Study Guide | US History Honors
Stamp Act- passed in 1765, by George Grenville. The purpose is to pay off debt and to force the colonists to buy special
stamp paper for every document, even dyson playing cards.
Samuel Adams- Samuel Adams called for another boycott of British goods, and American women of every rank in society
became involved in the protest against the Townshend Act.
Townshend Acts- indirect taxes on imported materials glass, lead, paint, and paper-as they came into the colonies from
Britain. The acts imposed a three-penny tax on tea, the most popular drink in the colonies. The colonists reacted with
rage and a resistance against the acts.
Boston Massacre- The 1770 Boston Massacre was a fight between colonist rioters and British soldiers. It was the result
of the colonists' resentment towards the STamp Act and the Sugar Act, which were passed without colonist
representation.
Committees of Correspondence- Formed by the Massachusetts and virginia colonies, Its purpose was to represent the
colonists and let the other colonies kn0w what is going on. It played a key role in the causation of the revolution.
Boston Tea Party- December 16, 1773: a political protest that occurred in Boston, Massachusetts. American colonists,
frustrated and angry at Britain for imposing “taxation without representation,” dumped 300+ chests of tea, imported by
the British East India Company (on the verge of bankruptcy because no one was buying the tea.) into the harbor.
Intolerable Acts- a series of four laws passed by the British Parliament to punish the colony of Massachusetts Bay for the
Boston Tea Party.
Minutemen- civilians who were trained to be soldiers
Second Continental Congress- meeting of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that united in support of the American
Revolution. They selected thomas jefferson to write the decloeration of independence and 4 others helped him. They also
signed the declaration of independence
Olive Branch Petition- urging a return to "the former harmony between Britain and the colonies.” King George rejected
the petition and stated that the colonies were in rebellion and urged Parliament to order a naval blockade of the
American coast.
Common Sense- an anonymous 50-page pamphlet, the colonist Thomas Paine attacked King George III. He argued for
independence.
Thomas Jefferson- Jefferson's Declaration of Independence on the concepts of the English philosopher John Locke, who
said that people enjoyed "natural rights" to life, liberty, and property. Jefferson described these rights as "Life, Liberty and
the pursuit of Happiness." Apart from the committee of 5 (responsible for writing the Declaration of Independence).
Declaration of Independence- The committee of 5 wrote/composed it. Based on the concepts of John Locke and
described the rights people enjoy, “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
,Patriots- people who were loyal to the colonies. Patriots were people who saw economic opportunity in an independent
America. The Patriots were made up of farmers, artisans, merchants, landowners, and elected officials. While Patriots
made up nearly half the population, many Americans remained neutral.
Loyalists-Loyalists were people who stayed true to the king, often because they held positions like judges or governors.
Many were regular folks with modest lives, and some lived far from cities, unaware of revolutionary events. Some stayed
loyal because they believed the British would win and wanted to avoid rebel consequences. Others trusted the crown to
safeguard their rights better than new colonial governments.
Valley Forge- Washington and his Continental Army camped at a winter camp in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Saratoga- The surrender at Saratoga dramatically changed Britain's war strategy. From that time on, the British generally
kept their troops along the coast, close to the big guns and supply bases of the British fleet.
Inflation- Because it did not possess the power to tax the colonists, the Continental Congress printed money at a rapid
rate to fund the army's expenses and pay off its loans from foreign nations. Because of this the Continental dollar;s value
decreased.
Profiteering- this was the practice of taking scarce goods and selling them for profit. This was a popular practice among
corrupt politics during the revolutionary war.
Friedrich von Steuben- He was a persian military leader that was recruited by the french army to train the american army
so that it could become a fighting force as skilled as the british.
Marquis de Lafayette- was a french aristocrat who served under washington and suffered during valley forge
Charles Cornwallis- served as a general in the British Army during the American War for Independence.
Treaty of Paris- signed in Paris by representatives of Great Britain and representatives of the United States on September
3, 1783, officially ended the American Revolution.
Egalitarianism- this was a popular belief after the revolution that made the belief that all men are equal but it only
applied to white men.
Articles of Confederation- The Articles of Confederation gave the new national government power to declare war, make
peace, and sign treaties. It was a written constitution. Also known as the Articles of Confusion. The states couldnt be
forced to do anything (in the context of domestic problems) because they were their own political entity.
