DCUSH - Period 3
📖 Combined Key Terms (Ch. 5–7)
📜 Documents
Declaration of Independence – Colonies declared freedom from Britain (1776).
Common Sense – Pamphlet by Thomas Paine pushing for independence.
Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation – Promised enslaved people freedom if they fought for Britain.
Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom – Virginia law ending church support.
The Wealth of Nations – Adam Smith’s book on free markets.
Freedom petitions – Enslaved people’s legal requests for freedom.
Articles of Confederation – First U.S. constitution (weak government).
Ordinance of 1784 – Plan for organizing western lands.
Ordinance of 1785 – Divided land into townships for sale.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787 – Set rules for new states, banned slavery in NW.
The Federalist – Essays supporting the Constitution.
Bill of Rights – First 10 amendments protecting freedoms.
Treaty of Greenville – Treaty with Natives after U.S. victory in Ohio.
Notes on the State of Virginia – Jefferson’s book on Virginia society/race.
💡 Ideas / Concepts
Virtual representation – Britain said Parliament represented all, even colonists.
Writs of assistance – Broad search warrants.
“No taxation without representation” – Colonist slogan against taxes.
Republic – Government with elected representatives.
Suffrage – Right to vote.
Inflation – Prices rise, money value drops.
Free trade – Few government restrictions on economy.
Abolition – Ending slavery.
Coverture – Married women’s rights belonged to husbands.
Republican motherhood – Women should raise good citizens.
Empire of liberty – Jefferson’s idea of U.S. expansion with free states.
Federalism – Power shared between national and state governments.
Division of powers – Power split between branches.
Checks and balances – Branches keep each other in check.
Separation of powers – Legislative, executive, judicial branches.
Three-fifths clause – Slaves counted as 3/5 for representation/taxes.
Annuity system – Yearly payments from U.S. to Natives.
Gradual emancipation – Slavery ended slowly over time.
Open immigration – U.S. allowed many immigrants to settle.
👤 People
Crispus Attucks – First to die in Boston Massacre.
Benedict Arnold – American general turned traitor to Britain.
Loyalists – Colonists who supported Britain.
Joseph Brant – Mohawk leader siding with British.
Lemuel Haynes – Black minister linking freedom with equality.
Free blacks – African Americans not enslaved.
Anti-Federalists – Opposed the Constitution, wanted more state power.
📜 Laws / Acts
Stamp Act – Tax on printed papers.
Sugar Act – Tax on sugar and molasses imports.
Townshend Acts – Taxes on goods like glass, paper, tea.
Intolerable Acts – Punished Boston after the Tea Party.
👥 Groups
Committee of Correspondence – Colonists sharing info about British actions.
Sons of Liberty – Protested British taxes.
Regulators – Farmers in Carolinas against corrupt officials.
Continental Congress – Colonial delegates meeting to resist Britain.
Continental Army – Army led by Washington.
Hessians – German soldiers hired by Britain.
⚔ Events / Battles
Boston Massacre – British soldiers killed 5 colonists.
Boston Tea Party – Colonists dumped British tea into harbor.
Battles of Lexington and Concord – First battles of Revolution.
Battle of Bunker Hill – Early fight showing colonists could resist.
Battle of Saratoga – Turning point, led to French support.
Battle of Yorktown – Final battle, British surrendered.
Shays’s Rebellion – Farmers’ revolt in Massachusetts over taxes/debt.
Constitutional Convention – Meeting to draft Constitution.
Virginia Plan – Congress representation based on population.
New Jersey Plan – Congress representation equal for states.
1. What term describes the constitutional principle of dividing authority between national and state governments?
The term is federalism, which divides power between the national and state governments.
2. How did the Battle of Trenton demonstrate Washington’s capabilities as a military leader?
The Battle of Trenton showed Washington was bold and capable when he surprised the Hessians on Christmas night and won.
3. What were the primary reasons Loyalists remained opposed to breaking away from British rule?
Loyalists stayed loyal to Britain because they wanted safety, trade, and feared chaos if the colonies broke away.
4. What role did the concept of “Republican Motherhood” assign to women in the new nation?
Republican Motherhood said women should raise their children to be good, educated citizens for the republic.
