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Exam 2 Review Flashcards

Comprehensive review of British colonial policies, key acts, and early American events that shaped the road to revolution.

134 cards~47 min
Exam 2 Review Flashcards — Qwi
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1What was the purpose of the Navigation Acts?
Answer

To ensure trade benefited Britain

The Acts required colonies to ship certain goods only to England, reinforcing mercantilist policy and limiting foreign competition.
2The {{Navigation Acts}} required colonies to ship certain goods only to England.
Answer

Navigation Acts

3What did the Currency Acts regulate?
Answer

Colonial paper money

They prohibited the colonies from issuing their own paper currency, forcing reliance on British specie and limiting inflation.
4The {{Currency Acts}} prohibited colonies from issuing their own paper money.
Answer

Currency Acts

5What were the Restraining Acts intended to do?
Answer

Limit colonial trade with other nations

They aimed to curb smuggling and enforce the Navigation Acts by restricting trade with non‑British ports.
6The {{Restraining Acts}} were designed to limit colonial trade with non‑British ports.
Answer

Restraining Acts

7What tax did the Stamp Act impose?
Answer

A tax on printed materials

It required colonists to purchase stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, and playing cards, sparking widespread protest.
8The {{Stamp Act}} required colonists to buy stamped paper for legal documents.
Answer

Stamp Act

9Why were the Coercive Acts also called the Intolerable Acts?
Answer

Because they harshly punished Massachusetts

The Acts closed Boston Harbor, altered the colony’s government, and allowed British officials to be tried elsewhere, inflaming colonial anger.
10The {{Coercive Acts}} were nicknamed the Intolerable Acts for their harshness toward Massachusetts.
Answer

Coercive Acts

11What did the Boston Port Act do?
Answer

Closed Boston Harbor

It prohibited all ships from entering or leaving the port until damages from the Tea Party were paid, crippling the local economy.
12The {{Boston Port Act}} closed Boston Harbor until restitution was paid.
Answer

Boston Port Act

13What power did the Massachusetts Government Act grant Britain?
Answer

Control over the colony’s council

It gave the king authority to appoint most officials and limited town meetings, reducing colonial self‑government.
14The {{Massachusetts Government Act}} gave the king authority to appoint colonial officials.
Answer

Massachusetts Government Act

15What was the purpose of the Administration of Justice Act?
Answer

To move trials of royal officials to Britain

It allowed British officials accused of crimes in the colonies to be tried elsewhere, protecting them from colonial juries.
16The {{Administration of Justice Act}} let British officials be tried outside the colonies.
Answer

Administration of Justice Act

17What requirement did the Quartering Act impose on colonists?
Answer

Housing British soldiers

It mandated that colonists provide lodging and supplies for troops, often in private homes, fueling resentment.
18The {{Quartering Act}} required colonists to house British soldiers.
Answer

Quartering Act

19What economic system did the Mercantilist System promote?
Answer

Export‑driven trade benefiting the mother country

It encouraged colonies to supply raw materials and purchase finished goods from Britain, creating a favorable balance of trade.
20The {{Mercantilist System}} emphasized export‑driven trade for the benefit of the mother country.
Answer

Mercantilist System

21Why were rice plantations important in South Carolina?
Answer

They generated wealth through slave labor

Rice cultivation became a lucrative export, relying heavily on enslaved Africans who possessed the necessary agricultural knowledge.
22The {{Rice Plantations}} in South Carolina relied on enslaved labor for profit.
Answer

Rice Plantations

23What was the significance of the Stono Rebellion?
Answer

It was a major slave uprising in South Carolina

In 1739, enslaved Africans attempted to escape to Spanish Florida, prompting harsher slave codes and fear among colonists.
24The {{Stono Rebellion}} was a large slave uprising in South Carolina in 1739.
Answer

Stono Rebellion

25What were the main causes of the French and Indian War?
Answer

Competition over western lands and trade

British and French colonies vied for control of the Ohio Valley, leading to Native American alliances and armed conflict.
26The {{French and Indian War}} stemmed from competition for western territories.
Answer

