APUSH Study Guide Flashcards
John Adams
Leader in the Continental Congress, advocate for independence, co-author of the Declaration of Independence, and future President.
Samuel Adams
Founding member of the Sons of Liberty, vocal critic of British policies, key figure in organizing protests.
Lord Dunmore
Governor of Virginia, issued Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation offering freedom to slaves who joined the British army.
Benjamin Franklin
Key diplomat, inventor, and Founding Father. Supported colonial unity and later negotiated the Treaty of Paris (1783).
Alexander Hamilton
Strong federalist, co-author of the Federalist Papers, advocate for a strong central government.
Thomas Jefferson
Author of the Declaration of Independence, leader in the early republic, advocate for agrarianism and limited government.
Thomas Paine
Author of Common Sense, a pamphlet advocating for independence.
George Washington
Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, eventual first President of the United States.
Who was King George III and Parliament?
Monarch of Great Britain and the legislative body that imposed taxes and laws on the colonies.
Sons of Liberty
Radical group that organized protests against British policies.
How did the American Revolution (1775-1783)?
Tensions over British taxation and governance without representation.
Articles of Confederation (1777-1781)
Desire for a loose union of states with limited central authority after independence.
Boston Massacre (1770)
Rising tensions between British soldiers and colonists, particularly in Boston.
Boston Tea Party (1773)
Colonists’ anger over the Tea Act, which granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies.
What is Chattel Slavery?
Chattel slavery is a system where people are treated as property to be bought, sold, and owned permanently, with their children automatically enslaved as well.
Common Sense (Thomas Paine)
The growing frustration over British rule and the desire for independence.
Continental Congress (First and Second)
First Continental Congress (1774): Met to protest the Intolerable Acts, organize a boycott, and petition the king.
Second Continental Congress (1775-1781): Led the Revolutionary War, created the Continental Army, and declared independence.
Debt Repayment from the Seven Years’ War
Britain’s debt from the war led to increased taxes on the American colonies (e.g., the Stamp Act, Tea Act).
What was the Enlightenment?
Philosophical movement promoting reason, liberty, and the idea of natural rights.
Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts) (1774)
In response to the Boston Tea Party, Britain imposed these punitive measures to reassert control over the colonies.
Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation (1775)
Lord Dunmore’s attempt to suppress rebellion by offering freedom to slaves who fought for Britain.
Mercantilism
Britain’s policy of using colonies to benefit the mother country’s economic interests.
What are Natural Rights?
Enlightenment thinkers argued that individuals had inherent rights to life, liberty, and property.
Navigation Acts of 1763
Britain’s attempt to tighten control over colonial trade to benefit the British economy.
Olive Branch Petition (1775)
The colonies’ desire to avoid full-scale war and make one last attempt at reconciliation with Britain.
What was the Proclamation of 1763?
To avoid conflict with Native Americans, Britain restricted colonial expansion westward after the Seven Years’ War.
What was Salutary Neglect?
Britain’s informal policy of not strictly enforcing colonial laws during the early 18th century.
Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War, 1754-1763)
Territorial disputes between Britain and France, particularly over control of North America.
What is a Social Contract?
Enlightenment thinkers, particularly John Locke, argued that government’s legitimacy came from the consent of the governed.
Somerset’s Case (1772)
A British court decision ruling that slavery was not legally supported in England.
Sovereignty
Disputes over who should have ultimate authority over the colonies – Britain or the colonies themselves.
Stamp Act (1775)
Britain’s need to raise revenue after the Seven Years’ War.
“Taxation without Representation”
Colonists objected to paying taxes imposed by Parliament without having elected representatives in it.
Tea Act (1773)
Aimed to help the struggling British East India Company by allowing it to sell surplus tea directly to the colonies.
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade
The demand for cheap labor in the colonies, particularly in the South.
Quartering of Soldiers (by Writ of Assistance)
British efforts to maintain control over the colonies through military presence.
Abigail Adams
Advocate for women’s rights and education, urged her husband to “remember the ladies.”
Benedict Arnold
General in the American Revolution who switched sides and fought for the British.
Lyman Beecher
Clergyman, influential in the Second Great Awakening, promoted moral reforms.
Aaron Burr
Vice president under Thomas Jefferson, killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel, later tried for treason.
Charles G. Finney
Leader in the Second Great Awakening, known for passionate preaching and social reform.
John Jay
First Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, helped establish judicial review and supported federalism.
Loyalists
Colonists who remained loyal to Britain during the American Revolution, opposed independence.
James Madison
Fourth U.S. president, key figure in drafting the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
John Marshall
Fourth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, strengthened federal government through key rulings.
James Monroe
Fifth U.S. president, known for the Monroe Doctrine, opposing European interference in the Americas.
Marquis de Lafayette
French aristocrat who helped American colonies in the Revolution, trusted ally of Washington.
Who were the Patriots?
Colonists who fought for independence from Britain during the American Revolution.
Adams-Onis Treaty (1819)
Treaty between the U.S. and Spain (1819), ceding Florida to the U.S. and establishing boundaries.
