midterm review Flashcards
What were the reasons for European Exploration?
God, Gold, and Glory, Northwest passage, Columbus, Columbian Exchange
What is mercantilism?
An economic system in which nations increase their wealth and power by
obtaining gold and silver and by establishing a favorable balance of trade
What is a Free Enterprise System?
Freedom of private business to organize and operate for profit in
a competitive system without interference by government beyond regulation necessary
to protect public interest and keep the national economy in balance
What do the Mayflower Compact, Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, Magna Carta, and
Virginia House of Burgesses have in common?
The Mayflower Compact, Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, Magna Carta, and Virginia
House of Burgesses are all steps in the growth of representative government.
Explain the three parts of triangular trade.
Triangular Trade: The trading of products and slaves among Europe, Africa, and the
Americas, which included the Middle Passage.
Name the 5 Southern colonies.
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
What was the first permanent English settlement? When was it founded? What important crop
did John Rolfe bring to Jamestown?
Jamestown: 1st permanent English settlement founded by the Virginia Company of London
1607: The year Jamestown was founded
John Rolfe brought tobacco to Jamestown.
What is the significance of the Virginia House of Burgesses?
First elected representative assembly in the colonies
What was the Southern Colonies climate like?
Warm and long growing seasons
What was the Southern Colonies economy like?
Agriculture/Cash Crops: Tobacco, Rice, Indigo
Indentured servants: Signed a contract to work for 4-7 years for those who
paid for their journey to America
What was the Southern Colonies reason for settlement?
VA, NC, SC: Money
GA: Colony for debtors, acted as a buffer between Spanish Florida and the
English colonies
MD: Served as a colony for English Catholics
Who founded Georgia? Why?
James Oglethorpe founded Georgia as a colony for debtors and a buffer between
Spanish Florida and the English 13 colonies.
Who founded Maryland? Why?
George Calvert founded Maryland as a safe haven for English Catholics.
What was the Toleration Act of 1649?,
Made it a crime to restrict the religious rights of any Christian, the first law supporting religious rights in the colonies
Name the 4 New England colonies.
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire
Where did the Pilgrims settle?
The Pilgrims settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Explain the significance of the Mayflower Compact, which was created by the pilgrims. What
year was it created?
The Mayflower Compact was a legal contract in which the passengers on the Mayflower
agreed to have fair laws to protect the general good. It established the idea of majority rule and was the first attempt at self-government in the New World. The Mayflower Compact was created in 1620.
Where did the Puritans settle?
The Puritans settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Who led the Puritans and referred to the colony as a “city upon a
hill?”
John Winthrop led the Puritans and referred to the colony as a “city upon a hill.”
What was the center of Puritan communities?
Religion was the center of Puritan communities. Puritan communities also emphasized
education because they wanted their children to be able to read the Bible.
What was the New England Way?
Strong emphasis on religion, duty, and hard work
What was the New England Colonies climate like?
cold climate and rocky soil
What was the New England Colonies economy like?
Fishing, shipbuilding, whaling, skilled craftspeople
Practiced subsistence farming: Farming just enough to live on
What was the New England Colonies reason for settlement?
religious freedom
Who founded Connecticut?
Thomas Hooker
What is the significance of the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut?
It was the first written constitution in the new world
What was the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut?
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was a set of laws that were established in 1639
by a Puritan congregation who settled in Connecticut. The Fundamental Orders of
Connecticut expanded the idea of representative government. For example, they gave
non-church members the right to vote.
Describe Anne Hutchinson’s role in Rhode Island.
Anne Hutchinson was kicked out of Massachusetts and settled in Rhode Island. She
believed that a person’s relationship with God did not need ministers, the Bible, etc. She
is seen as a symbol of the struggle for religious freedom.
Name the 4 Middle Colonies.
New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey
What was the Middle Colonies climate like?
Warm summers, cold winters, medium growing season
What was the Middle Colonies economy like?
Agriculture: Breadbasket colonies (Staple crops: wheat, rye, grains)
Shipping, harbors, lumber
What was the Middle Colonies reason for settlement?
Religious Freedom & Economic Opportunities
Who founded New York?
Duke of York
Who founded Pennsylvania? Why?
William Penn founded Pennsylvania for the Quakers.
What did Pennsylvania’s government look like?
Penn limited his own power and established an elected assembly. He promised religious freedom to all Christians.
Explain the significance of the Magna Carta. What year was it created?
The Magna Carta was written in 1215. It limited the power of the King for the first time
and established that the King is not above the law (rule of law or limited government).
Explain the significance of the English Bill of Rights.
Explain the significance of the English Bill of Rights.
How did the Glorious Revolution lead to the
English Bill of Rights?
King James II was overthrown and William & Mary become king &
queen. William and Mary accepted the English Bill of Rights.
What is the Legislative body in England comprised of two houses, which will serve as a model for
the American system?
parliament
Who was John Peter Zenger? What did his case lead to?
John Peter Zenger was a printer/publisher who was put on trial in 1733 for saying negative things about the governor of New York. His case led to the creation and protection of freedom of the press.
Who was John Locke? How does he influence colonial leaders?
John Locke was a philosopher who believed that people had natural rights, such as equality and liberty. His ideas eventually influenced colonial leaders by protecting the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (unalienable rights).
What was the Enlightenment?
A movement that began in Europe in the 1700s as people began examining the natural world, society, and government (emphasis on logic & reason). It is also known as the “Age of Reason.”
What was the First Great Awakening?
A religious movement that became widespread in the American colonies in the 1730s and 1740s.
Who proposed the Albany Plan of Union? What did the Plan attempt to do?
Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan of Union. It was the first formal attempt to unify the colonies. It failed.
The Treaty of Paris of 1763 ended the French & Indian War. What did the Treaty of Paris of 1763
include?
Britain received Canada from France. Britain gained all French lands east of the Mississippi River, except New Orleans. Britain received Florida from Spain.
List the effects of the French & Indian War.
Relations between the British and the colonists got worse.
Pontiac’s Rebellion -> Proclamation of 1763
Britain attempted to pay its war debt from the French & Indian War by taxing the
colonists
Who issued the Proclamation of 1763, and why?
King George III issued the Proclamation of 1763 as a response to the increasing tensions
between the colonists and Native Americans (Pontiac’s Rebellion).
What did the Proclamation of 1763 state/ban?
The Proclamation of 1763 banned settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.
Why did the Proclamation of 1763 upset the colonists?
The Proclamation of 1763 upset the colonists because they had expected to move onto
the newly acquired western lands that they received from France in the Treaty of Paris of
1763.
List the main causes of the American Revolution.
French & Indian War, taxes without representation in parliament, salutary neglect, and writs of assistance
What was the Sugar Act?
Passed by Parliament in 1765, which set duties on molasses and sugar imported by colonists. The tax was imposed to raise money in the colonies.
What was the Quartering Act?
An Act that required the colonists to house and supply British soldiers
What was the Stamp Act?
A law passed by Parliament that raised tax money by requiring colonists to pay for an official stamp whenever they bought paper items, such as newspapers, licenses, and legal
documents
What was the Declaratory Act?
Gave the King the authority to create laws “in all cases
whatsoever”
What were the Townshend Acts?
Placed a tax on glass, lead, paper, paint, and tea
What was the Tea Act?
The Tea Act gave the British East India Company a monopoly on tea in the colonies.
What were the Intolerable Acts?
●Boston Harbor was closed until the colonists paid for
the ruined tea
● The charter of Massachusetts was canceled
● A new quartering act was put in place
● A large amount of land was given to Quebec
● General Thomas Gage became the new governor of
Massachusetts
● Royal officials accused of crimes were sent to
England for trial
What were the Committees of Correspondence? Who founded the committees of correspondence?
Committees of Correspondence were groups in each town and colony whose members
shared ideas and information about new British laws and ways to challenge them. Founded by Sam Adams.
What happened at the Boston Massacre? Who was the one of the most famous casualties at the
Boston Massacre?
The Boston Massacre was an incident in which British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists, killing five people, including Crispus Attucks.
Who were the Sons of Liberty? Who founded the Sons of Liberty?
The Sons of Liberty were formed to help organized protests and resistance against British policies. The members sometimes used violence (tarring & feathers, attacking the homes of customs officials). Founded by Sam Adams.
What does boycott mean?
To stop buying products from a group as a way to protest
Which Act led to the Boston Tea Party?
Tea Act
What happened at the Boston Tea Party?
A rebellion and protests led by the Sons of Liberty, in which boxes of tea were thrown into the Boston Harbor.
King George III
responded by passing the…
Intolerable Acts
How did the colonists respond to the Intolerable Acts?
Calling for the First Continental
Congress.
What did the colonists decide at the First
Continental Congress?
Boycott British goods, begin training troops, create the Declaration of Rights
Who was Sam Adams?
Patriot and founder of committees of correspondence and the Sons of Liberty
Who was John Adams?
