Related Essays

  • Shuffle
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Alphabetize
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Front First
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Both Sides
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
  • Read
    Toggle On
    Toggle Off
Reading...
Front

Card Range To Study

through

image

Play button

image

Play button

image

Progress

1/172

Click to flip

Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;

Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;

H to show hint;

A reads text to speech;

172 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
Stamp Act
taxes on all legal documents to support British troops, not approved by colonists through their representatives; passed in 1765
Navigation Laws
laws passed that said only English and American ships allowed to colonial ports; dissent began in 1763
Parliament
British form of government; served as legislature and worked alongside the monarch
Boston Tea Party
peaceful destruction of British tea in Boston Harbor by colonists disguised as Indians; happened in 1773 and was followed by the Coercive Acts
Committees of Correspondence
committees appointed fom different colonies to communicate on matters; asserted rights to self-government, cooperation between colonies; they included representatives from the Thirteen Colonies and first met in 1773
Intolerable Acts
in reaction to the Boston Tea Party; closing of Boston Harbor, revocation of Massachusetts charter (power to governor), murder in the name of royal authority would be tried in England or another colony; included 5 acts; passed in 1774
Lexington and Concord
the first two military battle of the American Revolution; nobody really won these battles but the colonists were able to move the supplies that the British were trying to take.
French and Indian War
war fought between France and their Indian allies against the British; French threat at the borders was no longer present, terefore the colonies didn't need English protection; more independent stand against British
Fort Necessity
battle tok place July 3, 1754 and was one of the first battles of the French and Indian War; the battle was won by the French and Indians
Rotten Boroughs
tiny electoral districts whose voters were controlled by wealthy aristocrats and merchants
Molasses Act
passed in 1733 by Britain on America that caused a six pence per gallon tax on molasses imported from anywhere but Britain
Quartering Act
passed in 1774 as one of the Intolerable Acts; it caused all colonists to provide housing and provisions for British soldiers
Mercantilism
the economic doctrine that control of foreign trade is extremely important in ensuring the prosperity and security of the state; it was highly important for Great Britain in the controlling of trade within the colonies, even making them pass the Trade and Navigation Acts in an attempt to monopolize it
"Virtual Representation"
a way of justifying the heavy taxes imposed by Grenville; it stated that the colonists were “virtually represented” in Parliament because Parliament did what was best for Parliament and all of its states; all English subjects are represented in Parliament, including those not allowed to vote
Boston Massacre
an event in which British troops fired into a crowd and killed 5 colonists, wounding 6 others; the British troops were defended by John Adams which led to 7 being found not guilty and 2 being charged with manslaughter
Townshend Duties
passed in 1767; simlar to Navigation Acts; raised money to pay colonial officials by American taxes; led to Boston boycott of English luxuries
Intercolonial Committees of Correspondence
created in 1773 and was used to organize public opinion against the British
Continental Congress
the governing body of United States during the American Revolution. They met from 1774 to 1789 in three different incarnations. A congress like this had been suggested before, but was not deemed necessary until the British put a blockade in Boston Harbor in response to the Boston Tea Party.
New France
the area colonized by France in North America
Fort Duquesne
a fort esablished by the French that met at the meeting of three rivers; it was of significant military importance during the French and Indian War
Albany Congress
a meeting in 1754 in Albany New York in which the Albany Plan was proposed; there were representatives from seven of the Thirteen Colonies
Vice Admiralty Court
courts in Britain that did not have a jury and mostly dealt with maritime cases; judges were given 5% of all confiscated materials, which gave judges a reason to find people guilty
"Power of the Purse"
the ability of one group to manipulate and control the actions of another by witholding funding, or putting stipulations on the use of funds
Writs of Assistance
search warrants on shipping to reduce smuggling; challenged by James Otis
Why was there a currency shortage in the colonies?
There was a currency shortage in the United States because of the Currency Act of 1764.
Define the two political strains that were embedded in colonists minds on the eve of Revolution.
Whigs - fought for Independence
Tories - loyal to the King and England
Describe the provisions of the Paris Peace Settllement.
the United States is free, the United States had fishing rights, established boundaries between the U.S. and Britain, debts were to paid to both sides, prisoners were to be returned
Why was Pontiac's Rebellion significant?
Pontiac's Rebellion was signifcant because it showed the power of Native American people and ultimately caused the British to treat them with a little more respect
Define the Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 essentially said that no settlers could settle west of the Appalachian Mountains
Define the Coercive Acts.
The Coercive Acts were a series of acts that greatly angere the colonists who considered them intolerable. They included the Boston Port Act, Quartering Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Quebec Act, and the Administration of Justice Act.
Who was General Thomas Gage and what did he do?
General Thomas Gage was a British General during the Revolutionary War and took part in the Battles of Lexington and Concord. He was responsible for implementing the Coercive Acts.
What is the sigificance of Thomas Paine's Common Sense?
Thomas Paine's Common Sense sparked feelings that inspired the colonists to fight the American Revolution. It stated that they deserved to free and that Britain just used them to make money.
What did the "Sons and Daughters of Liberty" do? Why are they important?
The "Sons and Diaghters of Liberty" fought the Revolution in non violent way. The Sons of Liberty did it in more rebellious ways while the Daughters of Liberty produced mass amounts of yarn.
What was the significance of the Enlightenment in America?
The Enlightenment produced the belief that all people had the right to liberty, democracy, republicanism, and religious tolerance. It helped to form the ideas of our Founding Fathers that still affect our country today.
Benjamin Franklin epitomized which movement in colonial America?
The Enlightenment
A historian compared tax lists for the years 1687 and 1771. What changes do you think he found in the Boston of 1771 ompared to the Boston of 1687?
More people, more organized, rebellious feeling, stronger self government, higher taxes, and stronger military presence.
The ideology of revolutionary republicanism?
Revolutionary republicanism was centered on limiting corruption and greed.
The most important consequence of the Boston Tea Party was the
Intolerable Acts
The British response to the American claim of no taxation without representation was that?
Virtual Representation
The Declaratory Act of 1766?
allowed Parliament to completely legislate over the colonies
One accomplishment of the First Continental Congress was to?
organize a colonial boycott of British good starting on December 1, 1774.
During the 1760s and 1770s the most effective Amercan tactic in gaining the repeal of the Stamp and Townshend Acts was?
Boycotting British goods
Townshend Acts was?
a heavy tax on the colonists that was designed to pay colonial officials.
Events in the late 1760s and early 1770s helped to bring about a new consensus in the colonies. What was the consenses?
That America needed to fight for their independence because they were being mistreated by Britain.
What contributed to the American victory in the American Revolution?
French military and financial assistance.
The Declaration of Independence states that
people have the right to abolish governments destructive of their rights.
What was the British strategy after 1778?
seize key southern posts, enlist the aid of loyalist militiamen, and move northward to pacify one region after another.
Why did relations between the elites and the common people change as a resut of the American Revolution?
The elites learned that they would have to treat the common people with respect in order to receive ther support.
What was the role of African-Americans in the American Revolution?
Americans generally avoided arming blacks, but the British eagerly recruited runaway slaves.
Why was South Carolina less likely than Maryland to support the American Revolution?
The South Carolina population had a much higher percentage of blacks than did the Maryland population.
A problem with the Spanish entry into the American Revolution against Britain was that Spain?
Entered as an ally of France rather than of the United States.
What advantages did the colonists have over the British?
Greater commitment to the conflict.
The Treaty of Paris of 1783 stipulated?
British Recognition of American Independence, establishment of the boundaries of the New US from the Atlantic Ocean to the MS River between the great lakes and Spanish Florida, the Americans allow British collection of prewar debts from the colonists, and fishing rights granted off of Newfoundland