French and Indian War

27How did the French and Indian War affect British debt?
Answer

It greatly increased it

The war’s massive expenses left Britain with a huge national debt, prompting new taxes on the colonies to raise revenue.
28The {{British Debt}} after the French and Indian War led to new colonial taxes.
Answer

British Debt

29What did the 1763 Treaty of Paris accomplish?
Answer

Ended the French and Indian War

It ceded Canada and lands east of the Mississippi to Britain, reshaping colonial boundaries in North America.
30The {{Treaty of Paris (1763)}} ended the French and Indian War.
Answer

Treaty of Paris (1763)

31What was the purpose of the Royal Proclamation of 1763?
Answer

To limit colonial expansion westward

It established the Proclamation Line along the Appalachians, reserving western lands for Native Americans and reducing frontier conflict.
32The {{Royal Proclamation of 1763}} created a western boundary for colonial settlement.
Answer

Royal Proclamation of 1763

33Who was Neolin and what did he inspire?
Answer

A Native prophet who inspired Pontiac’s War

Neolin urged tribes to reject British goods and unite, leading to a coordinated uprising against British forts in the Great Lakes region.
34{{Neolin}} was a Native American prophet whose teachings sparked {{Pontiac’s War}}.
Answer

Neolin

35What was the Albany Plan of 1754?
Answer

A proposal for colonial unity

Drafted by Benjamin Franklin, it suggested a unified government for defense and Indian affairs, but was rejected by the colonies.
36The {{Albany Plan}} proposed a unified colonial government for defense.
Answer

Albany Plan

37What scientific contribution is Benjamin Franklin known for?
Answer

Discovering electricity with a kite experiment

His 1752 experiment demonstrated that lightning is electrical, leading to the invention of the lightning rod.
38{{Benjamin Franklin}} proved that lightning is a form of {{electricity}}.
Answer

electricity

39What was Jonathan Edwards’ famous sermon?
Answer

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God"

Delivered in 1741, it exemplified the emotional intensity of the Great Awakening and warned of divine wrath.
40{{Jonathan Edwards}} delivered the sermon "{{Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God}}".
Answer

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

41What role did George Whitefield play in the Great Awakening?
Answer

He was a charismatic itinerant preacher

His powerful oratory attracted massive crowds across the colonies, spreading evangelical fervor and emphasizing personal conversion.
42{{George Whitefield}} was a famed {{itinerant preacher}} of the Great Awakening.
Answer

itinerant preacher

43What religious movement did John Wesley found?
Answer

Methodism

Wesley emphasized personal holiness, regular prayer, and social service, forming a denomination that grew rapidly in Britain and America.
44{{John Wesley}} founded {{Methodism}} in the 18th century.
Answer

Methodism

45What characterized the Great Awakening?
Answer

Revivalist preaching and emotional conversions

It featured itinerant preachers, intense sermons, and a focus on personal salvation, reshaping colonial religious life.
46The {{Great Awakening}} was marked by {{revivalist preaching}} and emotional conversions.
Answer

revivalist preaching

47What intellectual movement emphasized reason and science in the 18th century?
Answer

The Enlightenment

Thinkers promoted rational inquiry, individual rights, and secular governance, influencing political revolutions worldwide.
48The {{Enlightenment}} championed {{reason}} and scientific inquiry.
Answer

reason

49How did John Locke challenge the doctrine of Divine Right?
Answer

By asserting government derives from consent

Locke’s theory of natural rights and social contract argued that rulers are legitimate only when they protect life, liberty, and property.
50{{John Locke}} argued that political authority comes from {{consent of the governed}}.
Answer

consent of the governed

51What early military experience did George Washington have before the Revolution?
Answer

He fought at Fort Necessity

In 1754, Washington’s militia was defeated at Fort Necessity during the French and Indian War, shaping his leadership skills.
52{{George Washington}} gained early combat experience at {{Fort Necessity}}.
Answer

