apush semester 1
1. Origins of the Modern Plantation System
Began in the Canary Islands and Madeira with Portuguese sugar plantations.
Relied on enslaved African labor.
Adapted to the Americas, especially in the Caribbean and Southern colonies.
Basis for racialized slavery and agricultural economies.
2. Pope’s Rebellion
Cause: Spanish suppression of Pueblo religious practices and forced labor.
Event: Pueblo Indians, led by Popé, revolted in 1680, killing hundreds of Spaniards and driving them out of Santa Fe.
Impact: Spanish returned 12 years later, more accommodating of Pueblo culture.
3. Roanoke and Jamestown
Roanoke: Founded by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1585; settlers vanished, leaving only "Croatoan" carved into a tree.
Jamestown: Established in 1607 by the Virginia Company. Survived through tobacco cultivation, introduced by John Rolfe.
4. Sugar and Tobacco
Sugar: Thrived in the Caribbean; required expensive land and slaves ("rich man’s crop").
Tobacco: Virginia’s cash crop; less capital-intensive but labor-demanding ("poor man’s crop").
5. Motives for English Colonization
Economic opportunity (gold, trade routes).
Religious freedom (Puritans, Pilgrims).
Competition with Spain and France.
6. Maryland’s Act of Toleration
1649: Protected all Christians but excluded non-Christians.
Early step toward religious freedom in America.
7. Barbados Slave Codes
Legalized harsh treatment of slaves.
Denied fundamental rights to enslaved people.
Influenced slave laws in the southern colonies.
8. Puritans and Separatists
Puritans: Wanted to purify the Church of England.
Separatists: Believed in breaking away entirely; Pilgrims established Plymouth in 1620.
9. Roger Williams, Anne Hutchinson, Mary Dyer
Williams: Advocated separation of church and state; founded Rhode Island. (Seperatist)
Hutchinson: Preached antinomianism; exiled to Rhode Island. (Seperatist)
Dyer: Executed for Quaker beliefs.
Quakers - Christian denomination known for its pacifism, belief in the inner light of every individual, and commitment to social justice
10. Mayflower Compact
1620: First self-governing agreement in Plymouth.
Laid groundwork for future democratic governance.
11. Chesapeake vs. New England
Chesapeake: Large plantations, tobacco economy, reliance on slavery.
Virginia & Marlyand
didn’t follow any strict religion
New England: Small farms, religiously focused, family-oriented.
Massachusetts, RI, Connecticut, New Hampshire
strictly Puritan
12. Headright System
Gave 50 acres of land per immigrant brought to Virginia to landowners of 13 colonies
Encouraged indentured servitude.
labor contract in which an individual works without compensation to repay an indenture or loan over some time, commonly several years
13. Colonial Rebellions
Bacon’s Rebellion (1676): Farmers revolted against Governor Berkeley’s policies favoring elites and trade with natives.
Exposed class tensions.
led to investment in slavery over indentured servitude
14. Colonial Social Classes
Gentry, small farmers, artisans, laborers, enslaved people.
aka GSALE
Tensions emerged due to wealth disparity.
15. Salem Witchcraft Trials
1692: Mass hysteria in Massachusetts.
Over 20 executed; fueled by religious fanaticism and societal tensions.
16. Impact of the Enlightenment
Introduced ideas of liberty, equality, and rational government.
encouraged people to value logic and reason more than just taking things at face value or accepting them by faith
Influenced revolutionary leaders like Jefferson and Franklin.
17. Great Awakening
1730s-1740s: Religious revival.
Divided traditional ("Old Light") and revivalist ("New Light") churches.
old lights - those who embraced the old-fashioned, traditional church ways
new lights - preachers and followers who adopted the new ideas brought forth by the Great Awakening
Encouraged emotional worship and equality before God.
18. French and Indian War
1754-1763: Britain vs. France over Ohio River Valley.
series of incidents in the upper Ohio River valley, which the French and British governments both claimed as their territory
part of 7 Years War
Treaty of Paris (1763): Britain gained Canada; war debt led to colonial taxation.
19. Proclamation of 1763
Forbade settlement west of Appalachians to satisfy Native Americans.
Resentment grew among colonists.
20. British Trade Control
Enforced Navigation Acts to limit colonial trade with non-British entities.
Required that all European goods that were to be sent to any of the colonies had to go through England first, in order to make sure that all foreign imports to the colonies were paying proper taxes on those goods
21. Favorable Balance of Trade
Exports > Imports; colonies supplied raw materials to Britain.
