US History Final Exam Study Guide 2024-2025 PDF

US History Final Exam Study Guide 2024-2025 Units 1-3: Colonization Through the Constitution Use the following links for a quick review of Units 1-3: Unit 1: Colonization & Unit 2 & 3: Revolution to Constitution What is mercantilism? an economic syste...

US History Final Exam Study Guide 2024-2025 Units 1-3: Colonization Through the Constitution Use the following links for a quick review of Units 1-3: Unit 1: Colonization & Unit 2 & 3: Revolution to Constitution What is mercantilism? an economic system where a country aims to become wealthy by selling more goods to other countries than it buys from them, essentially focusing on exporting more than importing, often by controlling trade through government policies to accumulate wealth in the form of gold and silver How did mercantilism contribute to the economic development (growth) of the colonies? providing a market for their raw materials, encouraging the growth of specific industries based on those resources, and by providing some level of protection from foreign competition What is trans-Atlantic trade? the exchange of goods, people, and natural resources between Europe, Africa, and the Americas How did transAtlantic trade contribute to the economic development (growth) of the colonies? providing a market for their raw materials, generating wealth through the export of cash crops like tobacco and cotton, which were largely produced by slave labor, and allowing colonists to import manufactured goods from Europe, thus stimulating the growth of colonial towns and industries that supported this trade network In general, why were the southern colonies established? to cultivate and export cash crops like tobacco, rice, and indigo, What were the advantages & disadvantages of the location/place (geography) of the southern colonies? advantage of a warm climate and fertile soil, ideal for large-scale plantation agriculture, allowing them to grow cash crops like tobacco, rice, and indigo, but the disadvantage was that this climate also fostered diseases like malaria and yellow fever, leading to a reliance on slave labor due to the demanding nature of plantation work Explain the relationship the southern colonies had with American Indians. initially marked by some cooperation through trade, but ultimately characterized by increasing conflict and displacement as European settlers sought more land, leading to frequent wars and forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral territorie In what ways did the southern colonies make money? growing cash crops like tobacco, rice, indigo, and cotton on large plantations What is the Middle Passage? refers to the forced transportation of enslaved Africans across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas, considered the middle leg of the triangular slave trade, where they were sold into slavery upon arrival; it was a brutal and deadly journey due to cramped conditions, disease, and inhumane treatment on slave ships How did African culture evolve in the colonies as slavery spread? by combining elements of their diverse African origins with influences from the New World, including language, religion, music, food, and social practices, often expressed through subtle resistance and creative expression In what ways do we see African culture influence architecture, agriculture, & foodways (food we eat) in the colonies? What was Salutary Neglect? a British policy of relaxed enforcement of trade laws and other regulations on the American colonies from the late 17th century to the mid-18th century What was the significance of the House of Burgesses? the first democratically-elected legislative body in the British American colonies. How was direct democracy practiced in New England through the use of town meetings? In other words, how are town meetings a reflection of direct democracy? enabling residents to share their opinions on public issues while engaging in deliberation and democratic decision-making processes regarding laws and budgets. What was the significance of both the Mayflower Compact and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut? demonstrate the colonists' desire to establish self-government based on democratic principles. What was the impact of the Treaty of Paris 1763 on the British colonies? significantly expanded British territory in North America, granting them control over all French land east of the Mississippi River, effectively removing any immediate military threat from France to the British colonies How did the Treaty of Paris 1763 contribute to the American Revolution? led to increased tensions with the colonists due to new restrictions on westward expansion, like the Proclamation Line of 1763, ultimately fueling resentment towards British rule and fostering a desire for greater self-governance among the colonies What was the purpose of the Stamp Act? to raise revenue for the British government by imposing a direct tax on printed materials like newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards in the American colonies What was the purpose of the First Continental Congress and what did it accomplish? aimed to address growing tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain by protesting the British government's policies, particularly the Intolerable Acts What was the Proclamation of 1763? Why did it anger the colonists? because they felt they had earned the right to settle this land after fighting in the war and saw it as a restriction on their westward expansion and economic opportunities. What was the purpose of the Boston Tea Party? How did the British react to it? To protest British Parliament's tax on tea. "No taxation without representation." The demonstrators boarded the ships and threw the chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. What was the purpose of the Intolerable Acts? How were they perceived by the American colonists? The purpose of the Intolerable Acts, also known as the Coercive Acts, was to punish the Massachusetts colony, specifically Boston, for the Boston Tea Party by severely restricting their self-governance and imposing harsh penalties, American colonists viewed these acts as extremely oppressive and unjust, further fueling