Mercantilism:

• Definition: Economic system where a nation's power is tied to its wealth, emphasizing exports and favorable trade balances to enrich the mother country.

Navigation Laws:

• Definition: British regulations restricting colonial trade to benefit the mother country, leading to resentment among American colonists.

Salutary Neglect:

• Definition: British policy of lax enforcement of colonial regulations, allowing colonies greater autonomy in exchange for economic benefits and loyalty.

Virtual Representation:

• Definition: British argument that Parliament represented all British subjects, including those in colonies, even if they did not have direct representation.

Declaration of Independence:

• Definition: 1776 document declaring American colonies' independence from British rule, written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Continental Congress.

Articles of Confederation:

• Definition: America's first constitution, adopted in 1777, creating a weak central government with most power held by the states.

Land Ordinances of 1784 and 1785:

• Definition: Legislation establishing a system for surveying and selling western lands, dividing them into townships for sale and settlement.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787:

• Definition: Legislation establishing a process for admitting new states to the Union from the Northwest Territory, prohibiting slavery in the region.

Shay's Rebellion:

• Definition: 1786-1787 uprising of Massachusetts farmers against high taxes and debt, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and leading to calls for a stronger central government.

Constitutional Convention:

• Definition: 1787 meeting in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, resulting in the drafting of the United States Constitution.

Large State Plan:

• Definition: Proposal at the Constitutional Convention advocating for representation in Congress based on population, favoring larger states.

Small State Plan:

• Definition: Proposal at the Constitutional Convention advocating for equal representation in Congress for all states, regardless of population, favoring smaller states.

3/5 Compromise:

• Definition: Agreement at the Constitutional Convention counting three-fifths of enslaved individuals for representation and taxation purposes.

Federalist:

• Definition: Supporters of the ratification of the United States Constitution, advocating for a strong central government.

Anti-Federalist:

• Definition: Opponents of the ratification of the United States Constitution, fearing a strong central government and advocating for greater state sovereignty.

Alexander Hamilton:

• Definition: Founding Father, Federalist, and first Secretary of the Treasury, known for his economic policies and advocacy for a strong federal government.

George Washington:

• Definition: Founding Father, Revolutionary War hero, and first President of the United States, known for his leadership during the American Revolution and his presidency.

Jay's Treaty:

• Definition: 1794 treaty between the United States and Great Britain, attempting to resolve issues left over from the Revolutionary War, but criticized for favoring British interests.

Pinckney's Treaty:

• Definition: 1795 treaty between the United States and Spain, securing American navigation rights on the Mississippi River and establishing Florida's boundary.

Alien and Sedition Acts:

• Definition: 1798 laws passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress, aiming to restrict immigration and limit criticism of the government, seen as violating free speech rights.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions:

• Definition: 1798 and 1799 resolutions written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, asserting states' rights to nullify unconstitutional federal laws, in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts.