quarter1questions-Sheet1 Flashcards
(44 cards)
What events led to the era of exploration in the 1500’s?
It all began with indirect discoveries of the New World. Norse seafarers from Scandinavia had found the north-eastern shoulder of North America in about 1000 C.E. Europeans became restless and wanted to find new places. Christian Crusaders found spoils in Asia, but needed a less expensive route, hence America. Marco Polo returned to Europe in 1295 and told of amazing spoils from china. Columbus discovered the new world in 1492. Spanish Conquistadores- Spain became the dominant exploring and colonizing power in the 1500s. In 1513 and 1521, Juan Ponce de Leon explored Florida, which he thought was an island at first. In South America, Francisco Pizarro crushed the Incas of Peru in 1532 and got some booty to the Spanish.
Describe the major events of the first 25 years of Jamestown.
The Virginia Company’s ships landed near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay in 1606, where they were attacked by Indians. They set up camp on James River-easy to defend but mosquito-infested and full of disease. 40 people died on the boat-ride over, and settlers died by the dozens due to disease, malnutrition, and starvation. The settlers were looking for gold when they should have been looking for provisions. When John Smith took over in 1608, things began to turn around, but not much. Just as they were about to leave, their new governor Lord De La Warr forced them back to Jamestown-imposed harsh military regime and took action against the Indians. By 1625 there were only 1,200 of the original 8,000 colonists surviving.
What is the difference between a Puritan and a Separatist?
A Puritan was someone who disagreed with the teachings of the Church of England, and a Separatist was someone who broke away from the church altogether.
What was the Great Awakening? Why did it happen? What were the results?
The Great Awakening was a huge religious revival in the early 18th century. It happened because people were less interested in the church, so the stage was set for a huge turn around. It resulted in the preaching of Jonathan Edwards and the theatrical antics of the revivalists.
Give the Details of Bacon’s Rebellion and explain why it occurred.
Mass of impoverished freemen living in Chesapeake region in late 1600’s. In 1676 about a thousand Virginians revolted lead by southern planter Nathaniel Bacon. They resented Governor Berkeley- his friendly policies toward the Indians. Went on a rampage of plundering and pilfering.
Compare the French colonies with the English and Spanish. Consider location, economy, political organization and religious influence.
The French were located primarily in the Appalachians/Canada. Their economy relied on trade with the Native Americans, and their government was primarily democratic. Catholics. The English were located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic. Their economy relied on shipping and crops, and their government was primarily republican. Anglicans. The Spanish were located primarily in the South. Their economy relied on the usage of raw materials and the Native Americans, and they were autocratic. Catholics.
Why did the Ohio Valley become the arena of conflict between the French and English in America? Describe the events that occurred there which led to the war.
Tensions mounted as the settlers of New France(Canada) wanted to increase their land holdings to build up the fur trade. Their primary focus was the lush Ohio River Valley and the Great Lakes. Meanwhile, the British also started moving into the Ohio River Valley, with the Crown granting lands to companies such as the Ohio Company to encourage settlement.
What is Mercantile Theory? What specific actions did England take to enforce it? What were the positives and negative of this policy for the colonies?
Mercantile Theory is the theory that whichever country’s government had the most money had the most power. According to England, the colonies in America were to be used for the sole purpose of bringing in money. Because of this belief, the English government enforced restrictions on the colonies to retain control of their economies. They taxed almost everything, and implemented the Navigation Act.
What legislation did George Greenville institute in the 1760’s? How did the colonies respond to each?
The extended currency act and the sugar act. This made it so that for Americans to export items they had to go through the British government, hopefully trying to increase revenue for Britain. However, this only increased American resentment towards Britain.
What advantages and disadvantages did the Americans and British have going into the American Revolution
Britain’s military was the best in the world. Their soldiers were well equipped, well disciplined, well paid, and well fed. The British navy dominated the seas. Funds were much more easily raised by the Empire than by the Continental Congress. On the other hand, the war was expensive and the British population debated its necessity. In Parliament, there were many American sympathizers. Finally, the alliance with the French gave Americans courage and a tangible threat that tipped the scales in America’s favor.