General Charles at Yorktown resulted largely from the?
French fleet winning control of the Chesapeake Bay.
Indentured Servants
refer to a seventeenth century labor contract that required service for a period of time in return for passage to North America. Indentured servants normally served a term of 4-7 years, were provided room and board in exchange for labor, and given free status at the end of the contract period. Settlers to pay the expenses of a servant's voyage and be granted land for each person they brought over; headright system
Proprietary Colony
a colony owned by an individual group of people who reported back to the king.
Royal Colony
a colony ruled by a governor appointed by the monarch
Charter Colony
a colony started with a royal charter from the king himself.
Pilgrims/Separatists
religious people who left England so as to escape persecution from King James I. The first Pilgrims came across the Atlantic on the Mayflower and settled near present-day Cape Cod Massachusetts. They set up the first English settlement in North America called Plymouth and established a rough constitution and legal code.
Trade and Navigation Acts
a series laws put into effect by the English government from 1651-1751 to regulate trade in and out of England. The Navigation Act of 1651 went about excluding Dutch merchants from the English colonies and made it to where only English merchant’s ships could bring goods to England or the Americas. The Act of 1660 and the Act of 1663 strengthened the ban on foreign trade, making it to where colonists could export to only England and European exports to the Americas had to go through England first.
Peter Zenger Trial
a trial against a newspaper publisher named Peter Zenger who printed newspapers that opposed policies of the New York governor. The case set the precedent for free press in America. He was defended by Alexander Hamilton and was found not guilty of all crimes
House of Burgesses
the first assembly of elected representatives of English colonists in North America. It was established by the Virginia Company and its first meeting was held in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619.
Mayflower Compact
the contract of government signed by the sixty-seven Puritan migrants from England upon the arrival in North America. The compact used the Puritans’ self-governing religious congregation as the model for its first political structure
King Philip's War
a war that occurred from 1675-1676 between the Puritans and Native Americans. After the English settlers began putting restrictions on the natives, the leader of the Wampanoag people, Metacom, nicknamed King Philip by the English, decided to use military resistance. Fighting broke out and only ended after the English got other Indian tribes (Mohegan and Mohawk) to ambush the Wampanoag and kill Metacom.
Anne Hutchinson
a woman in Massachusetts during the 1630s who held a weekly prayer group for women at her house. She was a firm believer in the preaching’s by John Cotton. Her teachings went against Puritan beliefs (which is who occupied Massachusetts) and the very fact that she was preaching went against Puritan beliefs. She was tried and convicted in 1637 for holding heretical views and was exiled to Rhode Island.
Roger Williams
the minister of the Puritan church in Salem, Massachusetts who wanted the separation of church and state in Plymouth. He and his followers were banished in 1636 and founded Providence, and after receiving a royal charter established the colony of Rhode Island, where there was religious freedom. Challenged New Englanders to completely separate Church from State, as the State would corrupt the Church
Great Puritan Migration
the time from 1620-1640 in which a great number of British Puritans settled in Massachusetts Bay area and West Indies. They came in family groups and were seeking religious freedom.
George Whitefield
the father of the “Great Awakening” that spanned the British colonies in the mid-1700s. He spread the ideas of John Wesley, the founder of English Methodism, to the colonies. Powerful speaker, toured the country and inspired many into Christianity
William Bradford
the leader of the Pilgrims’ voyage to the Americas in 1620. He was the governor of Plymouth colony for 30 years and is credited with the establishment of Thanksgiving.
Iroquois Confederacy
a confederation of five, later six, Indian tribes in upper New York State. The confederation consisted of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca, and later the Tuscarora.
John Locke
an Enlightenment thinker from England. His ideas included that humans are not born with any innate ideas, and that knowledge is only gained through experiences and the senses. He believed that the government was there to maintain control and should interfere as little as possible.
