US 1 Exam 1
Pilgrims
Later dubbed the "Pilgrims," the settlers of Plymouth were Puritans, but they were also considered Radical Separatists -- Decided to leave Holland and go to the New World in 1620 via joint-stock venture
The Puritan Migration
a stream of migration from England across the Atlantic. Outpouring of tens of thousands of Puritans from the 1620s into the 1640s to the colonies -- we study New England because Puritanism was dominant there -want religious tolerance
"Model of Christian Charity"
Speech by John Winthrop shows the values of communal ethic, god-centered community, & the covenant (which if they upheld God would swoop in to help them) -- Winthrop wanted one Puritan community centered in Boston & ruled by Puritan leaders w/ unified Puritan practices (ironic bc they wanted religious freedom to be Puritan but everyone else is not to question Puritanism)
Articles of Confederation
first U.S. constitution (1781-89), which served as a bridge between the initial government by the Continental Congress of the Revolutionary period and the federal government provided under the U.S. Constitution of 1787. Because the experience of overbearing British central authority was vivid in colonial minds, the drafters of the Articles deliberately established a confederation of sovereign states. The Articles were written in 1776-77 and adopted by the Congress on Nov. 15, 1777. However, the document was not fully ratified by the states until March 1, 1781.
James Madison
fourth president of the United States (1809-17) and one of the Founding Fathers of his country. At the Constitutional Convention (1787), he influenced the planning and ratification of the U.S. Constitution and collaborated with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay in the publication of the Federalist papers. As a member of the new House of Representatives, he sponsored the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, commonly called the Bill of Rights (thought bill of rights was redundant or pointless)
Sugar Act
(1764) -revenue act on sugar, indigo, coffee, wine, textiles in U.S. colonial history, British legislation aimed at ending the smuggling trade in sugar and molasses from the French and Dutch West Indies and at providing increased revenues to fund enlarged British Empire responsibilities following the French and Indian War. Actually a reinvigoration of the largely ineffective Molasses Act of 1733, the Sugar Act provided for strong customs enforcement of the duties on refined sugar and molasses imported into the colonies from non-British Caribbean sources.
Stamp Act
(1765) -reaction: most bitterness from colonists in U.S. colonial history, first British parliamentary attempt to raise revenue through direct taxation of all colonial commercial and legal papers, newspapers, pamphlets, cards, almanacs, and dice. The devastating effect of Pontiac's War (1763-64) on colonial frontier settlements added to the enormous new defense burdens resulting from Great Britain's victory (1763) in the French and Indian War. The British chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir George Grenville, hoped to meet at least half of these costs by the combined revenues of the Sugar Act (1764) and the Stamp Act, a common revenue device in England. Completely unexpected was the avalanche of protest from the colonists, who effectively nullified the Stamp Act by outright refusal to use the stamps as well as by riots, stamp burning, and intimidation of colonial stamp distributors. Colonists passionately upheld their rights as Englishmen to be taxed only by their own consent through their own representative assemblies, as had been the practice for a century and a half.
Shays Rebellion
(August 1786-February 1787), uprising in western Massachusetts in opposition to high taxes and stringent economic conditions. Armed bands forced the closing of several courts to prevent execution of foreclosures and debt processes. In September 1786 Daniel Shays and other local leaders led several hundred men in forcing the Supreme Court in Springfield to adjourn. Shays led a force of about 1,200 men in an attack (January 1787) on the federal arsenal at Springfield, which was repulsed. Pursued by the militia, on February 4 he was decisively defeated at Petersham and fled to Vermont. As a result of the rebellion, the Massachusetts legislature enacted laws easing the economic condition of debtors. Though small in scale and easily repressed, Shays's action became, for some, a persuasive argument for a stronger and conservative national government, thereby contributing to the movement for the Constitutional Convention.
Indentured Servants
-They made up ⅔ of the 17th century English migrants--often, they had no basic necessities like clothing--often lost their children in the trade & faced native attacks, mistreatment, and abuse -Obliged to contracted service, usually for between 4&7 years, but if you were a skilled tradesman you would typically serve less--contracts were drafted before the voyage and could be lengthened due to certain circumstances (servants surrendered a great deal of their freedoms to take part in the process)--once the servants made it to the colonies, buyers would purchase the contracts, thereby purchasing the surveys ***Servants could earn their freedom & receive "freedom dues" which were something you were owed in order to supplement new freedom (like food, clothing, & sometimes land) -- often met with frustrated ambitions b/c even if you outlived your contract, you still ended at the bottom of the social ladder
joint-stock company
-a forerunner of the modern corporation that was organized for undertakings requiring large amounts of capital. -Money was raised by selling shares to investors, who became partners in the venture. -One of the earliest joint-stock companies was the Virginia Company, founded in 1606 to colonize North America. -By law, individual shareholders were not responsible for actions undertaken by the company, and, in terms of risk exposure, shareholders could lose only the amount of their initial investment. -"Shared risk shared reward"
The Virginia Company of London
-joint stock co. that funded exploration and creation of Jamestown (1607) -a private business organization whose shareholders included merchants, aristocrats, and members of Parliament, and to which the queen had given her blessing before her death in 1603 -- they sponsored the voyage from England to the Chesapeake Bay in 1607
Tobacco
-persistence of the VA colony relied on Tobacco -- the successful growing occurred around 1610 b/c it was well-suited for VA land & there was a demand for it on English soil. -John Rolfe, an important grower in VA who married Pocahontas, experimented with strains of tobacco & was one of the first to release marketable strands
Sons of Liberty
-voluntary protester groups -boycotts and crowd protest The secret society was formed to protect the rights of the colonists and to fight taxation by the British government. They played a major role in most colonies in battling the Stamp Act in 1765. The group officially disbanded after the Stamp Act was repealed. However, the name was applied to other local separatist groups during the years preceding the American Revolution
Jamestown
1607 established by VA Co. of London -named after King James of England, the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. -early stage just a fortified camp -Chosen because colonists did not want to be vulnerable to enemies and wanted resources to settle (needed access to freshwater & a travel route -- ended up choosing the James river for its access to the Chesapeake Bay and the added security) -However, there were a good deal of issues with Jamestown including: the type of immigrants colonizing the area (rich youngest son and jewelry makers no fit for colony work), agriculture and crops, native relations & war, disease & lifespan, and government (VA Co. has sovereignty) gender imbalance
Headright System
1617 -one of the first government reforms in VA in an attempt to attract new settlers, it powerfully shaped VA's development as a functioning society rather than an outpost of London-based investors. -property rights of head of family -Awarded 50 acres of land to any colonist who paid for his own or another's passage. -Thus, anyone who brought in a sizable number of servants would immediately acquire a large estate -- if you were a preexisting free person in 1617, Virginia company awarded you 2 headrights (100 acres)
House of Burgesses
1619 -the first elected assembly in colonial America. When a "charter of grants and liberties" was issued to replace the governor's militaristic regime--which included the establishment of the House. -Hardly a model of democracy--only freemen could vote, and the company and its appointed governor retained the right to nullify any measure the body adopted -government for the rich by the rich -VA Co. can still make laws but they can't defy the English Common Law
Royal Colony of Virginia
1624 -more or less a failed experiment -- 6000 people were sent but only 1200 people were left a year later. Many spoke poorly of the company and wanted the King to pull their charter so it became a royal colony Royal colonies require: -a royal governor is elected by the King to enforce law -elected assembly remains to make the laws -Anglican Church of England was enforced as the official religion
Massachusetts Bay Colony
1629-charter also founded by the Puritans a decade after Plymouth (1630), created by a huge group of 600+ colonists-- created under the 1629 the Charter -- Characterized by strict Anglican enforcement & hard times in England (wanted to expand the idea of a Puritan settlement) -- Governed by John Winthrop 1630-leave England and arrive in colony