Attorney for the British troops accused of murder during the Boston Massacre, first Vice President of the US, and Second President of the US
Who was Abigail Adams?
Advocated for women’s rights and slave rights, Wife of John Adams
Who was Thomas Paine?
Author of Common Sense and The American Crisis
Who was King George III?
King of England during the Revolutionary period that imposed taxes on the
colonists; patriots will accuse him of violating the colonists’ rights by taxing
them without their consent
Who was Crispus Attucks?
Freed slave and sailor who was killed in the Boston Massacre
Who was James Otis Jr?
Coined the phrase, “No taxation without representation”
Who was Wentworth Cheswell?
Warned the patriots that the British were coming before the battles of Lexington & Concord, grandson of a slave and served as a soldier & patriot leader during the
American Revolution
Who was Thomas Jefferson?
Main author of the Declaration of Independance?
Who was Patrick Henry?
Spoke the famous words, “Give me liberty or give me death!” in front of the
Virginia House of Burgesses, an Anti-Federalist
What is the difference between the Patriots and the Loyalists?
Patriots are colonists who wanted to declare independence from Britain and loyalists are colonists who wanted to remain loyal to the King & England
Common Sense, written by Thomas Paine, included what kind of ideas?
A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that criticized monarchies and
convinced many American colonists of the need to break away from Britain & declare independence
Why are the Battles of Lexington and Concord important?
First battles of the American Revolution (“Shot heard ‘round the world”)
What was one final attempt to make peace with King George III at the Second Continental
Congress?
Olive Brach Petition
Explain the significance of the Declaration of Independence. What year was it written? Where?
By whom?
The Declaration of Independence was a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to King
George III listing the complaints/grievances of the colonists to the King. It declared that the colonies are free and independent from Britain. It was written on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia, PA
What are unalienable rights? Where did we get these ideas from? What document today
protects our unalienable rights?
Rights that cannot be taken away or changed; Jefferson referenced
unalienable rights in the Declaration of Independence and they are protected in the Bill
of Rights; we took these ideas from John Locke.
What are some advantages of the Continental Army?
Fighting for a cause they believed in, fighting for freedom, protecting their homes, familiar with the terrain
What are some advantages of the British Army?
Well-trained, well-equipped, powerful Navy
What are some disadvantages of the Continental Army?
Untrained, low supplies, no Navy/small Navy
What are some disadvantages of the British Army?
Had to cross the Atlantic Ocean, used mercenaries as soldiers, little knowledge about the terrain
Who was George Washington?
Leader and commander of the Continental Army
Who is Marquis de Lafayette?
Young, French general who helped Washington and the Continental Army without pay
Who is John Paul Jones?
Most famous Continental Naval Captain
Who was Bernardo de Galvez?
Governor of Spanish Louisiana, secured the port of New Orleans during the American Revolution for the American/French/Spanish ships
Who was Haym Saloman?
A Polish-born Jewish immigrant to America who played an important role in
financing the American Revolution
Who was James Armistead?
Spy during the American Revolution (Acted as a double agent), the information that he provided to Washington helped result in Cornwallis’
surrender at Yorktown
Who was Benedict Arnold?
Colonial general during the American Revolution, who will become a traitor and switch sides to help the British.
Who was Mercy Otis Warren?
Known as the “Conscience of the Revolution”, she wrote plays that attacked loyalists & British leaders,
Anti-Federalist who argued that a Bill of Rights should be added to the
Constitution
Who was Benjamin Franklin?
Ambassador to France during the American Revolution, enlightenment thinker who contributes to the Declaration of Independence &
Constitution
What Battle is considered the turning point in the American Revolution? Why?
The Battle of Saratoga is considered the turning point of the American Revolution. It was
an important victory that convinced France and Spain to join with the Patriots.
What are the positives and negatives of the winter at Valley Forge?
POSITIVES: The soldiers leave Valley Forge smallpox-free, trained, and loyal to Washington
NEGATIVES: Lack of food & supplies, clothes are tattered & worn, some soldiers don’t
have shoes, one of the coldest winters on record, sanitation is problematic, disease
(smallpox) is rampant
What is guerilla warfare? In what part of the US did most of the guerilla warfare occur in?
Hit-and-run tactics that were used primarily in the south during the
American Revolution
What was the last major Battle of the American Revolution? Who surrendered at that Battle?
Last major battle of the American Revolution was the Battle of Yorktown, in which the British
under General Cornwallis surrender to the Continental Army
The Treaty of Paris of 1783 ended the American Revolution. What did the Treaty of Paris of 1783
establish?
