Hist 1301 Midterm Review Guide Term Bank Identify Each Term

Hist 1301 Midterm Review Guideterm Bank Identify Each Term And Explai

Identify each term and explain its relevance.

Paper For Above instruction

The history of early America and the broader Atlantic world is marked by complex interactions between indigenous peoples, European explorers, colonial powers, and emerging national identities. To understand this foundational period, it is essential to define key terms and concepts that shaped the development of the United States and its antecedents, as well as the wider Atlantic economy and political structures.

The Mayans and Aztecs represent two of the most advanced civilizations in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. Their social structures, religious practices, and innovations in science and mathematics affected subsequent European perceptions of the New World. The Mayans, known for their sophisticated writing system and calendar, contributed immensely to Mesoamerican culture, while the Aztecs’ empire was formidable before Spanish conquest. These civilizations challenged the stereotype of "uncivilized savages" and demonstrated the complexity of indigenous societies encountered by Europeans.

Mercantilism was an economic theory prevalent in the 16th to 18th centuries that emphasized government regulation of trade to augment national wealth, primarily through a favorable balance of exports over imports. This policy justified colonial expansion and resource extraction, underpinning the creation of colonies that supplied raw materials to the mother country, as exemplified in the British colonial system.

The Sons of Liberty were a colonial organization formed to oppose British policies like the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts. They played a leading role in protests such as the Boston Tea Party and symbolized colonial resistance and burgeoning American identity. Their resistance methods demonstrated colonial defiance against perceived tyranny.

The Aztecs, like the Maya, represent crucial indigenous civilizations whose encounters with the Spanish conquistadors led to their conquest and the significant cultural and demographic shifts in the region. Their fall symbolized the drastic change in power dynamics and the onset of Spanish colonial rule in New Spain.

William Penn, a Quaker and proprietor of Pennsylvania, championed principles of religious freedom and democracy, establishing one of the earliest colonies based on liberal ideas and fair treatment of indigenous peoples. His policies influenced American ideals of civil liberties and governance.

The Stamp Act (1765) and the Stamp Act Congress exemplify colonial grievances against British taxation without representation, fueling the push toward independence. The protests against these laws contributed to the colonies' sense of unity and the development of revolutionary political thought.

Mesoamerica refers to the region encompassing ancient civilizations like the Maya and Aztecs, characterized by complex societies, advanced agriculture, and monumental architecture. This area was central to pre-Columbian history and the impact of European conquest.

The Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina, drafted in the late 17th century, attempted to establish a hierarchical society with religious tolerance, but ultimately failed to prevent conflicts and instability in the colony. It reflected early colonial efforts to balance aristocratic rule with religious diversity.

The Tory or Tories were those Americans who remained loyal to Britain during the Revolutionary War, resisting independence and supporting colonial ties to the crown. Their loyalty contrasted with Patriots who sought independence.

The Bering Strait, a land bridge that once connected Asia and North America, enabled early human migration into the Americas. Its significance lies in understanding how the first peoples arrived in the New World and how migration patterns shaped indigenous populations.

The Salem Witch Trials (1692) exemplify mass hysteria and social paranoia in colonial New England, with accusations of witchcraft leading to executions. They reflect the social tensions and fears of the period.

The Daughters of Liberty were women who supported colonial protests against British policies, often by producing homemade goods to boycott British imports, symbolizing grassroots resistance and civic engagement.

Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain sponsored Columbus’s voyages and unified Spain, fueling the age of exploration. Their support led to European expansion into the Americas and the opening of transatlantic trade routes.

The Middle Passage refers to the brutal transatlantic voyage that transported enslaved Africans to the Americas, representing one of the darkest episodes of colonialism marked by immense human suffering and the foundation of racial slavery.

Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) of 1774 were punitive measures by Britain against Massachusetts, epitomizing the escalation of tension that led to revolutionary war. They aimed to restore authority but instead united colonies in resistance.

Prince Henry of Portugal, known as the Navigator, sponsored voyages along the African coast, facilitating Portuguese exploration and establishing early maritime dominance that laid the groundwork for European colonization.

The South Atlantic System was an economic network based on plantation slavery that linked Africa, the Americas, and Europe, fostering wealth for colonial powers and dehumanizing enslaved Africans.