22. Mercantilism
Colonies exist to enrich the mother country.
23. Causes of the American Revolution
Taxation without representation.
British military presence (Quartering Act, Boston Massacre).
Economic oppression (Stamp Act, Townshend Acts).
24. Stamp Act Congress
Protested taxation without representation - colonists thought it violated their rights as they were taxed without consent
Sought to raise money to pay for British army in America through a tax on all legal and official papers and publications circulating in the colonies
Encouraged unity among colonies.
25. Post-Revolution Impacts
Economy disrupted.
New ideals of liberty challenged slavery and traditional gender roles.
26. Articles of Confederation
Served as the written document that established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain
basically early form of Constitution
Weak central government; no power to tax or regulate trade.
27. Shays' Rebellion
Farmers revolted over debt in Massachusetts (1786-87).
Prompted calls for a stronger federal government.
28. Constitutional Convention
1787: Drafted a new Constitution to replace Articles.
29. Great Compromise
Combined Virginia Plan (representation by population) and New Jersey Plan (equal representation).
Virginia: proposed a strong central government composed of three branches
NJ: designed to protect the security and power of the small states by limiting each state to one vote in Congress
Provided for a bicameral legislature, with representation in the House of Representatives according to population and in the Senate by equal numbers for each state
30. Three-Fifths Compromise
Slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation.
31. Federalists vs. Antifederalists
Federalists: Supported Constitution; strong central (federal) government.
favored loose interpretation of Constitution
Antifederalists: Opposed Constitution; advocated states’ rights.
32. Bill of Rights
Added in 1791 to satisfy Anti-Federalist demands.
Guaranteed personal freedoms (speech, religion, assembly).
Limited federal power; protected states’ rights.
33. Whiskey Rebellion
Cause: 1794 uprising of Pennsylvania farmers over federal excise tax on whiskey.
Outcome: Washington sent militia to suppress rebellion, showing federal power to enforce laws.
Significance: Demonstrated strength of the new Constitution.
34. Balance of Power in the Constitution
Legislative Branch: Makes laws (Congress).
Executive Branch: Enforces laws (President).
Judicial Branch: Interprets laws (Supreme Court).
Checks and balances prevent any one branch from dominating.
35. Criticisms of the Constitution
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists debate.
Lacked Bill of Rights (later added).
Concern over federal supremacy undermining states.
36. Alien and Sedition Acts
Passed by Federalists in 1798.
Alien Acts: Made it harder for immigrants to become citizens.
Sedition Acts: Criminalized criticism of the government.
Backlash led to Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions.
37. Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Authored by Jefferson and Madison in response to Alien and Sedition Acts.
Advocated compact theory: States could nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.
Argued that the states had the right and the duty to declare unconstitutional those acts of Congress that the Constitution did not authorize - argued for states' rights and strict construction of the Constitution
38. Hamilton’s Financial Plan
Components:
BEFAT
bank of the united states
excise tax
funding at par
assumption of state debts
tariffs
Controversial: Criticized by Jeffersonians for favoring wealthy elites.
39. Washington’s Farewell Address
1796 speech advising:
Avoidance of political parties.
Neutrality in foreign conflicts.
Unity among states.
40. Revolution of 1800
Jefferson’s election; peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans.
Marked a test of the new government’s stability.
41. Marbury v. Madison
1803 Supreme Court case - Adams’ midnight appointments
Established judicial review, allowing courts to declare laws unconstitutional.
Strengthened judiciary’s role in government.
42. Beliefs of the Hamiltonian Federalists and the Jeffersonian Republicans (Initial Beliefs)
Hamiltonian Federalists:
Believed in a strong central government.
Supported a national bank, tariffs, and a loose interpretation of the Constitution.
Advocated for an economy based on industry and commerce.
Viewed an alliance with Britain as beneficial for economic development.
Led by Alexander Hamilton, they favored elites and believed in the necessity of a strong federal government to promote national interests.
Jeffersonian Republicans:
Believed in states' rights and a limited federal government.
Opposed a national bank and favored a strict interpretation of the Constitution.
Advocated for an agrarian economy and believed in the virtue of independent farmers.
Preferred an alliance with France, especially following the French Revolution.
Led by Thomas Jefferson, they emphasized liberty and democracy, opposing centralized power.
43. Meaning of the Revolution of 1800
Refers to the peaceful transfer of power from the Federalists to the Democratic-Republicans in the election of 1800.
