Unit #2 Flashcards
New France
France was a latecomer in the race for colonies in the 1500s by foreign wars and domestic strife. When King Louis XIV became king and took an interest overseas (Quebec). Samuel de Champlain, an intrepid soldier and explorer, became known as the “Father of New France.” He entered into friendly relations with the neighboring Huron Indians and helped them defeat the Iroquois. French colonists didn’t come in hordes because they were too poor and Huguenots weren’t allowed to leave.
Early Wars between Colonial Powers
- King William’s War and Queen Anne’s War: The English colonists fought the French coureurs de bois and their Indian allies. Neither side considered America important enough to waste real troops on. The British did try to capture Quebec and Montreal, failed, but did temporarily have Port Royal. The peace deal gave Britain limited trading rights with Spanish America.
King George’s War/Fort Louisbourg
An English Captain named Jenkins had his ear cut off by a Spanish commander, who had essentially sneered at him to go home crying. France allied itself with Spain, but England’s troops captured the reputed impregnable fortress of Cape Breton Island (Fort Louisbourg).
Fort Necessity/Fort Dusquesne
George Washington was sent by the Governor of Virginia encountering some Frenchmen in the forest about 40 miles from Fort Duquesne, the troops opened fire, killing the French leader. Later, the French returned and surrounded Washington’s hastily constructed Fort Necessity, fought “Indian style” (hiding and guerilla fighting), and after a 10-hour siege, made him surrender.
French and Indian War
England and Prussia VERSUS France, Spain, Austria and Russia. Britain and France fought for control of the Ohio Valley and Canada. The Algonquins, who feared British expansion into the Ohio Valley, allied with the French. The Mohawks also fought for the French while the rest of the Iroquois Nation allied with the British. The colonies fought under British commanders. Britain eventually won.
Albany Plan of Union
Ben Franklin had the idea to unite the colonists for strength lay in numbers. This failed because states were reluctant to give up their sovereignty and power.
William Pitt
Known as the “Great Commoner” he took control of Britain when they were being defeated. He assaulted the French in the Quebec-Montreal area because this was were supply routes were. He replaced cautious officers with young and daring ones.
Battle of Quebec
A significant engagement in Britain and American history. Montreal fell and this was the last time French flags would fly on American soil.
Treaty of Paris, 1763
Britain got Canada and the land up to the Mississippi River. The French were allowed to retain sugar islands in the West Indies. Spain gave Florida to Britain but gained Louisiana from the French to compensate for their losses.
Pontiac’s Rebellion
The Treaty of Paris deprived indians of the ability to play European powers against each other (only Britain and Spain were left). In 1763 Chief Pontiac led a few French-allied tribes in a bloody campaign through the Ohio Valley. The whites cruelly retaliated and the violence convinced whites to station troops along the frontier.
Proclamation of 1763
Americans could now settle west of the Appalachians but the proclamation prohibited settlement in the area. This was meant to work out the Indian problem. Americans were upset because they just fought the war for that land.
Proclamation of 1763
Americans could now settle west of the Appalachians but the proclamation prohibited settlement in the area. This was meant to work out the Indian problem. Americans were upset because they just fought the war for that land.
Republicanism
Thomas Paine argued that representative senator, governors and judges should have their power from the consent of the people. He rejected ideas about the monarchy and empire.
Currency Act
1764; the British assumes control of Americans printing their own paper money
James Otis
The lawyer that created the “taxation without representation” saying.
Revenue Act
1764; Updated the unenforced sugar act. It was the first attempt to raise revenue to pay for costs for the French and Indian War.
George Grenville
Prime Minister of Britain that ordered Navigation Acts to be enforced, arousing the resentment of the settlers.
Sugar Act
1764; increased duty on foreign sugar imported from the West Indies
Quartering Act
1765; required certain colonies to provide food and quarters for British troops
Stamp Act
1765; mandated the use of stamped paper or the affixing of stamps certifying payment of tax
External vs. Internal Taxes
External taxes are duties on items coming into the colony. Internal taxes are direct taxes added into the price of a product.
Virtual Representation
The idea that every Parliament member represented all British subjects, so Americans were represented.
Patrick Henry
In opposition of the stamp act. He stated, “give me liberty or give me death”.
Virginia Resolves
In response to the stamp acts, this said only VA representatives could tax their state according to British laws. Passed by the VA House of Burgesses.
