Midterm 2 Flashcards
Author and main idea of “The American Revolution”
Gordon Wood
Four principle factors leading up to the American revolution were
1. The growth and movement of population
2. Economic expansion
3. Reform of the British empire
4. Imperial Debate
How did the growth and movement of population promote the American revolution?
The rapidly growing British colonies (not just the north American colonies) were lacking in economic regulation with Britain as their growth soared, the European-style government system was not able to represent all the colonist (in colonial courts or in English courts) or keep up with the growth, and the American expansion led to violent outburst from American Indians.
How did economic expansion push the colonies towards the American Revolution?
American imports and exports were growing in demand exponentially, as was industrial production and colonial infrastructure. The fast growing powerhouse in the colonies did not fit within the British administrative arrangements so the colonies became increasingly independent economically.
How did reform of the British empire bolster the need for the American Revolution?
Britain was in need of a reform for a long time and George III did it hastily and impulsively which lost a lot of support. Britain had lots of war debt, couldn’t control Indian-American relations, or maintain proper trade policies. Huge increases in military control of the colonies also led to more debt. This led to George III seeking lots of money through the Sugar Act,Stamp Act, and other tax policies that outraged colonists
What is the Sugar Act?
Most importantly, it reduced the cost of imported sugar into the colonies in hopes that colonist would buy that sugar and make the crown more money rather than colonists producing their own sugar and making money that the crown didn’t see. It also put duties on other goods
What is the Stamp Act?
A tax placed on virtually every form of paper used in the colonies that had to be paid in British sterling and not colonial paper money.
What is the Currency act?
Britain prohibited the colonies from issuing paper money as legal tender
Why did Britain pass the currency act?
A great economic slump occurred between 1760 and 1764 as a result of British reformers’ actions. Many businesses failed and many bankruptcies occurred. It was Britain’s failed attempt to stabilize market conditions in the colonies
What is the Tea Act?
Only one company, the East India Company, could sell tea in America. They were selective in who they sold to which led to monopolies
What is the Imperial Debate talked about about by Wood?
The British empire did not have the best interest of the colonies nor did it represent their views. The legislature in Britain and the legislature in America could not coexist as unified.
What is virtual representation?
The idea that all British people are represented in the House of Commons because all British people have the same views and ideals
What are the Navigation Acts?
A series of British laws to regulate, monopolize, and profit from colonial trade
What is meant by saying the Parliament and king “doubled down”
The King and Parliament insisted that their authority be respected and that they colonist obey their taxes.
The British repealed all taxes except those on tea, sent soldiers to enforce the tax, and ended up upsetting the colonists resulting in the Boston massacre
What was the continental congress?
The group that elected to write a declaration of independence
What text is largely used as a source when writing the declaration of independence?
John Locke’s “Second Treatise”
What is salutary neglect?
British policy from the late 1600s to the mid-1700s that allowed the American colonies to be largely self-governing
In a pragmatic view, what was the goal of the colonists in dissociating themselves from Britain?
They wanted to return to the way of life they had before during the period of salutory neglect. They wanted to keep what they had (Romer’s rule)
Author and goal of “The Virginia Plan”
James Madison writing his attempt at a constitution. His plan includes giving the federal government more power so that minorities don’t end up ruling majorities.
Who wrote the Federalist papers?
James Madison
“But what is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on ________?”
Human Nature
What were the articles of confederation?
Benjamin Franklin’s attempt at designing a government for the new nation.
What were the two weakness of the articles of confederation?
They saw the government as the ultimate restriction of liberty, so the government had almost no power. Not for taxes, enforcing laws, armies, etc. The national government was too weak.
The organization of state governments. They are lacking virtue (buying votes)
republicanism (little r)
We vote for representatives
People are self-governed
Helps supress riots
What did Madison borrow from the European intellectuals Hirschman mentioned?
Unleashing a passion within an institutional design could result in a virtuous system. Madison believed this passion would be ambition (love of power). “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition”