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Thomas Hobbes
Hobbes advocated for the the use of absolute sovereignty for the type of government. He is also the author of the book Levithian -
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George Whitfield
Whitfield was an influential Great Awakening leader. He made John Edwards cry and Ben Franklin donate money to the church. -
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Salutary neglect
Laissez faire regulation of the colonists. This occured during the rule of King Geroge I and II. -
Mayflower Compact
This was signed by the male members aboard the Mayflower. The Mayflower Compact was the first self-governing agreement in the New World. -
Harvard College
This is the first learning institution in the colonies.Vote of the Massachusetts Bay Colony allowed this event to take place. -
Establishment of New England Confederation
This was an alliance between the New England colonies. The purpose of the alliance was to protect the colonies from the Native Americans. -
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Trade and Navigation Acts
These were designed to restrict foregin trade in the colonies. These acts allowed Britain to maintain their power over the colonies. -
Halfway Covenant
This gave some people parial church membership. This was created due to the fact that the colonists were begginning to lose their focus on religion. -
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King Phillip's War
This war was between New Hampshire colonists and Indians. The Mohawk Indians helped the colonists win the war. -
Bacon's Rebellion
This protest was against William Berkely, the governor of Virginia. Bacon and his farmers were not successful in their endeavor. -
William Penn
William Penn established the Pennsylvania colony. This colony had religious freedom and a positive relationship with the Native Americans. -
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Salem Witch Trials
This was an example of the Purtian religious extremism in the New World. Numerous girls were put to death for being a "witch." -
Peter Zenger Trial
Peter Zenger, defended by Alexander Hamilton, was tried for printing damaging stories. Because the stories were true, he was found not guilty. -
Albany Plan
This plan was proposed by Benjamin Franklin. The plan one of the first steps towards the independence that the colonists so desperately conveted. -
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French and Indian War
In Europe, this war was known as the Seven Years War. As a result, England reigned supreme as the number one world power. -
Pontiac's Rebellion
A resistance by Native Americans to colonial expansion. This led to Proclamation of 1763. -
Proclamation of 1763
This was created after the French and Indian War. Its purpose was to prevent Americans from crossing the Appalachian Mountains. -
Quartering Act
This required colonists to house British soldiers, It served as a large influence towards the Third Amendment. -
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Non-importation agreements
These consisted of boycotts against British goods. These were highly effective as some acts were actually repealed due to negative effects on the British economy. -
Townshend Acts
A tax on glass, paper,lead, and tea. The Acts were repealed in 1770, but the tax on tea still stood. -
Boston Massacre
A scuffle between the colonists and British soldiers in Britain. This was the first controntation between the two groups. -
Gaspee Affair
This ship decided to enforce unpopular British trade restrictions. As a result, colonists burned the ship to the ground. -
Paxton Boys
A group of men that killed Native Americans. The Paxton Boys criticized the Quaker treatment toward Native Americans. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress met to protest the Intolerable Acts. 12 of the 13 colonies were present. -
Olive Branch Petition
This document sought to reconcile differences between the colonists and Britain. King George III rejected the document. -
Second Continental Congress
All 13 colonies were present at this meeting in Philadelphia. The Olive Branch Petition was drafted at this time. -
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Crisis Papers
These papers were written by Thomas Paine. They boosted American patriotism due the simplisitic language. -
Common Sense
This was a persuasive pamplet written by Thomas Paine. Its purpose was to promote American Independence. -
Loyalists and Tories
Both of these are similar terms. Both desribe people who did not support American independence. -
Declaration of Indepence
This document declared independecne from Great Britain. It was written by Thomas Jefferson. -
The Battle of Saratoga
This battle served as turning point during the American Revolution. The French decided to create an alliance with the French -
Articles of Confederation
This purposely set up a weak federal government after the American Revolution. These were eventually replaced by the Constitutiion. -
Treaty of Alliance
This treaty was between the United States and France. This allowed France to assist America during the Revolutionary War. -
Treaty of Paris
This treaty ended the Revolutionary War. John Adams, Ben Franklin, and John Jay were the American negogiators. -