Significance: Marked the first time power shifted between political parties in the U.S. without violence or upheaval.
Outcome: Thomas Jefferson became president, and the election signified a victory for the ideals of limited government and states' rights over federal power.
Also referred to as a "revolution" because Jefferson sought to "restore" the principles of the American Revolution (e.g., limited government, agrarian economy).
44. Essex Junto
A group of radical Federalists in New England in the early 1800s who opposed the Jeffersonian Republicans.
Beliefs: The group advocated for strong central government, but their most controversial proposal was the secession of New England from the Union.
They were upset over the Louisiana Purchase, fearing it would dilute New England’s power and influence.
Significance: The Essex Junto’s efforts failed, but it highlighted the increasing sectionalism and political conflict during Jefferson's presidency.
45. Differences Between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans
Federalists:
Led by Alexander Hamilton.
Believed in a strong central government, a national bank, and a loose interpretation of the Constitution.
Favored closer ties with Britain for economic reasons.
Supported policies favoring merchants, bankers, and urban areas.
Preferred a more elitist, aristocratic form of governance.
Democratic-Republicans:
Led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
Advocated for a strict interpretation of the Constitution, limiting the power of the federal government.
Supported an agrarian economy and believed in the virtues of an independent yeoman farmer.
Preferred France over Britain in foreign relations, particularly after the French Revolution.
Emphasized states’ rights and greater power to the common people.
46. Jefferson’s Handling of the Crisis with the French and British – His Reasoning, etc.
Challenges: The French and British were engaged in the Napoleonic Wars and frequently violated U.S. neutral rights at sea, impressing American sailors and interfering with trade.
Jefferson’s Response:
Embargo Act (1807): Instead of war, Jefferson enacted the Embargo Act, which prohibited American ships from trading with foreign nations.
Reasoning: He believed this would pressure Britain and France to respect U.S. neutrality by harming their economies without engaging in war.
Outcome: The embargo had a disastrous economic effect on the U.S., especially in New England, and was unpopular, leading to its repeal in 1809.
Jefferson’s attempt to stay neutral and avoid war while maintaining American sovereignty ultimately failed, but his reasoning reflected his belief in avoiding foreign entanglements.
47. How Jefferson and Madison Changed Their Views on the Constitution – Examples
Jefferson:
Initially believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution, arguing that the federal government could only do what was explicitly permitted by the Constitution.
Example of Change: In 1803, Jefferson authorized the Louisiana Purchase, which was not explicitly authorized by the Constitution. He justified this decision by claiming it was a treaty-making power, though it contradicted his previous strict interpretation.
Madison:
Originally a leader in the fight for a strong central government (during the drafting of the Constitution), but he shifted towards supporting states’ rights and limiting federal power.
Example of Change: Madison became an advocate for the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, which argued that states had the right to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.
48. How the Federalists Changed Their Views
Shift in Perspective: By the time of the War of 1812, many Federalists shifted away from their original views.
Example of Change: During the War of 1812, Federalists, who had once been strong advocates for a strong central government, became more anti-war, and many advocated for New England’s secession from the Union at the Hartford Convention.
Further Shift: After the war and with the decline of the Federalist Party, many of their ideas, such as support for a strong national bank, were eventually adopted by later administrations (e.g., the establishment of the Second Bank of the U.S.).
49. Issues with the French and British – Actions, Decrees, etc.
British:
Impressment: British navy frequently seized American ships and forced sailors into British service.
Trade Restrictions: Britain imposed trade restrictions on neutral nations (including the U.S.) to prevent trade with France, a key player in the Napoleonic Wars.
These actions led to increasing tensions and were one of the main causes of the War of 1812.
French:
Seizure of U.S. Ships: France responded to Britain’s restrictions by seizing American ships trading with Britain.
The French also interfered with U.S. neutral trade, and their actions were seen as a threat to American sovereignty.
Despite this, Jefferson initially tried to maintain neutrality and avoid war with either power.
50. Opposition to Jefferson’s Presidency, Tertium Quids, etc.
Tertium Quids: A faction within the Democratic-Republican Party that, while ideologically aligned with Jefferson, were more radical in their pursuit of states’ rights and strict interpretation of the Constitution.
Opposition:
Critics of Jefferson accused him of being inconsistent in his policies (e.g., the Louisiana Purchase contradicted his strict interpretation of the Constitution).
Others believed his policies, particularly the Embargo Act, were economically damaging and ineffective.
