History Midterm Study Guide PDF

Study Guide Based on Give Me Liberty! by Eric Foner Chapter 5 & 6: The Road to Independence and the Declaration 1. What led to the Declaration of Independence? ○ The French and Indian War increased British debt, leading to taxes on colonists (Stamp Act, Townshend Acts), which...

Study Guide Based on Give Me Liberty! by Eric Foner Chapter 5 & 6: The Road to Independence and the Declaration 1. What led to the Declaration of Independence? ○ The French and Indian War increased British debt, leading to taxes on colonists (Stamp Act, Townshend Acts), which sparked resistance. ○ Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party fueled anger, leading to the Intolerable Acts and the subsequent First and Second Continental Congresses. ○ Lexington and Concord marked the beginning of open conflict. 2. Declaration of Independence: Historical Significance ○ Declared the colonies’ right to self-government and justified rebellion with the principles of natural rights and consent of the governed. 3. Republicanism: ○ A political philosophy emphasizing civic virtue and opposition to monarchical power. ○ Promoted liberty for free men but excluded enslaved people, women, and Native Americans. 4. Challenges Facing the New Nation: ○ Internal: Weak central government under the Articles of Confederation, economic instability, and lack of national unity. ○ External: Foreign threats and Native American conflicts. Chapter 7: The Constitution and Its Formation 1. What Led to the Constitutional Convention? ○ Economic instability and failure of the Articles of Confederation led to the call for a stronger central government. 2. Delegates at the Constitutional Convention: ○ Notable figures like George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin. 3. The Constitution: ○ Established the three branches of government: Legislative (Congress), Executive (President), and Judicial (Supreme Court). ○ Checks and balances and slavery compromise. 4. The Bill of Rights: ○ First ten amendments protecting individual liberties like freedom of speech and religion, right to a fair trial. Chapter 8: Early Republic Policies 1. George Washington’s Presidency: ○ Foreign policy: Neutrality Proclamation (1793) to keep the U.S. out of European conflicts. ○ Domestic policy: Financial stability through Hamilton’s programs, including the Bank of the U.S.. 2. Alexander Hamilton’s Treasury Policies: ○ Advocated for a national bank, economic consolidation, and promoting manufacturing. 3. John Adams’ Presidency: ○ Foreign policy: Dealt with tensions in Europe, especially France (XYZ Affair). ○ Domestic policy: Passed Alien and Sedition Acts limiting free speech. 4. Federal vs. State Powers: ○ Federalists (Hamilton) vs. Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson) on the role of government. 5. The Emergence of Political Parties: ○ The ideological divide between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans led to the first political parties. Chapter 9: The Early 19th Century 1. James Monroe’s Presidency: ○ Foreign policy: The Monroe Doctrine (1823) warned European powers against interfering in the Americas. ○ Domestic policy: The Era of Good Feelings marked political unity, though sectional tensions grew. 2. Slavery and the Missouri Compromise: ○ The Missouri Compromise (1820) temporarily solved the issue of slavery in new states but heightened sectional conflict. 3. Market Revolution and Industrialization: ○ Innovations like the cotton gin and steam engines drove economic growth and demand for enslaved labor. 4. Cultural Changes: ○ Shifts in women’s roles, the rise of abolitionism, and changing conditions for free blacks and the working class. Chapter 10: Jacksonian America  1. Andrew Jackson’s Presidency: ○ Domestic policies: The Spoils System and forced Native American removal (e.g., Trail of Tears). ○ Political changes: Expanded suffrage for white men, promoting democratization. 2. Political Parties: ○ The rise of the Whigs (anti-Jackson) and the Democrats under Jackson. Chapter 11: Slavery Economic dependence on slavery in the South, moral debates, resistance movements (e.g., Underground Railroad, slave revolts). Chapter 12: Antebellum Reform Movements Key reforms included abolitionism, women’s rights, temperance, and prison reform. Leaders like Frederick Douglass and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were central to these movements. Chapter 13: Road to the Civil War 1. Settling of Texas and the Mexican-American War: ○ Texas’s independence from Mexico and its annexation by the U.S. led to conflict with Mexico, resulting in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). 2. California Gold Rush and Territorial Expansion: ○ The Gold Rush prompted California’s rapid statehood and intensified debates over slavery. 3. Compromise of 1850 and Dred Scott Decision: ○ The Compromise of 1850 addressed the status of territories, while the Dred Scott decision further divided the nation over slavery. 4. The Election of Abraham Lincoln: ○ Lincoln’s election (1860) led to Southern secession, marking the onset of the Civil War.