Thomas Hutchinson
Governor of Boston; he allowed Britain’s ships carrying tea to stay in Boston Harbor
Sons/Daughters of Liberty
Took the law into their own hand by tarring and feathering violators among people who had agreed to boycott goods.
Samuel Adams
Started the Committee of Correspondence; he was a master propagandist and engineer of rebellion
Stamp Act Congress
1765; 9 out of 13 colonies met to discuss the stamp act. He was largely ignored in Britain but was a step toward intercolonial unity.
Non-Importation Agreements
Attempts to force British recognition of political rights through application of economic pressure.
Lord Rockingham
British Lord who wanted to repeal stamp act so he got merchants to sign petition that said the boycott would bankrupt them.
Declaratory Act
1766; proclaimed that parliament had the right “to bind” the colonies “in all cases whatsoever”
New York Suspending Act
NY was the most uncooperative of the quartering act. This forbid royal governors of every colony to assent to any act of a colonial house of reps that would change their constitution.
New York Suspending Act
NY was the most uncooperative of the quartering act. This forbid royal governors of every colony to assent to any act of a colonial house of reps that would change their constitution.
Townshend Act
1767; a light tax on lead, paper, paint and tea which were later repealed. The revenues were earmarked to pay salaried of American royal governors and judges.
Admiralty Courts
Offenders of the stamp or sugar act would be tried in these courts where defenders were guilty until proven innocent.
John Dickinson
A man from Pennsylvania that led one end of the extreme at the Second Continental Congress. He led a group of moderates, much like himself, that hoped for a quick reconciliation with Great Britain.
Circular Letters
Written by Samuel Adams; this passed by Massachusetts HOR in response to Townshend acts and results in military occupation of Boston by the British in 1768
Circular Letters
Written by Samuel Adams; this passed by Massachusetts HOR in response to Townshend acts and results in military occupation of Boston by the British in 1768
Samuel Adams
Started the Committee of Correspondence and wrote the Circular Papers; he was a master propagandist and engineer of rebellion
John Dickinson
“Penman of the Revolution”; Pennsylvanian politician who wrote the Olive Branch Petition and Letter from a Farmer which stated Britain could regulate commerce but duties were only to be done by representative government
Circular Letters
Written by Samuel Adams; this passed by Massachusetts HOR in response to Townshend acts and results in military occupation of Boston by the British in 1768
Lord North
Leader of the Tory Whigs who supported England. Opposite of English Whigs, supported Americans, who thought that if George III won, his rule of England would be tyrannical.
Boston Massacre
1770; A crowd of Bostonians were harassing Redcoats. Two redcoats got hit and when provoked the troops opened fire killing eleven innocent citizens. Crispus Attucks a former slave was the leader of the mob. Two redcoats were prosecuted for this and represented by John Adams.
Gaspee Incident
A British ship that enforced British trade regulations was attacked/looted by colonists. The colonists were tried in Britain.
Committees of Correspondence
A network of letter-writers that spread propaganda and keep rebellious moods sparked by act such as the Townshend act. The first committee was started by Samuel Adams and this would be the forerunner of the Continental Congress..
East India Company/The Tea Act
1773: the company was overburdened with millions of pounds of tea and was facing bankruptcy. They tried to sell it to Americans and even with the tax it was super cheap tea.
Boston Tea Party
When the British East India Company tried to sell super cheap tea to them the Americans thought it was a trick. Some whites lead by Samuel Adams disguised themselves as Indians and dumped tea into the Boston Harbor.
Coercive Acts
1774; this was passed by Parliament to punish the colonies. Included the Intolerable Acts (restricted colonists’ acts), Quartering Act (quartering of redcoats) and Boston Port Act (shut down harbor).
Quebec Act
Guaranteed Catholicism to the French-Canadians and permitted them to retain their old customs. This extended the boundaries of Quebec all the way to the Ohio River. Americans felt threatened and French believed it was intended to pacify them.
Day of Fasting and Prayer
Lord Dunmore (British Royal Governor) called for this day for Bostonians in light of the Coercive Acts. Most people disregarded this action.
First Continental Congress
1774 Philadelphia; Consultive and did not want independence yet, it just came up with a list of grievances. 12/13 colonies, Georgia didn’t have a representative there. They came up with the Declaration of Rights.
Suffolk Resolves
Colonists decided to nullify intolerable acts, enforce non-importation and arm Massachusetts. They had no real authority.