Thomas Hobbes
an Enlightenment thinker who believed that man was inertly evil. He favored an absolutist government. He was the author of Leviathan.
Freedom of Consciences
the freedom of thought which is a basic human right
Jonathan Edwards
a preacher and philosopher in the early American colonies. His views included that men and women were helpless without the guidance of God. His ideas contributed to the Great Awakening in the Americas as well as the Enlightenment. He delivered the a famous sermon that claimed we are “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”. Puritan minister, led revivals, stressed immediate repentance
Bacon's Rebellion
an attack on peaceful Indians that occurred after Berkeley, the governor of Virginia, refused a military commission to Bacon. They chased the governor from the capital and attacked several Indian tribes. Nathaniel Bacon led the attacks, and was arrested for them. This rebellion took much corruption out of the government system.
Headright System
the giving of land to anyone who could pay for their way to the Americas. 50 acres of land was given to those who came over new, and 100 acres was given to people previously living there. They were also given to anyone who would pay the way for indentured servants.
Halfway Covenant
an idea developed by the Puritans to allow more people into the Church. With this, children and grandchildren of church members were given partial membership to the Church without having a conversion experience. With this partial membership, they could be baptized, but could not accept communion or vote. New Englanders who did not wish to relate their conversion experiences could become halfway saints so that their children would be able to have the oppurtunity to be saints
Harvard College
established in 1636, and is the first and oldest university in the United States. It is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was named after John Harvard. In the beginning, only men were allowed to attend.
Salutary Neglect
the Parliament’s allowance of the colonies to not follow parliamentary laws in an attempt to keep them loyal to Great Britain. This allowed the colonies to develop a self-governing system.
Salem Witch Trials
a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts, between February 1692 and May 1693. Despite being generally known as the Salem witch trials, the preliminary hearings in 1692 were conducted in a variety of towns across the province
City on a Hill
The phrase was introduced by John Winthrop. exemplary Christian community, rich t show charity, held to Calvinistic beliefs
William Penn and the Quakers
an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom. Settle in Pennsylvania, believed the "Inner Light" could speak through any person and ran religious srvices without ministers
Middle Passage
the stage of the triangular trade in which millions of people from Africa were shipped to the New World, as part of the Atlantic slave trade. Ships departed Europe for African markets with manufactured goods, which were traded for purchased or kidnapped Africans, who were transported across the Atlantic as slaves; the slaves were then sold or traded for raw materials, which would be transported back to Europe to complete the voyage.
Phyllis Wheatley
the first African-American poet and first African-American woman to publish a book. Born in Senegambia, she was sold into slavery at the age of 7 or 8 and transported to North America.
Puritans
a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries, including, but not limited to, English Calvinists. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England.
Albany Plan
proposed by Benjamin Franklin at the Albany Congress in 1754 in Albany, New York. It was an early attempt at forming a union of the colonies "under one government as far as might be necessary for defense and other general important purposes" during the French and Indian War. Franklin's plan of union was one of several put forth by various delegates of the Albany Congress. Colonies proposed colonial confederation under lighter British rule (crown-appointed president, "Grand Council"); never took effect
James Oglethorpe
a British general, Member of Parliament, philanthropist, and founder of the colony of Georgia. As a social reformer, he hoped to resettle Britain's poor, especially those in debtors' prisons, in the New World.
Mercantilism
the economic doctrine that control of foreign trade is extremely important in ensuring the prosperity and security of the state. It was highly important for Great Britain in the controlling of trade within the colonies, even making them pass the Trade and Navigation Acts in an attempt to monopolize it. Ensured trade with mother country, nationalism; too restrictive on colonial economy, not voted on by colonists
Proclamation of 1763
