American History Overview Quiz

The exchange of goods and ideas between Europe and the New World, starting with Columbus' voyages, led to major changes in both regions. This included the introduction of crops like corn and potatoes from the Americas to Europe and livestock, wheat, and diseases from Europe to the Americas.

A system of forced labor imposed by the Spanish on Native Americans in the Americas. Encomenderos were granted authority over Native lands and people, leading to exploitation and abuse.

A major rebellion against Spanish rule led by Pueblo Indians in present-day New Mexico. The Pueblos drove out the Spanish for 12 years in a display of resistance to colonization.

This powerful alliance of corn, beans, and squash provided a reliable food source for Native Americans in Mesoamerica. The combination allowed for food surpluses and helped support larger populations.

The Virginia Company was a joint-stock company that established the first permanent English settlement in North America, Jamestown. It was organized as a corporation and funded by investors who hoped to profit from trade and resources.

A term used to describe the cultural and ecological changes that resulted from the interaction between the Native Americans and the European settlers. This included the introduction of new plants, animals, diseases, and technologies.

The period of time during which the first Europeans arrived in the Americas and began colonizing the land. This began in 1492 with Columbus' voyages and continued for centuries.

The group of Native Americans who lived in the Southwest of North America. They developed a complex culture and were known for their advanced agricultural techniques and impressive adobe architecture.

Term used to describe the political system during the Jacksonian era, characterized by the rise of two main parties: the Democrats and the Whigs, and the increasing importance of popular participation in politics.

The idea that American settlers were destined to expand westward across the continent, justifying aggressive expansion and conflicts with Native Americans and Mexico.

A war between the United States and Mexico that resulted in the Mexican Cession - a vast territory including California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

The first women's rights convention in the United States, held in Seneca Falls, New York. It resulted in the Declaration of Sentiments, which outlined women's equality and rights.

A provision proposed by David Wilmot that would have banned slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico, reigniting the debate over slavery and contributing to sectional tensions.

A rebellion in 1787 by farmers in Massachusetts due to high inflation, debt and the inability of the government under the Articles of Confederation to address the situation. This event underscored the weakness of the Articles of Confederation and highlighted the need for a stronger central government.

A series of compromises aimed at creating a workable Constitution for the United States. They included resolving differences between large and small states on representation, dealing with North-South issues like slavery, and establishing a balance of power between the national government and the states.

A collection of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to defend the new US Constitution and persuade the American people to ratify it.

A set of economic policies proposed by Alexander Hamilton to strengthen the newly formed US federal government. Key measures included assuming state debts, creating a national bank, and promoting domestic manufacturing.

A treaty signed between the United States and Great Britain in 1794. It addressed issues like British withdrawal from US territory and trade disputes, averting potential warfare and fostering better relations. This treaty solidified the US government's authority and established a more favorable diplomatic position.

A boycott used by American colonists to hurt British trade. It resulted in the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766.

Parliament's laws designed to punish the colonies, specifically Boston, after the Boston Tea Party. They sparked further resentment and solidified fears of British tyranny.

A system where individual states hold the most power, and a weak central government has limited authority. It was adopted by the newly independent colonies after the Revolutionary War.

The 1787 legislation established a process for the western territories to become states, including banning slavery and ensuring equal rights. It was a key achievement of the Articles of Confederation.

A concept that women played a crucial role in raising the next generation of citizens, shaping moral values and upholding social order. It was a cornerstone of the ideology of the early American republic.

The system under which the US was governed after independence. This system gave limited power to the central government and left most authority with the states.

The idea that women had a specific role in society, centered on the home and family while men were involved in public affairs, leading to a division of roles and responsibilities.

A system of farming in the South after the Civil War where former slaves rented land from white landowners and paid for the land with a portion of their crops. This system perpetuated economic dependence on white landowners and limited the economic opportunities of freedmen.

A series of state and local laws in the South (and later other parts of the US) that enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans.

The agreement reached in 1877 that ended Reconstruction in the South. It involved the removal of federal troops from the South and the election of Rutherford B. Hayes as president. It effectively signaled the return of white Southern power and the suppression of African American rights.

A term coined by Mark Twain that describes the period of rapid industrialization and economic growth in the late 19th century. The term highlights the superficial prosperity that masked underlying social problems such as poverty, corruption, and inequality.

Highly organized and often corrupt political machines that controlled city governments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They traded favors and services for votes, often engaging in bribery and fraud.

The period after the Civil War when the United States began rebuilding the South, attempting to integrate former Confederate states back into the Union and establish civil rights for African Americans. It included the implementation of Reconstruction amendments and the temporary military occupation of the South.

The term used for a period of US history marked by strong economic growth driven by technological innovation and industrial expansion, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This period saw significant changes in manufacturing, transportation, and communication.

A Congressional act passed in 1862 during Lincoln's presidency, allowing citizens to claim 160 acres of land in the West for a small fee, with the promise to improve the land. This act played a major role in westward expansion and was likely only possible during the Civil War because of the lack of Southern representation in Congress.

Lincoln's declaration in 1862 that all slaves in Confederate states still in rebellion would be freed on January 1st, 1863. This act freed slaves in areas he couldn't control while leaving them enslaved where he had jurisdiction. It served as a precursor to the 13th amendment and shifted the focus of the Civil War to the issue of slavery.

A powerful speech by Lincoln at the dedication of a national cemetery at Gettysburg in 1863, honoring those who died there. Lincoln linked the Civil War to the fight for freedom and equality, invoking connections to the Declaration of Independence and its core value of "all men are created equal."

The period following the Civil War (1865-1877) during which the U.S. government focused on rebuilding the South and ensuring the rights of former slaves through the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. This period faced challenges with Southern opposition and women's lack of participation.

The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were enacted during Reconstruction, aiming to abolish slavery, guarantee citizenship and equal protection for all, and provide voting rights to African American men. These amendments aimed to address injustices caused by slavery and promote racial equality.

The 13th Amendment, enacted in 1865, officially abolished slavery in the United States. This amendment represented a significant victory for the abolitionist movement and ushered in a new era of freedom for millions of people.

The 14th Amendment, passed in 1868, granted citizenship and equal protection of the laws to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. It aimed to overturn the Dred Scott decision and ensure equal rights for African Americans under the Constitution.

The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, prohibited the denial of voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. This amendment aimed to guarantee the right to vote to African American men, though challenges in enforcing this right persisted.