The Continental Association
Nonimportation agreement that called for a complete boycott of British goods. Non-importation, Non-exportation and Non-consumption.
England: Advantages and Disadvantages
Britain had experience fighting and their military was the best in the world. Their soldiers were well trained as well as well equipped. British order’s took a long time to reach America due to the distance. They lacked a moral incentive.
Americans: Advantages and Disadvantages
Americans had great leaders, French aid and they had a moral cause. They were better marksman and knew the terrain of the land bette. The Americans were lacking in unity and sectional jealousy boiled up over appointment of leaders. They had nothing of a navy and little money.
Marquis de Lafayette
French; At 19 he was made a major general in the colonial army and was a great asset. His services were invaluable in securing aid from France.
Dunmore’s Proclamation
British Royal General; Offered freedom to slaves who fought in the war.
Lexington and Concord
1775; British commander sent troops to this area to seize supplies and capture Sam Adams and John Hancock. After 8 died in Lexington, the militia pushed the redcoats back. “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”
Lexington and Concord
1775; British commander sent troops to this area to seize supplies and capture Sam Adams and John Hancock. After 8 died in Lexington, the militia pushed the redcoats back. “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”
Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold
Lead a small American force called the Green Mountain Boys. These men surprised and captured the British garrisons. They captured much-needed cannons and gunpowder were gathered by this raid.
Breed’s Hill
1775; the Colonial seized this hill called Bunker Hill. The redcoats launched a frontal attack and colonial sharpshooters mowed them down from weapons gathered from Fort Ticonderoga. Afterwards, George stopped chances for reconciliation.
Fort Ticonderoga
British Garrisons were held here and Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold attacked and gathered supplies from here.
Second Continental Congress
1775: The 13 representatives instructed by their colonies to move toward a clean break with Britain. They sent the Olive Branch Petition. George Washington was appointed the head of a colonial militia. Thomas Jefferson began to write the Declaration of Independence.
Olive Branch Petition
1775: Colonists stated that they would be loyal to Britain if Britain addressed their concerns with taxation without representation and the coercive acts. It was rejected by King George III and an act was passed that prohibited trade with America.
Attempted Invasion of Canada
The colonists wanted to invade Canada in order to deprive Britain of a base for striking at the colonies. Gen. Richard Montgomery captured Montreal and at Quebec he was met by Gen. Benedict Arnold. Montgomery was killed and Britain won. This contradicted the idea that the colonists were fighting defensively.
Common Sense
Thomas Paine’s pamphlet that urged colonists to stop a war of inconsistency and stop pretending loyalty and just fight Britain. Americans saw the necessity of separating from the crown by acts such as burning Norfolk, VA.
Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson’s list of grievances against King George III and persuasive explanation of why colonists had the right to revolt. Influenced by Enlightenment ideas.
Loyalists/Patriots
Colonists who supported the rebellion were Patriots or Whigs. Colonists loyal to the crown were called Tories or Loyalists.
Battle of Long Island
After evacuation of Britain, the British brought a huge fleet down to New York. Washington had 18,000 ill trained men and they taunted the British up to Delaware River. It was odd that Gen. British Howe didn’t crush Washington at Delaware.
The American Crisis
Paine’s writing would later help colonists through the revolution.
Battle of Trenton and Princeton
Washington crossed Delaware River at Trenton and surprised/captured Hessians sleeping off their Christmas Day celebration. Then, he inflicted a sharp defeat of a smaller British detachment at Princeton.
Battle of Saratoga
1777: Turning point of the revolution; when France decided to help America because we seemed to have a chance of winning. The British tried to capture the Hudson River Valley which would sever New England from the other colonies. General Burgoyne was supposed to meet General Howe and General Arnold there but they were defeated on the way. Burgoyne surrendered his entire force.
A Model Treaty
1776: Guide for foreign relations made by the continental congress.
Treaty of Amity and Comerce
1778: Treaty with France that offered everything Britain had offered (home rule) after their defeat at Saratoga plus Independence.
Treaty of Alliance
1778: Declared that if France and Britain went to war. France would reject peace until the colonies gained independence.
Valley Forge
Site in Pennsylvania where Washington and the Continental Army spent the night. It allowed Washington to regroup.
Baron von Steuben
A Prussian drillmaster that whipped Washington’s army into shape at Valley Forge.
Camp Followers
Women of the war who performed tasks like cooking but some ended up in combat.
Financing the War
France was key to financing the war because inflation was rampant due to not being able to tax the colonists.
