Study Guide for History to 1877 Midterm
Short Answer terms/definition in a paragraph form
Great Awakening - A significant religious revival movement in the American colonies during the early to mid-18th century, characterized by increased fervor, emotional sermons, and a more personal approach to faith, which led to the weakening of established churches and the rise of various denominations.
Battle Of Saratoga - A pivotal battles of the American Revolutionary War in 1777, recognized for its significance in shifting the momentum in favor of the American colonists, as it resulted in a major victory against the British forces and ultimately persuaded France to openly support the American cause.
Mayflower Compact - An agreement reached by the Pilgrims on the Mayflower in 1620, establishing a self-governing colony based on majority rule, which set a foundational precedent for governance in the New World and emphasized the importance of community and cooperation among the settlers.
Columbian Exchange - The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World following Christopher Columbus's voyages in the late 15th century, which significantly impacted agricultural practices, ecology, and even the social customs of both hemispheres.
Proclamation Line of 1763 - A boundary established by the British Crown following the French and Indian War, which prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, intended to stabilize relations with Native Americans and prevent further conflicts, but ultimately fueled colonial resentment towards British authority.
Anne Hutcherson - A Puritan spiritual leader in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the 17th century, known for her theological dissent and advocacy for women's rights, which ultimately led to her trial and banishment from the colony, highlighting early tensions between individual beliefs and collective religious practices.
Navigation Acts - A series of laws passed by the English Parliament in the 17th century, aimed at regulating colonial trade and ensuring that trade benefitted England, which restricted the colonies from trading with other countries and contributed to growing tensions between the colonies and Britain.
Conquistadors - Spanish or Portuguese explorers and soldiers who played a key role in the early conquest and colonization of the Americas, often motivated by the pursuit of wealth, territory, and the spread of Christianity, their actions significantly impacted indigenous populations and accelerated European expansion in the New World.
Cahokia - A pre-Columbian Native American city located near modern-day St. Louis, Missouri, Cahokia was one of the largest urban centers in North America prior to European contact, known for its massive earthen mounds and complex social structures, which flourished from around 600 to 1400 CE.
Bacon’s Rebellion - A 1676 uprising in Virginia led by Nathaniel Bacon against the colonial government, fueled by frustrations over issues such as land scarcity, high taxes, and the lack of protection from Native American attacks, it highlighted the growing divisions between the colony's wealthy planters and poorer settlers.
Puritans - English religious dissenters who sought to purify the Church of England from its Catholic practices, they established colonies in New England in the early 17th century, emphasizing a strict moral code, community cohesion, and a commitment to education and hard work.
King Phillips War - A conflict between New England colonists and Native American groups led by Metacom, known as King Philip, from 1675 to 1676, which arose due to increasing tensions over land encroachment and cultural differences, ultimately resulting in a significant loss of indigenous life and further escalation of colonial expansion.
Roger Williams - An English theologian and founder of the Rhode Island colony, he advocated for the separation of church and state, religious freedom, and fair dealings with Native Americans, significantly influencing the development of religious tolerance in America.
Sons Of Liberty - A group of colonial activists formed in the 1760s to oppose British taxation and demand greater rights for the American colonists, they utilized both peaceful and militant tactics, playing a crucial role in organizing resistance against the Stamp Act and other unjust legislation.
The Bill of Rights - The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1791, intended to protect individual liberties and limit the powers of the federal government, including freedoms of speech, religion, assembly, and the right to bear arms, among others, and served as a crucial foundation for American civil rights.
Glorius Revolution - A political revolution that took place in England in 1688, where King James II was overthrown and William and Mary ascended to the throne, it established parliamentary sovereignty and further limited the powers of the monarchy, promoting constitutional governance and the principles of individual rights.
William Penn - An English Quaker and founder of Pennsylvania in 1681, he advocated for religious freedom and democratic governance, promoting peaceful relations with Native Americans and setting a model for a diverse and tolerant society in the New World.
The Middle Passage - A horrific sea journey endured by enslaved Africans being transported to the Americas from the late 16th to the 19th centuries, characterized by brutal conditions, high mortality rates, and dehumanization, it played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade and the economic development of the colonies.
Indentured Servants - Laborers who agreed to work for a specified number of years in exchange for passage to the New World, land, or other benefits, their labor was essential in establishing colonies, particularly in the agricultural sectors, and represented a significant aspect of the colonial labor system.