Land Ordinance of 1785
This established a process for managing townships in the territories. It also established a surveying process. -
Shays Rebellion
This was a revolt by farmers in debt. It made many feel the need for a stronger federal government. -
Northwest Ordinance
This was one of the acutal accomplishments under the Articles of Confederation. It established a process for obtaining statehood. -
Loose constructionism
This is a interpretation based on inferring from the Constiution. Heavily used by liberals today. -
Strict constructionism
This interpretation focuses on what is explicitly said in the Constitution. Heavily used by conservatives today. -
Bill of Rights
These were designed to appease the Anti-Federalists. They include freedom of the press, speech, and assembly. -
Cotton Gin
This was invented by Eli Whitney. It increased cotton production significantly. -
Alien and Sedition Acts
These laws were passed by the Federalist Congress. The purpose was to supress critics of the Federalist Party. -
Revolution of 1800
This marked the transfer of power between Federalists and Democratic- Republicans. This occured after Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams. -
Louisana Purchase
This purchased lands west of the Mississippi for $15 million. Lewis and Clarke were sent to explore this newly acquired land. -
Judicial Review
This was established during the Marbury vs. Madison Supreme Court Case. The Court could find something unconstiutional. -
Marbury vs. Madison
This establishedthe concept of judicial review. It allowed the Supreme Court to declare something unconstiutional. -
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Lewis and Clarke
These two were sent to explore the lands acquired in the Lousiana Purchase. Sacagewa helped on their journey. -
Embargo Act of 1807
This forbade US trade with foreign countries, It was extremely unpopular with the merchants. -
Treaty of Ghent
This treaty ended the War of 1812. It practically made the war a draw. -
Hartford Convention
This caused Federalists to become unpopular. Numerous amendments to the Constitution were proposed. -
Adams-Onis Treaty
This treaty was negogiated by John Quincy Adams. As a part of the treaty, the US received Florida. -
Missouri Compromise
This allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state. It also allowed Maine to enter as a free state to keep the balance of power in Congress. -
Dorothea Dix
This woman was an important person in the movement for prison reform. She also sought to improve the condition of insane asylums. -
Monroe Doctrine
Stated that the Americas were closed to further colonization. It also stated that Europe should not intervene in Western Hemisphere affairs. -
Gibbons vs. Ogden
This court case dealt a major hit to states' rights. Congress was determined to have sole possession of the power to regulate interstate commerce. -
Corrupt Bargain
This took place during the Election of 1824, John Quincy Adams made Henry Clay his Secretary of State in order to win the election in the House of Representatives. -
Mormons
This church was founded by Joseph Smith. After Smith died, Brigham Young led the Mormons westward to escape persecution. -
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Transcendtalism
This movement was led by Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. The main belief of Transcendentalism is that one can "transcend" the material world through nature. -
William Lloyd Garrison
This man was the publisher of the Liberator. Garrison was a radical abolitionist who supported Northern secession and burned the US Constitution. -
Worcester v. Georgia
This Supreme Court case protected Native Americans from the fed. Andrew Jackson ignored the decision. -
American Anti-Slavery Society
This was an abolitionist organization founded by William Lloyd Garrison. Garrison burned the Constitution because he considered it to be a "proslavery document." -
Manifest Destiny
This refers to the belief that America was destined to span from "sea to shining sea." Numerous territorial acquisitions helped make this idea possible. -
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Know Nothing/ American Party
This party was based on the principle of nativism. Like Donald Trump, this party feared the immigrants that were moving to the US. -
Trent Affair
Confederate offcials were found on a British mail steamer. Lincoln ended the matter by releasing the prisoners. -
Commonwealth v. Hunt
This Supreme Court decision focused on the legality of labor unions. Conspiracy law does not apply to unions. -
Seneca Falls Convention
This meeting was organized by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. This sparked the women's suffrage movement. -
Compromise of 1850
This Compromise allowed California to enter as a free state. The slave trade in DC was also outlawed. -
Nashvilel Convention
Extension of debate regarding the provisions of the Compromise of 1850. It set the framework for the future Confederacy. -
Maine Laws
This banned alchol, except in medical circumstances. This was a step in the right direction for the Temperance Movement. -
Neal Dow
The sponsor of the Maine Laws that banned alcohol. Due to his actions, other states adopted these standards. -
