| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| American Indians | The indigenous peoples of North America who had established societies, economies, and political systems before European contact. |
| Appalachians | The mountain range in eastern North America that served as a boundary for colonial settlement and westward expansion. |
| balance between liberty and order | The tension between protecting individual freedoms and maintaining governmental authority and social stability. |
| bonded labor | A system of forced labor in which workers are bound to service, often used by Spanish colonizers with American Indian populations. |
| British presence | The continued military, political, and territorial influence of Great Britain in North America after the American Revolution. |
| cultural blending | The mixing and integration of different cultural practices, beliefs, and traditions resulting from contact between distinct groups. |
| Democratic-Republican Party | A political party led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison that opposed Federalist policies and advocated for states' rights. |
| diplomatic initiatives | Official efforts by the U.S. government to establish relationships and negotiate agreements with foreign powers. |
| economic policy | Government decisions and actions regarding taxation, spending, banking, and commerce in the new republic. |
| federal government | The central national government of the United States with authority over the states. |
| Federalists | A political party led by Alexander Hamilton that advocated for a strong national government and centralized economic policy. |
| foreign policy | Government strategies and decisions regarding relationships, alliances, and conflicts with other nations. |
| free trade | The unrestricted exchange of goods between nations without tariffs or trade barriers. |
| French Revolution | The late 18th-century political upheaval in France that created diplomatic challenges for the United States regarding trade and foreign policy. |
| legal claims | Formal assertions of rights or ownership, particularly regarding land and sovereignty. |
| mission settlements | Spanish religious communities established in territories like California to convert American Indians and extend Spanish control. |
| Mississippi River | A major North American river whose free navigation was a key issue in U.S. foreign policy and territorial disputes. |
| party systems | Organized political groups competing for power and influence in government, such as the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. |
| permanent foreign alliances | Long-term commitments to other nations that could entangle the United States in foreign conflicts, warned against by Washington. |
| political factions | Organized groups within the government or society that compete for power and pursue different political interests. |
| political ideas | Concepts and philosophies about government, power, and the organization of society that influenced the development of the new American republic. |
| political institutions | Formal structures and organizations of government established to implement constitutional principles in the new republic. |
| precedents | Actions or decisions established during the Washington and Adams administrations that set examples for future presidential conduct. |
| seizure of lands | The forcible taking of American Indian territories by the U.S. government or settlers. |
| social mobility | The ability of individuals to move up or down in social and economic status within a society. |
| Spanish presence | The continued military, political, and territorial influence of Spain in North America after the American Revolution. |
| treaties | Formal agreements between the U.S. government and American Indian nations regarding land, sovereignty, and other matters. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| American Indians | The indigenous peoples of North America who had established societies, economies, and political systems before European contact. |
| American Revolution | The armed conflict (1775-1783) between Great Britain and thirteen American colonies that resulted in American independence and the formation of the United States. |
| centralized power | Authority concentrated in a single central government rather than distributed among regional or local governments. |
| constitutions | Written documents that establish the structure of government, define the powers of different branches, and protect individual rights. |
| cultural blending | The mixing and integration of different cultural practices, beliefs, and traditions resulting from contact between distinct groups. |
| declarations of rights | Formal statements that articulate and protect the fundamental freedoms and liberties of individuals against government infringement. |
| democratic ideals | Principles based on the belief that power should rest with the people and that government should be responsive to the will of the governed. |
| economic interests | The financial and commercial goals and advantages that a nation seeks to protect and advance. |
| federalism | A system of government in which power is divided between a central federal government and the states. |
| independence | The state of being self-governing and free from the control or influence of others. |
| independence movements | Political and military efforts by colonized or subjugated peoples to achieve self-governance and freedom from foreign rule. |
| individual liberties | Fundamental freedoms and rights guaranteed to individuals, such as freedom of speech, religion, and due process. |
| migration | The movement of people from one region or country to another, often in search of better opportunities or resources. |
| national culture | Shared beliefs, values, customs, and practices that Americans developed to define themselves as a unified nation during the early 19th century. |
| national identity | A shared sense of belonging and common characteristics that define a nation and its people, distinct from colonial or regional identities. |
| neutral trading rights | The ability of a nation to engage in commerce with other nations without being forced to take sides in their conflicts. |
| political institutions | Formal structures and organizations of government established to implement constitutional principles in the new republic. |
| regional differences | Variations in environmental, economic, cultural, and demographic characteristics among British colonies along the Atlantic coast. |
| republican ideals | Principles based on the belief that government should be a republic where power is held by elected representatives rather than a monarch. |
| self-government | The right and ability of a people to govern themselves through their own chosen representatives and institutions rather than being ruled by an external authority. |
| Seven Years' War | A global conflict (1756-1763) between Britain and France, known in North America as the French and Indian War, that resulted in British territorial expansion and set the stage for colonial tensions. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| American culture | The shared beliefs, values, customs, and artistic expressions that developed among people in the United States during a specific historical period. |
