Unit 3- American Revolution Flashcards
Seven Year’s War/French and Indian War
War between Britain and France over colonial dominance
- Very costly
- turning point in the relationship between Britain and the colonists
Salutary Neglect
British governance in the colonies. Britain originally allowed the colonies to govern themselves.
Sugar Act
Tax on sugar in the colonies to raise money for Britain after the Seven Years War
Stamp Act
Tax on paper goods in the colonies to raise money for Britain after the Seven Years War
Quartering Acts
Britain forced colonists to house their soldiers. Was meant to prevent violence and protest against the King
Tea Act
Tax on tea in the colonies to raise money for Britain after the Seven Years War
- Led to the Boston Tea Party
Boston Tea Party
Colonists stormed British ships and threw tea in the Boston harbor to protest the tea act
Proclamation of 1763
A law from the King preventing colonists from expanding westward into lands they won during the 7 years war
- King wanted to avoid war with Natives
Continental Congress
Elected representatives from the various colonies met to write the Declaration of Independence
Boston Massacre
British soldiers opened fire and killed several colonists as they were protesting British Laws
Enlightenment
European Intellectual movement where people began to question institutions (like governments).
Natural Rights
rights guaranteed by birth and should be protected by the government
- Life, liberty, property (John Locke)
Declaration of Independence
Document written to declare independence from Great Britain and establish the United States as its own country
- opposed tyranny of the British government
- list of grievances for separation
- established principles of a just government (all men are created equal)
Battle of Yorktown
Final battel of Revolutionary war. Britain surrendered and US became a free country
Articles of Confederation
America’s first government
- Failed because it was too weak (couldn’t tax or enforce laws)
Shays’ Rebellion
- Farmer led rebellion due to unpayable debt
- Highlighted the problems with the Articles of Confederation
Separation of Powers
Divides power between 3 branches (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)
- Makes sure one branch doesn’t have too much power
Checks and Balances
Each branch has some power over the other branches
Ex. Congress can impeach the President
- Makes sure to prevent abuse of power
Constitution
The United States governing document
- full of compromises
- outlines a powerful, but limited government
Great Compromise
Created a 2 chamber Legislature (Congress)
- Senate (equal representation)- benefits small states
- House of Representatives (based on population) - benefits large states
3/5 Compromise
Slaves are counted as 3/5 of a person for population
- Northern states did not want the South to have too much power
Bill of Rights
Outlines the freedoms and rights Americans have
- Limits the power of the government – prevents them from abusing their power
Federalist Papers
anonymous letters published to persuade readers to support the Constitution
- Written by Hamilton, Madison, Jay
Federalists
supporters of the Constitution