Roanoke Colony - The first English attempt at permanent settlement in North America, established in 1585 on Roanoke Island in present-day North Carolina, known for its mysterious disappearance of its inhabitants, leading to the nickname "the Lost Colony," and sparking intrigue and speculation about early colonial efforts.
Common Sense - A political pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776, advocating for independence from Britain and the establishment of a democratic republic, it played a crucial role in swaying public opinion and encouraging the revolutionary spirit among the American colonists.
Patrick Herny - A prominent American revolutionary and orator known for his declaration 'Give me liberty, or give me death!' in 1775, he played a key role in mobilizing support for the American Revolution and advocating for individual rights.
English Civil War - A series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians (Roundheads) and Royalists (Cavaliers) from 1642 to 1651, the war led to the trial and execution of King Charles I, the establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell, and significant changes in the balance of power between the monarchy and Parliament.
Triangular Trade Route - A system of transatlantic trade in the 16th to 19th centuries, linking Europe, Africa, and the Americas, where goods such as rum, sugar, and tobacco were exchanged for enslaved Africans, who were then transported to the Americas to work on plantations.
Powhatan Confederation - A union of several Algonquian-speaking tribes in Virginia led by the Powhatan chief, this confederation played a vital role during the early years of English colonization, particularly in relation to the Jamestown settlement.
Battle of Yorktown - The decisive battle of the American Revolutionary War, fought in 1781, where British General Cornwallis's forces surrendered to the combined American and French troops, marking the beginning of the end for British rule in the colonies.
Shay’s Rebellion - An armed uprising in 1786-1787 by Massachusetts farmers, led by Daniel Shays, protesting against economic injustices and the lack of government response to their financial struggles, which highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Constitutional Convention - A meeting held in Philadelphia in 1787 where delegates from the thirteen states gathered to address the problems of the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation, ultimately resulting in the drafting of the United States Constitution.
Mechanism - Refers to the processes and structures established by the framers of the Constitution to create a functional government, including checks and balances, separation of powers, and the system of federalism that aims to protect individual liberties while enabling effective governance.
The Federalist Paper - A series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay between 1787 and 1788, advocating for the ratification of the United States Constitution and addressing concerns regarding the balance of power, federalism, and the necessity of a strong central government.
Intolerable Acts - A series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 aimed at enforcing British authority in the American colonies, which included measures such as closing Boston Harbor and revoking Massachusetts's charter, ultimately leading to increased colonial unrest and contributing to the American Revolution.
Essay Response
Compare their social organizations, values systems, economic pursuits, and political order of Virgina and Massachusetts.
Virgina had a plantation-based economy which relied heavily on tobacco production and slave labor, fostering a hierarchical social structure characterized by wealthy landowners at the top, whereas Massachusetts developed a more diversified economy that included small farms and trade, promoting a more egalitarian society with values centered around community and education.
Massachusetts also emphasized civic responsibility and participation in governance, with a political structure that encouraged town meetings and local decision-making, contrasting with Virginia's more centralized power held by a few elite planters.
Describe the arguments between the Patriots and the British authorities. Where the Patriots right in believing that so much was at stake, armed resistance was justified
between the patriots and the British authorities stemmed from a growing sense of injustice felt by the colonists, who believed that British taxation without representation violated their rights as Englishmen. The Patriots argued that the imposition of taxes, such as the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts, was not only economically burdensome but also an affront to their autonomy. They felt that armed resistance was justified in order to protect their liberties, especially in light of British military actions that threatened their safety and rights.
What do you consider the 3 most important factors in bringing about this result? Given all the factors was victory by the British or the Americans the most likely outcome
Economic Strain: The heavy financial burden imposed by the taxes created widespread resentment among the colonists, leading to organized protests like the Boston Tea Party.
Ideological Shifts: Enlightenment ideas about government and individual rights fueled the belief that independence was necessary for the preservation of liberty.
Military Escalation: The presence of British troops in colonial cities heightened tensions and prompted the colonists to adopt more aggressive forms of resistance. In considering all these factors, while victory for the British may have appeared likely due to their superior military resources, the Americans’ resolve, familiarity with the terrain, and the growing alliance with foreign powers such as France turned the tide in favor of the colonists.