| national culture | Shared beliefs, values, customs, and practices that Americans developed to define themselves as a unified nation during the early 19th century. |
| national identity | A shared sense of belonging and common characteristics that define a nation and its people, distinct from colonial or regional identities. |
| regional differences | Variations in environmental, economic, cultural, and demographic characteristics among British colonies along the Atlantic coast. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| alliances | Formal or informal agreements between groups to cooperate, support, or defend each other against common enemies. |
| American Indians | The indigenous peoples of North America who had established societies, economies, and political systems before European contact. |
| antislavery sentiment | Opposition to the institution of slavery, including moral, religious, and political objections to the practice. |
| deep South | The southernmost states of the United States, including South Carolina, Georgia, and other states where slavery became increasingly central to the economy. |
| ethnic tensions | Conflicts and disagreements between groups based on cultural, racial, or national identity differences. |
| frontier cultures | The distinctive ways of life, values, and social practices that developed in colonial and early American border regions between settled and unsettled territories. |
| immigration | The process of people moving into a country or region with the intention to settle permanently. |
| migration | The movement of people from one region or country to another, often in search of better opportunities or resources. |
| natural resources | Materials and assets provided by nature, such as land, water, minerals, and forests, that have economic or survival value. |
| political tensions | Conflicts and disagreements between groups or governments over power, authority, and governance. |
| regional attitudes | Distinct beliefs and positions held by different geographic areas regarding social, economic, and political issues. |
| slavery | The institution of forced labor in which people were held as property and exploited for economic gain in the British colonies. |
| social tensions | Conflicts and disagreements between different groups in society based on cultural, economic, or social differences. |
| tribal lands | Territory owned and controlled by American Indian nations for hunting, settlement, and resource use. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| American Revolution | The armed conflict (1775-1783) between Great Britain and thirteen American colonies that resulted in American independence and the formation of the United States. |
| centralized power | Authority concentrated in a single central government rather than distributed among regional or local governments. |
| cultural blending | The mixing and integration of different cultural practices, beliefs, and traditions resulting from contact between distinct groups. |
| declarations of rights | Formal statements that articulate and protect the fundamental freedoms and liberties of individuals against government infringement. |
| democratic ideals | Principles based on the belief that power should rest with the people and that government should be responsive to the will of the governed. |
| economic interests | The financial and commercial goals and advantages that a nation seeks to protect and advance. |
| independence movements | Political and military efforts by colonized or subjugated peoples to achieve self-governance and freedom from foreign rule. |
| individual liberties | Fundamental freedoms and rights guaranteed to individuals, such as freedom of speech, religion, and due process. |
| national culture | Shared beliefs, values, customs, and practices that Americans developed to define themselves as a unified nation during the early 19th century. |
| neutral trading rights | The ability of a nation to engage in commerce with other nations without being forced to take sides in their conflicts. |
| political institutions | Formal structures and organizations of government established to implement constitutional principles in the new republic. |
| regional differences | Variations in environmental, economic, cultural, and demographic characteristics among British colonies along the Atlantic coast. |
| republican ideals | Principles based on the belief that government should be a republic where power is held by elected representatives rather than a monarch. |
| self-government | The right and ability of a people to govern themselves through their own chosen representatives and institutions rather than being ruled by an external authority. |
| Seven Years' War | A global conflict (1756-1763) between Britain and France, known in North America as the French and Indian War, that resulted in British territorial expansion and set the stage for colonial tensions. |
| shifting alliances | Changes in political and military partnerships among different groups competing for resources and influence in post-independence North America. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| American Indian autonomy | The independence and self-governance of Native American nations in controlling their own territories and political affairs. |
| colonial opposition | Resistance by British colonists to policies and restrictions imposed by imperial officials. |
| colonial rivalry | Competition between European powers, particularly Britain and France, for control of territory, resources, and trade in North America during the mid-18th century. |
| French–Indian trade networks | Commercial relationships between French traders and American Indian nations that facilitated the exchange of furs and European goods in North America. |
| imperial control | The authority and power exercised by the British Empire over its colonies and colonial subjects. |
| Seven Years' War | A global conflict (1756-1763) between Britain and France, known in North America as the French and Indian War, that resulted in British territorial expansion and set the stage for colonial tensions. |
| territorial holdings | Lands and regions controlled and claimed by a nation or empire. |
| westward expansion | The movement of British colonists into the interior regions of North America, particularly west of the Appalachian Mountains. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| British colonial policies | The rules, regulations, and directives established by the British government to control and govern its North American colonies. |
| British military occupation | The stationing of British troops in colonial regions to enforce imperial authority and control. |
| Enlightenment | An intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason, individual rights, and limited government. |
| imperial control | The authority and power exercised by the British Empire over its colonies and colonial subjects. |
| imperial struggles | Conflicts and competitions between European powers, particularly Britain, over control of colonial territories and resources in the mid-18th century. |
| natural rights | Fundamental rights believed to belong to all people by virtue of their humanity, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. |
| Patriot movement | The organized effort by American colonists to resist British authority and achieve independence from Great Britain. |
