Empire & Conflict
What 1754–1763 conflict between Britain and France helped establish British dominance in eastern North America?
French and Indian War (Seven Years' War)
What Enlightenment philosopher argued that government must protect natural rights and depends on the consent of the governed?
John Locke
What revolutionary-era ideal encouraged women to educate their sons to become virtuous republican citizens?
Republican Motherhood
What first national framework of government established a weak central government and a one-house Congress?
Articles of Confederation
Who became the first president of the United States under the Constitution in 1789?
George Washington
What 1763 British policy restricted colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains?
Proclamation of 1763
What 1776 pamphlet by Thomas Paine encouraged Americans to seek independence from Britain?
Common Sense
What were colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the Revolution called?
Loyalists (Tories)
What 1786–1787 uprising of Massachusetts farmers exposed concerns about economic instability under the Articles?
Shays' Rebellion
What first secretary of the treasury advocated a national bank, federal assumption of state debts, and strong national credit?
Alexander Hamilton
What 1765 law imposed direct taxes on printed materials, including newspapers and legal documents?
Stamp Act
What 1776 document declared independence and justified revolution through natural-rights philosophy?
Declaration of Independence
What 1783 treaty formally ended the Revolutionary War and recognized American independence?
Treaty of Paris (1783)
What 1787 compromise created a House based on population and a Senate with equal state representation?
Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
What 1794 protest over a federal excise tax demonstrated the new government's capacity to enforce federal law?
Whiskey Rebellion
What 1774 legislation punished Massachusetts following the Boston Tea Party and contributed to colonial unity?
Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)
What 1777 American victory contributed to France's decision to enter the Revolutionary War as an ally?
Battle of Saratoga
What 1787 ordinance established a process for admitting new states and prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory?
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
What group opposed ratification of the Constitution partly because it lacked explicit protections of individual liberties?
Anti-Federalists
What 1798 laws targeted immigrants and restricted certain criticism of the federal government, provoking constitutional controversy?
Alien and Sedition Acts
How did Britain's victory in 1763 help cause the American Revolution?
Britain's war debts encouraged new colonial taxation, while stricter imperial control and westward restrictions intensified colonial resistance.
Why did French involvement after 1777 significantly improve the Patriots' chances of victory? (Name 2 of 4 things)
France supplied military forces, naval power, equipment, and financial assistance, allowing Americans to challenge Britain's military superiority.
Identify one contradiction between the Declaration of Independence's ideals and American society during the Revolution.
The Declaration proclaimed equality and natural rights, yet slavery continued and women remained excluded from full political citizenship.
Explain one major difference between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution concerning federal power.
Under the Articles, Congress could not directly tax individuals; under the Constitution, the federal government gained independent taxation and enforcement powers.
How did the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans differ over the role of the national government during the 1790s?
Federalists favored a stronger national government and expansive constitutional interpretation; Democratic-Republicans favored more limited federal authority and greater emphasis on states' powers.