What economic argument did colonists make against Britain’s mercantilist policies?
Britain’s mercantilism limited colonial trade and forced colonies to benefit Britain economically at their own expense.
Why did the Boston Tea Party occur?
It was a colonial protest against Britain’s effort to save the East India Company by giving it a monopoly on tea sales.
Why wasn’t the abolition of the slave trade included in the Declaration of Independence?
Jefferson and other delegates feared addressing slavery would divide the colonies and weaken unity against Britain.
What issue inspired Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania?
Increased taxation and imperial oversight after the Seven Years’ War, especially the Townshend Acts.
What was one major economic result of the French and Indian War?
Britain imposed new taxes on the colonies to pay off massive war debts.
What was the main goal of Alexander Hamilton’s economic plan?
To establish the new nation’s financial stability and strengthen national credit.
How did Britain’s attempt to tighten control over the colonies affect colonial attitudes?
It increased resentment and encouraged the colonies to seek independence.
How did the colonies contribute to the Seven Years’ War?
They provided troops, supplies, and local support to help Britain fight France.
Why was the U.S. Constitution adopted?
Because a series of compromises were made to satisfy both large and small states and replace the weak Articles of Confederation.
What inspired the 1777 Petition to the Massachusetts House of Representatives?
The ideals and language of the Declaration of Independence.
What boundary did the Proclamation of 1763 establish?
It prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.
What problem did the Articles of Confederation successfully solve?
It created a process for admitting new states and organizing western territories.
What were colonists defending when they resisted British authority?
Their rights as English subjects, such as taxation only with representation.
Why did the framers create the Electoral College?
To insulate the presidency from direct control by the popular vote.
What is the purpose of checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution?
To prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
What did the Crown’s declaration that the colonies were in “open rebellion” lead to?
It marked the beginning of open warfare between Britain and the colonies.
Why did France decide to support the American colonies during the Revolution?
To weaken its longtime rival, Great Britain.
What was a key weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
The national government could not levy taxes, making it financially powerless.
What was the structure of government under the Articles of Confederation?
It was unicameral—only one legislative body with no separate executive or judicial branches.
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
To address Anti-Federalist concerns about protecting individual liberties from federal power.
What belief did Benjamin Franklin’s political arguments support?
That the colonies had a tradition of self-rule and should govern themselves.
What was the role of women under “Republican Motherhood”?
To educate children to be virtuous, informed, and patriotic citizens.
Where did patriots believe political sovereignty should come from?
From the people, not kings or Parliament.
What caused the rise of a distinct American identity separate from Europe?
Shared revolutionary writings and republican ideals that emphasized independence
