CONSTITUTION FLASH CARDSBy: Ardreauna Hayes

1607

Year in which representatives of the Virginia Company of London established the first permanent English settlement in North America at Jamestown, Virginia.

Mayflower Compact

Written in 1620 by male Pilgrims on the Mayflower. Created government where none had existed based on majority rule.

A social contract where all agreed to abide by these rules in the colonies.

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

First written constitution in the colonies; document that people had the right to elect governors, judges, and a legislature.

Mercantilism

Economic theory in which a nation’s wealth is based on the amount of revenue is generated from its colonies.

The more gold and silver a nation has determine its wealth.

Slave Trade

The buying and selling of millions of Africans to North America.

Triangular Trade Route

Trade route from: Europe→Africa Africa→West Indies West Indies→Europe

Plantation System

System of agricultural production based on large scale landownership; depended upon slave labor; Assisted in the development of an agrarian society in the South.

House of Burgesses

First elected body of representatives in the American colonies; met in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Based on Parliament.

New England Colonies

Along the Atlantic Coast Subsistence farming Poor soil Cold climate Forests Economic factors: raw materials, logging,

fishing shipbuilding Political factors: town meetings,

representative government Social factors: small coastal towns (Boston

only large city) Religious factors: Puritans, Pilgrims

Middle Colonies

Rich soil Broad, deep rivers More natural ports River valleys Mild winters Raw materials Economic factors: large farms, logging, fishing,

shipbuilding Political factors: more tolerance; diversity Social factors small coastal towns (Philadelphia,

Baltimore, New York were large cities) Religious factors: Quakers, Catholics

Southern Colonies

Appalachian Mountains Navigable rivers Richer soil Warm climate Raw materials Economic factors: plantations, cash crops, tobacco,

rice, cotton Political factors: more slaves, more class-based society Social factors and small coastal towns (Savannah,

Charleston were large cities) Religious factors: Church of England, Catholics

(Maryland), more diverse

Effects of Physical and Human Geographic Factors on Major Historical and Contemporary Events Physical geographic factors – proximity to

Atlantic coastline determined where settlements/colonies were created

The NewEngland Middle colonies had access to waterways that resulted in high population and larger urban areas.

Southern colonies had an abundant amount of fertile soil that resulted in an agricultural society

Human geographic factors – removal of the Native Americans, disease and conflict (ex. Georgia as a buffer between the other British colonies and Spanish Florida)

Great Awakening

Religious movement in the 1730s and 1740s. Preached personal salvation as opposed to the Puritan

beliefs of pre-destination. JONATHAN EDWARDS – one of the best known

preachers of the time – his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” urged believers to develop a personal relationship with God.

This movement revitalized American religion by adding emotion. The Abolitionist Movement began in response

to the Great Awakening.

Benjamin Franklin

Inventor, Scientist, Founding Father 1706 – 1790 Published Poor Richard’s Almanack; sayings in his book helped

shape the American character, such as “early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Founded the first public library in the colonies, supported education; Post Master General for all the colonies

Scientist: Enlightenment: believed that through study and knowledge a person could improve his position in life

Member of the committee that wrote the Declaration of Independence

Created the Albany Plan of Union – the first attempt to unite the colonies during the French and Indian War

Considered to be the “first civilized American” Invented the lightening rod, bifocal glasses, and the Franklin stove

William Penn

William Penn established a colony in North America as a refuge for Quakers. The land grant from the King was called “Pennsylvania” or Penn’s Woods. Supported toleration of the Native Americans, freedom of worship, welcomed immigrants, and did not require citizens to serve in the militia.

Believed that each person was equal and allowed them to elect their own government officials.

Explain the reasons for the development of representative government in Colonial America Representative governments often

develop to meet the political, economic, and social needs of the people who hold similar beliefs.

Major Eras and Events in U.S. History – Colonial America

Exploration and Colonization Establishment of the 13 colonies Representative Democracy Mercantilism Religious Freedom

What are some reasons for European Exploration

Reasons for Exploration: Religion Wealth Fame National pride Curiosity Faster, cheaper trade routes to Asia

What are some reasons for European colonization of North America

Reasons for Colonization: Religious freedom Political freedom Economic opportunity (mercantilism) Social mobility A better way of life

Political reasons for establishing the 13 English Colonies

Political Reasons for establishing the 13 English Colonies:

Political Competition with Spain and France

who already had many colonies in North America

Increase trade and markets for English exports (mercantilism)

Source of raw materials

Religious reasons for establishing the 13 English Colonies

Religious reasons for establishing the 13 English Colonies:

  Seeking religious freedom   Freedom from persecution for religious

beliefs

Social reasons for establishingthe 13 English Colonies:

Social reasons for establishing the 13 English Colonies:

Opportunity for adventure and a better way of life

England was overcrowded and settlers desired their own land

Reasons for Growth of Representative Government and Institutions During the Colonial Period Distance from England created a

need for colonists to make their own laws and keep peace and order

Colonists were accustomed to English traditions and structures (Parliament)

Most colonies were self-governing, electing members of their community to a general assembly, which made their laws

How did Religion and Virtue Contribute to the Growth of Representative Government in the American Colonies

Religious freedom was a cause for the establishment of the American colonies.