Fort Necessity

53What was the outcome of the Battle of Quebec (1759‑1760)?
Answer

British victory under James Wolfe

Wolfe’s forces captured the city after the Plains of Abraham, ending French rule in Canada.
54The {{Battle of Quebec}} ended with a {{British victory}} at the Plains of Abraham.
Answer

British victory

55Why did James Oglethorpe found the colony of Georgia?
Answer

To provide a buffer against Spanish Florida

He also aimed to create a society for the poor and to prohibit slavery initially, reflecting philanthropic goals.
56{{James Oglethorpe}} founded {{Georgia}} as a buffer against Spanish Florida.
Answer

Georgia

57During the American Revolution, who was King George III?
Answer

The reigning British monarch

He was seen by colonists as the symbol of oppressive policies, though he personally opposed harsh measures against the colonies.
58{{King George III}} was the {{British monarch}} during the American Revolution.
Answer

British monarch

59What midnight ride is Paul Revere famous for?
Answer

Warning of British troop movements

On April 18, 1775, he rode from Boston to Lexington to alert colonial militia of the approaching British forces.
60{{Paul Revere}} rode to warn colonists of {{British troop movements}}.
Answer

British troop movements

61Who was Patrick Henry and what was his famous slogan?
Answer

A revolutionary leader; "Give me liberty or death!"

His 1775 speech urged resistance to British oppression and became a rallying cry for independence.
62{{Patrick Henry}} declared, "{{Give me liberty or death!}}"
Answer

Give me liberty or death!

63What role did Samuel Adams play in the revolutionary movement?
Answer

Organizer of resistance groups

He helped form the Sons of Liberty, coordinated protests, and promoted the boycott of British goods.
64{{Samuel Adams}} was a key {{organizer}} of colonial resistance.
Answer

organizer

65Why is Crispus Attucks remembered in American history?
Answer

He was the first martyr of the Revolution

Attucks, a Black sailor, was killed during the Boston Massacre in 1770, symbolizing colonial sacrifice.
66{{Crispus Attucks}} became the first {{martyr}} of the American Revolution.
Answer

martyr

67What document did Thomas Jefferson author in 1776?
Answer

The Declaration of Independence

It proclaimed the colonies’ right to self‑government and listed grievances against King George III.
68{{Thomas Jefferson}} wrote the {{Declaration of Independence}}.
Answer

Declaration of Independence

69What argument did Thomas Paine make in Common Sense?
Answer

That independence was necessary and feasible

He appealed to common people, urging immediate separation from Britain and a republican form of government.
70{{Thomas Paine}} argued for {{independence}} in his pamphlet Common Sense.
Answer

independence

71How did Abigail Adams influence early women’s rights?
Answer

She advocated for female representation in new laws

In letters to John Adams, she urged "remember the ladies" when drafting the new government’s statutes.
72{{Abigail Adams}} urged her husband to "{{remember the ladies}}" in the new laws.
Answer

remember the ladies

73What were the Sons of Liberty?
Answer

A secret group opposing British policies

They organized protests, such as the Boston Tea Party, and spread revolutionary ideas throughout the colonies.
74The {{Sons of Liberty}} were a {{secret organization}} that resisted British taxation.
Answer

secret organization

75Who were the Hessians in the Revolutionary War?
Answer

German mercenaries hired by Britain

They fought alongside British troops, notably at the Battle of Trenton, and were despised by American colonists.
76{{Hessians}} were {{German mercenaries}} employed by the British.
Answer

German mercenaries

77What purpose did Committees of Correspondence serve?
Answer

To coordinate colonial resistance

They facilitated communication between colonies, sharing news of British actions and organizing collective responses.
78The {{Committees of Correspondence}} linked colonies for {{coordinated resistance}}.
Answer

coordinated resistance

79Who were Loyalists during the American Revolution?
Answer

Colonists who remained loyal to Britain

They opposed independence, often facing persecution, and many later emigrated to Canada or Britain after the war.
80{{Loyalists}} were colonists who {{supported British rule}} during the Revolution.
Answer

supported British rule

81What nickname was given to British soldiers fighting in America?
Answer

Redcoats

The term referred to their distinctive red uniforms and became a symbol of British oppression in colonial propaganda.
82British soldiers in the colonies were commonly called {{Redcoats}}.
Answer

