Key Definitions

Question 1

Define Hegemony

Answer 1

Leadership or Dominance, especially by one state or social group over others.

Question 2

Define Mercantilism

Answer 2

The belief that the colonies existed to serve the economic interests of Britain.

Question 3

Define Colony

Answer 3

An area under the full political control of Britain.

Question 4

Define Salutary Neglect

Answer 4

A detached policy of governance in which the colonies were mostly “left alone”.

Question 5

Define Indentured Servant

Answer 5

Four years of servitude for payment of travel expenses to colonial America.

Question 6

Define Royal Governor

Answer 6

Appointed by the monarch to deal with internal administration and law enforcement. Served an average term of 5 years in office.

Question 7

Define Enlightenment

Answer 7

Intellectual movement of the 17th/18th centuries emphasising individualism and reason.

Question 8

Define Colonial Agent

Answer 8

Representatives of the individual colonies based in Britain.

Question 9

Define Proclamation Line

Answer 9

Boundary for colonial settlement set in 1763.

Question 10

Define Appalachians

Answer 10

A mountain range that stretches from Canada to Alabama.

Question 11

Define Despotism

Answer 11

The exercise of absolute power, in a cruel and oppressive way.

Question 12

Define Whiggism

Answer 12

Those who once upheld popular rights of Parliament and oppressed Royal power.

Question 13

Define Arbitrary Power

Answer 13

Power that is not bound by rules, allowing a monarch to do as they wish.

Question 14

Define Stamp Duty

Answer 14

A tax on legal documents.

Question 15

Define Levied

Answer 15

Imposition of a fee or tax

Question 16

Define Liberty Tree

Answer 16

An actual, but also symbolic, tree in Boston representing freedom from tyranny.

Question 17

Define Sons of Liberty

Answer 17

Semi secret society engaged in opposition movement against British tyranny.

Question 18

Define Circular Letter

Answer 18

A letter of which copies are sent to several people.

Question 19

Define East India Company

Answer 19

A powerful company that controlled much of Britain’s trade with India.

Question 20

Define Tea agent

Answer 20

Men responsible for collecting Tea duties.

Question 21

Define Minutemen

Answer 21

Elite force of younger colonists within the Massachusetts militia.

Question 22

Define Creditor

Answer 22

Those wealthy enough to lend money to
Congress and to individuals.

Question 23

Define Debtors

Answer 23

Those who had received loans and had to pay them back following the war.

Question 24

Define Specie

Answer 24

Gold or coined money.

Question 25

Define Certificates of public credit

Answer 25

Printed statements recognising that the holders were owed money by the government.

Question 26

Define Amendment

Answer 26

A formal or official change added to a constitution.

Question 27

Define Ratification

Answer 27

The action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract or agreement, making it officially valid.

Question 28

Define Federalists

Answer 28

Supporters of the constitution.

Question 29

Define Anti-Federalists

Answer 29

Critics of the constitution.

Question 30

Define Bill of Rights

Answer 30

The first ten amendments to the Constitution 1789.