Alien and Sedition Acts (1791)
Laws passed by Federalists (1791) that limited free speech and targeted immigrants, seen as violations of civil rights.
B&O Railroad (1830)
First major U.S. railroad (1830), connecting Baltimore and Ohio, promoting transportation and trade.
[First] Bank of the U.S. (Hamilton’s Bank) (1791)
First national bank (1791), created by Alexander Hamilton to stabilize and improve the U.S. economy.
Bill of Rights (1791)
First ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution (1791), protecting individual freedoms and rights.
Cotton Gin (1793)
Invented by Eli Whitney (1793), revolutionized cotton production by making processing more efficient.
Embargo Act of 1807
Act (1807) that prohibited American ships from trading with foreign nations to avoid conflicts, particularly with Britain and France.
Federalist Papers (1787-1788)
Collection of essays (1787-1788) supporting the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay.
Fulton’s Steamboat (1807)
First practical steamboat (1807), invented by Robert Fulton, revolutionized river transport.
Revolution of 1800
Presidential election of 1800 where Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams, marking peaceful transfer of power.
First Barbary War (1801-1805)
Naval conflict (1801-1805) between the U.S. and Barbary pirates, protecting American ships.
Haitian Revolution (1791-1804)
Slave revolt (1791-1804) in French-controlled Haiti, leading to the independence of Haiti.
Louisiana Purchase (1803)
U.S. acquisition of French territory (1803), doubling the nation’s size and opening land for settlement.
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Landmark Supreme Court case (1803) that established judicial review, allowing courts to declare laws unconstitutional.
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Supreme Court case (1819) that confirmed the federal government’s implied powers, strengthening federal authority.
Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806)
Expedition (1804-1806) led by Lewis and Clark to explore newly acquired western territories.
Northwest Ordinance (1787)
Law (1787) that established a process for admitting new states to the Union and prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory.
Pinckney’s Treaty (1795)
Treaty (1795) between the U.S. and Spain, granting American navigation rights on the Mississippi River and access to New Orleans.
Quasi War (1798-1801)
Undeclared naval conflict (1798-1801) between the U.S. and France, sparked by tensions over trade and diplomacy.
Shay’s Rebellion (1786-1787)
Uprising (1786-1787) in Massachusetts, protesting economic injustices and highlighting weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
U.S. Constitution (1788)
The foundational document (1788) of the U.S. government, replacing the Articles of Confederation and establishing the Constitution.
Virginia Treatise on Religious Freedom (1786)
Statement (1786) by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, advocating for religious freedom and the separation of church and state.
Second Great Awakening (1790-1840)
Religious revival movement (1790-1840), emphasizing personal salvation, social reform, and the spread of Protestant values.
Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions (1798-1799)
Political statements (1798-1799) by Jefferson and Madison, arguing that states could nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional, in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts.
Washington’s Farewell Address (1796)
Address (1796) by George Washington, warning against political parties and foreign alliances, advocating for national unity and neutrality.
Whiskey Rebellion (1791)
Rebellion (1791) by farmers in Pennsylvania protesting an excise tax on whiskey, which was quickly suppressed by the federal government, demonstrating the government’s authority.
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson: 7th President of the U.S., known for opposing the national bank, promoting Indian removal, and using executive power strongly.
John C. Calhoun
John C. Calhoun: Vice President under Andrew Jackson, known for advocating states’ rights and supporting South Carolina’s right to nullify federal laws.
Trail of Tears effect on the Cherokee
Cherokee: Native American tribe that faced forced relocation under the Indian Removal Act, enduring the Trail of Tears.
Henry Clay
Henry Clay: Prominent politician called the “Great Compromiser,” who played key roles in the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850 and promoted the American System.
[Jacksonian] Democrats
[Jacksonian] Democrats: Political party that emerged under Andrew Jackson, advocating for stronger executive power and broader democracy.
Whigs
Whigs: Political party that formed in opposition to Andrew Jackson, supporting a strong central government and internal improvements.
American System (1824)
American System (1824): Plan proposed by Henry Clay to strengthen the U.S. economy, including internal improvements, a national bank, and protective tariffs.
Indian Removal Act of 1830
Indian Removal Act of 1830: Law signed by Andrew Jackson that forced Native American tribes to relocate west of the Mississippi, leading to widespread suffering and death.
Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831)
Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831): Supreme Court case declaring the Cherokee a “domestic dependent nation,” limiting their ability to challenge state laws.
Crittenden Compromise (1860)
Crittenden Compromise (1860): Failed proposal to prevent Civil War by allowing slavery in western territories below the 36°30′ line.
Erie Canal (1825)
Erie Canal (1825): A canal connecting the Great Lakes to the Hudson River, revolutionizing trade and making New York City a major economic hub.
First Corrupt Bargain (1825)
First Corrupt Bargain (1825): Alleged deal between John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay to secure Adams’ presidency in exchange for Clay becoming Secretary of State.
Market Revolution (1790-1840)
Market Revolution (1790-1840): Economic transformation driven by industrialization, transportation advancements, and market-oriented agriculture.