Redcoats

83Why was the Battle of Saratoga pivotal?
Answer

It secured French military support

The American victory convinced France to formally ally with the colonies, turning the war into a global conflict.
84The {{Battle of Saratoga}} led to {{French intervention}} on the American side.
Answer

French intervention

85What sparked the conflicts at Lexington and Concord?
Answer

British attempt to seize colonial arms

The march to confiscate militia weapons ignited the first armed clashes of the Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775.
86{{Lexington and Concord}} marked the {{first armed clashes}} of the Revolution.
Answer

first armed clashes

87What was the outcome of the Siege of Yorktown?
Answer

British surrender and end of major fighting

In 1781, combined American and French forces forced Cornwallis to capitulate, effectively ending the war.
88The {{Siege of Yorktown}} resulted in a {{British surrender}} in 1781.
Answer

British surrender

89What treaty formally ended the American Revolutionary War?
Answer

The Treaty of Paris (1783)

Signed by the United States, Britain, France, and Spain, it recognized American independence and set borders.
90{{Treaty of Paris (1783)}} ended the American Revolutionary War.
Answer

Treaty of Paris (1783)

91What was the purpose of the Articles of Confederation?
Answer

To create a weak central government

The 1781 document gave limited powers to the national Congress, reflecting fear of centralized authority after the Revolution.
92The {{Articles of Confederation}} established a {{weak central government}} for the United States.
Answer

weak central government

93What caused Shays’ Rebellion?
Answer

Economic distress and debt among farmers

Veterans faced high taxes and foreclosures, leading Daniel Shays to lead an armed protest in 1786‑87.
94{{Shays’ Rebellion}} was driven by {{farmer debt and economic hardship}}.
Answer

farmer debt and economic hardship

95What is the Madisonian Model of government?
Answer

A system of separated powers with checks and balances

James Madison advocated three branches—legislative, executive, judicial—to prevent tyranny and protect liberty.
96The {{Madisonian Model}} features {{separated powers}} and checks and balances.
Answer

separated powers

97What financial reforms did Alexander Hamilton propose as the first Secretary of the Treasury?
Answer

Assumption of state debts and creation of a national bank

His plan aimed to stabilize credit, fund the national debt, and promote economic growth.
98{{Alexander Hamilton}} advocated {{assumption of state debts}} and a {{national bank}}.
Answer

assumption of state debts

99What was the purpose of the Report on Public Credit (1790)?
Answer

To outline how the federal government would handle its debt

It recommended funding the national debt at full value and establishing a sinking fund to retire it over time.
100The {{Report on Public Credit}} proposed {{full funding of the national debt}}.
Answer

full funding of the national debt

101What did the Assumption Plan involve?
Answer

Federal takeover of state debts

By assuming the debts, the national government strengthened its credit and unified fiscal policy across the states.
102The {{Assumption Plan}} meant the {{federal government}} would assume state debts.
Answer

federal government

103What vision did Hamilton have for the United States economy?
Answer

A strong central government with a diversified industrial economy

He promoted manufacturing, protective tariffs, and a national bank to foster commercial growth and financial stability.
104{{Hamiltonian vision}} called for a {{diversified industrial economy}} under a strong central government.
Answer

diversified industrial economy

105How did Thomas Jefferson’s economic vision differ from Hamilton’s?
Answer

He favored an agrarian society with limited federal power

Jefferson promoted farming, states’ rights, and opposed a national bank, contrasting Hamilton’s industrial focus.
106{{Thomas Jefferson}} advocated an {{agrarian republic}} with limited central authority.
Answer

agrarian republic

107What was the main goal of the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
Answer

To create a stronger federal government

Delegates met in Philadelphia to replace the Articles of Confederation with a constitution that balanced power among branches.
108The {{Constitutional Convention}} of 1787 produced the {{U.S. Constitution}}.
Answer

