points
*Self- determination Freedom of the seasLeague of Nations Mandate system
Treaty of Versailles (VUS.9b)
*League of Nations Objections to US foreign policy decisions being made by internationalorganizations , not by US leaders The Senate’s failure to approve the Treaty of Versailles Popular culture reflected the prosperity of the era
*Radio, jazz and Fireside Chats
Mass Media and Communication Newspapers and magazines shaped cultural norms and sparked fads Woman Flappers & 19 Amendments.
Popular culture reflected the prosperity of the era.
Mass Media and Communication