US History Unit 2 Review Guide Key Topics

Unit 2 Review Guide: Key Topics 1. Enlightenment Ideals in Colonial America Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (1776): • • • Paine advocates for American independence and criticizes the tyranny of British rule. Reflects Enlightenment ideals such as liberty, self-governance, and rejection of monarchies. Trans-Atlantic Print Culture: Enlightenment ideas were spread through writings, influencing revolutionaries on both sides of the Atlantic. 2. British Mercantilism and Economic Policies • • • Mercantilism: British economic policies aimed to benefit the mother country, often at the colonies' expense. Paine argued these policies harmed colonial economic growth by restricting trade and manufacturing. Navigation Acts and subsequent taxes limited the colonies’ economic autonomy and led to widespread dissatisfaction. 3. The Road to Revolution Increasing British Control Post-Seven Years’ War: • • • French and Indian War (1754-1763): Britain sought to pay off war debts by taxing the colonies, which resulted in anger and resistance. Proclamation of 1763: Prevented westward colonial expansion to minimize conflicts with Native Americans. Stamp Act (1765) and Townshend Acts (1767): Key taxes that angered colonists, contributing to revolutionary sentiment. 4. Propaganda and the Role of Ideology Paul Revere’s Engraving of the Boston Massacre: • • Used as propaganda to rally anti-British sentiment, portraying British soldiers as aggressors. This event fueled revolutionary attitudes by spreading the idea of British oppression. 5. Early Colonial Rebellions Shays' Rebellion (1786-1787): • • An uprising of Massachusetts farmers against high taxes and economic hardships, illustrating the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Demonstrated the need for a stronger central government, leading to the Constitutional Convention. 6. Creation of the U.S. Constitution James Madison and the Constitutional Convention: • • • James Madison is known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his key role in drafting the document and promoting its ratification. Madison helped frame the Virginia Plan, which proposed a strong federal structure with three branches of government. Madison also authored many of the Federalist Papers, arguing for the necessity of a stronger central government. Articles of Confederation: • The first form of government, which was weak and ineffective at handling interstate commerce and domestic rebellion. Constitutional Convention (1787): • • • Federalists: Supported a stronger national government to ensure order and stability. Anti-Federalists: Feared centralized power and fought for the inclusion of the Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties. Bill of Rights (1791): The first ten amendments to the Constitution, ensuring rights like freedom of speech and the press. Rhode Island's Ratification of the Constitution: • • Rhode Island was the last of the original 13 colonies to ratify the U.S. Constitution, doing so in May 1790, over two years after the required nine states had already ratified it. Rhode Island initially resisted the Constitution because of concerns over state sovereignty and individual liberties, but it ultimately joined after assurances were made, including the promise of a Bill of Rights. 7. Early Conflicts in the New Republic Federalism vs. State Power: • • The Constitution created a balance between federal and state powers, addressing earlier conflicts like those with Britain over colonial legislatures. Federalist Policies: Advocated for a strong central government and economic policies that favored urban and commercial growth. • Anti-Federalists: Supported stronger state governments and greater democratic participation, particularly in rural areas. 8. Slavery and Gradual Emancipation in the North Gradual Emancipation Laws: • • In the 1780s, Northern states like Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut passed gradual emancipation laws. Despite this, there was still widespread belief that free Black people would eventually disappear from society, reflecting continued racial prejudice. 9. Key Events Leading to the Revolution Seven Years' War (French and Indian War) (1754-1763): • • Britain and France fought over control of North American territories. After the war, Britain imposed heavy taxes to recoup its debts, leading to widespread colonial resistance. Proclamation of 1763: • Limited colonial expansion westward to prevent conflicts with Native Americans, angering settlers eager for new land. 10. American Revolution (1775-1783) Declaration of Independence (1776): • • Written by Thomas Jefferson, it articulated the colonies' grievances and their right to selfgovernance, based on Enlightenment principles of liberty. Second Continental Congress: Managed the war effort, initially seeking reconciliation with Britain through the Olive Branch Petition, but later committing to full independence. The War: • Battles like Saratoga (1777), a turning point that brought French support, were crucial to the colonial victory. 11. The Aftermath of the Revolution and Early Government Articles of Confederation (1781-1789): • Established a weak central government that struggled to manage postwar debt, interstate commerce, and uprisings like Shays’ Rebellion. Major weaknesses include a lack of taxation and foreign diplomacy, as well as only having Congress with no executive or judicial branch. Accomplishments include the Land Ordinance and the Northwest Ordinance. Constitutional Compromises: • • The Great Compromise established a two-house legislature (Senate and House of Representatives). The Three-Fifths Compromise counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes. 12. Political Developments Post-Revolution Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist Debates: • • • Federalists, like Alexander Hamilton, favored a strong national government and an economy based on trade and manufacturing. Anti-Federalists, like Thomas Jefferson, favored agrarian interests and more power for state governments. The addition of the Bill of Rights helped address Anti-Federalist concerns about protecting individual liberties. Key Figures to Remember Thomas Paine: Author of Common Sense, advocating for independence based on Enlightenment principles. James Madison: Known as the "Father of the Constitution," Madison played a central role in the Constitutional Convention and authored many of the Federalist Papers supporting its ratification. Alexander Hamilton: Leader of the Federalists, advocating for a strong central government and a national bank. George Washington: Leader of the Continental Army and the first president of the United States, setting many precedents for future governance. Summary of Key Legislation • • Stamp Act (1765): First direct tax on the colonies, taxing paper products and legal documents, leading to widespread protests. Townshend Acts (1767): Taxes on imported goods like tea, further angering colonists and leading to acts of resistance.