Describe the format of the Declaration of Independence.
The founding fathers wrote to the British Government and explained all the transgressions that have been committed against them. They were not asking for independence specifically, just for a change in British rule.
Give three examples of Common Sense according to Thomas Paine.
Paine says the people will be much happier if they are responsible for the creation of the laws that rule them. Paine says the British system is too complex and rife with contradictions, and that the monarchy is granted far too much power. Paine also says that the colonies have little to gain from remaining attached to Britain.
What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
It gave congress the power to pass laws, but absolutely no power to enforce them. Congress had no power to levy taxes or regulate trade. Amending the Articles of Confederation would also require a unanimous decision, which would be extremely difficult.
Describe two pieces of successful legislation passed under the Articles of Confederation.
The Northwest Ordinance established the precedent by which the United States would expand westward across North America by the admission of new states rather than by the expansion of existing states. It also the prohibited slavery in the territory. The Land Ordinance Act of 1785 also provide the basis for American expansion.
Give three compromises written into the Constitution.
The Great Compromise: Each state would receive representation in the House of Representatives, and each state would be given two members in the Senate. The Three-fifths compromise. The Trade Compromise: The Congress could regulate trade, could not tax exports, and the president could make treaties, but two-thirds of the senate as to agree.
Why was George Washington picked to be commander in chief of the Army?
He was an amazing leader. But the main reason is that he was part of the upper-class. This was important because congress wanted someone who would fight for their cause and be for government. They did not want anyone who would fight for the cause of the poor, anti-federalists.
Describe three blunders of General Howe.
He decided to pursue Washington instead of meeting up with General Burgoyne in Albany, as a result Burgoyne’s army was crushed. Also, In the Battle of The Bulge, one subordinate wrote that Howe’s “absurd and destructive confidence” played a role in the number of casualties incurred, more than 1,000 killed or injured.
Why was the revolution more of an evolution?
Because not everyone in America was rooting for revolution. However, the steps taken to move towards America’s independence were seen as an evolution for the American people. Slowly they began coming around to the idea of separation from Britain, but did not happen all at once in some big revolution.
What were the Federalist papers? Why were they written and by whom?
The Federalist papers were a collection of 85 articles and essays written to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution. It was written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.
Compare and contrast a loose constructionist.
Loose constructionism was championed by Alexander Hamilton. “If the constitution doesn’t forbid it, then it allows it.” Justified by the necessary and proper clause.
List the provisions of Jay’s Treaty. Why was it so unpopular?
The Americans were granted limited rights to trade with British possessions in India and colonies in the Caribbean in exchange for some limits on the American export of cotton. Both sides achieved many objectives. The British agreed to vacate the western forts by June 1796 (which was done), and to compensate American ship owners.
Explain Hamilton’s economic program.
The federal government should pay off all state debts at full value. He proposed a Bank of the United States. Hamilton wanted the United States to adopt a MERCANTILIST economic policy
What was the Whiskey Rebellion? How was it handled? Why was it important?
The Whiskey Rebellion was a tax protest in the United States beginning in 1791, during the presidency of George Washington. The tax was resisted by farmers in the western frontier regions who were long accustomed to distilling their surplus grain and corn into whiskey. Washington responded by sending peace commissioners to western Pennsylvania to negotiate with the rebels, while at the same time calling on governors to send a militia force to enforce the tax. The Whiskey Rebellion demonstrated that the new national government had the willingness and ability to suppress violent resistance to its laws.
Describe the central arguments of the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions.
The arguments were mainly against the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1788-89. The resolutions argued that because the federal government was the outcome of a compact between the states, all powers not specifically granted to the central authority were retained by the individual states or by the people. The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were primarily protests against the limitations on civil liberties contained in the Alien and Sedition Acts
