United States History Midterm Exam

**Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur**: An influential French-American writer, Crèvecoeur is best known for his work *Letters from an American Farmer* (1782), which provided a detailed description of American life and introduced the idea of the 'American Dream,' emphasizing individualism, hard work, and the ability to assimilate various cultural influences.

**Boston Massacre**: A pivotal event occurring on March 5, 1770, where British soldiers killed five colonial men during a confrontation. This incident was instrumental in fueling anti-British sentiments and was used as a propaganda tool by revolutionaries like Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, ultimately contributing to the American Revolution.

**Boston Tea Party**: A political protest on December 16, 1773, by the American colonists against the Tea Act imposed by the British government. Disguised as Native Americans, they dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor, symbolizing resistance against taxation without representation and leading to further British punitive measures.

**Battle of Yorktown**: Fought in 1781, this decisive engagement marked the culmination of the American Revolutionary War. British General Cornwallis's surrender to American and French forces, led by George Washington, effectively ended major fighting in the colonies and paved the way for the eventual recognition of American independence.

**Peace of Paris (1783)**: The agreement that formally ended the American Revolutionary War. Negotiated by American representatives Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay, it recognized American independence and established boundaries for the new nation, including lands east of the Mississippi River and north of Florida.

**Treaty of Paris (1763)**: This treaty marked the end of the French and Indian War (Seven Years' War), resulting in France ceding to Great Britain its territories in North America, which significantly altered the balance of power and set the stage for colonial discontent among the American colonies.

**Writs of assistance**: General search warrants allowing British customs officials to search any location for smuggled goods. These writs were viewed as a violation of colonial rights and privacy, prompting opposition that would later fuel revolutionary sentiments.

**Declaratory Act**: Passed in 1766, this act asserted that the British Parliament had the right to legislate for the colonies 'in all cases whatsoever,' thus reinforcing British authority after the repeal of the Stamp Act and igniting further colonial resistance.

**New Amsterdam**: Originally a Dutch settlement founded in 1625, New Amsterdam became New York City after British seized control in 1664. It was a melting pot of cultures and a center of trade, foreshadowing the diverse society that would characterize the United States.

**Bunker Hill**: The Battle of Bunker Hill, fought on June 17, 1775, was one of the early battles of the Revolutionary War, showcasing the determination of colonial forces despite ultimately losing the ground to British troops. The battle was a significant morale booster for the Americans, proving they could stand up to the British army.

**Townsend Act**: Enacted in 1767, these laws imposed duties on various imports, including tea, glass, and paper. The colonial backlash led to boycotts and heightened tensions, culminating in the Boston Massacre in 1770.

**Stamp Act**: Passed in 1765, this law required colonists to purchase special stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, and other publications, symbolizing the broader issue of taxation without representation and prompting widespread protest and formation of the Sons of Liberty.

**South Carolina**: One of the original thirteen colonies, South Carolina played a significant role in the American Revolution, producing notable leaders like John Rutledge and being a hub for early revolutionary activity and the establishment of the principles of self-governance.

**Samuel Champlain**: A French explorer known as the 'Father of New France,' he founded Quebec in 1608 and established friendly relations with Native American tribes, which were crucial for fur trade and settlement in the region.

**John Winthrop**: The first Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Winthrop envisioned the colony as a 'city upon a hill,' symbolizing a model of Christian charity and virtue for others to follow, significantly influencing New England's Puritan culture.

**Salutary Neglect**: A British colonial policy that relaxed enforcement of strict regulations on the colonies, allowing them greater autonomy. This approach encouraged economic independence and self-governance, creating a sense of American identity separate from Britain.

**George Washington**: A crucial leader during the American Revolutionary War, Washington was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in 1775. His military leadership and political acumen played vital roles in the founding of the United States and he later became the nation's first president.

**House of Burgesses**: Established in Virginia in 1619, this legislative assembly was the first elected representative government in the American colonies, serving as a model for future colonial assemblies and emphasizing self-governance.

**Hudson River**: A major waterway in New York, it played a vital role in the economic and strategic development of New York City, especially during the colonial era, facilitating trade and transportation.

**Eurocentrism**: A worldview centered on Western civilization, often leading to the marginalization of other perspectives. This perspective shaped historical narratives, emphasizing European influence in world history at the expense of non-Western contributions.

**Maryland**: Established as a haven for English Catholics, Maryland became a significant colony in the formation of religious freedom principles, particularly with the Maryland Toleration Act of 1649, which granted religious freedom to all Christians.

**Virtual representation**: The British argument that colonists were represented in Parliament through their colonial officials, despite not having direct representation, which fueled colonial resentment and demands for actual representation.

**Hernan Cortes**: A Spanish Conquistador known for leading the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire, his actions initiated significant Spanish colonization and exploitation of resources in the New World.

**Actual representation**: The concept that citizens should directly elect their representatives, a fundamental tenet for many American colonists who opposed British taxation and governance.

**Portugal**: A European nation known for its early exploration and colonial ventures, particularly in Africa, Asia, and South America, playing a significant role in the Age of Discovery.

**Tenochtitlan**: The capital of the Aztec Empire, located on an island in Lake Texcoco, it was a vibrant city known for its complex society and architecture, and a focal point for Hernan Cortes's conquest.

**Non-importation movement**: A boycott adopted by American colonists in response to British taxes, where they pledged not to import goods from Britain, demonstrating unity against British policies and effectively pressuring the British government.

**Benjamin Franklin**: A Founding Father, Franklin was a distinguished polymath, inventor, and diplomat. His efforts in securing French support during the Revolutionary War were invaluable to American independence.

**Thomas Jefferson**: The principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States, Jefferson championed the principles of liberty, equality, and individual rights, significantly influencing American political philosophy.

**1492**: The year Christopher Columbus embarked on his first voyage across the Atlantic, leading to European awareness of the Americas and initiating extensive European exploration and colonization efforts.

**September 3, 1783**: The date marking the formalization of the Treaty of Paris, concluding the American Revolutionary War and recognizing American independence.

**April 19, 1775**: The date of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, marking the beginning of armed conflict between Britain and the American colonies, which kicked off the Revolutionary War.

**March 5, 1770**: The date of the Boston Massacre, a significant event in colonial history that heightened tensions between Britain and the colonies, leading to increased calls for independence.