History 1310 Final Exam

English Reformation

(Also known as the Protestant Reformation) Started by King Henry the 8th breaking from the Catholic Church(1534) He does this because Pope Clement the 7th would not allow him to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon. He changes the English Church to protestant. Over time there are power struggles between catholic rulers and protestant rulers, until Queen Mary comes to power in 1553. ("Bloody Mary") She is a catholic ruler and starts one of the most violent purges of protestants. After her death in 1558 her half sister, Elizabeth takes power. Elizabeth 1 (reigned 1558-1603), established the church of england to be the anglican and executed more than 100 Catholic priests.

Nonimportation Agreements

1768, the boycott to start using homemade goods opposed to British luxuries. This was a symbol of American Resistance and reflected the colonists sacrifice. Eventually the boycott was abandoned due to the need of British goods and the agreement by British ministry to remove troops from Boston and only leaving the tax on tea.

Election of 1860

6 weeks after the first Democratic convention, three delegates were chosen, Douglas, Breckinridge, and Bell. The democratic unity was shattered at this point. As for the Republicans, they chose Lincoln to be their delegate. Two elections took place, for the North it was between Douglas and Lincoln, for the South it was the three candidates. The Election came to an end with a Republican victory by Lincoln

John Quincy Adams

6th president from 1825-1829; served in the Senate and House of Representatives; son of President John Adams; helped formulate the Monroe Doctrine (A statement of foreign policy which proclaimed that Europe should not interfere in affairs within the United States or in the development of other countries in the Western Hemisphere) as Secretary of State; lost his re-election to Andrew Jackson; viewed as one of the greatest diplomats in American history.

Enlightenment

A European intellectual movement of the late 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason and individualism rather than tradition. Influenced by people such as Newton and Locke

Jay Treaty

A convention between the United States and Britain, concluded on Nov. 19, 1794 that was held in London to negotiate treaty to stop impressment. Instead, Justice John Jay made a treaty that got British to evacuate forts in NW territory. This allowed for the British to sell fur on American side of U.S./Canada border and formed two political parties (federalists and anti- federalists). However it Failed to address Indians with guns and the treaty was only for 10 years therefore, playing a large role in leading to the War of 1812 when it wasn't able to be renewed in 1803.

Jackson's "Affair of the Petticoat"

A few weeks after Jackson's inauguration, an incident set Jackson against Calhoun. Led by Calhoun's wife, Washington society women shunned Peggy Eaton, the wife of Jackson's secretary of war. They criticized her for being a tavern keeper's daughter and her alleged easy virtue. Jackson sympathized with Peggy since is wife suffered the same abuse during the campaign of 1828.

Embargo of 1807

A law passed by congress and signed by Thomas Jefferson when he was president, in 1807. During a war between Britain and France, America tried to remain neutral to gain economic profit. However both Britain and France began regulating trade with the United States because of their neutrality. The Embargo Act of 1807 prohibited any ship from leaving the US port for a foreign port. This was Jeffersons misguided attempt at hitting the British economy, however it became an economic disaster for the U.S. This caused Americans to suffer more and the act was repealed in March 1809 and replaced by the Nonintercourse act, which reopened trade with all nations except for Britain and France.

1st Continental Congress

A meeting of delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies that met on September 5 to October 26, 1774 in Philadelphia , Pennslyvania, early in the American Revolution.They decided to demand a repeal of all British laws taxing colonist and banned all trade with Britain. They also advised each colony to form a militia.

Boston Tea Party

A political protest on December 16, 1773. The Sons of Liberty dressed up as Indians and dumped tea into the Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act of 1773. As a result they received cheap and still taxed tea. One of the acts that led to the American Revolution.

Boston Massacre

A riot on March 5, 1770 that occurred in Boston that resulted in 5 being killed. It was the culmination of tensions in the american colonies that had been growing since royal troops first appeared in Massachusetts to enforce the heavy tax burden imposed by the Townshend Acts which the colonist believed was a violation of their constitutional rights. One of the acts that led to the American Revolution

Stamp Act

A tax set in place in 1765 on all sorts of printed material produced in the colonies (newspapers, books, land deeds, etc.) The tax helped finance the cost of stationing British troops in North America. Was the first great drama of the revolutionary era, & first major split between colonists & Great Britain over the meaning of freedom

French and Indian War

A war that took place from 1754- 1763. The last colonial war fought between England and France over the control of the land east of the Mississippi river. England ends up winning which leads to the treaty of paris.

