Colonial America: Taxation and Governance

King Henry VIII of England broke away from the Catholic Church and established the Church of England. The English monarch became the head of the church.

The Anglican Church emphasized religious rituals and had a complex hierarchy.

The House of Burgesses was the first elected assembly in the British colonies. It represented a step towards democracy, though only white male landowners could vote or serve.

Due to the English government's lack of interest in and support for the colonies, they largely left the colonists alone to govern themselves. This was informally known as Salutary Neglect.

When indentured servants were freed, they often lacked land, leading to poverty and discontent. This resulted in rebellions like Bacon's Rebellion, which involved landless ex-indentured servants.

Following Bacon's Rebellion, landowners in Jamestown and other colonies decided to switch from indentured servants to African slaves as their primary labor source.

The English government largely allowed the colonies to govern themselves and practice their own religion. This policy of limited involvement is known as Salutary Neglect.

A group of English Calvinists who believed the Church of England needed to be purified of Catholic practices.

The belief that the Church of England was not helping people achieve salvation.

The first group of Puritans to settle in the New World, arriving in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620.

The ship that carried the Pilgrims to the New World in 1620.

An agreement signed by all adult males on the Mayflower to establish a government and abide by its rules once they reached America.

The agreement signed by the Pilgrims on the Mayflower demonstrates the idea of democratic creation.

The Pilgrims were persecuted for their beliefs in England, leading them to seek religious freedom in North America.

The Mayflower Compact and Virginia's House of Burgesses both represent early steps towards democratic governance in America.

A tax levied on goods and services produced and consumed within a country or region.

The British government's act of taxing the American colonies without their consent or representation in Parliament.

A tax imposed by Britain on the use of paper goods in the American colonies, leading to widespread protests.

A group of colonists who organized protests and boycotts against British policies, particularly the Stamp Act.

A meeting of colonial delegates in 1765 to protest the Stamp Act and its implications for colonial rights.

The British government's decision to tax American colonists to pay for the costs of the French and Indian War and defending the colonies.

A collective action by colonists to refuse buying British goods in protest against unfair taxation.

Washington's Farewell Address, delivered in 1796, is a significant document in US foreign policy. Washington advised the nation to avoid permanent military alliances, especially with European powers, to protect its independence and avoid unnecessary involvement in foreign wars. This advice emphasized neutrality and limited involvement in global conflicts.

The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 doubled the size of the United States. President Thomas Jefferson bought the vast Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million, acquiring land west of the Mississippi River. This purchase secured access to the Mississippi River for American farmers and provided vast land for expansion.

The Louisiana Territory, acquired in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, was a vast region spanning from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains.  It encompassed fertile land suitable for agriculture, opening up opportunities for settlement and westward expansion. Also, it granted full access to the Mississippi River, vital for trade and transportation.

President Thomas Jefferson, influenced by Washington's Farewell Address, prioritized neutrality in foreign affairs. During the Louisiana Purchase, he cautiously negotiated with France to secure the land. Though wary of expanding US territory, he saw the strategic benefits of the acquisition - particularly, access to the Mississippi River.

France's decision to sell the Louisiana Territory to the US for $15 Million was motivated by Napoleon's need for funds. This sale represented a significant loss for France, yet it provided the resources Napoleon needed for his wars in Europe. The sale also allowed the US to gain control of a strategic territory.

The Mississippi River was a crucial waterway for American farmers in the early 19th century. It provided access to markets for agricultural products, making it a vital artery for trade and economic growth. Control of the Mississippi River was therefore a strategic asset, as seen in the Louisiana Purchase.

The port of New Orleans, located at the mouth of the Mississippi River, served as a crucial trading hub for American farmers. Its closure by France in 1802 disrupted trade routes and significantly harmed American farmers. The Louisiana Purchase solved this problem, granting access to the river and the port.

The Louisiana Purchase was a bargain for the United States, acquiring over 800,000 square miles for just over $15 million. This translates to around 1-2 cents per acre. This acquisition expanded the nation's territory significantly, promoting westward expansion and securing important strategic advantages.

The Missouri Compromise aimed to settle the dispute over slavery's expansion into new territories.

The line of 36°30' marked the boundary for slavery in the Louisiana Purchase, prohibiting it north of that line.

The Monroe Doctrine aimed to protect newly independent Latin American nations from European interference.

Latin American independence provided opportunities for American trade and economic expansion in the Western Hemisphere.

The Monroe Doctrine reduced the potential for conflict between the United States and European powers in the Americas.

The Missouri Compromise failed to address the moral and economic disagreements over slavery.

The Missouri Compromise's failure to resolve the slavery issue led to increased tensions and conflicts.

Economic opportunity is crucial for a nation's prosperity and the well-being of its citizens.

A market economy is where individuals sell goods or their labor to earn money which is then used to purchase necessities and other items.

A subsistence economy is where people produce their own food, clothing, and shelter. There's limited reliance on money.

The Erie Canal, built in the early 19th century, significantly reduced the time and cost needed to transport goods between the Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States.

The Erie Canal helped farmers in the Midwest transition from subsistence farming (producing only for themselves) to commercial farming (selling their produce).

The Erie Canal enabled manufacturers in the Northeast to sell goods to people in the Midwest, expanding the market for their products.

The Erie Canal played a crucial role in the growth of the market economy in the United States during the 19th century, expanding trade and connecting different regions.

The Seneca Falls Convention, held in 1848, marked the beginning of an organized women's rights movement in the United States. It focused on advocating for women's suffrage.

The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments, adapted from the Declaration of Independence, was a document presented at the Seneca Falls Convention, outlining the demands for equal rights for women.