US History Regents Review 2023

Early Colonization

• Jamestown, established in 1607, was the first permanent English settlement in Virginia, marked by hardships such as disease and starvation.
• Puritans settled in Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, seeking religious freedom and establishing a major trading center, including Boston.
• Indentured servitude became a labor system where workers agreed to work for several years in exchange for passage to America, primarily involving Europeans initially, then Asians later.

Economic Policies & Colonial Relations

• Mercantilism aimed for nations to increase wealth through trade and resources, establishing trade regulations via Navigation Acts.
• Salutary neglect allowed colonies some autonomy while maintaining economic loyalty toward England, fueling resentment later.
• Taxes imposed by Britain, like the Stamp Act, Tea Act, and Sugar Act, spurred the phrase "no taxation without representation," igniting colonial frustrations.

Revolutionary Ideas & Events

• The First and Second Continental Congresses established a collective response to British policies leading up to the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which emphasized unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
• Key protests like the Boston Tea Party showcased colonial resistance against British taxation.
• The Sons of Liberty emerged as a radical group advocating for independence, led by figures such as Samuel Adams.

Formation of Government

• The Articles of Confederation (1781-1788) created a weak federal government lacking executive and judicial power, highlighting the need for a more robust national framework.
• Shay's Rebellion revealed weaknesses in the Articles, leading to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 where the U.S. Constitution was drafted.
• The Great Compromise balanced representation in Congress, while debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists resulted in the adoption of the Bill of Rights.

Influential Figures & Doctrines

• Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, embodied the struggle between federal authority and states' rights.
• John Locke's philosophy on natural rights influenced revolutionary thinkers, emphasizing consent of the governed.
• The Monroe Doctrine (1823) established U.S. opposition to European colonialism in the Americas.

Expansion and Conflict

• Manifest Destiny in the 1800s underscored the belief in American expansion across the continent, leading to events such as the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
• The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) resulted from territorial tensions post-Texas Annexation, with significant land gains under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo exacerbating the slavery debate.
• The Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced Native Americans westward, culminating in the harrowing Trail of Tears.

Key Constitutional Concepts

• Separation of powers distributed governmental authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches, reinforced by checks and balances.
• The elastic clause allows Congress to pass necessary laws beyond those explicitly stated in the Constitution.
• Judicial Review, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803), affirmed the Supreme Court's ability to invalidate legislative acts contrary to the Constitution.

Economic Transformations

• The construction of the Erie Canal in 1825 lowered shipping costs, bolstering commerce and connecting the Midwest to eastern markets.
• The National Bank proposed by Hamilton aimed to stabilize the economy but faced opposition from Jefferson and other Democratic-Republicans concerned about federal overreach.

Legacy of Leadership

• George Washington's presidency set precedents including the formation of a cabinet and warnings against foreign alliances and political factions in his farewell address.
• Political parties emerged from ideological divisions surrounding government power, leading to the first significant party system in U.S. history.

These notes encapsulate key events, concepts, and figures from early American history, focusing on critical developments that shaped the nation.### Georgia (1832)

• Supreme Court ruling affirming state limitations on jurisdiction over lands not owned by the state.
• John Marshall stated Georgia could not remove Native Americans from their lands.
• Andrew Jackson largely ignored this ruling, showcasing tensions between federal authority and state actions.

Andrew Jackson's Presidency

• Presidency focused on representing the "Common Man" from 1828 to 1836.
• Key actions included the Indian removal policies and frequent use of veto power.
• Implemented the spoils system, rewarding party loyalists with public positions.
• Oversaw the annexation of new territories, reshaping the nation's landscape.

Spoils System

• Public employment practice rewarding loyal party members and friends rather than based on merit.
• Promoted favoritism in government positions.

Homestead Act (1862)

• Legislation providing free land in the western US to settlers.
• Encouraged migration and settlement in the West, facilitating development.

Transcontinental Railroad

• Railroad that linked the eastern and western coasts of the United States.
• Played a crucial role in unifying the nation and facilitating commerce.

Gold Rush in California

• Gold discovery in 1848 led to a mass migration to California.
• Approximately 34,000 people moved to San Francisco, representing diverse ethnic backgrounds, including many Asians.

Impact of the Gold Rush

• Resulted in significant wealth creation for California and importance as a major port.
• Fueled the construction of a transcontinental railroad.
• Elevated the US to a global trade leader, but led to devastation of Native populations.
• Increased racial tensions, adversely affecting Chinese and Mexican workers.

Nat Turner's Rebellion (1831)

• Slave uprising in Virginia resulting in 60 white deaths.
• Heightened fears of slavery-related revolts among Southern whites.
• Prompted legislation prohibiting education for slaves and free black individuals.

Sojourner Truth

• Renowned abolitionist and feminist, formerly enslaved, advocating for abolition and women's rights (1797-1883).

William Lloyd Garrison

• Influential abolitionist and journalist, known for editing "The Liberator."
• Co-founder of the American Anti-Slavery Society, promoting end of slavery.

Frederick Douglass

• Escaped slave and prominent abolitionist advocating for the political end of slavery.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

• Author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," a significant anti-slavery novel.
• Played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the moral issues surrounding slavery.

Grimke Sisters

• Angelina and Sarah Grimke actively campaigned for prison reform, temperance, and abolition of slavery.

Lucretia Mott

• Quaker women's rights advocate with strong support for the abolition of slavery.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

• Prominent figure in the women's rights movement, shocked contemporaries by advocating for women's suffrage at the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention.
• Authored the "Declaration of Sentiments," which called for gender equality.

Seneca Falls Convention (1848)

• First national convention focused on women’s rights.
• Birthplace of the "Declaration of Sentiments," crucial for the women's rights movement.

Declaration of Sentiments

• Modified version of the Declaration of Independence to include women's rights.
• Essential document advocating for civil, social, political, and religious rights for women.

Sectionalism

• Development of distinct and separate cultural identities in different regions (North, South, West).
• Potential to create conflicts based on differing regional interests and values.