USA
the right that is supposedly given to a king or queen by God to rule a country.
Divine Right of Kings
2 of the first major colonies or settlements organized by Europeans in North America.
Jamestown & Plymouth
a period of large-scale exploration and settlement of the Americas, which led to enslavement and killings of Indigenous peoples, and the establishment of colonies.
European Colonization (of the Americas)
a set of rules that guides how a country, state, or other political organization works.
The Constitution
Democracy
a form of government where citizens have a say in decision-making (voting).
This term refers to the forced voyage of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean.
The Slave Trade
the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution, which outline the rights of American citizens in relation to the government
Bill of Rights
a group of 1,500 farmers in Massachusetts, began an uprising to protest what they believed were unfair land taxes and a government that was not assisting.
the first constitution of the United States, establishing the government's structure after the country's independence from Great Britain
The Articles of Confederation
Some people believed that the United States should form a strong central government to unite the states, while others believed that the states should have more power.
Federalists vs Antifederalists
the transportation of enslaved Africans to the Americas by Europeans and Americans for profit.
The (Atlantic) Slave Trade
a group of settlements that became the original states of the United States of America.
13 American Colonies
From 1754-1763 was a conflict between Great Britain and France over their territorial possessions in North America.
a British law that required colonists to pay a tax on printed materials like newspapers and legal documents.
Stamp Act
this British Act forced colonists to provide housing and supplies to British soldiers stationed in their colonies.
Quartering Act
British Act imposed taxes on manufactured imported goods like tea, glass, and lead.
Townshend Acts.
a violent confrontation between British soldiers and American colonists. 5 colonists were killed.
Boston Massacre
American representatives discussed the situation with Britain & took two major actions: They sent a protest letter to King George III & they demanded that the King stop the Intolerable Acts.
1st Continental Congress
The Declaration of Independence was created during this meeting and George Washington was assigned as the leader of the colonies.
2nd Continental Congress
The government is divided into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Separation of Powers
A rebellious pamphlet distributed throughout the colonies to encourage colonists to support a war against Britain.
Common Sense (by Thomas Paine)
Some colonists were faithful to the British crown and opposed American independence.
Others supported the fight for American independence.
Loyalists vs Patriots
War between the British and American colonists. Most members of the 13 colonies wanted independence from the British government and monarchy.
American Revolution
a founding document of the United States that announced the separation of the 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain
Declaration of Independence
This government branch is in charge of making laws and includes Congress (Senate & House of Representatives).
Legislative Branch