Key Period 3 Flashcards
41) What was the Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was a cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century (1700’s) Europe and United States, whose purpose was to reform society and advance knowledge through reason and logic
42) Who was John Locke?
John Locke was a philosopher during the Enlightenment that became known for his ideas of Natural Rights - Life, Liberty and Property. Jefferson later steals his ideas in the Declaration of Independence
43) What were the Navigation Acts
The Navigation Acts were essentially trade restrictions that were placed on the colonies and were for the most part ignored since it was mutually beneficial for both Britain and the colonies
44) What is Salutary Neglect?
Salutary Neglect was when the colonies would ignore Britain’s laws the reason being that if the colonies traded solely with Britain then they wouldn’t have money to spend on British goods
45) What was the Stamp Act Congress?
This is the place that the saying “No taxation without representation” comes from. The Stamp Act Congress was where the British PM claimed that the colonists had virtual representation in Parliament which was false since those representatives could not vote which contradicted the Virginia Charter. Essentially they wanted the power to create their own laws but still be under Britain’s protection.
46) Who were the Sons of Liberty?
The Sons of Liberty were originally a secret society led by Samuel Adams but then became more and more public. They focused mainly on violently enforcing boycotts of British goods. This organization is also known for the tar and feathering technique that caused every local Stamp Act agent to resign.
47) What were the First and Second Continental Congress?
The First Continental Congress was where the 12 colonies (Georgia was missing) called for a third boycott of all British goods in all colonies. They also created the Declaration of Rights and Grievances. In the Second Continental Congress the colonies decided to create its own continental army in response to a British attack on Bunker Hill and Breed’s hill.
48) What was the Olive Branch Petition?
The Olive Branch Petition was a document that was adopted during the Second Continental Congress that basically said the colonists wished to not go to war and were still loyal to Britain
49) Who were the Patriots and the Loyalists?
The Patriots were the people who wanted America to declare its independence from Britain. The Loyalists were the opposition to these people and they wanted to remain part of the British Empire.
50) What was Thomas Paine’s Common Sense?
Common Sense was a pamphlet that was written by Thomas Paine in order to convince the colonists that they should support independence. It was effective because it written in the common language and was very simple and easy to understand.
51) What was the Continental Army
The Continental Army consisted of soldiers from all the 13 colonies and after 1776, all 13 states. The Army was mainly made of minutemen, militia that would defend the city from danger (ie. Indian Raids, criminals, and eventually Redcoats)
52) What was the Declaration of Independence?
The Declaration of Independence was a document that was signed by many of the nation’s founding fathers that essentially explained to Britain what were the reasons why they wanted to revolt.
53) What is the Treaty of Paris?
The Treaty of Paris was a collection of peace treaties between Britain and the United States of America and its allies, France, Spain, and the Dutch Republic.
54) What was “republican motherhood”?
Republican Motherhood was the thought that since mothers need to raise the children, that they should also teach the children how to read and write (aka be literate)
55) What were the Article of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation was America’s first constitution that essentially set up a weak central government and a weak confederation of sovereign states. Much of the state’s powers were left where they were at.
56) What were the Northwest Ordinances of 1785 and 1787?
The Northwest Ordinances were adopted by the Confederation Congress and essentially outlined the process a new territory would need to go through to become an official state. These Ordinances also protected civil liberties and made slavery illegal in the new territories.
57) What was Shay’s Rebellion?
Shay’s Rebellion was the name given to a series of protests in 1786 and 1787 by farmers against the state and local enforcement of tax collection. Named after Daniel Shay of Massachusetts, a former captain in the Continental army.