their anger towards British rule and significantly pushing them closer to revolution. What was the purpose of the Sons and Daughters of Liberty? actively protest against British policies, particularly unfair taxation like the Stamp Act, by organizing boycotts, demonstrations, and sometimes acts of civil disobedience, essentially fighting for the right to "no taxation without representation" What was the purpose and function of Committees of Correspondence in the colonies? communication between different colonies, sharing news and information about British policies, mobilizing opposition to those policies, and ultimately building unity among the colonies Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? (Remember, it was a Committee of Five!) The Committee of Five included Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman, but Jefferson was chosen to write the initial draft Explain the language and content of each section (philosophy, grievances, separation) of the Declaration of Independence. Give examples of how John Locke and Montesquieu influenced the Declaration of Independence’s final format. Locke: the concept of "natural rights," particularly the idea that all individuals have inalienable rights to "life, liberty, and property Montesquieu: separation of powers, advocating for distinct branches of government to prevent tyranny Why did the French support the United States in the Revolution? Why was that support significant? to weaken their long-time rival, Great Britain, by aiding the colonists in their rebellion, seeing an opportunity to regain lost territory What roles did Benjamin Franklin and John Adams play during the Revolution? Benjamin Franklin and John Adams both served as key diplomats to France, working together to secure crucial French support for the American cause In what ways were women able to support the war effort? managing the homefront, producing supplies like clothing and ammunition, raising funds, acting as spies, providing medical care to soldiers, and participating in boycotts and protests In what ways were American Indians supporting the war effort? most Native American tribes attempted to remain neutral, but many ultimately sided with the British due to concerns about further land loss from westward expansion by the colonists In what ways were enslaved and free Blacks supporting the war effort? working in non-combat roles like laborers and spies, petitioning for their freedom, and escaping to British-controlled territory in hopes of gaining liberty Describe some of the weaknesses found in the Articles of Confederation. The federal government, under the Articles, was too weak to enforce their laws and therefore had no power. How Daniel Shay’s Rebellion led to a call for a stronger central government? the central government proved unable to effectively respond to the uprising, leading prominent figures like George Washington and James Madison to advocate for a stronger federal government Describe the Great Compromise. provided for a bicameral legislature, with representation in the House of Representatives according to population and in the Senate by equal numbers for each state. Why does the Constitution feature a separation of powers? The Constitution features a separation of powers to prevent any single branch of government from becoming too powerful, by dividing governmental authority into three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. Describe the 3/5 Compromise. stated that only three-fifths of a state's enslaved population would be counted when determining its total population for the purpose of representation in Congress and taxation Explain the arguments of the Anti-Federalists v. the Federalists as they debated ratification of the Constitution. Anti-Federalists supported the idea of a strong executive elected by the consent of the governed, whereas Federalists argued for states' rights and cooperation of the states as a confederacy. What were the Federalists Papers? How did they impact the ratification of the Constitution? The essays urged New York delegates to ratify the Constitution. In 1788, the essays were published in a bound volume entitled the Federalist What role did Alexander Hamilton play in the ratification process? writing the Federalist Papers in support of ratification What role did James Madison play in the ratification process? co-authoring "The Federalist Papers" with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, a series of essays that explained and advocated for the Constitution to persuade states to ratify it; he is often called the "Father of the Constitution" due to his significant contributions to its drafting and ratification efforts What was the importance of George Washington’s presidency? What precedents were set during his time in office? he established many important precedents that shaped the future of the office, including the use of a cabinet, the practice of leaving office after two terms, and the idea of a non-partisan, neutral stance in foreign policy, effectively laying the foundation for a strong and stable federal government. How did arguments between Hamilton & Jefferson lead to the development of political parties? The first American party ever made was the Federalist, in 1787, led mainly by Alexander Hamilton and the support of other leaders such as bankers, northern businessmen, and merchants. Thomas Jefferson strongly opposed to the Federalist interpretation of the Constitution as well as the idea of a strong government, and around a year later he formed the second American party with James Madison: The Democratic-Republican. It was supported by planters, small farmers, and artisans Why did President Washington propose non-intervention in Europe (the Proclamation of Neutrality)? proposed non-intervention in Europe through the Proclamation of Neutrality because he believed the young United States was too weak militarily and economically to engage in European conflicts What message did Washington send with his Farewell Address? warned against the dangers of political factions (parties), sectionalism, and foreign entanglements, urging Americans to prioritize national unity above regional interests and to avoid permanent alliances with other nations