Origins and Early Tensions of the USA Flashcards
When did the 7 years war end? Who did Britain fight?
- Fought France
What did Britain gain when they won the 7 years war?
A long strip of land in North America
What did Britain want to do after the 7 years war?
They wanted to create a frontier defence force
Why did Britain tax the new parts of America they claimed in 1763?
To pay for war debts and to fund the Frontier Defence Force
How did the colonies feel about being taxed by Britain? How did they feel?
They disliked being taxed by an overseas government and felt they had little representation to challenge Britain for doing this?
What did the Colonies decide to do in 1775?
Start a war with Britain over the taxes
What happened with the war of independence in 1776?
American Colonies won against Britain
Why did Britain lose the war of independence?
They felt there was no use sending large fleets thousands of miles over the sea to fight in an area they were heavily disliked
What event happened that did not help British Independence War efforts?
French joined the side of the American Colonies
What government structure did America adopt? Why was this significant?
A Freedom Democracy. Most countries at the time were based on a monarchy
Why was Britain the dominant nation in America throughout the 1700’s?
They had a lot of space to grow crops to sell and sustain colonies
What kind of governance was there of the Colonies under Britain?
A governing similar to that of the British Empire of political liberty
How did the colonies believe they could solve the taxation issue for Britain where Britiain could still possibly get some money?
They tried to make it so that areas of colonies with MP’s that approved of taxation would be the only areas to be taxed
What did America believe about having a government?
It should have large and small parts and the large parts should not be able to have too much power.
Who was in charge of the army in the war for Independence in 1775 for America?
George Washington
What was clear about American perceptions of control of the British Empire in 1775?
Britain would not give the colonies the freedom they wanted
What was clear about American perceptions of control of the British Empire in 1776?
The ambitions of the American Colonies could not be met under the British Empire
When did America gain independence?
4th July 1776
What did the Declaration of Independence put an emphasis on?
“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”
When did Britain stop fighting America in the war of independence?
1781
What was the Aftermath of the Independence War for the colonies?
They had no money and large debts
What happened in 1787 to consider the post war issues?
A Convention in Philadelphia
What did the 1787 Philadelphia Convention produce?
The Constitution
What did the Constitution say about the overall leader of the USA and their power being limited?
There would be one President who’s power would be limited by the Supreme Court
What did Separation of Powers state in the Constitution?
There would be multiple branches of government so that not one group could be too powerful
What did the Constitution say about powers of all states?
All states would have their own governments but there would also be a central government.
What did the Constitution say about if it could be changed?
The Constitution could be changed if there was a general agreement on it
What did the Constitution say about banks?
They were not allowed to control the currency
What was an early issue with committment of some colonies to the USA?
Some colonies were not as willing to become part of a Union as others
How many American states were there by 1850? How far did they go?
30, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific
