Road to Revolution
The conflict with France that resulted in Britain acquiring enormous territorial gains in North America. It also led to future conflicts between the British and the American colonists.
French & Indian War (Seven Year's War)
The group of individuals who were loyal to Britain and believed that remaining a part of Britain was more beneficial than breaking away.
Loyalists
A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that helped explain the reasons for revolution and encouraged colonists to support the Revolutionary War.
Common Sense
A document that established the first, official American government and provided for a weak central government.
Articles of Confederation
A conflict that proved that the national government was strong under the new Constitution, which provided the means to raise a standing army and put down armed rebellions.
Whiskey Rebellion
An economic economic system that caused the British to unfairly tax the colonists.
Mercantilism
The document that outlined colonial grievances and expressed the reasons why Americans wanted to break away from Britain.
Declaration of Independence
A 17th-18th century movement that greatly inspired the ideals that encouraged American Revolution.
Enlightenment
A group that was hesitant to ratify the new Constitution because they believed it would grant too much power to the federal government. They required that a Bill of Rights be added in order to gain their support.
Anti-Federalists
The individual who warned against political parties and permanent alliances, believing that the goal of the United States should be to focus on its unity and internal growth.
George Washington
A period of time where the American colonists had the opportunity to develop their own social, political, and economic institutions, free from British influence.
Salutary Neglect
The chief author of the Declaration of Independence.
Thomas Jefferson
A concept that expressed the idea that after the American Revolution, women had gained a larger societal role in helping instill virtues of republicanism in future generations.
Republican Motherhood
An agreement that solved the issue of political representation among the states. It created a bicameral legislature, where representation was based on both population and equality.
The Great Compromise
A political party that supported France because they believed that we were indebted to the French for helping out during the American Revolution. They also believed that their revolution was similar to our own.
Democratic-Republicans
The phrase that was was popularized to protest the unfair imposition of taxes on the American colonies.
"No taxation without representation!"
The battle during the American Revolution where the colonists won and were able to enlist the aid of the French as a result.
Battle of Saratoga
The system in which each branch of government has individual powers to check the other branches and prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Checks and Balances
A conflict that proved that the national government was too weak under the Articles of Confederation because it did not provide a means to raise a standing army.
Shays' Rebellion
A series of laws, passed by the Federalists, which many viewed as an abuse of power because they unfairly increased citizenship requirements and violated individuals ability to criticize the government.
Alien & Sedition Acts
The theory that was used by the British to justify the imposition of new taxes on their American colonies. It stated that the colonists were represented in Parliament.
Virtual Representation
The colonists' final attempt to make amends with King George III. He rejected it and declared war against the colonies.
Olive Branch Petition
A society where the power resides with the people. It is the people who elect representatives to serve them in government and make laws that they agree to abide by.
Republic
The one branch of government that the Articles of Confederation did include.
Legislative Branch
An institution supported by Alexander Hamilton, who believed that it would help stabilize the economy and provide a uniform, national currency.
National Bank (Bank of the United States - B.U.S.)