Religious groups: Quakers, Pilgrims, Puritans, and others) creating communities that were self-governed.

Penn colony (Pennsylvania) was an experiment in the possibility of equality and citizens involved in the government.

Effects of Political, Economic, and Social Factors on Slaves During the Colonial Period Slaves During the Colonial Period: Political – no political voice; no rights Economic – labor of the Plantation System;

considered property; children considered property and sold with no regard to parents

Social – viewed as property; viewed as outside the American identity

Effects of Political, Economic, and Social Factors on Free Blacks During the Colonial Period Free Blacks During the Colonial

Period: Political – no political voice; limited /

restricted rights Economic – low wage earners Social – lowest social class; limited

access to education; socially isolated

Physical and Human Geographic Factors on Colonization:

Proximity to the Atlantic coastline determined where settlements/colonies were created

Human geographic factors – removal of the Native Americans, disease and conflict; for example, Georgia was a buffer between the other British colonies and Spanish Florida

American Revolution Era, 1775 - 1783

Taxation without Representation Boston Massacre Boston Tea Party Unalienable Rights Battles of Lexington and Concord, Saratoga,

and Yorktown Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation

1776

*Adoption of the Declaration of Independence *Main Author: Thomas Jefferson *Committee Included: Ben Franklin, John

Adams, Roger Livingston

*“Common Sense” Written by: Thomas Paine

Causes of the American Revolution

Proclamation of 1763 Stamp Act Intolerable Acts Mercantilism Lack of representation in Congress British economic policies following

the French and Indian War

Proclamation of 1763

British Parliament law; colonists were forbidden to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains, *Britain wanted a buffer zone between the colonists and the Native Americans, but the colonists wanted to settle the fertile Ohio River Valley

Stamp Act, 1765

Required all legal documents and papers have an official stamp showing that a tax had been paid.

British used this to generate revenue to help cover the cost of the French and Indian War;

colonists reacted by rioting through groups such as the Sons of Liberty;

Stamp Act Congress meets in October, 1765, to take action and ask Parliament to repeal the act

Coercive / Intolerable Acts, 1774

British reaction to the Boston Tea Party Closed the port of Boston until tea was paid for Restructured Massachusetts government by taking

away local control Troops were quartered in Boston and British officials

accused of crimes were sent to England or Canada for trial

Colonists reacted by boycotting British goods First Continental Congress is formed, September, 1774

Mercantilism

A system by which a nation increases its wealth and power by obtaining from its colonies gold, silver, and other raw materials.

It includes a favorable balance of trade. The colonies became a source of raw materials for the

mother country (England.) The colonies are expected to be the purchasers of

manufactured goods from the mother country. Belief that a colony exists for the economic benefit of

the mother country.

Taxation without Representation

Since the formation of the colonies, the colonists had set up their own legislative assemblies.

Colonists were unhappy about Britain’s insistence on the supremacy of Parliament (taxation).

The debate turned into one regarding representation in Britain’s law-making body (Parliament).

Britain argued that the colonies had “virtual representation.”

Abigail Adams

Wife of John Adams Served as John Adams’ confidant and support

while he served in the Continental Congress, when John and others were considering a declaration of independence.

Abigail reminded him to “remember the ladies”; take care of the women who could not hold themselves bound by laws in which they had no voice.

Advocate for women’s rights.

John Adams Lawyer and politician Defended the British soldiers after the

Boston Massacre A member of the Continental Congress

(representing Massachusetts) Strong supporter of independence Member of the committee that wrote

the Declaration of Independence

Wentworth Cherwell

African American Patriot Like Paul Revere, he made an all-

night ride back from Boston to warn his community tof the impending British invasion

Served in the Continental Army Fought at the Battle of Saratoga

Sam Adams

American Patriot Played a role in many of the events which

contributed to the Revolution Including: Sons of Liberty, organized

opposition to the Stamp Act and the Boston Massacre

Member of the Continental Congress (representing Massachusetts)

Cousin to John Adams

Mercy Otis Warren

Wife of a Massachusetts Patriot Anonymously wrote several

propaganda pieces supporting the Patriot cause

James Armistead Slave in Virginia *Marquis de Lafayette recruited him as a spy

for the Continental Army. *Posed as a double agent, forger and servant

at British headquarters. *He moved freely between the lines with vital

information on British troop movements for Lafayette

*Contributed to the American victory at Yorktown

Bernardo de’ Galvez Spanish nobleman *Became governor of the Spanish province of

Louisiana (January 1777) *protected American ships in the port of New

Orleans *helped transport war supplies *took up arms to fight the British and protect

Louisiana

King George III

King of England during the Revolutionary Era *Feared the loss of one group of colonies

would lead to the loss of others and the eventual decline of the empire.

*To prevent this, the Crown maintained an aggressive policy against colonial resistance.

George III struggled to enforce royal authority throughout his reign.

Crispus Attucks

African American male Unemployed dockworker in Boston,

MA Became the first casualty (first to

die) of the American Revolution Shot and killed in what became

known as the Boston Massacre, March 5, 1770