Federalist Opposition: Many Federalists, particularly in New England, continued to oppose Jefferson’s policies, fearing the erosion of their power and influence.
42. National Road and Internal Improvements
First federally funded highway (Cumberland Road, 1811).
Part of Clay’s American System; improved trade and transportation.
three-step plan - worked to place high taxes on imports, re-charter the 2nd bank of the U.S., and provide federal money for internal improvements like roads and canals
43. Ban on Slave Trade (1808)
Congress outlawed the transatlantic slave trade, though domestic slavery persisted.
44. War of 1812
Causes: British impressment of U.S. sailors, trade restrictions, and frontier conflicts.
Brits would sideline/trap/steal U.S. sailors & their ships & force them to serve military
Outcome: Treaty of Ghent (1814); restored pre-war boundaries & returned American prisoners
Impact: Boosted American nationalism and manufacturing.
45. Hartford Convention
1814-1815 meeting of Federalists opposing the War of 1812.
Proposed their own constitutional amendments; revealed after after U.S. victory & seen as unpatriotic
Led to Federalist Party’s decline.
46. Impact of War of 1812 on Federalists
Federalist opposition during the war led to their political downfall.
47. Bonus Bill Veto
1817: President Madison vetoed a bill for internal improvements, citing constitutional concerns.
Madison = Democratic Republican
bill provided for the use of Federal funds to finance the building of roads and canals - proposed by Calhoun
48. Jacksonian Democracy
Expanded voting rights to white males without property.
Jackson = Democrat
Promoted the "common man" and opposed elitism.
49. Corrupt Bargain
1824 election: John Quincy Adams elected by House with Henry Clay’s support.
Jackson supporters saw it as undemocratic.
50. Spoils System
Practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs.
Introduced under Jackson’s presidency.
51. Nullification Crisis
Cause: South Carolina nullified the Tariff of 1828 ("Tariff of Abominations").
Raised taxes on imported manufactures so as to reduce foreign competition with American manufacturing
Southerners argued that the tariff enhanced the interests of the Northern manufacturing industry at their expense
Outcome: Jackson issued Force Bill and negotiated a compromise tariff.
Significance: Reinforced federal authority.
52. Force Bill
1833 law allowing Jackson to use military force to enforce federal tariffs
Gave the president the power to use the military to enforce the collection of import duties if a state refused to comply with federal tariffs
53. Indian Removal Act
1830: Authorized relocation of Native Americans to lands west of the Mississippi.
Led to the Trail of Tears.
54. Jackson and the Bank War
Opposed renewal of the Second Bank of the U.S.
Withdrew federal deposits; placed them in "pet banks."
Led to economic instability.
55. Texas and Its War for Independence
Cause: Texan settlers opposed Mexican laws.
1836: Texas declared independence; later annexed by the U.S.
56. Father of the Factory System
Samuel Slater: Introduced industrial methods to the U.S.
Helped establish textile mills.
57. Canal Era
1820s-1830s: Major canal construction (e.g., Erie Canal).
Boosted trade by connecting waterways.
58. Cult of Domesticity
Ideology that women’s roles were confined to home and family.
Supported by Catherine Beecher
Emerged during the early 19th century.
59. Importance of the Cotton Gin
Invented by Eli Whitney in 1793.
Revolutionized cotton production; increased demand for enslaved labor.
60. Nativism
Anti-immigrant sentiment, particularly against Irish and German Catholics.
61. Women and Reform Movements
Leaders like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott pushed for suffrage and abolition.
they organized Seneca Falls Convention in NY
62. Mormons
Founded by Joseph Smith; practiced communal living.
Migrated to Utah under Brigham Young.
63. Utopian Communities
Examples: Brook Farm, Oneida.
Aimed to create perfect societies; often short-lived.
64. Second Great Awakening
Religious revival in early 1800s.
Spurred reform movements like temperance and abolition.
65. Manifest Destiny
Belief in U.S. expansion from Atlantic to Pacific.
Idea that white Americans were divinely ordained to settle the entire continent of North America
Justified annexation of territories.
66. Missouri Compromise
1820: Missouri entered as a slave state, Maine as free.
Slavery prohibited north of 36°30' latitude.
67. U.S. and War with Mexico
Cause: Annexation of Texas and border disputes.
Outcome: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848); U.S. gained Mexican Cession.
68. Wilmot Proviso
Proposed banning slavery in territories acquired from Mexico.
Failed to pass but intensified sectional tensions.
