Chapters 6-10 Significant People Flashcards
Samuel Adams
Principal political activist for American Liberty and rebellion in the early 1770s. Leader of the “Whipping Post Club” a political group with strong local influence. Took the democratic side. Possessed the skills of an agitator not a legislator.
Robert La Salle
The greatest of French-Canadian explorers. Was convinced that the Ohio River Valley led to China. Discovered the mouth of the Mississippi.
Abigail Adams
An early advocate of a larger public role for women. Received almost no formal education but taught herself a good deal by reading on her own. Married John Adams and, though mostly apart, maintained constant correspondence that shows that she was to have been astute and strong-minded.
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette
French nobleman who joined the American revolution and promoted Franco-American alliance. Played a crucial role as a commander of the Continental army in Virginia in the months preceding Cornwallis’s surrender.
Thomas Paine
Writer of Common Sense and played a crucial role in arousing American patriotism
Richard Henry Lee
The most eloquent Revolutionary orator besides Patrick Henry, the author of the resolution declaring independence in 1776. An Anti-Federalist in the fight over the Constitution.
John Paul Jones
Naval hero of the American Revolution, known as the founder of the United States Navy.
George Rogers Clark
American frontiersman whose daring exploits won the trans-Appalachian west for the new United States. Besides his skill at frontier warfare, he proved especially adapt at persuading many Indians to abandon the British and support the French and Americans, or at least remain neutral.
Daniel Shays
His rebellion spurred the movement for a new constitution. He continuously insisted that the farmers wanted only redress of grievances, not violence.
James Madison
The “Father of the Constitution” is generally considered the most original political thinker among the founding fathers
Patrick Henry
Became the leading Anti-Federalist opponent of the Constitution. Made his famous “give me liberty or give me death!” speech during the debate over whether the Virginia assembly should take steps toward independence.
Alexander Hamilton
Arch nemesis of Thomas Jefferson. Strong leader of the Federalists and was the first Secretary of Treasury. Founder of the National Debt
John Jay
Was one of the authors of the Federalist Papers. His negotiation of Jay’s Treaty with Great Britain made him a hero to the Federalists and a hated symbol of humiliation to Jeffersonian Republicans. Was First Chief of Justice of the United States
Aaron Burr
Was the Vice President of the United States who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel then organized a mysterious conspiracy to separate parts of the West from the United States. It is still uncertain whether he wanted to set up a new western nation under himself or form a private army to invade Mexico.