The Navigation Acts
1651- Passed through Parliament under Oliver Cromwell -- aimed to wrest control of world trade from the Dutch, whose merchants profited from free trade with all parts of the world and all existing empires 1660 and 1663-additional measures followed England's new economic policy, mercantilism, rested on the idea that England should monopolize the profits arising from the English empire. -trade only carried by English ships dominated by English crews -key goods only to England-sugar, tobacco, ginger, dye woods -enforced by custom agents -ways in which trade was regulated and restricted (affects colonial producers and consumers)
The Declaratory Act
1766 -declaration by the British Parliament that accompanied the repeal of the Stamp Act. -It stated that the British Parliament's taxing authority was the same in America as in Great Britain. Parliament had directly taxed the colonies for revenue in the Sugar Act (1764) and the Stamp Act (1765). Parliament mollified the recalcitrant colonists by repealing the distasteful Stamp Act -but it actually hardened its principle in the Declaratory Act by asserting its complete authority to make laws binding on the American colonies "in all cases whatsoever." [a big "f off" to the colonists] -colonists are children --> depend and are subordinate to England
Townshend Revenue Acts
1767 in U.S. colonial history, series of four acts passed by the British Parliament in an attempt to assert what it considered to be its historic right to exert authority over the colonies through suspension of a recalcitrant representative assembly and through strict provisions for the collection of revenue duties. -The British American colonists named the acts after Charles Townshend, who sponsored them. -Revenue Acts that taxed paper, glass, lead, paint, & tea -- used the funds to pay royal governors, judges appointed by King, and any crown appointees as well as defense b/c English government thought the colonists would be more approving if their tax dollars went to colonial affairs
Boston Massacre
1770 -skirmish between British troops and a crowd in Boston, Massachusetts. -Widely publicized, it contributed to the unpopularity of the British regime in much of North America in the years before the American Revolution. -An armed clash where soldiers open-fired on protesters. -five people dead -colonists had sticks -most likely: soldier pushed and accidentally fired -It didn't unfold as many publications (including the famed illustrations by Paul Revere) depicted, but it didn't matter to the colonists, who were already angry. -Part of the problem with Boston was that it was chosen by England to be made an example of because their Sons of Liberty was so well-organized & active
Boston Tea Party
1773 -British East India Company: too much tea not enough buyers -British government lets company go directly from India to colonies --> lowers cost -->such low price shuts out competition incident in which 342 chests of tea belonging to the British East India Company were thrown from ships into Boston Harbor by Sons of Liberty disguised as Mohawk Indians. The Americans were protesting both a tax on tea (taxation without representation) and the perceived monopoly of the East India Company [wanted to show their displeasure with the King]. A gigantic act of Civil Disobedience, which was witnessed and approved of by many.
Coercive Acts
1774 -The Intolerable Acts represented an attempt to reimpose strict British control over the American colonies, but, after 10 years of vacillation, the decision to be firm had come too late. -Rather than cowing Massachusetts and separating it from the other colonies, the oppressive measures became the justification for convening the First Continental Congress later in 1774. -Boston Port Bill, closing that city's harbour until restitution was made for the destroyed tea to East India Co. -Government Act: annulled Carter and prohibited most town meetings -New Quartering Act: colony to build barracks -Justice Act: allowed the transfer of trials from Boston to capital
Annapolis Convention
1786 -in U.S. history, regional meeting in Maryland that was an important rallying point in the movement toward a federal convention to address the inadequate Articles of Confederation -mid Atlantic states sent their representatives to agree on trading rules and taxing -want to do this again but for all states and talk about more than just economics (Econ. and gov.) -fears generated by lower class dissent (lower class angry at elites)
The Virginia Plan
Madison had an ambitious plan to scrap the Articles of Confederation and focus on creating a new government -- proposed 3 branches: executive, judicial, & legislative (bicameral legislature -- lower house would be popularly elected & upper house chosen by state legislatures [**compromise between democracy & shielded vote**]) -- national representation based on population -- executive & judicial officers appointed by legislature -- plan gave more power to larger states, especially those which owned slaves
