100 facts for 8th American History – Flashcards

Founding of Jamestown

Signing of Declaration of Indepedence

Writing of the Constitution

Louisiana Territory purchased by President Thomas Jefferson from France

The Civil War was fought

First shots of the American Revolution fired here in April 1775

First site of the first battle of the American Revolution

Turning point of the American Revolution

British were defeated by General Washington ending the American Revolution

First shots of the Civil War

Turning point of the Civil War for the North-confederacy forced to retreat and never invaded the North again

Captured by Northern troops in 1863-effectively split the Confederacy in two and gave control of Mississippi River to the Union

Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate Army to Ulysses S. Grant-ending the Civil War

An economic theory that a country’s strength is measured by the amount of gold it has, that a country should sell more than it buys and that the colonies exist for the benefit of the Mother Country.

Person who wanted to end slavery in the United States

A tax on goods brought into a country

Tax placed on goods from another country to protect the home industry

strong sense of loyalty to a state or section instead of the the whole country

A campaign against the sale or drinking of alcohol

the belief that the United States should own all of the land between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean

system of government in which voters elect representatives to make laws for them

a nation in which voters choose representatives to govern them

First representative assembly in the new world

Legislative, Judicial and Executive Branch

A system set up by the Constitution in which each branch of the Federal Government has the power to check, or control, the actions of the other branch

Freedom of private business to operate competitively for profit with minimal government regulation

The sharing of powers between the states and national government

System in which each branch of government has its own powers.

Practice of allowing each territory to decide for itself whether or not to allow slavery (pre-civil war)-political theory that government is subject to the will of the people

To change

Rights that can not be given up, taken away or transferred-Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

A cruel and unjust government

Form of government that is run for and by the people, giving the majority the supreme rule.

Approve by vote

The right of the Supreme Court to judge laws passed by Congress and determine whether they are constitutional or not

The refusal to obey a government law or laws as a means of passive resistance because of one’s moral conviction or belief.

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong national government

People opposed to the Constitution, preferring more power be given to the state governments than to the National government

The idea of a state declaring a federal law illegal

Original records of an event. They include eye witness reports, records created at the time of the event, speeches, and letters by people involved in the event, photographs and artifacts.

Later writings and interpretations of historians and writers. Often-textbooks and articles will contain summaries of primary sources

Attitude toward society in late 1700’s based on the belief that the good virtue and morality of the people was essential to sustain the republican form of government. A representative democracy

Era in which a change from household industries to factory production using powered machinery took place

Document signed in 1215 by William and Mary of England-first document to limit the power of the ruler.

Documented protecting the rights of English Citizens and became the basis for the American Bill of Rights

Document written by Thomas Jefferson declaring the colonies independent from England

First American Constitution-very weak document limiting the power of the Congress by giving the states the final authority over all decisions

Supreme Law of the land-sets our laws and principles of the government of the United States

He advised the United States to stay “neutral in its relations with other nations” and to avoid “entangling alliances”

Foreign policy statement by President James Monroe stating that 1) The U.S. would not interfere in European affairs 2) the western hemisphere was closed to colonization and/or interference by European nations

Ended the French and Indian War-effectively kicked the French out of North America (except for Canada)

Ended the American Revolution and forced Britain to recognize the United States as an independent nation

Policy of establishing the principles and procedures for the orderly expansion of the United States

Agreement signed in 1620 by the Pilgrims in Plymouth, to consult each other about laws for the colony and a promise to work together to make it succeed

series of essays written by James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton, defending the Constitution and the
principles on which the government of the United States was founded.

a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine to convince the colonist that it was time to become independent from Britian

first 10 amendments to the Constitution and detail the protection of individual rights

Short speech given by Abraham Lincoln to dedicate a cemetery for soldiers who died at the Battle of Gettysburg. It is considered to be a profound statement of American ideals

Abraham Lincoln issued this on January 1, 1863 freeing all slaves in confederate states

stated that “no state…can lawfully get out of the Union”, but pledged there would be no war unless the South started it

meant to help heal and restore the country after 4 years of Civil War

Created 2 houses of Congress. One based on population, the other gave equal representation to each state

Member of the Sons of Liberty who started the Committee of Correspondence to stir public support for American Independence

An inventor, statesman, diplomat, signer of the Declaration of Independence and delegate to the Constitutional Convention

King of England who disbanded the colonial legislatures, taxed the colonies, and refused the Olive Branch Petition leading to the final break with the colonies

Wrote the Declaration of Independence, became the 3rd President of the United States and purchased the Louisiana territory, doubling the size of the United States

wrote pamphlets like “Common Sense” and “The Crisis” to encourage American independence and resolve

Commander and Chief of the Continental Army who became the first President of the United States of America

Leader of the original Democratic party and a “President of the people”. He was also responsible for the Trail of Tears, which forced Native Americans west of the Mississippi River

South Carolina Congressman and Senator who spoke for the South before and during the Civil War

Powerful Kentucky Congressman and Senator who proposed the American System and the Compromise of 1850.

Massachusetts Congressman and Senator who spoke for the North and the preservation of the Union

President of the Confederacy during the Civil War

General of the Union Army and was responsible for winning the Civil War for the North

General of the confederate army

The 16th President of the United States who successfully put the Union back together only to be assassinated 5 days after the Civil War ended

A leader of the Federalist, first Treasurer of the United States, creator of the Bank of the United States and was killed in a dual by the Vice President of the U.S. Aaron Burr.

A passionate patriot who became famous for his fiery speeches in favor of American independence. His most
quote included the words, “Give me liberty or give me death!”

He is considered to be the “father of the Constitution”

A former slave who became the best-known black abolitionist in the country

The author of the Monroe Doctrine, which shut down the western hemisphere to European expansion or interference.

An escaped slave who became a Conductor on the Underground Railroad and helped over 300 slaves to freedom in the North

Organizer of the Seneca Falls Convention creating the Women’s Rights Movement in the United States

States that “Congress shall make no law” restricting freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition.

guarantees the right of states to organize militias or armies, and the right of the individual to bear arms

forbids the government to order private citizens to allow soldiers to live in their homes.

requires that warrants be issued if property is to be searched or seized (taken) by the government.

protects an accused person from having to testify against him or herself (self-incrimination); bans double jeopardy, and guarantees that no person will suffer the loss of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

guarantees the right to a speedy public trial by an impartial jury; the right to a lawyer; the right to cross examine witnesses ; and the right to force witnesses at a trial to testify

guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil suits

prohibits cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail or fines

states that the people have rights other than those specifically mentioned in the Constitution

states that power not given to the federal government belong to the states

abolished slavery

guarantees citizenship and rights to all people born or naturalized in the United States

guarantees the right to vote to all citizens regardless of race

1803 Court decision that gave the Supreme Court the right to determine whether a law violates the Constitution. It set up the principle of judicial review

the Supreme Court decision that said slaves were property and not citizens

Invention by Eli Whitney that speeded the cleaning of cotton fibers and in effect, increased the need for slaves.

Robert Fulton had success with this invention and it revolutionized trade and transportation in the United States