Great Britain recognizes the independence of the United States, United States is given the land east of the Mississippi River, Florida is returned to Spain
How did the Articles of Confederation structure the federal government?
The Articles of Confederation was the constitution of America during the American
Revolution. There was 1 branch of the national government, which was the legislative
branch (Confederation Congress).
What are the strengths of the AOC?
can declare war and make treaties, can print own money, can establish a post office
What are the weaknesses of the AOC?
national government had little power, could not regulate trade, could not draft an army, could not collect taxes, could not enforce laws
Which Ordinance set up a system for surveying and dividing western lands, which could be sold
to raise money?
The Land Ordinance of 1785 set up a system for surveying and dividing western lands,
which could be sold to raise money to pay off the debt from the American Revolution
Which Ordinance made a plan for how states could become states? What were the requirements
to become a state?
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 created a plan for how territories can become states.
In order for a territory to become a state, a territory must have a population of 60,000, draft a state constitution, provide public education, and ban slavery
What rebellion showed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation, as a group of farmers
protested high taxes?
shays rebellion
What year was the Constitution written? Where?
The Constitution was written in 1787 in Philadelphia, PA at the Constitutional Convention.
What was the goal of the Constitutional Convention?
The goal of the Constitutional Convention was to revise and improve the Articles of Confederation.
Which Plan, at the Constitutional Convention, created a one house legislature and gave each state 1 vote? Who proposed this Plan?
The New Jersey Plan (small state plan), proposed by William Patterson, created a one house legislature and gave each state 1 vote regardless of the states’ population.
Which Plan, at the Constitutional Convention, created a bicameral system with both houses based on population? Who created this Plan?
The Virginia Plan (large state plan), proposed by Edmond Randolph, created a bicameral system with both houses based on a state’s population.
What was the Great Compromise? Who created this Plan?
The Great Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman, created a bicameral system in which one house (upper house) gave each state two votes and the second house (lower house) gave each state representatives based on the state’s population.
What was the 3/5 Compromise?
The 3/5s Compromise stated that 3/5 of the state’s slave population would count towards taxation and representation.
What is popular sovereignty?
The people have the power
What is republicanism?
Citizens elect representatives through voting
What is federalism?
Shared power between the federal and state governments
What is separation of powers?
The federal government’s power is divided among 3 branches: Legislative, Executive, & Judicial
What is checks and balances?
A system in which the 3 branches of government have the power to “check”
each other, thus achieving a balance of power
What is limited government?
The government has only the power that the Constitution gives it; Everyone is subject to the law
What are individual rights?
Protections of people’s individual freedoms
What is the 1st amendment?
Freedom of Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech
What is the 2nd amendment?
Right to bear arms
What is the 3rd amendment?
No quartering of troops
What is the 4th amendment?
No unreasonable search and seizure
What is the 5th amendment?
Rights in criminal cases (right to remain silent, protects against double jeopardy)
What is the 6th amendment?
right to a fair and speedy trial
What is the 7th amendment?
Rights in civil cases (trial by jury)
What is the 8th amendment?
Protects against excessive fines or bail & cruel or unusual punishment
What is the 9th amendment?
rights of the people
What is the 10th amendment?
protects states rights
How does Baron de Montesquieu influence the seven principles of government?
Baron de Montesquieu provides the idea for separation of powers.
What is an amendment?
a formal change to the constitution
What is the amendment process?
Must be approved by 2⁄3 majority of both houses of Congress AND must be ratified (approved) by 3⁄4 of the states
What do the Federalists believe? Please provide 5 examples of Federalist thinkers.
FOR the Constitution; Favored a strong, central government, James Madison, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington
What were a collection of papers written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison
that supported the Constitution and a strong federal government?
Federalist Papers
What do the Anti-Federalists believe? Please provide 4 examples of Anti-Federalist thinkers.
AGAINST the Constitution, but SUPPORTED the Bill of Rights; Favored strong state governments with a small national government, Patrick Henry, George Mason, Mercy Otis Warren, Samuel Adams
What document protects our unalienable rights?
Bill of Rights
What were the three parts to Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan?
Federal government should pay off war debt, raise revenues through protective tariffs, and create a national bank
Who was the vice president?
John Adams
Who was Secretary of State?
Thomas Jefferson
Who was Secretary of Treasury?
Alexander Hamilton
Who was Secretary of War?
Henry Knox
What two things did Washington warn of in his Farewell Address?
Forming political parties and forming foreign alliances