issued by Great Britain after the acquisition of French territory following the French and Indian War. It was issued in an attempt to organize Great Britain’s new North American empire and to stabilize relations with Native Americans through regulation of trade, settlement, and land purchases on the western frontier.
Boston Tea Party
a protest by the political group The Sons of Liberty in Boston in 1773. The colonists one night, dressed as Indians, got onto three ships in Boston Harbor and threw all the tea into the water in a protest against the Tea Act. Peaceful destruction of British tea in Boston Harbor by colonists disguised as Indians
Battles of Saratoga
the turning point in the American Revolution. The battles were fought on September 19th and October 7th, 1777. General Burgoyne and the British won the first battle, a small victory over General Gates. At the second battle, Americans captured much of the British defenses, causing them to retreat, and after they were surrounded by a larger American army at Saratoga Burgoyne surrendered.
Thomas Paine/Common Sense
a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in which he advocated independence from Great Britain. It helped spread republican ideas of declaring independence. Stressed to the American people British maltreatment and emphasize a need for revolution; appealed to American emotions
Coercive/Intolerable Acts
issued by Great Britain in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party. These acts included the Boston Port Bill, the Administration of Justice Act, the Massachusetts Government Act, and the Quebec Act.
No taxation without representation
a slogan used in 1776 by the colonists in protest to the British government taxing them instead of their elected representatives.
The "Black Legend"
the idea and generalization that the Spanish Conquistadors and Spanish Empire were evil because of their methods of colonizing the Americas
The 3 D's the coastal Native Americans had to endure
disease, death, and discrimination
Bills of Exchange
similar to modern day checks, where in dealing with international affairs a promise was given to pay a certain amount of money at a later time in exchange for goods at that moment.
Gentility
social superiority based on good behavior, manners, and looks.
Radical Whigs
a group associated with the British Whig faction that promoted Radicalism and Republicanism. Their writings that were widely spread throughout the colonies played a major role in the spark of the American Revolution. Most numerous n New England. Fought for independence
Four indirect catalysts for the discovery of the new world
economics, harsh rule, religious freedom, and the Renaissance.
Sir Francis Drake
an English sea captain and politician in the late 1500s. He led the second successful circumnavigation of the world and was second in command of the English fleet against the Spanish Armada.
Sir Walter Raleigh
an English aristocrat in the 1600s. He was in charge of two unsuccessful voyages to the New World in search of El Dorado, or City of Gold, in South America. He helped promote the tobacco in Europe
Laws of Primgeniture
laws that said that the first born son in the family was the one who inherited all the property in the family.
African Diaspora
the communities of the world that are descended from historic movement of peoples from Africa, mainly in the Americas, Europe, and Middle East, predominantly because of slavery.
Tar and Feathering
a form of mob intimidation and revenge used by the early colonists against Customs service employees. The punishment included covering the victim with hot tar and then covering with feathers
John Adams
the second president of the United States and first vice president. He defended the British soldiers who took part in the Boston Massacre. He was a well-known lawyer at the time.
Patrick Henry
delivered the famous “give me liberty or give me death” speech. He fought for America’s freedom and was in full support of the Revolution
George Grenville
a British prime minister that was responsible for passing the Stamp Act. This act greatly upset the colonists and played a huge part in leading to the American Revolution
Sugar Act
an act that was passed by Great Britain and helped lead to the American Revolution. The act put a tax on molasses. Molasses was already supposed to be taxed but Britain was not doing a very good job on collecting the taxes.
Vice Admiralty Court
courts in Britain that did not have a jury and mostly dealt with maritime cases. Judges were given 5% of all confiscated materials, which gave judges a reason to find people guilty
Virtual Representation
a way of justifying the heavy taxes imposed by Grenville. It stated that the colonists were “virtually represented” in Parliament because Parliament did what was best for Parliament and all of its states
Stamp Act Congress
a meeting in October 1765 in New York City that began to devise a unified protest against Britain. It was in direct response to the Stamp Act which was about to be put into effect; agred not to import British goods until the Stamp Act was repealed