John Brown

Abolitionist John Brown led a small group on a raid against a federal armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia), in an attempt to start an armed slave revolt and destroy the institution of slavery.

Marbury v. Madison

Adams' Judiciary Act of 1789 was labeled unconstitutional and the new Secretary of State James Madison refused to honor Marbury's appointment by Adams.The Supreme Court ended up siding with Madison. In 1803 this gave the Supreme court the right to determine whether a law violates the constitution and set up the principle of the judicial review

Bill of Rights

Adopted in 1791, after Federalists fought for the ratification of the Constitution. They are the first ten amendments to the Constitution written by James Madison. They guarantee individual rights such as freedom of speech and trial by jury. Initially they brought little enthusiasm, but now they are seen as an indispensable expression of American Freedom.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

After American Forces surrounded Mexican Forces and occupied the country's capital, the governments agreed to the treaty in February 1848. The treaty confirmed the annexation of Texas and ceded California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah to the US.

Fort Sumter

After Lincoln's inauguration, he avoided action that could lead to more states succeeding. He swore that if hostilities erupted it would be the south firing first, not the Union. On April 12, 1861 while Lincoln attempted to replenish the food supply at the fort, in succeeded South Carolina, Confederate troops fired. These were the first shots fired in the Civil War.

Mexican American War

After Mexico refused to let the US purchase California, President Polk planned to take military action. In April 1846, Polk ordered American soldiers to move into the disputed area claimed by both countries. This action caused conflict with Mexico so fighting broke out. Polk declared war which was well supported by Americans who favored expansion. The war lasted from 1846-48 and resulted in American Victory. The US gained 6 new states.

Confederate States of America

After the election of 1860, seven states succeeded from the Union because they feared what steps the Republican party would take against slavery. These states formed the Confederate States of America in 1861. The states adopted a constitution and appointed Jefferson Davis as their president. Within months the Civil War broke out between the Confederate and Union.

Whiskey Rebellion

Alexander Hamilton introduced a tax on alcoholic beverages in 1791 that would be used to decrease the war debt and increase the central government's power, called the Whiskey Excise. As a result of the lack of roads in the frontier and its accessibility, whiskey was one of the main currencies. The anger against the tax put the government to a halt and protesters, mainly in Western Pennsylvania, used violence to prevent officials from collecting the tax. In July of 1794, a U.S. marshal arrived in Allegheny, Pennsylvania and was attacked. This marked the beginning of the Whiskey Rebellion. George Washington led an army of 12,000 men to fight the rebellers, yet they all disappeared by the time they arrived. The Whiskey Rebellion demonstrated that the new national government had the willingness and ability to suppress violent resistance to its laws and the whiskey tax was repealed in 1801 when Thomas Jefferson came into power.

Puritans

An English religious group of reformed protestants, sought to purify the Church of England. In 1630, under John Winthrop, founded Massachusetts Bay

King Philip's War

An Indian Uprising in 1675 against the colonists for taking up their land. The colonists were almost pushed back all the way to the Atlantic Coast, but ultimately the war ended with the colonists having more freedom and access to land.

Coercive Acts

An act passed in 1774 as a punishment in response to the Boston Tea Party. The parliament took measures that forced colonies to pay for the tea, disallowed colonial trial of British soldiers, forced quartering of troops and reduced the number of elected officials in Massachusetts.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement between North and South states reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It counted slaves as 3/5 of a person when determining each states representation in the House of Representatives and its electoral votes for President. This clause gave the South much more power and higher representation in the house and electoral college

Bacon's Rebellion

An unsuccessful armed rebellion in 1676 by Virginia settlers led by Nathaniel Bacon against the rule of Governor William Berkeley. This rebellion was due to settlers being angry that their land was unprotected from native americans. The revolt failed, because of Bacon's death of disease in a tent from "Bloody flux". British army had to restore order. This was the end of an indentured servent work force and slaves began being utilized as a cheaper from of servitude.

