Protestant Scottish settlers who migrated from British-controlled northern Ireland to the American colonies in the 1700s.

17th century philosophical movement in Europe that emphasized reason and individualism rather than tradition and faith.

Imperial war between Britain and France for control of North America (beginning in 1754) that became a larger-scale European war in 1756. American Indians generally supported the French

Ended the French and Indian War, Britain gained possession of all of French Canada and Spanish Florida.

Unsuccessful Indian rebellion led by an Ottawa chief named Pontiac against British Indian policy in the Northwest Territory.

Britain established a boundary in the Appalachian Mountains, banning colonists from settling west of the boundary. Designed to prevent conflict with Indians.

Frontiersman of Scots-Irish origin in Paxton, Pennsylvania , who massacred Conestoga Indians and then marched on Philadelphia demanding the colonial government provide better defense against Indians. The government responded with an official bounty for Indian scalps.

British law that taxed sugar and other colonial imports to pay for some of Britain's expenses in protecting the colonies during the French and Indian War.

British law that established a direct tax in the colonies on written documents, including newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards. The tax was designed to raise revenue for the British empire. Protests against the Stamp Act led to its repeal in 1766.

Secret organization formed in Boston in 1765 to oppose the Stamp Act. Best known for the Boston Tea Party in 1773.

The British Parliament asserted they had "the sole and exclusive right" to tax the colonists, rejecting the colonial argument that taxation should rest in the hands of colonial assemblies.

Import taxes for the colonists on products made in Britain. Recognizing the colonists had been pushed too far, Parliament repealed the Townshend Acts in 1770, except for the tax on tea.

British troops killed five colonists by firing on a mob of people who had been taunting them and throwing stones.

As a protest against a British monopoly on tea, colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians boarded three British ships and dumped a shipments of tea into Boston harbor.

Delegates from every colony except Georgia met in Philadelphia and asserted their rights as Englishmen.

Battle between British soldiers and American "Minutemen" outside Boston that began the American Revolution.

Delegates from the thirteen colonies met in Philadelphia to create a Continental army and prepare the colonies for war against Britain.

British philosopher of the late 17th century whose ideas influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the creation of the United States. He argued that sovereignty resides in the people, who have natural rights to life, liberty, and property.

Free people govern themselves without a king through elected representatives of the people

Common Sense was pamphlet that attacked the British monarchy, calling for American independence from Britain.

A formal statement adopted by the Second Continental Congress declaring the American colonies independent.

Battle that marked the turning point of the American Revolution, convincing France to aid the American cause.

Alliance between the Americans and French in war against Britain. France recognized U.S. independence from Britain. (Note: This was the first and only treaty of alliance made by the U.S. until NATO was created in 1949.)

The British army surrendered to General George Washington and the Continental Army, virtually bringing the American Revolution to an end.

Treaty that ended the American Revolution, securing American independence from Britain.

A league of five (later six) Iroquois nations that was a powerful force influencing French, Dutch, and British policy in the northeastern colonies for over 200 years.

First constitution of the United States. Created a national government with limited powers.

Rebellion of debtor farmers in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays. After the rebellion was crushed by the Massachusetts state militia, many prominent American leaders called for a strengthening of the national government to prevent such rebellions in the future.

The convention to write a new constitution for the United States met from May through September in 1787.

Compromise at the Constitutional Convention by which Congress would have two houses — the Senate (where each state would get the equal representation of two senators) and the House of Representatives (where representation would be based on population).

85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay in support of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution

Law establishing the Supreme Court and the lower federal courts. President Washington appointed John Jay as the first chief justice of the United States

During the ratification process for the U.S. Constitution, demands for greater guarantees of rights resulted in a promise for the addition of a Bill of Rights to the new Constitution. A Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution by 1791. (3.2-IIC)

Commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. First President of the United States under the U.S. Constitution

American writer, scientist, inventor, and diplomat who negotiated the Treaty of Alliance with France during the American Revolution. Franklin also negotiated the treaty ending the American Revolution and attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787

Revolutionary leader who played an instrumental role in the vote for American independence. After the American Revolution he served as U.S. minister to Great Britain, first vice-president of the United States and second president of the United States.

Chief author of the Declaration of Independence, governor of Virginia during the American Revolution, U.S. minister to France after the Revolution, second vice-president, and third president of the United States

Virginia planter, political theorist, delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and co-author of the Federalist Papers. His work in creating the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights has earned him the title "father of the Constitution."

First Secretary of the Treasury who funded the national debt through excise taxes, tariffs, and the sale of western land. As Secretary of Treasury he also used the power of the national government to assume state debts and create a Bank of the United States.

Period of radical social and political change throughout Europe that began with an uprising against the king of France.

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Revolutions of the late 18th and early 19th centuries that resulted in the creation of independent nations throughout Latin America

Without using the word "neutrality," Washington proclaimed the U.S. would give no military support to the French in their war against Britain. At the time, the U.S. had a treaty of alliance with

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Treaty between the U.S. and Great Britain that ensured American neutrality in the British-French war.

American envoys to France were told that the U.S. would need to loan France money and bribe government officials as a precondition for meeting with French officials. This led to a "Quasi-War" between the U.S. and France that lasted until 1800.

President Washington warned about the dangers of divisive political parties and permanent foreign alliances.

Political party associated with Alexander Hamilton. Federalists supported Britain in its war against France. (Domestically, Federalists supported a strong federal government, a loose interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, a Bank of the United States, and revenue tariffs.)

Political party associated with Thomas Jefferson. Democratic-Republicans supported France in its war against Britain. (Domestically, Federalists supported states' rights and a strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. They were opposed to a Bank of the United States and revenue tariffs.)

Under President Washington, the Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, introduced policies to fund the federal debt at par and federal assumption of state banks. Hamilton also established a first Bank of the United States.

A protest by grain farmers in western Pennsylvania against the federal tax on whiskey. Militia forces, led by President Washington, ended the uprising.

Laws passed by the U.S. Congress that prevented immigrants from participating in politics and to silence those who criticized the Federalist Party and the U.S. government.

Statements authored secretly by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Resolutions asserted the right of states to veto federal legislation.

Law that made Pennsylvania the first state to abolish slavery. The law provided that no child born after the date of its passage would be a slave.

Brought an end to Indian resistance in the Northwest (Ohio Valley) led to Treaty of Greenville

The U.S. agreed to pay northwestern Indians for the land that later became the state of Ohio (after Battle of Fallen Timbers)

Wife of revolutionary leader John Adams who advised him to "remember the ladies" when the nation's leaders spoke of liberty and equality

As settlers moved westward the the 1780s, Congress enacted the Northwest Ordinance for admitting new states and sought to promote public education, the protection of private property, and the restriction of slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Treaty between the U.S. and Spain that that defined the boundaries between the U.S. and Spanish colonies and granted the U.S. navigation rights on the Mississippi River.