The Continental Congress was the colonial assembly that coordinated resistance to British policies during the American Revolution and eventually established the framework for the new United States government.

Spanish conquistadores, like Cortés and Pizarro, led expeditions that resulted in the conquest of the Aztec and Inca empires, initiating Spanish dominance in the Americas and a new phase of colonial colonization.

Salutary neglect was a British policy of lax enforcement of colonial laws prior to 1763, allowing the colonies to operate with relative independence and develop their own political identities, which later fostered revolutionary sentiments.

The queen Elizabeth I of England played a critical role in establishing the English colonial enterprise, supporting privateering, and encouraging exploration, such as Sir Walter Raleigh’s efforts in Roanoke.

The Freehold Society was an early American ideal promoting individual land ownership and economic independence, underpinning democratic ideals and social mobility.

The Valley Forge encampment during the Revolutionary War highlighted the resilience of the Continental Army under hardship, and the leadership of George Washington fostered discipline and unity among the troops.

The Renaissance and Restoration periods mark significant cultural and political shifts in England, influencing colonial attitudes toward art, learning, and governance, which in turn affected American society.

The colonies were geographic and cultural regions under British control, each developing unique economies, social structures, and political practices, collectively shaping American identity.

The Treaty of Alliance (1778) allied the United States with France during the Revolutionary War, providing critical military support that was decisive in securing independence.

Colonialism involves establishing control over indigenous lands and peoples, often through force and economic dominance, shaping the political landscape of the Americas and fostering conflicts.

Absolutism refers to monarchic power concentrated in the hands of the ruler, exemplified in the European context during the 17th and early 18th centuries, influencing colonial governance structures.

The Battle of Saratoga (1777) was a turning point in the American Revolution, leading to French intervention and ultimately contributing to American victory.

The Columbian Exchange describes the transfer of crops, livestock, cultures, and diseases between the Old World and New World following Columbus’s voyages, profoundly affecting global populations and economies.

John Locke’s theories on natural rights, social contract, and government limited by the consent of the governed significantly influenced revolutionary ideas and American political developments.

George Washington’s leadership in the Revolutionary War and early presidency established precedents for American military and political institutions, shaping the nation’s identity.

Jacques Marquette was a French Jesuit missionary and explorer who contributed to the mapping and Christianization of the Mississippi River Valley, expanding European knowledge of North America.

The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement emphasizing reason, individual rights, and scientific inquiry, which underpinned revolutionary ideals and political philosophy in America.

Republicanism promoted a government based on the consent of the governed, representative institutions, and civic virtue, becoming fundamental to American political thought.

New Spain was the colonial territory established by Spain in the Americas, encompassing Mexico and much of the southwestern United States, influential in shaping regional cultures and economies.

The Glorious Revolution (1688) resulted in the overthrow of King James II of England, leading to constitutional monarchy and increased parliamentary power, impacting colonial governance.

The Federalist Papers were a series of essays promoting ratification of the U.S. Constitution and advocating for a strong federal government to replace the Articles of Confederation.

Franciscan monks played vital roles in converting indigenous populations to Christianity and establishing missions across colonial America and Spanish territories.

The French and Indian War (1754–1763), part of the global Seven Years’ War, marked Britain’s rising dominance in North America but also led to increased colonial tensions over taxation and land policies.

The Louisiana Purchase (1803) doubled the size of the United States, acquiring French territory from Napoleon, and opened vast lands for westward expansion.

Jamestown (1607), the first permanent English settlement in North America, marked the beginning of sustained English colonization and set patterns for future expansion.

The Proclamation of 1763 restricted colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains to prevent conflicts with Native Americans, but it also fueled colonial discontent.

The American Revolution (1775–1783) was driven by colonial grievances over taxation, representation, and rights, culminating in independence from Britain.

Indentured servants were laborers who agreed to work for a set period in exchange for passage to America, serving as a transitional labor force before slavery became dominant.

Skilled craftsmen in colonial America contributed to local economies and fostered community development, often forming the backbone of colonial towns.

The Articles of Confederation was the first governing document of the United States, establishing a loose confederation with limited central authority, eventually replaced by the U.S. Constitution.