Underground Railroad

As slaves began to start resisting slavery in the 1840s, more and more began to runaway. The fugitive slaves were said to flee to free black communities, Indian reserves, and sometimes to the North. A passage of escape that many of these slaves took was the underground railroad. It was a loose organization of abolitionists who hid fugitives in their homes then sent them to the next station. Harriet Tubman was a leading figure during this time, making several trips to save slaves.

Frederick Douglas

Born into slavery in 1818, Douglas learned to read and write before escaping to the North. He became a major figure of abolition, the drama of emancipation, and the efforts of the reconstruction period. Later he would be active in women's suffrage.

New Spain

By 1600, New Spain was a vast empire across the now American South and Southwest, the first region to be colonized was Florida. The area initially failed to attract settlers so it remained a military settlement until 1598

Dred Scott Decision

Dred Scott Decision Dred Scott accompanied his owner to both Illinois and Wisconsin where slavery had been abolished. After returning to Missouri, he sued for his freedom claiming the residence on free soil made him free. The case was taken to Supreme Court where it was declared that Dred Scott was not a citizen and had no rights in 1857. The Court was stacked with pro-slavery judges. The Republican platform for restricting slavery expansion was declared unconstitutional

Trail of Tears

During 1838-39, s part of Andrew Jackson's Indian removal policy, the Cherokee tribes was forced to give up their land and move to present day Oklahoma. This journey was called the Trail of Tears due to its devastating effects.

Caribbean Slave System

During the 17th century Britain shipped Africans across the Atlantic Ocean in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Africans were forcibly brought to British owned colonies in the Caribbean and sold as slaves to work on large sugar cane plantations.

Temperance Movement

During the 19th and early 20th century, an effort to encourage moderation or abstinence of intoxicating liquor. The behavior brought on by alcohol was viewed as ungodly and immoral. Many women who experienced the effects of drinking by their men participated in the movement. The temperance led to prohibition laws which ultimately failed.

Manifest Destiny

During the 19th century, United States had a divine mission to occupy all of North America. Westward expansion and market revolution reinforced the idea of freedom. By expanding west the United States could achieve economic independence and not go down the same path of fixed social classes and large group of poor like Europe had.

Jackson's War with the Bank

During the Age of Jackson, Jackson was determined to end the bank since he distrusted the bank for solely profiting off the labor of others. When the head of the bank, Nicholas Biddle, persuaded Congress to create a bill that would extend the bank for 20 more years in 1832, Jackson exercised his power as president. Jackson vetoed the bill, making him the first president to use the veto power. The bank war led to Jackson enhancing the power of the president.

Mercantilism

During the age of Colonization.A policy by Great Britain and other imperial powers which regulates the economies of the colonies to benefit the mother country. Could only trade with the mother country.

Uncle Tom's Cabin

During the antislavery movement, former slaves began to share stories of their time in bondage. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote the novel which became the most influential piece of antislavery literature. The book was published in 1852. The novel gave the abolitionist message a powerful human appeal

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

During the time of 1798-1799 both the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions, written by Madison and Jefferson attacked the Alien & Sedition Acts, stating that they were an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment.Virginia called on the federal courts to protect free speech and the Kentucky asserted that states could nullify laws of Congress that violated the Constitution.These Resolutions abolished Adams' unconstitutional Alien & Sedition Acts, and protected the people from the government having too much control over them

John C. Calhoun

Elected Vice President in 1828 under Andrew Jackson. Calhoun sought to protect the interests of the South as it fell behind in population and political power. After the Tariff of 1828, which effected the South especially South Carolina more than the North, he drafted an Exposition and Protest. The essay called for the nullification of any law that impinged on the South's interests. He continued to be a moderate figure of the nullification crisis and became a defender of the slave-plantation system

Abolition Movement

From the 1830s-1870s, the movement attempted to achieve emancipation of all slaves and end racial segregation and discrimination.

Townshend Duties

In 1767, British Parliament passed on the Townshend acts. One act placed tax on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea imported to the colonies. This reignited the colonists anger towards Britain.

Treaty of Paris, 1783

In 1783, 2 years after the Battle at Yorktown, American and British negotiators came together and concluded the war with the Treaty of Paris. It recognized the American Independence, their control of the land, and their right to fish in the Atlantic waters. As a request from the British, the Americans agreed to not prosecute the loyalists and promised to return their property that had been seized.