Webster-Ashburton
This treaty was between the US and Britian. It resolved burder disputes between the US and Canada. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This agreement was between the United States and Mexico. The Mexican Cession was a result. -
Ostend Manifesto
This contained an almost pre-emptive attack strategy. However, the document eventually leaked. -
Sumner and Brooks Incident
Charles Sumner degraded the South during a two day oratory address. In response, Preston Brooks nearly beat Sumner to death with a cane. -
Lincoln Douglas Debates
This debate was a part of a battle for the 1858 Illinois Senate seat. Slavery was heavily discussed during the debates. -
Antebellum
This term refers to the time period before the Civil War. "Ante" means before, and "bell" means war. -
Crittenden Compromise
This was an unsuccessful attempt by a Kentucky senator to stop the Southern states from leaving the Union. it attempted to resolve differences, but failed. -
Homestead Act
This law offered a reward to someone who would farm a piece of land for 5 years. This reward could be ownership of 160 acres of land. -
Morrill Land Grant Act
This pushed for colleges to be established with newly granted land. 69 institutions were able to be established due to this law. -
Emancipation Proclamation
This freed all slaves in areas still in rebellion against the Union. This document did not free any slaves. -
13th Amendment
This amendment was created after the Civil War. It abolished slavery. -
Civil Rights Act of 1866
This law was passed via congressional override on President Andrew Johnson. Now, birthright citizenship was established. -
National Labor Union
This was the first National Labor Union in American History. It attracted 600,000 new members. -
Seward's Folly
Seward negotiated a deal between the US and Russia to acquire Alaska. At $7 million, Alaska was only valued at two cents an acre. -
Tenure of Office Act
This law was passed via congressional override of President Andrew Johnson. Violation of this law nearly removed Johnson from office. -
14th Amendment
This amendment gurantees citizenship to free blacks. This amendment also contains the Due Proccess Clause and the Equal Protection Clause. -
15th Amendment
This amendment sought to further improve the lives of African Americans after the Civil War. This allowed black men to vote. -
John D. Rockefeller
By this time, Rockefller owned 95% of the oil industry. Standard Oil had a monopoly. -
Social Darwinism
This concept represents the "survival of the fittest" capitalistic society of the US. Heavily used by the robber barons. -
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The Gilded Age
This phrase was coined by Mark Twain. The motto of this time period was "showy but corrupt." -
Credit Mobiler Scandal
During this scandal, employees of the Union Pacific Railroad created a new company, and hired themselves. Bribres assured the government would stay quiet. -
Louis Sullivan
He is known as the "Father of Skycrapers." This allowed even more people to occupy cities. -
William Jennings Bryant
He was a presidential candidate during the election of 1908. He was defeated by William Howard Taft. Big silver advocate. -
Farmers' Alliances
This was a part of an organized movement of agriculture. It was designed to end the crop lien system. -
Munn v. Illinois
This Supreme Court case had to do with government regulation of private property. The Court ruled that if public interest is invlolved, the government can intervene. -
Compromise of 1877
This compromise allowed Republicans to win the controversial election of 1876. In return, federal troops were removed from the South. -
Chinese Exclusion Act
This law attempted to stop the "Yellow Peril." It prohibited Chinese immigration for a period of ten years. -
Civil Service Act
This act abolished the spoils system and established the merit based system. Applicants now had to take a competitive exam. -
Haymarket Affair
Bombs exploded during a strike, and many people were killed. The Knights of Labor began to lose influence as a result. -
Dawes Act
The goal was to speed up the process of Indians becoming integrated into American society. It also set up land surveying procedures. -
The Gospel of Wealth
This was written by the robber baron Andrew Carnegie. He said that philanthropy was a responsibility of the wealthy. -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
The purpose of this act was to destroy monopolies. Meanhile, trusts took refuge of the ambiguity of the 14th Amendment. -
Populist Party
The party chose James B. Weaver as their candidate for president in the 1892 election. The party supported a platform of direct election of senators, graduated income tax, and equal treatment of black citizens. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
This Supreme Court case is a great example of judicial restraint. The 'seperate but equal" doctrine was established. -
Boxer Rebellion
Thousands of Chinese Christians were killed during this incident. Non-Christians grew wearly of the US's forgeign influence regarding religion. -
Jacob Riis
Jacob Riis exposed the terrible conditions of tenament houses. How the Other Half Lives provides documentation of these horrid conditions. -