Unsuccessful 1846 proposal in the United States Congress to ban slavery in territory acquired from Mexico in the Mexican–American War
69. Compromise of 1850
Admitted California as free state, enacted Fugitive Slave Act.
required that slaves be returned to their owners, even if they were in a free state
Averted immediate secession.
70. Kansas-Nebraska Act
Allowed popular sovereignty in Kansas and Nebraska.
Overturned Missouri Compromise; led to "Bleeding Kansas."
Created Kansas and Nebraska as territories
act allowed the people of each territory to decide whether or not to allow slavery. Nebraska stayed fairly calm, but Kansas did not. People who supported slavery poured into Kansas from Missouri
71. John Brown
Abolitionist who led violent raids at Pottawatomie (1856) and Harpers Ferry (1859).
Executed for treason; became a martyr for abolition.
72. Popular Sovereignty
Idea that settlers in a territory should decide on slavery.
Failed to prevent conflict.
73. Harriet Tubman
Escaped enslaved woman; helped hundreds via the Underground Railroad.
74. Frederick Douglass
Formerly enslaved abolitionist; author of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.
75. Free Soilers
Opposed extension of slavery into territories; believed in free labor.
eventually merged into Republican party
Focused on opposing the expansion of slavery into the western territories of the United States
76. Border States
Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri: Strategically important for Union control.
77. Crittenden Compromise
1860 proposal to protect slavery in southern territories.
An unsuccessful proposal to permanently include slavery in the United States Constitution, and thereby make it unconstitutional for future congresses to end slavery
Rejected by Lincoln and Republicans.
78. Fort Sumter
1861: First battle of the Civil War; Confederate victory rallied Union support.
79. Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg
Bull Run: First major battle; Confederate victory.
Antietam: Bloodiest single-day battle; led to Emancipation Proclamation.
Gettysburg: Turning point of the Civil War; Union victory.
80. Reconstruction
Plans: Lincoln’s 10% Plan, Johnson’s lenient approach, Radical Reconstruction.
Lincoln - allow Confederate states to establish new state governments after 10 percent of their male population took loyalty oaths
Johnson - required southern states to write new state constitutions if they were to be readmitted to the Union
Radicalists - divide the South into military districts and require the states to adopt new constitutions, introduce black suffrage, and ratify the 14 Amendment.
Amendments: 13th (abolished slavery), 14th (citizenship), 15th (voting rights).
Failures: Rise of Jim Crow laws and sharecropping system.
93. Harriet Beecher Stowe
Author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1852).
Depicted harsh realities of slavery, galvanizing Northern abolitionist sentiment.
94. Fort Sumter
April 1861: Confederate attack on Union fort in Charleston Harbor.
First battle of the Civil War; led to Lincoln calling for troops.
95. Perspectives on Slavery
North: Increasingly abolitionist, viewing slavery as morally wrong and economically backward.
South: Defended slavery as a "positive good" and essential to its economy.
97. Reconstruction
Plans:
Lincoln's Plan: Lenient; 10% loyalty oath required.
Radical Republicans: Harsh; military districts, protection for freedmen.
Amendments:
13th (abolished slavery).
14th (equal protection under the law).
15th (voting rights for Black men).
Successes: Reunified Union, constitutional advancements for civil rights, Freedman’s Bureau
provided assistance to tens of thousands of formerly enslaved people and impoverished whites in the Southern States and the District of Columbia in the years following the war
Failures: Rise of Jim Crow laws, Black Codes, KKK violence; limited long-term racial equality.
98. Know-Nothing Party
Founded: 1850s, a nativist, anti-immigrant party.
Beliefs: Opposed immigration, especially Catholic, and promoted nativism.
Decline: Lost influence as the Republican Party gained traction on slavery issues.
99. Oregon Territory and Important Treaties
Oregon Trail: Pioneers moved west to settle Oregon in the 1840s.
Treaty of 1818: U.S. and Britain agreed on joint occupation of Oregon.
54°40′ or Fight!: Expansionists demanded full control up to 54°40′ latitude.
Oregon Treaty (1846): Set the boundary at the 49th parallel, resolving the conflict peacefully.
100. Build Up to the Civil War
Key Events:
Compromise of 1850, Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854), Dred Scott Decision (1857), and John Brown's raid (1859).
Dred Scott - United States Supreme Court upheld slavery in United States territories, denied the legality of black citizenship in America, and declared the Missouri Compromise to be unconstitutional
Tensions over slavery, westward expansion, and state rights intensified.