Unit 3 Key Terms Flashcards
French and Indian War
also known as seven years war, a conflict between Britain and France in North America over territorial control
Proclamation of 1763
A royal decree prohibiting colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.
The Enlightenment
An intellectual movement promoting reason, science, and individual rights in the 18th century.
First Great Awakening
Religious revival in American colonies during the 18th century, promoted religious fervor and individual spirituality
Stamp Act
A tax imposed by Britain on printed materials in the colonies, leading to protests.
Boston Massacre
Colonists’ protest against British tea taxes by throwing tea into Boston Harbor in 1773.
Boston Tea Party
1773 protest in which American colonists in Boston fought against British taxation by throwing tea overboard into the water
Lexington and Concord
The first battles of the American Revolution in 1775.
Saratoga
A crucial American victory during the Revolutionary War in 1777.
Yorktown
The decisive battle in 1781 that led to the British surrender, effectively ending the Revolutionary War.
Patriots and Loyalists
Patriots supported American independence, while Loyalists remained loyal to the British crown during the Revolution.
Federalists
Supporters of a strong central government during the early American Republic.
Anti-Federalists
Opponents of a strong central government, advocating for more state sovereignty.
Democratic-Republicans
A political party led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, favoring a limited federal government.
Thomas Paine
Author of “Common Sense,” advocating for American independence.
Patrick Henry:
A prominent American orator known for his “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech.
John Hancock
A Founding Father known for his prominent signature on the Declaration of Independence.
Samuel Adams
A leader in colonial protests and a key figure in the American Revolution.
Baron von Steuben
A Prussian military officer who trained American troops during the Revolutionary War.
Benedict Arnold
A Continental Army general who later defected to the British side.
Marquis de Lafayette
A French military officer who supported the American cause during the Revolution.
Charles Cornwallis
A British general who surrendered to American forces at Yorktown.
Second Continental Congress
The assembly that managed the Revolutionary War and adopted the Declaration of Independence.
Constitutional Convention
The gathering that created the U.S. Constitution in 1787.
Declaration of Independence
A document declaring American independence from British rule, adopted in 1776.
Articles of Confederation
The first U.S. constitution, emphasizing state sovereignty.
Treaty of Paris
The 1783 agreement that ended the Revolutionary War and recognized American independence.
Constitution
The fundamental law of the United States, establishing its government and principles.
Federalist Papers
A series of essays advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, protecting individual liberties.
Washington’s Farewell Address
George Washington’s advice to avoid political parties and foreign entanglements
Paxton Boys
A group of Pennsylvania frontiersmen who engaged in vigilante actions during the 1760s.
Carolina Regulators
A group of colonists in North and South Carolina who protested against corrupt officials and unfair taxation in the 1760s.
Shays’ Rebellion
An armed uprising in Massachusetts in 1786-1787 led by Daniel Shays, protesting against economic injustices and high taxes.
Whiskey Rebellion
A protest against a federal excise tax on whiskey production in Western Pennsylvania in the early 1790s.
Benjamin Franklin
A Founding Father known for his contributions to science, diplomacy, and American independence.
John Jay
A Founding Father who negotiated the Treaty of Paris and was the first Chief Justice of the United States.
Alexander Hamilton
A Founding Father, author of the Federalist Papers, and the first Secretary of the Treasury.
George Washington
The first President of the United States and a general of the Continental Army
John Adams
Founding father who was the second president of the United states and a key diplomat, delegate to Continental Congress
XYZ Affair
A late 18th-century diplomatic crisis between the U.S. and France due to bribery demands from French agents X, Y, and Z.
Alien and Sedition Acts
Late 18th-century laws that allowed deportation of dangerous non-citizens and criminalized false statements about the government, limiting free speech.
Embargo Act
A 1807 law by President Thomas Jefferson that banned American ships from foreign trade, with significant negative economic consequences.
Thomas Jefferson
Third president of the United States, founding father, did not fight in war, author of declaration of independence, on 2$ bill
James Madison
Fourth president of United States, founding father who wrote in Federalist papers, father of the constitution, created Virginia plan with strong central government
Great/Connecticut Compromise
Bicameral legislature in Congress, giving proportional representation in the House of Representatives based on state population and equal representation in Senate, which was two people per state
3/5ths Compromise
Agreement to count enslaved people as 3/5th of a person for determining representation and taxation in Congress
Compromise of 1790
Political deal that resolved financial issues between federal government and states, led to location of US capital in Washington DC
Iroquois Confederacy
Native American political and military alliance in northeast
Barbary Coast Pirates
North African pirates who targeted American ships in 18th century, leading to the Barbary Wars
Lewis and Clark
Explorers who led an expedition to explore the Western US in early 1800s
Sacagawea
Shoshone woman who played role of guide and interpreter during Lewis’ and Clark’s expedition