Intolerable Acts
a set of 5 acts that were in direct response to the Boston Tea Party. The colonists thought that they violated their rights and was a catalyst in causing the American Revolution
Samuel Adams
one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He helped in leading the movement in what eventually became the American Revolution. He was a Son of Liberty and helped in setting up the Boston Tea Party
The Sons of Liberty
a group of American patriots that fought for the rights of the colonists. They played a large part in causing the American Revolution and were responsible for the Boston Tea Party. Organized and controlled resistance against Parliament in less violent ways (strength of martyrdom), advocated nonimportation
Battle of Concord and Lexington
the first two military battle of the American Revolution. Nobody really won these battles but the colonists were able to move the supplies that the British were trying to take.
The Continental Congress
the governing body of United States during the American Revolution. They met from 1774 to 1789 in three different incarnations. A congress like this had been suggested before, but was not deemed necessary until the British put a blockade in Boston Harbor in response to the Boston Tea Party.
Crisis Papers
a series of pamphlets written by Thomas Paine during the American Revolution. There were a total of 16 pamphlets and they were signed with the pseudonym “Common Sense”. They helped to inspire the Americans to fight the British and that they deserved to be free.
Loyalists/Tories
American colonists that remained loyal to Britain during the American Revolution. About 15-20% of white settlers in North America were loyalists. After Britain was defeated in the American Revolution many loyalists fled to Britain or Canada. Fought for return to colonial rule, usually conservative (educated and wealthy)
Pontiac's Rebellion
a rebellion against the British by several Native Americans tribes led by Ottawa leader Pontiac. They were rebelling because they did not agree with the postwar arrangements made after the French and Indian War. It was a very brutal rebellion that included the British giving the Native Americans blankets that were infected with smallpox
Separatists vs. non-Separatists Puritans
Radical Calvinists against the Church of England; Separatists (Pilgrims) argued for a break from the Church of England, led the Mayflower, and established the settlement at Plymouth
Northwest Passage
believed to promote shortcut from Atlantic to Pacific, searched for by Giovanni de Verrazano for Francis I in the race to Asian wealth
Conversion Experience
required of members of the Puritan Church; took the place of baptism required by the Catholic Church
Social Reciprocity
society naturally punishes criminals indiscriminately
Church of England
Protestant church led by the king of England, independent of Catholic Church; tended toward Catholicism during the reign of Catholic royalty
Atlantic slave trade
often debtors sold to slave traders by African kings seeking riches; Columbian Exchange
Jamestown
first permanent English settlement in the Americas (1607), along James River
John Smith
introduced work ethic to Jamestown colony, sanitation, diplomat to local Native American tribes; had fought Spanish and Turks
Pocahontas
key to English-Native American relationship, died in England in 1617
Mayflower Compact
foundation for self-government laid out by the first Massachusetts settlers before arriving on land
John Winthrop
Calvinist, devised concept of "City on a Hill" ("A Model of Christian Charity"); founded highly successful towns in Massachusetts Bay
Maryland Act of Religious Toleration (1649)
mandated the toleration of all Christian denominations in Maryland, even though Maryland was founded for Catholics (but majority was protestant)
James I, Charles I
reluctant to give colonists their own government, preferred to appoint royal governors
Charles II, James II
tried to rule as absolute monarchs without using Parliament, little to no sympathy for colonial legislatures
William and Mary
ended the Dominion of New England, gave power back to colonies
Dominion of New England
combined Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Plymouth (and late Jersey and New York) into one "supercolony" governed by Sir Edmund Andros, and "supergovernor"
The Glorious Revolution
William and Mary kicked James II out of England "exiled into France", allowed more power to the legislatures
Virginia Resolves
"no taxation wihout representation," introduced by Patrick Henry
Currency Act
prohibited colonies from issuing paper money, destabilized colonial economy
The Loyal Nine
group of Bostonians in opposition to the Stamp Act, sought to drive stamp distributors from the city
Declaratory Act