Haitian Revolution

In 1791, a slave revolution broke out in Saint Domingue. An educated slave, Toussaint L'Ouverture, formed an army of rebellious slaves to defeat British forces and seize the island. 500,000 Haitian slaves revolted against their masters, 90% slave population. In 1801, France sent 20,000 troops but only 3000 returned because of yellow fever and mosquitos, along with the slaves. This was the only slave revolt in history to work and led to Haiti being established in 1804 and also led to Napoleon selling the Louisiana Purchase to America.

Whitney's Cotton Gin

In 1794, U.S.-born inventor Eli Whitney patented the cotton gin, a machine that revolutionized the production of cotton by greatly speeding up the process of removing seeds from cotton fiber. By the mid-19th century, cotton had become America's leading export. Cotton growing became so profitable for the planters that it greatly increased their demand for both land and slave labor.

Louisiana Purchase

In 1803, during T. Jefferson's presidency, the Louisiana Territory was purchased from Spain to ensure that the US had access to the port of the New Orleans and could trade without any interference. Napoleon Bonaparte chose to sell the territory for $15 million, in which Jefferson purchased despite the fact that the Constitution mentioned nothing about purchasing territory. This new territory would double the size of the United States, being the greatest real estate bargain

Battle of the Alamo

In 1820, Mexico allowed Americans to colonize their land and bring along their slaves despite Mexico's abolishment of slavery. By 1830, the American settlers were bringing disruption and causing Mexico to lose grip of the area. In an attempt to gain control, Santa Anna sent an army to impose authority which caused a revolt. On March 6, 1836, Santa Anna stormed the mission and killed every American and Tejano that was defending the Alamo. This would ignite the flame for Texas Independence

William Lloyd Garrison

In 1831, William Lloyd Garrison published a weekly journal titled The Liberator in Boston. Through his journal abolitionism was able to have a voice. The abolitionists made their messages known and quickly gained popularity.

La Amistad

In 1839, 53 illegally purchased African slaves being transported from Cuba aboard the Spanish-built schooner Amistad staged a successful mutiny. They were later intercepted by an American brig off the coast of Long Island and thrown in jail. While President Martin Van Buren was among those who favored extraditing the Africans to Cuba, they were eventually allowed a trial, and a federal district court judge ruled they were not liable for their actions. Former president John Quincy Adams argued on behalf of the slaves when the appeal was brought before the U.S. Supreme Court, which eventually determined the Africans to be free men.

Free Soil Party

In 1848, opponents of slavery expansion organized the party and nominated Martin Van Buren for President. Their platform called for slavery not being expanded into the western territory and for the government to provide free homesteads for settlers in the west. The party had popular appeal by northerners that far exceeded the abolitionists. By 1854, many of the members joined the Republican party.

Compromise of 1850

In 1850, Senator Henry Clay offered a plan with four provisions which came to be known as the Compromise of 1850. It allowed California to be entered into the Union as a free state. The slave trade, not slavery itself would be abolished in the capital. A new law would allow southerners to reclaim runaway slaves. And the white inhabitants in the territories acquired from Mexico would determine the status of slavery. In addition, the US would pay off the debt Texas had accumulated while independent. This was an attempt to resolve differences among the sections.

Emancipation Proclamation

In 1862, Lincoln realized emancipation was a necessity due to the lack of military success. He hoped the emancipated slaves could meet the army's man power needs and change northern public opinion. His first attempt to announce the proclamation backfired, so he tried again January 1, 1863. The proclamation could not liberate all slaves, only a few

New York Draft Riots

In 1863, Congress passed a law making all men from between ages 20-45 liable for military service. The law led to violent riots in New York by the working class.

Battle of New Orleans

In January of 1815, after the British signed the Treaty of Ghent, the Battle of New Orleans took place. It was the last part of a three pronged invasion. The American victory was led by Andrew Jackson who managed to fight off the British with his forces and free men of color. This victory was able to grant America access to the port of New Orleans that had been blocked off.

Monroe Doctrine

In a routine annual message delivered to Congress by President James Monroe in December 1823, the doctrine warns European nations that the United States would not tolerate further colonization or puppet monarchs.