5. What key factor ultimately enabled the colonists to achieve victory over Britain?
The colonists won because of Washington’s leadership, British mistakes, and French money, supplies, and navy.
6. Which group did the anonymous “Watchman” writer advocate should have expanded voting rights?
The Watchman writer argued that all free white men, not just property owners, should be allowed to vote.
7. What provisions were included in the Quebec Act and why were they significant?
The Quebec Act allowed French Catholics to keep their religion and laws, which angered colonists who felt Britain was favoring Catholics and blocking western expansion.
8. Why do historians consider the Battle of Saratoga a crucial turning point in the war?
The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point because it convinced France to ally with the Americans after the British surrendered 5,700 troops.
9. What challenges did Washington face with troop morale and retention early in the conflict?
Washington’s army suffered from short enlistments, no pay, hunger, and harsh winters, which hurt morale and retention.
10. What were the key provisions and outcomes of the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War?
The Treaty of Paris (1783) ended the war, gave U.S. land to the Mississippi, and said Loyalist property would be returned.
11. How did leaders like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams propose to cultivate civic responsibility in citizens?
Jefferson and Adams believed civic responsibility came from virtue and education.
12. What were the dominant views among colonial leaders regarding British relations when Thomas Paine published “Common Sense”?
Most colonial leaders still wanted to repair ties with Britain rather than push for full independence.
13. Which founding document established the framework for American government during the Revolutionary period?
The Articles of Confederation created the first framework of government for the United States.
14. What concerns about women’s political participation did Abigail Adams express in her correspondence with John Adams?
Abigail Adams told John to “remember the ladies” or men might abuse their power over women.
15. At which location did the famous “shot heard ’round the world” take place?
The “shot heard ’round the world” happened at Lexington and Concord.
16. What characterized the various efforts to end slavery during the 1770s and 1780s?
Northern states began ending slavery, but southern states resisted, creating uneven progress.
17. How did the Sons of Liberty contribute to colonial resistance against British policies?
The Sons of Liberty resisted British policies by attacking tax collectors, destroying property, and organizing boycotts.
18. What traditional European social structures did Americans abandon following independence?
After independence, Americans rejected kings, nobles, and titles in favor of equality.
19. Which military engagements were most critical to the outcome of the Revolutionary War?
The battles of Saratoga, Yorktown, and Trenton were the most critical to winning the war.
20. What agreements were reached in the Treaty of Greenville regarding Native American lands?
The Treaty of Greenville () forced Native Americans to give up much of Ohio to the United States.
21. What motivated John Adams to support George Washington’s appointment as Continental Army commander?
John Adams supported Washington because his reputation and leadership could unite the army.
22. How did the Stamp Act controversy shape colonial understanding of liberty and rights?
The Stamp Act led colonists to argue for “no taxation without representation.”
23. What did the national government accomplish most successfully while operating under the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles government was most successful at organizing western lands through laws like the Land Ordinance.
24. What revolutionary-era principles supported the idea that women should receive formal education?
Republican Motherhood supported women’s education so they could raise good, patriotic citizens.
25. By what other name is the French and Indian War commonly known?
The French and Indian War is also known as the Seven Years’ War.
26. What central issue did John Dickinson address in his “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania”?
John Dickinson argued that Britain could not tax colonies without their consent.
27. Which prominent revolutionary figures became leading opponents of the proposed Constitution?
Patrick Henry, George Mason, and other Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution.
28. What historical event is portrayed in the Boston Massacre engraving?
The Boston Massacre engraving shows British soldiers firing on unarmed colonists, used as propaganda.
29. How would someone loyal to Britain respond to Paine’s arguments for colonial independence?
A Loyalist would say Paine’s arguments were reckless since Britain provided protection and trade.
30. What system for land distribution did the Land Ordinance of 1785 establish?
The Land Ordinance of 1785 divided land into townships and set aside land for schools.
31. Why did Shays’s Rebellion highlight problems with the existing governmental system?
Shays’s Rebellion showed the Articles of Confederation were too weak to stop uprisings.
32. What were the main structural features and limitations of government under the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles only had Congress, no president, no power to tax, and a weak army.
33. What foreign policy guidance did Washington offer in his farewell message to the nation?
Washington warned against permanent alliances with Europe and against political parties.
