American Revolution Key Concepts

Washington, not wanting to gain power, was persuaded to lead the Continental Army. He inspired soldiers and fought strategically, using tactics like hit-and-run attacks and retreats to wear down the British.

The Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason, emphasized natural rights and the idea of government based on consent. It laid the groundwork for the Declaration of Independence.

John Locke's ideas about natural rights, government by consent, and the right to revolt were central to the Declaration. His concepts of 'life, liberty, and property' were reflected in the Declaration's 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.'

Paine's Common Sense argued for independence in clear, accessible language, criticizing monarchy and hereditary rule. It was widely read and sparked debate across the colonies.

Enlightenment thinkers, like Rousseau and Montesquieu, influenced the Declaration's ideas about popular sovereignty and the separation of powers. Their ideas helped shape the American government.

The Declaration was a direct response to colonial grievances, including taxation without representation, trade restrictions, and the presence of a standing army without consent.

The Magna Carta, a historic document limiting the king's power, inspired the colonists' desire for protection against arbitrary government. It emphasized the importance of limited government and individual rights.

Thomas Jefferson, a delegate from Virginia, was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence.

A document adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777 that established a weak central government for the newly formed United States, with limited power to tax or raise an army.

The Articles of Confederation lacked a powerful central authority to enforce laws or regulate trade between states, leading to economic instability and disputes.

The Articles of Confederation created a central government that couldn't impose taxes, leaving it dependent on voluntary contributions from states, which were often unreliable.

The Articles of Confederation lacked an executive branch to enforce laws and a judicial branch to resolve disputes, making the central government very weak.

A document adopted by the Virginia Convention of Delegates in 1776, it's considered one of the earliest formal statements advocating for individual freedoms and human rights in America.

A crucial factor contributing to the American victory was the Continental Army's ability to rely on the local population for essential resources like food, information, and soldiers

The American victory was also heavily influenced by effective leadership, particularly by George Washington, who demonstrated remarkable strategic abilities and inspired his troops.

The support of foreign allies, like France, Spain, and the Netherlands, was a crucial factor in American victory, providing diplomatic support and military aid.

A fundamental principle that emphasizes the inherent rights possessed by individuals, independent of government, often influenced by figures like John Locke. These rights are deemed essential for human flourishing and cannot be arbitrarily taken away by any authority.

The belief that the legitimacy and power of a government stem from the consent of the governed. This idea suggests that individuals voluntarily agree to be ruled and that the government's authority is limited.

The principle that if a government fails to uphold the natural rights of its citizens or acts in a tyrannical manner, the people possess the right to alter or even abolish that government. This principle emphasizes the importance of popular sovereignty and the right to revolution.

A landmark legal document in Virginia that enshrined religious freedom and established separation of church and state. It prohibited the government from imposing a state religion or interfering with individuals' religious practices.

A pivotal event in American history that exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. It was an armed uprising by farmers protesting economic hardships and harsh tax policies, highlighting the need for a stronger central government to maintain order and address nationwide issues.

A clause in the U.S. Constitution that grants Congress broad authority to enact necessary laws to carry out its enumerated powers. It allows the government to adapt to changing times and situations not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.

A principle enshrined in the U.S. Constitution that establishes federal law as supreme over state law. When there is a conflict between state and federal laws, federal law takes precedence.

The belief that the government can exercise powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution if they are deemed necessary and proper, often associated with a more active role for the federal government.

The belief that the government is only allowed to exercise powers explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, often associated with a more limited federal government and greater state power.

These acts allowed settlers in Kansas and Nebraska to decide whether or not to allow slavery through popular sovereignty, effectively repealing the Missouri Compromise.

Popular sovereignty is the concept that the people residing in a territory have the right to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery, rather than having Congress impose a decision.

The idea that the U.S. should avoid forming alliances with foreign countries and remain neutral in international conflicts.

A statement issued by President George Washington in 1793 declaring the U.S. neutrality in the war between France and Great Britain.

Bleeding Kansas refers to the violent conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in Kansas from 1854 to 1859. It was sparked by the debate over whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free or slave state.

A farewell address given by President Washington in 1796, warning the nation against forming entangling alliances with foreign countries and emphasizing the importance of neutrality.

The Pottawatomie Massacre in 1856 was a brutal attack by abolitionist John Brown and his followers on pro-slavery settlers in Kansas. They killed five men, escalating tensions and violence during Bleeding Kansas.

The sack of Lawrence, Kansas, involved pro-slavery forces attacking and looting the town, known for its anti-slavery stance. This attack was retaliatory for the Pottawatomie Massacre and further intensified the conflict.

A political party led by Thomas Jefferson that favored a more limited federal government, agrarian economy, and strict interpretation of the Constitution. They emphasized individual liberties and supported an alliance with France.

The debate over whether Kansas should be a free or slave state was ultimately resolved by the admission of Kansas as a free state in 1861. However, the violence and bloodshed of Bleeding Kansas had a profound effect on the nation, contributing to the escalating tensions that would eventually lead to the Civil War.

A political party led by Alexander Hamilton that favored a strong central government, industrial economy, and loose interpretation of the Constitution. They emphasized national unity and supported a close relationship with Great Britain.

The idea that the U.S. should focus on its own domestic affairs and avoid involvement in international conflicts, often associated with a policy of non-interventionism.

John Brown was a fervent abolitionist who believed in utilizing violence to dismantle slavery in the United States. He's infamous for leading two key events: the Pottawatomie Massacre and the Harper's Ferry Raid.

The Harper's Ferry Raid, led by John Brown, aimed to seize weapons and trigger a slave rebellion in the South. However, the raid failed, and Brown was captured by U.S. Marines, tried for treason, and executed. This event ignited further tension between the North and South, contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War, though it ultimately failed.

Dred Scott, an enslaved African American, sued for his freedom after living in free territories with his owner. He argued that his time in free areas made him a free man. The Supreme Court, however, ruled against him, stating that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, were not U.S. citizens and had no right to sue in federal court. Additionally, they deemed the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, allowing for the expansion of slavery into territories.

The Missouri Compromise, nullified by the Dred Scott decision, aimed to restrict slavery in territories north of the 36°30′ parallel. The compromise aimed to maintain a balance between free and slave states, but it ultimately proved to be temporary.

The Fugitive Slave Law compelled the return of escaped slaves to their owners, even in free states. It was a controversial law that angered abolitionists and further fueled tensions between the North and South, as it required cooperation from free states in capturing and returning fugitive slaves.

The Fugitive Slave Law angered abolitionists because it forced them, against their moral convictions, to participate in the capture of runaway slaves. It also led to the creation of the Underground Railroad, a network of safe houses to help escaped slaves reach freedom in the North.

The Dred Scott decision and the Fugitive Slave Law were crucial events in the lead-up to the Civil War. They highlighted the deep political divisions and conflicts over slavery, escalating tensions and making a peaceful resolution seem increasingly unlikely.