Fugitive Slave Law of 1850

In an attempt to resolve the differences between the sections, the Compromise of 1850 was created. The compromise issued a new slave law. The law allowed federal commissioners to decide the fate of fugitives without a jury trial or testimony. The law prohibited local authorities to interfere with the capturing of slaves, in which the south supported since they could ensure return of their slaves. This law only further widened sectional divisions

Compromise of 1820

In an effort to preserve the balance of power in Congress between slave and free states, the Missouri Compromise was passed in 1820 admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. ... In 1854, the Missouri Compromise was repealed by the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Consumer Revolution

In the 1730's- 1740's ( 18th century) As a result of new manufacturing techniques goods became more affordable. Americans, no matter what economic or social background, were buying more "luxurious" items than before. This helped boost the economy and population.

Federalist Party

In the 1790's it was one of the two first national political parties; led by George Washington, John Adams, and Alexander Hamilton and favored a strong central government. This party consisted of merchants, farmers, lawyers and political leaders who rested on deference of authority. They opposed a war with Britain and were disbanded after the war began and the Democratic-Rebublican party became more prominent in the early 1800's

Revolution of 1800

Jefferson beat Adams in the election, with 73 electoral votes to Adams' 65. Jefferson and Burr both received 73 electoral votes because one of the electors forgot to throw their vote away, so it went to the HoR and for 35 ballots, neither man received the majority of the votes. Hamilton showed his support for Jefferson and that led to Jefferson's victory. To avoid repetition, Congress passed the 12th Amendment, requiring electors to cast separate votes for president and vice president.If Hamilton hadn't intervened, Jefferson might not have become president. Later on, Burr killed Hamilton in a duel and eventually committed treason and was exiled to Europe. Marked the end of the Federalist party

Election of 1824

John Quincy Adams was elected President on February 9, 1825, after the election was decided by the House of Representatives. The previous few years had seen a one-party government in the United States, as the Federalist Party had dissolved, leaving only the Democratic-Republican Party. In this election, the Democratic-Republican Party splintered as four separate candidates sought the presidency.

Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854

Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 In 1854, Stephen A. Douglas sponsored the law to allow settlers in newly organized territories to decide for themselves if they wanted their state to be free or slave. The law repealed the Missouri Compromise leading to violence in Kansas and the creation of the Republican party

Robert E. Lee

Lee played a part in the Mexican-American War, Harper's Ferry, but is most known for his part in The American Civil War. He was a commanding general of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia from 1862 until his surrender in 1865.

Era of Good Feelings

Monroe's two terms in office were often called the Era of Good Feelings. Described around the time between 1815-1825. This period has often been called the ERA OF GOOD FEELINGS due to its one-party dominance, in fact, Democratic-Republicans were deeply divided internally and a new political system was about to be created from the old Republican-Federalist competition that had been known as the FIRST PARTY SYSTEM. There was a distinct focus on unity during this period of time.

Nat Turner's Rebellion

On August 22, 1831 a slave rebel and is followers moved from farm to farm assaulting the white inhabitants. Militia came and ended the revolt in which 80 slaves had joined. Turner and other rebels were captured and condemned to die. The revolt caused the south to go into panic leading to many slaves being whipped and executed. New laws were put into place to control the institution.

Hartford Convention

On December 15, 1814, this was a secret meeting in Hartford, Connecticut, of Federalist delegates from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont who were dissatisfied with Pres. James Madison's mercantile policies and the progress of the War of 1812 ("Mr. Madison's War"), as well as long resentful over the balance of political power that gave the South, particularly Virginia, effective control of the national government.

Battle of Gettysburg

On July 3, 1863 confederate forces led by Pickett marched across an open field toward the Union Army. Artillery and riffle fire met the charge. Most of Pickett's men never reached Union lines. The Confederate forces retreated to Virginia and never set foot on Northern land again. The battle resulted in a Union victory.

"Bleeding Kansas"

Once the Kansas-Nebraska Act overturned the Missouri Compromise, it became up to the state to decide if they would be a free or slave state. Pro and antislavery settlers flooded Kansas to try and gain control of the state. By 1856 numerous violent confrontations broke out. The state would later become a free state.

Stephen Austin

Original settler of Texas, granted land from Mexico on condition of no slaves, convert to Roman Catholic, and learn Spanish, Original settler of Texas, granted land from Mexico on condition of no slaves, convert to Roman Catholic, and learn Spanish, Austin, Texas was named after him; he was the man the brought the first Americans into Texas because he was granted permission by the Mexicans. Leader of Texas settlers in 1820.