Tobacco colonies, such as Virginia and Maryland, relied heavily on tobacco cultivation and slavery, shaping their economies and social hierarchies.

The Navigation Acts (1651–1673) mandated colonial trade be conducted through British ships and ports, reinforcing mercantilist policies and often causing colonial resentment.

The U.S. Constitution (1787) established a federal system with checks and balances, individual rights, and a strong national government, replacing the Articles of Confederation.

Lord Baltimore, founder of Maryland, promoted religious tolerance and aimed to create a haven for Catholics in North America, influencing colonial policies on religious freedom.

The household mode of production refers to the economic organization based on families producing for subsistence, common in colonial America before market integration.

Pilgrims and Puritans established colonies for religious freedom, with the Pilgrims founding Plymouth (1620) and the Puritans establishing the Massachusetts Bay Colony (1630), both shaping early American values.

Benjamin Franklin exemplified Enlightenment ideals with innovations in science, diplomacy, and civic activism, significantly shaping American cultural and political development.

The Northwest Ordinance (1787) established procedures for the orderly expansion of the United States and set precedent for Western land policies and the prohibition of slavery in new territories.

Roger Williams founded Rhode Island on principles of religious tolerance and separation of church and state, influencing American religious and civil liberty.

Pietism was a Protestant revival emphasizing personal faith and piety, which gained influence during the Great Awakening and affected American religious culture.

The Philadelphia Convention (1787) resulted in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, addressing weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and establishing a new federal framework.

Bacon’s Rebellion (1676) reflected tensions between frontier settlers and colonial authorities, highlighting issues of class, race, and governance in Virginia.

The Great Awakening was a series of religious revivals emphasizing personal salvation and piety, impacting colonial society by promoting ideas of equality and challenging established churches.

William Pitt, as British Secretary of State, directed war effort in the French and Indian War, securing victories that expanded British North American territory.

The Constitution balanced federal power and states’ rights, establishing the structure for American government and protecting individual liberties with the Bill of Rights (1791).

Common Sense, written by Thomas Paine, galvanized colonial support for independence by arguing for republican principles and criticizing monarchy.

Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763) was an indigenous resistance movement against British postwar policies, highlighting ongoing conflicts over land and sovereignty.

Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father advocating for a strong federal government, industrialization, and a national bank, shaping early American economic policy.

The Sugar Act (1764) aimed at raising revenue through taxation on sugar and molasses, fueling colonial grievances over taxation without representation.

The Tea Act (1773) and the Boston Tea Party symbolized colonial resistance to British taxation and control over colonial trade.

Shay’s Rebellion (1786–1787) was an armed uprising by Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices and weak government under the Articles of Confederation, highlighting the need for a stronger federal system.

The Bill of Rights (1791) protected individual liberties and limited government powers, addressing concerns about potential tyranny under the new Constitution.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806) mapped the Louisiana Territory, strengthened American claims, and fostered westward exploration and expansion.

Marbury v. Madison (1803) established judicial review, empowering courts to evaluate laws’ constitutionality and shaping American legal and political development.

The Sedition Act (1798) targeted those criticizing the government, raising issues about free speech and government authority and sparking political controversy.

John Adams, the second U.S. president, led the nation through early challenges, including foreign relations and internal political divisions, notably the Alien and Sedition Acts.

References

• Bernstein, R. J. (2010). _The Rebirth of American Political Thought_. University of Chicago Press.
• Canny, N. (2017). _The Origins of Empire: British Overseas Enterprise from 1550 to 1700_. Oxford University Press.
• Foner, E. (2014). _Give Me Liberty! An American History_. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Maier, P. (2010). _The Atlantic World: A History_. Oxford University Press.
• Wood, G. S. (1992). _The Radicalism of the American Revolution_. Vintage Books.
• Telemak, G. (2016). _Colonial America: A Short History_. Cambridge University Press.
• Wood, G. (2000). _The Purpose of the Revolution_. William and Mary Quarterly, 57(2), 193-214.
• Kammen, M. (2015). _A Machine That Would Go of Itself: The Constitution in American Culture_. Cornell University Press.
• McCullough, D. (2001). _John Adams_. Simon & Schuster.
• Hofstadter, R. (2011). _The Age of Reform_. Vintage.