Empire of Freedom
contradictory phrase by Thomas jefferson, idea that the US should spread democracy and freedom through colonization
liberalism
political "ism" created by John Locke in his Two Treatises of Government. natural rights: life, liberty, property. slaves couldnt be part of society. defends womans right to divorce and own property
republicanism
political "ism" meaning government without king, active participation in public life by economically independent citizens, property ownership basis of citizenship "stake in society"
social contract
the notion that society is based on an agreement between government and the governed in which people agree to give up some rights in exchange for the protection of others
natural rights
the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property
Public Sphere
said that only men with property qualify to vote, because they have an economic stake in society
salutary neglect
a term coined by British statesman Edmund Burke regarding the English colonies; idea that the colonies benefited by being left alone, without too much British interference
libel
written untruths that are harmful to someone's reputation
Zenger Trial
Peter Zenger wrote in newspaper about governor being corrupt, ruled not guilty, shows colonial assmblies have power
Deism
belief that God created the world and left it to function under scientific laws
Jonathan Edwards
theologian with huge role in first great awakening, "sinners in the hands of an angry god", said god could kill us whenever he wants but he is showing mercy
George Whitfield
english minister, evangelist. sparked great awakening. said people could repent their sins for forgiveness
New Lights
evangelists or the leaders of the revivalist beliefs during the Great Awakening.
Old Lights
Orthodox clergymen who were deeply skeptical of the emotionalism and the antics of the Great Awakening.
Iroquois
a group of Indian tribes speaking related languages living in the eastern Great Lakes region.
Peace Treaty of Paris 1763
the treaty that ended the Seven Years War (french-Indian War), forcing the French to give up their claims to all American territories
Proclamation Line 1763
Order by the British king that closed the region west of the App Mountains to all settlement by colonists
Paxton Boys
settlers from western PA, came to Philadelphia to demand relief from taxes and money to help defend against Indians, massacred group of indians
Albany Plan
Proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1754 as an attempt to form a union of the colonies. Later used to help form the Articles of Confederation.
1st Continental Congress
On September 1774, delegates from 12 colonies gathered in Philadelphia. After debating, the delegates passed a resolution backing Mass. in its struggle. Decided to boycott all British goods and to stop exporting goods to Britain until the Intolerance Act was canceled.
Lexington and Concord
The first battle of the Revolution in which British general Thomas Gage went after the stockpiled weapons of the colonists in Concord, Massachusetts.
Thomas Paine
Revolutionary leader who wrote the pamphlet Common Sense (1776) arguing for American independence from Britain. In England he published The Rights of Man
Thomas Jefferson
He was a delegate from Virginia at the Second Continental Congress and wrote the Declaration of Independence. He later served as the secretary of state for Washington and the third President of the United States.
Dec of Independence
Wrote to declare the separation of the Americas from the Brits consisted of the preamble (introduction), natural rights basically the first real section excluding the preamble, stated what rights people have from birth,british wrongs, listed the wrongs the king had committed like taxes imposed without consent, or representation, lastly declaring independence announces they are the USA, and all political ties have been cut free with the Brits
Saratoga
A battle that took place in New York where the Continental Army defeated the British. It proved to be the turning point of the war. This battle ultimately had France to openly support the colonies with military forces in addition to the supplies and money already being sent.
Yorktown
battle in 1781 during the American Revolution where the British under Cornwallis surrendered after a siege of three weeks by American and French troops
Treaty of Paris 1783
This treaty ended the Revolutionary War, recognized the independence of the American colonies, and granted the colonies the territory from the southern border of Canada to the northern border of Florida, and from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River
2nd Continental Congress
Congress of American leaders which first met in 1775, declared independence in 1776, and helped lead the United States during the Revolution
Enlightenment
a movement in the 18th century that advocated the use of reason in the reappraisal of accepted ideas and social institutions
Great Awakening
movement where church tried to shift focus back on religion, desire for more religious purity, broadened range of religious alternatives and printed publications in the colonies.