Continentals
Members of the continental army.
Joseph Brant
Iroquois league leader that believed a victorious Britain would stop American expansion to the west.
Treaty of Fort Stanwix
1784: Treaties between US and Native Americans after the revolutionary war; Joseph Brant first led negotiations. Indians conceded most of their land.
Charles Cornwallis
British soldier who defeated Horatio Gates at Camden, NC. Then, he went to Yorktown, VA where he was trapped by Washington’s army and forced to surrender. A defeat that effectively ended military operations in the war.
Surrender at Charleston
The British had devised a plan to roll up the colonies from the south. Charleston, SC fell in 1780.
Nathanael Greene
Quaker General that ran the Carolina Campaign of 1781. He distinguished himself with the strategy of delay. By slowly loosing battle and winning campaigns he helped clear the British out of SC and Georgia.
Battle of Guilford Courthouse
A 2,100 British force under General Charles Cornwallis defeated General Nathanael Greene’s army of 4,500. The British army suffered heavy casualties so it was a strategic victory for the colonists.
Siege of Yorktown
1781: Last major battle of the war. Washington trapped Cornwallis’ troops in Chesapeake bay with help of the French army. This signified the end of the war though more fighting occurred.
Treaty of Paris
1783: Britain formally recognized US independence. US gained land up to the Mississippi river and the Great Lakes. Florida was gained by the Spanish. Britain ceded so much to entice America from its French allies.
State Constitutions
States made government based on republican principles. The principles were made from majority opinions.
Egalitarianism vs. Natural Aristocracy
Weakening Loyalists left a lack of conservatives. Slavery was questioned. The “all men created equal” spirit caused most states to reduce their property holding requirements and indentured servitude was basically unknown by 1800. Women developed the idea of republican motherhood.
Gradual Emancipation
Jefferson silently believed people born into slavery after a certain date would be freed and sent outside the US.
Manumission
Slave owners freeing slaves.
Elizabeth Freeman
Freed herself by suing and representing herself. She used the “all men created equal” line in court.
NJ Constitution
1776: allowed women to vote (for a time).
Republican Motherhood
Elevated women to a higher status as keepers of the nation’s conscience. Women raised the children and thereby held the future of the republic in their hands.
VA Statutes for Religious Freedom
Measure prohibiting state support for religious institutions and recognized freedom of worship. Served as the model for the first amendment in the constitution.
Post-War Economic Slump
Economic democracy spread because public land was split amongst the people. Americans were forced to make their own good since goods from England were cut off. Americans had great trade with Britain but now they don’t. Inflation was rampant and taxes were hated. The war increased public disrespect of the law.
Debtors vs. Creditors
Debtors wanted more money printed to pay of debts and creditors wanted less so the value stays the same.
Right of Deposit
Americans could transit cargo to New Orleans without paying duties to the Spanish government.
Articles of Confederation
Ratified by the last state in 1781. This was a loose union of states where a federal and state level exist yet the state retains the sovereignty to due their own thing. During the war, states had created their own individual currencies and tax barriers.
Land Ordinence
1785: It provided the acreage of the Old Northwest should be sold and that the proceeds be used to pay off the national debt. It would be split into townships.
Northwest Ordinence
1787: It made admissions into the union a two stage affair. One, the area would be subordinate to the federal government. Two, once it had 60,000 inhabitants they would write a state constitution and sent it to congress for approval.
Shay’s Rebellion
1786: Shay was disgruntled over getting farmland mortgages (farmers losing their farms). People began to doubt republicanism and the A of C because citizens had to pay for an army to take them down. Shays was convicted and the fear of violence motivated folks to desire a stronger federal government.
Annapolis Convention
Addressed an earlier Article’s inability to regulate commerce, but only five states were represented.
Philadelphia Convention
1787: Delegates from the colonies (minus Rhode Island) met to revise the articles. George Washington was elected chairman. Thomas Jefferson feared democratic despotism and the propertied class was in fear that debtors would be in charge.
James Madison
Named the “Father of the Constitution”
Virginia Plan
Large state plan that called for congressional representation based on state population.
New Jersey Plan
Small state plan that called for equal representation from all states.
Great Compromise
Congress would have two houses; the House of Representatives, with proportional representation, and the Senate, where each state gets two representatives. All tax bills would start in the house.
Electoral College
The election of the president through this group of people rather than the people directly. The people were viewed as too ignorant to vote.