U.S. Constitution

109What did the Virginia Plan propose?
Answer

A bicameral legislature with representation based on population

It favored larger states, suggesting a lower house elected by the people and an upper house elected by state legislatures.
110The {{Virginia Plan}} called for a {{bicameral legislature}} with population‑based representation.
Answer

bicameral legislature

111How did the New Jersey Plan differ from the Virginia Plan?
Answer

It kept a single house with equal state representation

The plan protected small states by granting each one vote regardless of size, maintaining the Articles’ structure.
112The {{New Jersey Plan}} advocated a {{unicameral legislature}} with equal state votes.
Answer

unicameral legislature

113What compromise resolved the dispute over slave representation?
Answer

The Three‑Fifths Compromise

It counted each enslaved person as three‑fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.
114The {{Three‑Fifths Compromise}} counted slaves as {{three‑fifths}} of a person.
Answer

three‑fifths

115What was the Great (Connecticut) Compromise?
Answer

A blend of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans

It created a bicameral Congress with a House based on population and a Senate with equal representation for each state.
116The {{Great Compromise}} established a {{bicameral Congress}} with mixed representation.
Answer

bicameral Congress

117What did the Slave Trade Compromise address?
Answer

It allowed the continuation of the trans‑Atlantic slave trade for 20 years

The agreement postponed banning the importation of slaves until 1808, appeasing Southern interests.
118The {{Slave Trade Compromise}} permitted the slave trade to continue for {{20 years}}.
Answer

20 years

119What does the Bill of Rights protect?
Answer

Individual liberties against government infringement

The first ten amendments guarantee freedoms such as speech, religion, assembly, and due process.
120The {{Bill of Rights}} comprises the first {{ten amendments}} to the Constitution.
Answer

ten amendments

121What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers?
Answer

To persuade ratification of the Constitution

Written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, they explained the merits of the new government and addressed critics’ concerns.
122The {{Federalist Papers}} were authored by {{Hamilton, Madison, and Jay}}.
Answer

Hamilton, Madison, and Jay

123What caused the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794?
Answer

Resistance to a federal excise tax on whiskey

Farmers in western Pennsylvania protested the tax, testing the new government's ability to enforce law.
124The {{Whiskey Rebellion}} was sparked by a {{federal excise tax}} on whiskey.
Answer

federal excise tax

125When did the French Revolution begin and end?
Answer

It began in 1789 and ended in 1815

The revolution started with the Estates‑General and concluded with Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo.
126The {{French Revolution}} spanned from {{1789}} to {{1815}}.
Answer

1789

127What advice did Washington give in his Farewell Address?
Answer

Avoid permanent foreign alliances and political parties

He warned that entangling alliances could drag the nation into wars and that partisan divisions threatened unity.
128{{Washington’s Farewell Address}} cautioned against {{permanent foreign alliances}}.
Answer

permanent foreign alliances

129What was the main purpose of Jay’s Treaty of 1794?
Answer

To resolve lingering issues with Britain and avoid war

It addressed debts, the British presence on the frontier, and restored trade, though it was unpopular with many Americans.
130{{Jay’s Treaty}} aimed to {{prevent war}} with Britain.
Answer

prevent war

131What principle did the disestablishment of churches promote?
Answer

Separation of church and state

It ensured that government could not favor any particular denomination, guaranteeing religious freedom for all citizens.
132Disestablishment established {{separation of church and state}} in the new nation.
Answer

separation of church and state

133What was significant about the Election of 1800?
Answer

It marked the first peaceful transfer of power between parties

Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams, demonstrating the durability of the new republic’s electoral system.
134The {{Election of 1800}} resulted in a {{peaceful transfer of power}} to Jefferson.
Answer

peaceful transfer of power

British Trade and Financial Policies

The British government used a series of statutes to keep colonial commerce under its control and to raise revenue after costly wars.

Navigation Acts

These laws required colonies to ship certain goods only to England, reinforcing a mercantilist system that favored the mother country and limited foreign competition.

Currency Acts

By prohibiting colonies from issuing their own paper money, the Currency Acts forced reliance on British specie, curbing inflation but also restricting colonial economic flexibility.