The Connecticut Compromise
Roger Sherman of Connecticut -- proportional representation in the House -- Equal Representation in the Senate
Quakers
Tied to "Society of Friends" in 1647. Had an itinerant preacher [travelling around England] that wanted to simplify Christianity and return to the practices of the New Testament; believed in the "inner light", wore plain clothing, opposed priesthood, denied the sacraments, refused to pay tithes or swear oaths, & were pacifists -- believed in the radical rejection of social hierarchy -- "we are all equal & have divine enlightenment" **Linked to William Penn
The Plymouth Colony
Until 1619-independent colony Cape Cod landing made it the first settlement in N. England -- Surviving the winter was their first huge challenge -- made an Indian alliance w/ the Wampanoag (Not necessarily 100% positive relationship, but definitely better than the Virginians) --- the Indians were harshly affected by diseases & rivaling tribes battling for land -- Squanto, a captured Native who learned English, basically taught the Pilgrims to survive 1621- celebrates surviving winter with thanksgiving
New Amsterdam
established 1624 on Island of Manhattan -- Multicultural b/c the Dutch were very tolerant -- part of New Netherland which eventually became New York under King James II
Dutch West India Company
established in 1621, concerned with going from Europe westward through Asia to North America
Anti-federalists
did not support patriot movement -- didn't want tyranny (small farmers in more isolated rural areas)
"Salutary Neglect"
policy of the British government from the early to mid-18th century regarding its North American colonies under which trade regulations for the colonies were laxly enforced and imperial supervision of internal colonial affairs was loose as long as the colonies remained loyal to the British government and contributed to the economic profitability of Britain. This "salutary neglect" contributed involuntarily to the increasing autonomy of colonial legal and legislative institutions, which ultimately led to American independence. -for many years English government left the colonists alone -war costs forced English government to change this tradition
The New Jersey Plan
proposed by William Patterson of NJ -- reaction/rejection of VA plan -- modeled the existing Confederation (which had a unicameral house with each state having equal representation) -- Congress could not tax, regulate trade, & enforce decrees
Puritans
religious group that emerged from the Protestant Reformation which tried to create a new way to be Christian -- established several colonies in the Northeast (New England) Religious beliefs were established by John Calvin -- Puritan work ethic was pious and commercial; "incorrigible doers"; thrift diligence -- believed success, wealth, & status were a gift from God Work ethic Sinful mankind in a sinful world Calvinism & predestination Anti-authoritarian (only God is sovereign)
Federalists
supported Constitution & Nationalism (urban artisans, laborers, and sailors)
"Inner Light"
the distinctive theme of the Society of Friends (Quakers), the direct awareness of God that allows a person to know God's will for him. It was expressed in the 17th century in the teachings of George Fox, founder of the Friends, who had failed to find spiritual truth in the English churches and who finally experienced a voice saying, "There is one, even Christ Jesus, that can speak to thy condition." A phrase used by Fox, "that of God in every man," has often been used to describe the Inner Light.
Mercantilism
the theory that the government should regulate economic activity so as to promote national power--it should encourage manufacturing and commerce by special bounties, monopolies, and other measures. economic theory and practice common in Europe from the 16th to the 18th century that promoted governmental regulation of a nation's economy for the purpose of augmenting state power at the expense of rival national powers. It was the economic counterpart of political absolutism.
Proprietary Colonies
were grants of land in the form of a charter, or a license to rule, for individuals or groups. They were used to settle areas rapidly with British subjects at the proprietor's' expense during the costly settlement years. Also, they could be used by the Crown to repay a debt to, or bestow a favor upon, a highly placed person. Charters replaced the trading company as the dominant settlement device, beginning with Maryland's royal grant in 1632. Ex. maryland, delaware, pennsylvania
royal colonies
when James II takes throne after Charles, Royal Colonies were established -- king named the governor and the governor had an advisory council; laws passed by the legislature had to pass through governor and crown Ex. virginia, new hampshire, massachusetts , new york, new jersey, north carolina, south carolina, georgia