Empresarios

Person who arranged for the settlement of land in Texas during the 1800s, they had cheap land as long as they obeyed mexican law and followed catholic religion

Planter Class

Planters values and aspirations dominated southern life. Their ownership of slaves ensured them wealth, status and influence in the south. Planters controlled the most fertile land, enjoyed the highest incomes, and dominated the political parties.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right for the people to keep and bear arms. The Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights that were adopted into the US Constitution on December 15, 1791. This Amendement was influenced by the English Bill of Rights of 1689. The right was supported because the people believed they had a natural rights of self-defense, resistance to oppression, and the civic duty to act in defense of the state. Like the rest of the Bill of Rights, they are still part of the Constitution today.

Shay's Rebellion

Shay's Rebellion happened from 1786-1787 in Western Massachusetts and was led by Daniel Shay. The rebellion occurred because crowds of farmers were going to get there land taken away by not paying taxes. All 13 states were affected and the national government showed weakness by not having the power to send an army to the states. This led to the creation of the U.S Constitution.

Siege of Yorktown

Siege of Yorktown On October 19, 1781, Washington rushed his forces to block a British escape by land while a French fleet controlled the mouth of the Chesapeake. The British forces in Yorktown, led by Cornwallis, were surrounded by American and French forces. As a result, Cornwallis surrendered his 8,000 men. This finally ended the war with Britain, and couldn't have been accomplished without the help of the French and the Dutch. America was finally a completely independent nation from Britain.

New France

Starting in 1608, France settled along the St. Lawrence, Mississippi, and Ohio Rivers. Their efforts were to establish trade and good relations with the Indians, focused on the fur trade. By 1700, had a larger population than England.

13th Amendment

The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution officially abolished slavery in America, and was ratified on December 6, 1865, after the conclusion of the American Civil War. The amendment states: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."

15th Amendment

The 15th Amendment, granting African-American men the right to vote, was formally adopted into the U.S. Constitution on March 30, 1870. Passed by Congress the year before, the amendment reads: "the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." Despite the amendment, by the late 1870s, various discriminatory practices were used to prevent African Americans from exercising their right to vote, especially in the South. After decades of discrimination, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that denied blacks their right to vote under the 15th Amendment.

st Amendment

The First Amendment (along with the rest of the Bill of Rights) was submitted to the states for ratification on September 25, 1789, and adopted on December 15, 1791. It was written by James Madison. It stated that citizens have a right to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of press, and freedom of assembly. Congress is not allowed to do anything that will violate these rights.

Great Migration

The Great Migration started in 1629 and ended in 1642. There were a total of 21,000 puritan separatists traveling on 5 ships. They sailed from England to Massachusetts to promote puritanism and make good relations and trade with the indians. This was the basis of a stable, thriving society.

Treaty of Paris, 1763

The Treaty of Paris of 1763 ended the French and Indian War between Great Britain and France, as well as their respective allies. In the terms of the treaty, France gave up all its territories in mainland North America, effectively ending any foreign military threat to the British colonies there.

Battles of Lexington and Concord

The battles of Lexington and Concord initiated the Revolutionary War between the American colonists and the British. British governor Thomas Gage sent troops to Concord to stop the colonists who were loading arms. The next day, on April 19, 1775, the first shots were fired in Lexington, starting the war. The battles resulted in a British retreat to Boston

Articles of Confederation

The first written constitution for the United States, written by John Dickinson. It was drafted by Congress in 1777, then ratified by the states in 1781, and stayed in effect till 1788. It attempted to balance authority while maintaining liberty. It provided a weak central government and was soon replaced by the Constitution in 1789, which provided a much stronger national government as well as the creation of a president, taxing powers and courts.

Manumission

The manumission act (1782) was an act allowing individual owners to free their slaves. Within a decade, planters had released 10,000 slaves

Jackson's "Spoils System"

The spoils system was a method of appointing officials to the government of the United States of America based on political connections rather than on impersonal measures of merit. The name was derived from the phrase "to the victor go the spoils".