Restraining Acts

Designed to curb smuggling, the Restraining Acts limited trade with non‑British ports, further enforcing the Navigation Acts.

Taxation Measures and Colonial Reaction

Following the French and Indian War, Britain faced a massive debt and turned to the colonies for revenue.

Stamp Act

The Stamp Act imposed a tax on printed materials, requiring colonists to purchase stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, and playing cards. This sparked widespread protest and the slogan “no taxation without representation.”

Coercive (Intolerable) Acts of 1774

In response to the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed a series of punitive measures collectively known as the Coercive Acts, or Intolerable Acts because of their harsh impact on Massachusetts.

Boston Port Act

This act closed Boston Harbor until restitution for the destroyed tea was paid, crippling the local economy.

Massachusetts Government Act

It gave the king authority to appoint most colonial officials and limited town meetings, reducing self‑government.

Administration of Justice Act

British officials accused of crimes in the colonies could be tried elsewhere, protecting them from hostile colonial juries.

Quartering Act

Colonists were required to house British soldiers, often in private homes, fueling resentment.

Economic Foundations of the Colonies

The mercantilist system promoted export‑driven trade that benefited Britain. Southern colonies, especially South Carolina, developed lucrative cash‑crop economies.

Rice Plantations

Rice cultivation generated wealth through the labor of enslaved Africans, whose expertise made the crop highly profitable.

Stono Rebellion

In 1739, enslaved Africans attempted a mass escape to Spanish Florida, leading to stricter slave codes and heightened fear among colonists.

Conflict and Expansion

Territorial rivalry between Britain and France shaped early American history.

French and Indian War

Competition over western lands and trade sparked this conflict, dramatically increasing British debt and prompting new colonial taxes.

Treaty of Paris (1763)

The treaty ended the war, ceding Canada and lands east of the Mississippi to Britain and reshaping colonial boundaries.

Royal Proclamation of 1763

To limit westward expansion, the proclamation established a boundary along the Appalachians, reserving western lands for Native Americans.

Neolin and Pontiac’s War

Native prophet Neolin urged tribes to reject British goods, inspiring Pontiac’s War—a coordinated uprising against British forts in the Great Lakes region.

Early Steps Toward Unity

Colonial leaders began to consider collective action.

Albany Plan of 1754

Proposed by Benjamin Franklin, the plan suggested a unified colonial government for defense and Indian affairs, though it was ultimately rejected.

Benjamin Franklin’s Scientific Legacy

Franklin’s 1752 kite experiment demonstrated that lightning is a form of electricity, leading to the invention of the lightning rod.

Religious Revival and Cultural Shifts

The Great Awakening reshaped colonial religious life.

Jonathan Edwards

His famous sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” delivered in 1741, exemplified the emotional intensity of the revival and warned of divine wrath.

Key Terms Summary

TermDefinition
Navigation ActsTrade laws requiring colonies to ship certain goods only to England.
Currency ActsProhibited colonial paper money, enforcing use of British specie.
Restraining ActsLimited colonial trade with non‑British ports.
Stamp ActTax on printed materials, requiring stamped paper.
Coercive ActsSeries of punitive measures against Massachusetts, also called Intolerable Acts.
Boston Port ActClosed Boston Harbor until restitution for the Tea Party.
Massachusetts Government ActGave the king authority to appoint colonial officials.
Administration of Justice ActAllowed British officials to be tried outside the colonies.
Quartering ActRequired colonists to house British soldiers.
Mercantilist SystemExport‑driven trade benefiting the mother country.
Rice PlantationsSouth Carolina cash‑crop economy reliant on enslaved labor.
Stono Rebellion1739 slave uprising in South Carolina.
French and Indian WarConflict over western lands and trade.
Treaty of Paris (1763)Ended the French and Indian War, reshaping North America.
Royal Proclamation of 1763Established a western boundary for colonial settlement.
NeolinNative prophet whose teachings sparked Pontiac’s War.
Albany PlanProposal for a unified colonial government.
Benjamin FranklinScientist who proved lightning is electricity.
Jonathan EdwardsPreacher of “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.”