Confederation- When a group of people or a nation(s) form an alliance.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787- forbid slavery in the old NW territories.
, Shays's Rebellion- A farmer’s protest/armed uprising. Impoverished farms couldn't afford taxes/mortgages so they ended
up losing their farms. Problems of the Articles of Confederation were highlighted. It highlights the need for a stronger
central government.
James Madison- Took extensive notes during the Constitutional convention.
Great Compromise- Combined the New Jersey Plan (every state should have equal representation with one vote, small
state plan) and the Virginia Plan (two houses, represent the lower and high population, large state plan).
Three-fifths Compromise-the 3/5 compromise is the agreement to count three out of five slaves as people in order for
states to bring up their population for more votes. Put a 20 year limit on the slave trade.
Legislative Branch- makes laws. Needs a signature from the president (a bill).
Executive Branch- Enforces laws.
Judicial Branch- Interprets laws. Made up of 9 judges.
Checks and balances- presidents can veto bad laws. If it is signed then the supreme court can strike it down. They can be
conservative or liberal.
Electoral college- Majority votes for the state being republican or democratic.
Federalists- Believed the articles were weak, the elite and knowledgeable should govern, separation of church and state,
and believed a stronger federal government is necessary to function.
Antifederalists- Approved the articles, opposed a strong central government, and opposed the omission of God in the
constitution.
Bill of Rights- The 1st 10 amendments gives basic rights to the people and there are other rights that are not listed but
implied. Written guarantees that the people would have freedom of speech, of the press, and of religion.
Judiciary Act of 1789- Created the Supreme court and established the power of it.
Alexander Hamilton- he favored a strong central banking system like the British. He founded the first national bank
which was created in Congress, 1791.
Bank of the United States- Strong central bank based on British banking systems.
Democratic-Republicans- Anti-federalists that disapproved of a strong central government, strengthened state power,
believed the ideal american were farmers not elites, and was pro-french.
Two-party system- two major political parties consistently dominate the political landscape.
Protective tariff- intended to increase the cost of an import.
Excise tax- taxes imposed on certain goods, services, and activities.
Stamp Act- passed in 1765, by George Grenville. The purpose is to pay off debt and to force the colonists to buy special
stamp paper for every document, even dyson playing cards.
Samuel Adams- Samuel Adams called for another boycott of British goods, and American women of every rank in society
became involved in the protest against the Townshend Act.
Townshend Acts- indirect taxes on imported materials glass, lead, paint, and paper-as they came into the colonies from
Britain. The acts imposed a three-penny tax on tea, the most popular drink in the colonies. The colonists reacted with
rage and a resistance against the acts.
Boston Massacre- The 1770 Boston Massacre was a fight between colonist rioters and British soldiers. It was the result
of the colonists' resentment towards the STamp Act and the Sugar Act, which were passed without colonist
representation.
Committees of Correspondence- Formed by the Massachusetts and virginia colonies, Its purpose was to represent the
colonists and let the other colonies kn0w what is going on. It played a key role in the causation of the revolution.
Boston Tea Party- December 16, 1773: a political protest that occurred in Boston, Massachusetts. American colonists,
frustrated and angry at Britain for imposing “taxation without representation,” dumped 300+ chests of tea, imported by
the British East India Company (on the verge of bankruptcy because no one was buying the tea.) into the harbor.
Intolerable Acts- a series of four laws passed by the British Parliament to punish the colony of Massachusetts Bay for the
Boston Tea Party.
Minutemen- civilians who were trained to be soldiers
Second Continental Congress- meeting of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that united in support of the American
Revolution. They selected thomas jefferson to write the decloeration of independence and 4 others helped him. They also
signed the declaration of independence
Olive Branch Petition- urging a return to "the former harmony between Britain and the colonies.” King George rejected
the petition and stated that the colonies were in rebellion and urged Parliament to order a naval blockade of the
American coast.
Common Sense- an anonymous 50-page pamphlet, the colonist Thomas Paine attacked King George III. He argued for
independence.
Thomas Jefferson- Jefferson's Declaration of Independence on the concepts of the English philosopher John Locke, who
said that people enjoyed "natural rights" to life, liberty, and property. Jefferson described these rights as "Life, Liberty and
the pursuit of Happiness." Apart from the committee of 5 (responsible for writing the Declaration of Independence).