Necessary and Proper Clause
Allowed the federal government to make all law which are necessary for the government to carry out its duties.
3/5 Compromise
Slaves would be counted at 3/5 of a person in census counts for representation.
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
Only taxes on imports not exports. Forbidden to act on slave trade for 20 years.
Federalism
Those who favored a stronger central government belonged to this group.
Separation of Powers
A system that separated the government in to the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branch in order to stop arbitrary excess of the government.
Checks and Balances
Federal Chief Justices were elected for life. The electoral college created a buffer between the people and presidency. Senators are elected by state legislator, not the people.
Ratification Process
The Founding Fathers sent copies of the constitution to state conventions. The American people expected a patched A of C. 9/13 of the states had to ratify. Massachusetts wanted a Bill of Rights to be added. 1788 is was ratifies without Rhode Island, NC, NY and VA.
Anti-Federalists
Didn’t like that is was drawn up by aristocratic elements and was therefore anti-democratic. Mostly poor farmers, the illiterate and states’ right devotees. They thought a large central government that would force them to pay off their debts.
Federalists
Many former Loyalists and respectable/propertied groups. Lived near the coast in the older areas.
The Federalist
Papers written by John Jay, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. They swayed New York to ratify the constitution after they realized they couldn’t prosper apart from the union.
Bill of Rights
Created to appease to the anti-federalists.
Judiciary Act of 1789
Created effective federal courts and organized the supreme court with a chief justice and five associates. It also established the office of the attorney general.
George Washington’s Precedents
- Two Term Precedent
Alexander Hamilton’s Financial plan
Urged the government to pay of its debts and assume debts f the state governments. The plan was to favor wealthier groups so they in turn would lend the government monetary and political support.
Report on the Public Credit
$54 million and $21.5 from states; the more people owed the government money the more people would happen to the US as a whole nation
Report on the National Bank
Hamilton proposed a national treasury to have the federal government as a major stockholder to circulate cash to stimulate businesses, to store excess money and to print money that was worth something. Opposed by Jefferson as being unconstitutional.
Report on Manufacturers
Hamilton proposed custom duties to pay off some debt. He imposed a low tariff of about 8% of the value of dutiable imports. He also supported a secure excise tac on a few notable items.
The Bank of the United States
Created in 1791 by the congress and Washington signed it into law. It was chartered for 20 years with a capital of $20 million. Stock was thrown open to public sale.
The Whiskey Rebellion
1794: Flared up when fed-up farmers revolted against Hamilton’s excise tax. It bore harshly on homespun pioneer folk. Liquor and alcohol was often used as money and they felt unfairly taxed. Washington sent 13,000 troops to stop rebels. Demonstrated the power of the federal government.
First Political Party
Hamilton and Jefferson’s dispute evolved into political parties. Hamiltonians were pro-British, federalists, and into manufacturing/banking. Jeffersonians were Democratic-Republicans, pro-French, small farmers and believed in states rights.
The French Revolution
At first Americans were overjoyed since this seemed like America’s dethroning of Britain. When French declared war on Austria and proclaimed itself a republic America was very supportive. After the revolution turned radical Federalists rapidly change opinions and looked nervously at Jeffersonians. America didn’t really approve either way but was drawn in when France declared war on GB and the battle for North American land began again.
Proclamation of Neutrality
Washington knew the war could mean disaster and disintegration since the nation in 1793 was military and economically weak. He issued this proclamation warning US to stay out of the issue. Helped France because the Caribbean islands was the only way France could get American needed food stuffs to the Caribbean.
Citizen Genet
A French representative to the US who roused Jeffersonian Democratic Republicans to plunder British ships and invade Spanish Florida/British Canada. He was then kicked out of the US.
Treaty of Greenville
1795: Indians should cede their vast tract int he Ohio country to the Americans after the British supplied the Indians with weapons.
Pinkney’s Treaty
Treaty with Spain that allowed free navigation of the Mississippi and the large disputed territory north of Florida. It was the Jay Treaty that allowed Spain to be so lenient.
Jay’s Treaty
Stated that Britain would repay money lost from recent merchant ship impressment but it said nothing about future seizures or supplying Indians with arms.
Washington’s Farewell Address
- Warned against political parties.
2. Warned against creating permanent alliances with foreign nations.
Election of 1796
John Adams won 71 to 68 against Thomas Jefferson who became VP. John Adams was federalist.