| political activism | Organized efforts by individuals and groups to influence government policy and bring about political change. |
| rights of Englishmen | Traditional legal and political rights claimed by English subjects, including representation in government and protection from arbitrary taxation. |
| taxation without representation | The British practice of imposing taxes on the colonies without allowing colonists to have elected representatives in Parliament to consent to or vote on these taxes. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Common Sense | A political pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776 that argued for American independence and republican government based on natural rights. |
| Declaration of Independence | The 1776 document that declared the American colonies' separation from British rule and articulated principles of natural rights and popular sovereignty. |
| Enlightenment ideas | Intellectual concepts from the European Enlightenment emphasizing reason, individual rights, and scientific thinking that influenced colonial thought. |
| hereditary privilege | Rights, status, or advantages granted to individuals based on their family background or inherited nobility rather than personal merit. |
| individual talent | The concept that a person's abilities and merit should determine their position and status in society, rather than family lineage or inherited rank. |
| natural rights | Fundamental rights believed to belong to all people by virtue of their humanity, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. |
| republican forms of government | Systems of government in which power is held by elected representatives and sovereignty rests with the people rather than a monarch. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| colonial militias | Local military forces composed of colonists who fought for independence during the American Revolution. |
| Continental Army | The main military force of the thirteen colonies during the American Revolution, led by George Washington. |
| European allies | Foreign nations, particularly France, Spain, and the Netherlands, that provided military and financial support to the American cause during the Revolution. |
| ideological commitment | The colonists' dedication to principles of independence and self-governance that motivated their Revolutionary efforts. |
| loyalist opposition | Resistance from colonists who remained loyal to British rule during the American Revolution. |
| Patriot cause | The movement and ideology supporting American independence from British rule during the Revolution. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| abolition of slavery | The movement to end the institution of slavery and free enslaved people. |
| American Revolution | The armed conflict (1775-1783) between Great Britain and thirteen American colonies that resulted in American independence and the formation of the United States. |
| Declaration of Independence | The 1776 document that declared the American colonies' separation from British rule and articulated principles of natural rights and popular sovereignty. |
| Enlightenment ideas | Intellectual concepts from the European Enlightenment emphasizing reason, individual rights, and scientific thinking that influenced colonial thought. |
| independence movements | Political and military efforts by colonized or subjugated peoples to achieve self-governance and freedom from foreign rule. |
| participatory democracy | A system of government in which a broader range of citizens have the right to vote and participate in the political process, expanded in this period through suffrage reform. |
| republican motherhood | An ideal that emerged after the American Revolution calling on women to educate their children in republican values and civic virtue to support the new nation. |
| republican values | Principles of civic virtue, public service, and commitment to the common good central to republican ideology. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Articles of Confederation | The first constitution of the United States that created a weak central government with limited powers to coordinate the newly independent states. |
| central government | The national government that unified the states under the Articles of Confederation, though with severely limited authority. |
| foreign relations | Diplomatic and political relationships between the United States and other nations, which were difficult to manage under the weak central government. |
| interstate commerce | Trade and economic activity between different states, which created conflicts under the Articles of Confederation. |
| legislative branch | The branch of government responsible for making laws, which held primary power in many early state governments. |
| Northwest Ordinance | A 1787 law enacted by Congress that established procedures for admitting new states and governed the Northwest Territory. |
| Northwest Territory | The region north of the Ohio River and west of Pennsylvania, governed by the Northwest Ordinance. |
| property qualifications | Requirements that individuals own a certain amount of property in order to vote or hold citizenship. |
| state constitutions | Written documents that established the fundamental laws and structure of government for individual states during and after the Revolutionary period. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Anti-Federalists | Opponents of the Constitution who feared a strong central government and advocated for greater state power and individual rights protections. |
| Bill of Rights | The first ten amendments to the Constitution that enumerate and protect individual rights and explicitly restrict the powers of the federal government. |
| Constitutional Convention | The 1787 gathering of state delegates in Philadelphia that drafted the United States Constitution through negotiation, collaboration, and compromise. |
| federalism | A system of government in which power is divided between a central federal government and the states. |
| Federalist Papers | A series of essays written primarily by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison to explain and defend the Constitution during the ratification debates. |
| Federalists | A political party led by Alexander Hamilton that advocated for a strong national government and centralized economic policy. |
| limited government | A system of government in which the powers of the government are restricted by law, typically through a constitution. |
| ratification | The formal approval and adoption of the Constitution by the states. |
| separation of powers | The division of government authority among three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Convention | The 1787 gathering of state delegates in Philadelphia that drafted the United States Constitution through negotiation, collaboration, and compromise. |
| federalism | A system of government in which power is divided between a central federal government and the states. |
| limited government | A system of government in which the powers of the government are restricted by law, typically through a constitution. |
| ratification | The formal approval and adoption of the Constitution by the states. |
| separation of powers | The division of government authority among three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. |