Open Door Policy
This allowed the US to have its own "sphere of inclunce" in China. Bascially, it served as a foundation for free trade. -
Spheres of influence
Areas set up as a part of the Open Door Policy. Essentially, it allowed free trade in China. -
Hay-Bunua-Varilla Treaty
This treaty was a crucial step in the construction of the Panama Canal. It allowed the US to gain control of the land around the proposed building site. -
Roosevelt Collary
This served as an extension to the Monroe Doctrine. The Collary allowed "preventive intervention" as justification for being in Latin America\ -
Russo-Japanese War
Theodore Roosevelt brokered a peace agreement to this war. This effort ultimately earned Teddy a Nobel Peace Prize. -
Upton Sinclair
Sinclair wrote The Jungle. This book exposed the food processing industry. -
Muckrakers
Muckrakers included Upton Sinclair and Jacob Riis. They attempted to expose flaws of society to the general public. -
The Great White Fleet
The goal of this endeavor was to intimidate the rest of the world. This was accomplished by sending 16 American battleships around the world. -
Gentleman's Agreement
This was an agreement between Japan and the US. In return for reducing Japanese immigrant flow, the US had to repeal a racist school board ruling. -
Muller vs. Oregon
This was an important case regarding women in the workplace. It upheld restrictions on women work hours. -
Bull Moose Party
This was the third party created during the election of 1912. Teddy Roosevelt was nominated by this party. -
Woodrow Wilson
WIlson won the election of 1912. This occured due to a split in the Republican party between Roosevelt and Taft. -
Eugene V. Debs
Eugene V. Debs founded the Socialist Party. Debs represented the party in multiple presidential elections. -
16th Amendment
This amendment allowed for the federal collection of income taxes. Previously, these taxes were considered unconstitutional. -
17th Amendment
This amendment allowed for the direct election of senators. This was very much a populist idea. -
Federal Reserve System
This system was created by Woodrow Wilson. This system is the central banking organization for the United States. -
Panama Canal
The canal was completed during the span of 1904-1914. The project cost about $400 million. -
Federal Trade Commisssion
This was one of the accomplishments of Woodrow Wilson. It attempted to stop unlawful business practices. -
Lusitania
Germany sunk a British passenger ship with Americans on board. Ultimately, this led the US to enter the war. -
Zimmerman telegram
This was a secret message proposing an alliance between Germany and Mexico against the US. It helped propel the US into the war. -
Harlem Renaissance
This was a rebirth of African American culture in Harlem, New York. This included music, literature, and dance. -
Langston Hughes
He was one of influential figures of the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes was a renowned poet of the time period, and he still is today. -
Fourteen Points
This was Woodrow Wilson's plan following World War I. The most important point was the League of Nations. -
18th Amendment
This amendment begins Prohibition. It prohibited everything associated with alcohol, except its consumption. -
Schenk vs. United States
This court case established the "clear and present danger" doctrine. Free speech could be limited during times of war. -
Treaty of Versailles
This treaty proved to be the reconcilation to World War I. Blame was placed on Germany, which led to WWII. -
Leage of Nations
This was Wilson's most prized of the Fourteen Points. Ultimately, the League of Nations failed due to the rejection of the Treaty of Versailles by the Senate. -
Henry Cabot Lodge
Lodge served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He led the charge against the Treaty of Versailles. -
19th Amendment
This amendment gave women the right to vote. It would have not been possible without the work of Mott, Stanton, and Anthony. -
KKK
This group was started in response to the recent success of blacks and immigrants. The organization almost had 5 million members in the 1920s. -
"Lost generation"
This group consisted of a group of writers. These writers felt discontent with American society after WWI. -
Warren G. Harding
Harding was elected president with his promise of a " return to normalcy." He served as president until 1923, when he died. -
Normalcy
" A return to normalcy" was the rallying cry that ushered Warren G. Harding into the White House. Harding became the Republican nominee through a contested convention. -
Teapot Dome Scandal
This was one of the numerous scandals that plagued the Harding administration. It had to do with bribes from oil companies. -
Calvin Coolidge
He took office after Harding's death in 1923. He was known as "Silent Cal" due to his quiet nature. -
Scopes Monkey Trial
This trial was over the Scopes's teaching of evolution in schools. Due to a technicality, Scopes was able to keep his job. -
Charles Lindbergh
He was an American aviator. He is most renowned for the first solo flight across the Atlantic. -
"The Spirit of St. Louis"
This was the ship belonging to Charles Lindbergh. It made the first solo trans-Atlantic flight. -
Ernest Hemingway