34. Which political dispute served as a key catalyst for the American Revolution?
The main dispute was over taxation without representation.
35. What term described American colonists who remained loyal to British authority during the Revolution?
Colonists who stayed loyal to Britain were called Loyalists.
36. Following which American military success did France decide to form an alliance with the colonies?
France allied with the colonies after the victory at Saratoga.
37. In what ways did Enlightenment ideas about natural rights influence colonial thinking before the Revolution?
The Enlightenment inspired colonists with natural rights like life, liberty, and property.
38. What property or economic requirements typically determined voting eligibility in colonial America?
Voting was usually limited to white men who owned property.
39. What specific powers did the Constitution grant to Congress, and what authority was it denied?
The Constitution gave Congress power to tax, trade, and declare war, but denied power to suspend habeas corpus or unfairly favor states.
40. How did the Washington and Adams administrations approach relationships with European powers?
Both Washington and Adams tried to stay neutral and avoid wars with Europe.
41. What philosophical foundation does the beginning of the Declaration of Independence establish?
The Declaration begins with the idea that all people have natural rights that governments must protect.
42. Which western territories did individual states transfer to the national government, and why?
States gave up western lands to the national government to strengthen unity and fairness.
43. Did Thomas Paine write “Common Sense” primarily for educated elites or for a broader audience?
Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense for a broad audience of everyday colonists.
44. What factors enabled the American colonists to win independence from the British?
The colonists won independence because of Washington’s leadership(WWW), French support(FFFF) , British mistakes(BB), and home-field advantage.
1. Federalism → “Fed splits the bread.” (national + state governments share slices).
2. Trenton → Washington “crossed the frosty D and made history.”
3. Loyalists → “Scared of chaos, liked Britain’s pay-offs.”
4. Republican Motherhood → Moms = “trainers of little patriots.”
5. French aid → “Oui tipped the victory!”
6. Watchman → “Votes for broke blokes.”
7. Quebec Act → Colonists fumed: “Catholic Canada’s land grab.”
8. Saratoga → “French said yes!”
9. Washington’s struggles → “Short terms, cold tents, no cents.”
10. Treaty of Paris → “Independence + fish + debts (but no respect).”
11. Jefferson & Adams → “Schools make republics cool.”
12. Common Sense → Paine shouted: “Stop hugging Britain already!”
13. Articles → “America’s first IKEA gov — wobbly and weak.”
14. Abigail Adams → “Remember the ladies, or we’ll raise Hades.”
15. Lexington & Concord → “Bang! Heard ’round the world.”
16. Slavery debates → “North slowly quits, South clings tight.”
17. Sons of Liberty → “Party crashers with tea.”
18. No aristocracy → “No dukes, no lords, just plain folks.”
19. Key battles → Trenton (hope), Saratoga (ally), Yorktown (win).
20. Treaty of Greenville → “Ohio Valley → settlers rally.”
21. Adams & Washington → Picked George for “swords + South.”
22. Stamp Act → “Tax without seats = liberty defeat.”
23. Articles’ one win → “West land plans.”
24. Women’s education → “Mothers teach, republics preach.”
25. French & Indian War → “Seven Years’ cousin.”
26. Dickinson → “Trade okay, tax? No way.”
27. Anti-Federalists → “Scared of big boss gov.”
28. Boston Massacre engraving → “Revere spins, soldiers sin.”
29. Loyalist rebuttal → “Britain protects, rebels wreck.”
30. Land Ordinance 1785 → “Grid the West for sale.”
31. Shays’s Rebellion → “Pitchforks beat weak feds.”
32. Articles structure → “One room, no prez, no courts.”
33. Farewell Address → “No parties, no pals abroad.”
34. Taxation dispute → “No vote? No tax.”
35. Loyalists/Tories → “Sticking with the crown.”
36. France after Saratoga → “Oui! We’re in.”
37. Enlightenment → “Rights are natural, power’s contractual.”
38. Voting rules → “Land = ballot.”
39. Congress powers → “Coin, war, trade—no kings made.”
40. Washington & Adams → “Neutral ninjas.”
41. Declaration ideas → “Life, liberty, happy pursuit.”
42. Western lands → “States give, Union lives.”
43. Common Sense audience → “Paine writes plain.”
44. Why colonists won → “French friends + George + home turf.”