clan
extended family groups that most Native American cultures were based on
middle passage
the forced transport of enslaved Africans from west Africa to the Americas
conquistador
a spanish conqueror
Colombian exchange
the global exchange of goods and ideas between Europe, Africa, and the Americas
house of burgesses
representative assembly in colonial Virginia. a legislature that governed in partnership with a royal governor.
mayflower compact
set up self-government in Plymouth colony. signed on the mayflower in 1620.
Magna Carta
an english document that limited the power of the King, and provided basic rights for citizens
english bill of rights
a document that guaranteed that rights of english citizens
enlightenment
movement during the 18th century where European philosophers believed that societies problems could be solved by reason and science
great awakening
A religious movement during the 1730s and 1740s where English colonies were heavily inspired by evangelical preachers
bill of rights
The first 10 amendments to the constitution l. they were a written list of freedoms guaranteed to citizens by the government
shay's rebellion
A farmer rebellion led by Daniel Shays against higher taxes in Massachusetts
james madison
he was known as the father of the Constitution
ratify
to give official approval
federalism
A political system in which power is shared between the national government and state government
separation of powers
The division of power among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.
checks and balances
A system in which each branch of the government has the power to monitor and limit the actions of the other two branches.
alien act
A restriction on immigrants to try to crush political opponents. The alien act also authorized the president to rest in the port immigrants who criticize the federal government.
sedition act
The sedition act mean a crime for citizens to publicly discredit federal leaders.
judicial review
The power to decide the constitutionality of a federal law.
lousiana purchase
A purchase in 1803 from France by the United States of the territory between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.
impressment
The policy of seizing people or property for military or public use.
embargo
an official band or restriction on trade.
cotton gin
A simple machine that reduced the time and cost of separating cotton fiber from its hardshell.
monroe doctrine
A foreign-policy doctrine set by Pres. Monro in 1823 that discouraged European intervention in the Western Hemisphere. We stay out of your country, you stay out of ours.