Wilmot Proviso

The status of slavery had been settled for the Louisiana Territory but reopened for the new land. In 1848, Congressman David Wilmot proposed a resolution that called for the prohibition of slavery in all newly acclaimed territory from Mexico. Northerners supported it while southerners opposed. It passed the house but failed the senate.

French Revolution's "Terror" Phase

This was the most violent period of the French Revolution, between September 1793 and July 1794. The government, dominated by Robespierre, used regular executions to eliminate perceived enemies of the Revolution -- Many thousands were killed, including the Girondins and Marie Antoinette, before the fall of Robespierre brought it to an end.

Middle Passage

This was the part of the triangular trade in which millions of people from Africa were shipped to the New World as part of the Atlantic slave trade. The living conditions were extremely poor and many did not survive. The total number of African deaths directly attributable to the Middle Passage voyage is estimated at up to two million; 1/5 died before reaching the new world. caused africa to destablize; it was called the middle passage it was the second ( or middle) stop in the traingular trading routes linking europe, africa, and america. majority of these slaves landed in brazil or the west indies

Chesapeake Tobacco Economy

Tobacco in the American Colonies. Tobacco cultivation and exports were an essential component of the American colonial economy during the 17th and 18th centuries. Tobacco plantations were distinct from other cash crops in terms of agricultural demands, trade, slave labor, and plantation culture.

King Cotton

Under Davis, the south attempted to become more centralized by raising armies, controlling railroads, and building manufacturing plants. They failed to find a way to utilize the cotton so they tried to suppress production. They hoped Great Britain would intervene and aid the south since their textile mills operated on southern cotton. This backfired when Britain went to other countries for their cotton needs. The south became oversupplied with cotton, driving down its price.

Valley Forge

Valley Forge was the military camp northwest of Philadelphia where the American Continental Army spent the winter of 1777-78 during the American Revolutionary War. The poor conditions included little food, poor shelter, no shoes, and scarlet fever which caused thousands of soldiers to die and many others just deserted. However, the significance of valley forge is that Washington was able to raise a great army despite their tough circumstances.

Constitutional Convention

Was held from May 25 until September 17, 1787. It was a Meeting in Philadelphia of representatives from 12 colonies (excluding Rhode Island). It Aimed to revise the existing articles of confederation to improve the government. Instead produced an entirely new constitution that set up 3 branches: legislative, executive, and judiciary

XYZ Affair

XYZ Affair During John Adams' administration, tension between the United States and France increased. The French seized over 300 American ships, usually taking the cargo and would sometimes even force Americans to become French sailors. In order to try to prevent an outbreak of war, an American diplomat was sent to France in July of 1797 to negotiate the current issues.The French officials initialed X, Y, and Z responded by demanding bribes and loans before negotiation began. As a result, an undeclared naval war occurred from 1798 until 1800, known as the Quasi-War.

Battle of Saratoga

an 18 day period of two battles, Battle of Freeman's Farm and Battle of Bemis Heights that took place in New York from September 17 to October 7, 1777 and the final surrender was October 17, 1777.The British were outnumbered and were forced to surrender. The colonist victory was a turning point in the war because it inspired the French to help the colonists fight the British

Jamestown Settlement

founded in 1607, it was the first permanent English settlement, sponsored by the Virginia Company who originally had the intention of searching for gold and exploiting the natural resources, but in time became a settlement, with 104 male settlers.

Salem Witch Trials

series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. About 19 people were killed after being convicted by the very puritan church who believed they were committing works of the devil.

14th Amendment

the 14th Amendment, guaranteeing to African Americans citizenship and all its privileges, is officially adopted into the U.S. Constitution. Two years after the Civil War, the Reconstruction Acts of 1867 divided the South into five military districts, where new state governments, based on universal manhood suffrage, were to be established. Thus began the period known as Radical Reconstruction, which saw the 14th Amendment, which had been passed by Congress in 1866, ratified in July 1868.

Quasi-War

was an undeclared naval war between the Americans and French. from 1798 until 1800.If an American ship was about to be seized, it could shoot back at the French. It grew out of the XYZ Affair and ended when French politics changed direction after Napoleon came into power.

Anti- Federalists

were people in the late 1780's that opposed the ratification of the Constitution and insisted that it gave too much power to the federal courts/ the government. They were important because Anti-Federalists pointed out that the Constitution lacked a Bill of Rights, which Madison promised to enact and did, in 1789