allowed Parliament to completely legislate over the colonies, limited colonists' say
Tea Act (1773)
intended to save British East India Company from bankruptcy, could sell directly to consumers rather than wholesalers (lower prices to compete with smuggled tea)
Quebec Acts
former French subjects in Canada allowed to keep Catholicism, while American colonists expected to participate in the Church of England
Suffolk Resolves
organize militia, end trade with Britain, refuse to pay taxes in Britain (1774)
Olive Branch Petition
politely demanded from the king a cease-fire in Boston, repeal of Coercive Acts, guarantee of American rights
The Enlightenment
emphasis on human reason, logic, and science (acquired, not nascent, knowledge); increased followers of Christianity
Benjamin Franklin
connected the colonies to Britain, opposed to unnecessary unfair taxation; strong influence on Albany Plan
The Great Awakening
began by Edwards to return to Puritanism, increased overall religious involvement, gave women more active roles in religion, more and more ministers sprouted up throughout the country; mainly affected towns and cities
Deists
believed that God created the universe to act through natural laws; Franklin, Jefferson, Paine
New Lights vs. Old Lights
New Lights brought new ideas, rejected by Old Lights; both sought out institutions independent of each other
George Washington
American commander-in-chief; first president, set precedents for future presidents, put down Whiskey Rebellion (enforced Whiskey Tax), managed first presidential cabinet, carefully used power of executive to avoid monarchial style rule
British strengths and weaknesses
British citizenship outnumbered colonies', large navy and professional army; exhausted resources (Hessians hired), national debt
Colonial strengths and weaknesses
fair amount of troops, short guerilla tactics, strong leaders (Washington); non professional army that could not handle long battles
Valley Forge
scarce supplies (food and clothing), army motivated by von Steuben, Continental victory
Battle of Yorktown
last major battle; surrender of Cornwallis, led King George III to officially make peace with the colonies
American society during the Revolution
British-occupied cities, new governments, fighting by any with experience, loaned money, African-Americans and Native Americans involved
Articles of Confederation
states joined for foreign affairs, Congress reigned supreme (lacked executive and judicial), one vote per state, 2/3 vote for bills, unanimous for amendments; too much power to states, unable to regulate commerce or taxes
Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom (1786)
foundation for First Amendment, offered free choice of religion, not influenced by state
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
defined process for territories to become states (population reached 60,000), forbade slavery in the new territories
Alexander Hamilton
pushed for Assumption (federal government to assume state debts), pushed creation of the National Bank (most controversial), loose interpretation of Constitution, leader of Federalist Party
James Madison
strong central government, separation of powers, "extended republic"
Shays' Rebellion
mistreated farmers, fear of mobocracy, forced people to think about central government; it was an armed uprising led by Daniel Shays over the post war financial depression. They took over the courts armed with weapons
Connecticut Compromise
advocated by Roger Sherman, proposed two independently voting senators per state and representation in the House based on population
Virginia Plan
bicameral congressional representation based on population
New Jersey Plan
equal representation in unicameral congress
Commerce Compromise
congress could tax imports but not exports
Federalism
strong central government provided by power divided between state and national governments, checks and balances, amendable constitution
Changes in the Constitution from the Articles
stronger union of states, equal and population-based representation, simple majority vote (with presidential veto), regulation of foreign and interstate commerce, execution by president, power to enact taxes, federal courts, easier amendment process
Articles' achievement
system for orderly settlement of West
Elastic Clause ("necessary and proper")
gives Congress the power to pass laws it deems necessary to enforce the Constitution
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Anti-Federalists wanted states' rights, bill of rights, unanimous consent, reference to religion, more power to less-rich and common people; Federalists wanted stron central government, more power to experienced, separation of church and state, stated that national government would protect individual rights
The Federalist Papers
written unanimously by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison; commentary on Constituton, republicanism extended over large territory