Morse Telegraph (1838)
Morse Telegraph (1838): Invented by Samuel Morse, it revolutionized communication by enabling rapid, long-distance messaging.
National Road (1811-1837)
National Road (1811-1837): Federally funded road connecting eastern states to the western frontier, promoting trade and settlement.
Worcester v. Georgia (1832)
Worcester v. Georgia (1832): Supreme Court case affirming Cherokee sovereignty, which Andrew Jackson ignored, leading to forced removal.
Bank War (1832-1836) and “Pet Banks”
Bank War (1832-1836) and “Pet Banks”: Andrew Jackson’s campaign to dismantle the Bank of the U.S., redirecting federal funds to state banks, causing economic instability.
Nullification Crisis (1832-1833)
Nullification Crisis (1832-1833): Conflict over South Carolina’s refusal to enforce federal tariffs, resolved by a compromise and threats of force by Jackson.
Panic of 1837
Panic of 1837: Economic depression caused by speculative lending, the collapse of the Bank of the U.S., and Jackson’s Specie Circular.
Spoils System (1829)
Spoils System (1829): Practice under Jackson of rewarding political supporters with government jobs, leading to increased patronage and corruption.
Trail of Tears (1838-1839)
Trail of Tears (1838-1839): Forced removal of the Cherokee from their lands, resulting in thousands of deaths during the relocation to Oklahoma.
John Bell
John Bell: Presidential candidate in 1860 and leader of the Constitutional Union Party, focused on preserving the Union and avoiding civil war.
John C. Breckenridge
John C. Breckenridge: Vice President under James Buchanan and Southern Democratic candidate in 1860, strongly supported slavery.
John Brown
John Brown: Abolitionist who led violent actions against slavery, including the failed raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 to start a slave revolt.
Stephen Douglas
Stephen Douglas: Senator from Illinois, supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act and popular sovereignty, allowing territories to decide on slavery.
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass: Former enslaved person who became a leading abolitionist, writer, and speaker, advocating for the end of slavery and equal rights.
William Lloyd Garrison
William Lloyd Garrison: Abolitionist and founder of The Liberator, an anti-slavery newspaper, calling for the immediate end to slavery.
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln: 16th U.S. President (1861-1865), led the nation during the Civil War, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and preserved the Union.
James Knox Polk
James Knox Polk: 11th U.S. President (1845-1849), advocated for westward expansion and led the U.S. through the Mexican-American War.
Lucretia Mott
Lucretia Mott: Early women’s rights activist, co-organized the Seneca Falls Convention (1848) advocating for women’s suffrage and equality.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Women’s rights leader, co-organized the Seneca Falls Convention (1848), and worked for women’s suffrage and social equality.
Annexation of Texas (1845)
Annexation of Texas (1845): Texas joined the U.S., sparking tensions with Mexico and leading to the Mexican-American War.
Antebellum Temperance Movement (1830)
Antebellum Temperance Movement (1830): Social movement to reduce alcohol consumption, promoting moral reform and self-control.
Bleeding Kansas (1856-1851)
Bleeding Kansas (1856-1861): Violent clashes over slavery in Kansas after the Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed popular sovereignty.
Brigham Young Leads Mormons to Utah (1847)
Brigham Young Leads Mormons to Utah (1847): Religious leader guided Mormons west to escape persecution and settle in Utah.
Brown’s Raid at Harpers Ferry (1859)
Brown’s Raid at Harpers Ferry (1859): John Brown’s failed attempt to start a slave revolt by seizing a federal arsenal.
California Gold Rush (1848-1855)
California Gold Rush (1848-1855): Mass migration to California following the discovery of gold, boosting the economy and statehood.
California Statehood (1850)
California Statehood (1850): California entered the Union as a free state under the Compromise of 1850, increasing sectional tensions.
Caning of Senator Sumner (1856)
Caning of Senator Sumner (1856): Violent attack in Congress over slavery debates, symbolizing growing national divisions.
Compromise of 1850
Compromise of 1850: Series of laws balancing slave and free states, including admitting California as a free state and enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act.
Dred Scott (1857)
Dred Scott (1857): Supreme Court case ruling that African Americans were not citizens and Congress couldn’t ban slavery in territories.
Election of 1860
Election of 1860: Abraham Lincoln’s victory led to Southern secession and the start of the Civil War.
Freeport Doctrine (1858)
Freeport Doctrine (1858): Stephen Douglas’s stance that territories could effectively exclude slavery by not adopting pro-slavery laws.
Gadsden Purchase (1853)
Gadsden Purchase (1853): U.S. bought land from Mexico to build a southern transcontinental railroad.
Gag Rule (1836-1844)
Gag Rule (1836-1844): Congressional rule preventing discussion of anti-slavery petitions, sparking debate over free speech.
Garrison’s The Liberator
Garrison’s The Liberator: Influential abolitionist newspaper demanding the immediate end of slavery.
Kansas-Nebraska Act (1856)
Kansas-Nebraska Act (1856): Allowed territories to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty, repealing the Missouri Compromise and fueling conflict.
What is Federalism?
Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units, like states or provinces.