He is the author of A Farewell to Arms. He also belonged to the group of Lost Generation writers. -
Herbert Hoover
He is the creator of the Hoover vacuum, which created millions of jobs. Also, HE BUILT THE HOOVER DAM. Known by few as the greatest, known by many as the worst. -
Hoovervilles
These were created due the onset of the Great Depression. These shanty towns mocked Hoover's inability to handle the crisis. -
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
He was known to Republicans of the time as a socialist and a dictator. He was elected to four terms, prompting the ratification of the 22nd amendment. -
New Deal
This was FDR's plan to get the nation out of the Great Depression. This included spending money to jumpstart the economy by starting civilian work projects and agencies. -
20th Amendment
This amendment is known as the lame duck amendment. It shortened the period between election and inauguration for president and Congress. -
21st Amendment
This amendment repealed the 18th Amendment. Prohibition was now over. -
Social Security Act
This establishes a retirement pension system for senior citizens. Or as I like to say, it gives old people money before they die. -
Court Packing Scheme
FDR attempted this in order to advance his New Deal agenda. By appointing new justices, the conservative majority could be dethroned. -
Grapes of Wrath
This book was written by John Steinbeck. It depicted the struggles of the Joad family to survive during the Great Depression. -
Lend Lease Act
This allowed the US to lend arms to their European allies during WWII. It allowed the US to remain "neutral." -
John F. Kennedy
Kennedy was the youngest president ever elected and the first Catholic president. He was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in 1963. -
Bay of Pigs
This was a US attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro. It failed miserably as the rebels were forced to surrender. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
This occured when the USSR placed nuclear weapons in Cuba. This was the closest the world ever came to WWIII. -
Gideon v. Wainwright
This court case revolved around the right to counsel. The SCOUTS ruled that a lawyer will be provided even if one cannot afford a lawyer. -
Lee Harvey Oswald
Oswald is the alleged assassin of JFK. Much controversey and conspiracy surrounds the idea whether another shooter was involved. -
Warren Commission
This commission was established after the assassination of JFK. It was named after Chief Justice Earl Warren. -
Lyndon B. Johnson
LBJ was JFK's vice president. He became president after the assassination of JFK. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This piece of legislation prohibited discrimination in public places. This marked a shift from the Southern Democrats to the Southern Republican. -
Barry Goldwater
LBJ ran against Barry Goldwater in the election of 1964. Goldwater lost in a historic landslide. -
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
This gave Lyndon B. Johnson power to do whatever he felt necessary to keep peace in Asia. It resulted in the Vietnam War. -
The Great Society
This was LBJ's domestic plan. It sought to provide aid to education, the elderly and poor, and civil rights. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
This abolished literacy tests in elections. As a result, many minorities had more opportunities to vote. -
Ralph Nader
He wrote the book Unsafe at Any Speed. It told of the dangers of a lack of seatbelts in cars. -
Miranda v. Arizona
This Supreme Court case required law enforcment to inform criminals of their right to remain silent. This protected defendants from unfair interrogation techniques. -
Stokley Carmichael
Carmichael was the founder of the Black Panthers. This group used violence to promote black power. -
Martin Luther King Jr.
He was an active part of the civil rights movement. He was assassinated by James Earl Ray in 1968. -
Kent State
This occured when the Ohio National Guard killed 4 protestors. They were protesting the Vietnam War. -
Hippies
Their motto is "stop killing my vibe, man." Led by John Elledge, this group focused on peace and love of nature. -
Roe v. Wade
This court case allowed a woman to have an abortion. An implied right to privacy was found to exist in the Bill of Rights. -
War Powers Act
This limited the power of the president to act as commander in chief. It was mainly a response to the Vietnam War. -
Gerald Ford
After the resignation of Richard Nixon, Ford became the only un-elected president in US history. Ford previosly served as House Minority Leader. -
Stagflation
This word best summarizes Jimmy Carter's tenure as president. It represents high inflation, high unemployment, and stagnant production. -
Washinton Outsiders
Jimmy Carter's status as an "outsider" allowed him to win the election of 1976. However, his timid nature and outsider status rendered him as an ineffective president. -
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan destroyed Jimmy Carter in the election of 1800. He is widely ackonwledged as the greatest president since WWII. -
Reaganomics
This was Ronald Reagan's outstanding economic policy . It consisted of reduction of welfare programs, reducing the size of the federal government, and lower taxes.