Declaration of Independence- The committee of 5 wrote/composed it. Based on the concepts of John Locke and
described the rights people enjoy, “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
,Patriots- people who were loyal to the colonies. Patriots were people who saw economic opportunity in an independent
America. The Patriots were made up of farmers, artisans, merchants, landowners, and elected officials. While Patriots
made up nearly half the population, many Americans remained neutral.
Loyalists-Loyalists were people who stayed true to the king, often because they held positions like judges or governors.
Many were regular folks with modest lives, and some lived far from cities, unaware of revolutionary events. Some stayed
loyal because they believed the British would win and wanted to avoid rebel consequences. Others trusted the crown to
safeguard their rights better than new colonial governments.
Valley Forge- Washington and his Continental Army camped at a winter camp in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Saratoga- The surrender at Saratoga dramatically changed Britain's war strategy. From that time on, the British generally
kept their troops along the coast, close to the big guns and supply bases of the British fleet.
Inflation- Because it did not possess the power to tax the colonists, the Continental Congress printed money at a rapid
rate to fund the army's expenses and pay off its loans from foreign nations. Because of this the Continental dollar;s value
decreased.
Profiteering- this was the practice of taking scarce goods and selling them for profit. This was a popular practice among
corrupt politics during the revolutionary war.
Friedrich von Steuben- He was a persian military leader that was recruited by the french army to train the american army
so that it could become a fighting force as skilled as the british.
Marquis de Lafayette- was a french aristocrat who served under washington and suffered during valley forge
Charles Cornwallis- served as a general in the British Army during the American War for Independence.
Treaty of Paris- signed in Paris by representatives of Great Britain and representatives of the United States on September
3, 1783, officially ended the American Revolution.
Egalitarianism- this was a popular belief after the revolution that made the belief that all men are equal but it only
applied to white men.
Articles of Confederation- The Articles of Confederation gave the new national government power to declare war, make
peace, and sign treaties. It was a written constitution. Also known as the Articles of Confusion. The states couldnt be
forced to do anything (in the context of domestic problems) because they were their own political entity.
Confederation- When a group of people or a nation(s) form an alliance.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787- forbid slavery in the old NW territories.
, Shays's Rebellion- A farmer’s protest/armed uprising. Impoverished farms couldn't afford taxes/mortgages so they ended
up losing their farms. Problems of the Articles of Confederation were highlighted. It highlights the need for a stronger
central government.
James Madison- Took extensive notes during the Constitutional convention.
Great Compromise- Combined the New Jersey Plan (every state should have equal representation with one vote, small
state plan) and the Virginia Plan (two houses, represent the lower and high population, large state plan).
Three-fifths Compromise-the 3/5 compromise is the agreement to count three out of five slaves as people in order for
states to bring up their population for more votes. Put a 20 year limit on the slave trade.
Legislative Branch- makes laws. Needs a signature from the president (a bill).
Executive Branch- Enforces laws.
Judicial Branch- Interprets laws. Made up of 9 judges.
Checks and balances- presidents can veto bad laws. If it is signed then the supreme court can strike it down. They can be
conservative or liberal.
Electoral college- Majority votes for the state being republican or democratic.
Federalists- Believed the articles were weak, the elite and knowledgeable should govern, separation of church and state,
and believed a stronger federal government is necessary to function.
Antifederalists- Approved the articles, opposed a strong central government, and opposed the omission of God in the
constitution.
Bill of Rights- The 1st 10 amendments gives basic rights to the people and there are other rights that are not listed but
implied. Written guarantees that the people would have freedom of speech, of the press, and of religion.
Judiciary Act of 1789- Created the Supreme court and established the power of it.
Alexander Hamilton- he favored a strong central banking system like the British. He founded the first national bank
which was created in Congress, 1791.
Bank of the United States- Strong central bank based on British banking systems.
Democratic-Republicans- Anti-federalists that disapproved of a strong central government, strengthened state power,
believed the ideal american were farmers not elites, and was pro-french.
Two-party system- two major political parties consistently dominate the political landscape.
Protective tariff- intended to increase the cost of an import.
Excise tax- taxes imposed on certain goods, services, and activities.
