A New Nation 1760-1800

One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Alexander Hamilton. Alexander Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury who helped establish the nation's financial system.

A diverse group of Americans who opposed the ratification of the 1787 US Constitution. Antifederalists. They were people who believed the new Constitution gave too much power to the national government at the expense of the states.

An agreement among the 13 original states of the US, that served as its first constitution. Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States, establishing a loose union of states with a weak central government.

A document of the first ten amendments to the US Constitution. Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights lists the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to American citizens.

A body of high-ranking state officials. Cabinet. In history, a cabinet is a group of advisors or ministers chosen by a leader to help govern a country.

One of the leading British generals in the American War of Independence, Charles Cornwallis. He was a key British commander whose surrender at Yorktown effectively ended the war.

A system of government in which no branch has more power than any other. Checks and balances. In history, checks and balances is a system designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others.

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, to change the minds of people to fight for independence from the British government. Common Sense. It urged American colonists to seek independence from British rule in 1776.

A school of thought within political philosophy that prioritizes equality for all people. Egalitarianism. In History, egalitarianism is a belief that aims to ensure equal rights and opportunities for everyone.

A combination of a general government with regional governments in a single political system. Federalism. In simple terms, federalism is a system where power is shared between a central government and smaller regional governments, like how the United States is governed.

Statesmen and public figures supporting the proposed Constitution of the US Federalists. Federalists were people who supported a strong central government and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in the late 18th century.

A sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services. Inflation. Throughout history, inflation is when money buys less than it did before.

The fourth president of the United States 1809 - 1817. James Madison. He is known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his key role in drafting and promoting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

An English philosopher and physician, one of the influential Enlightenment thinkers. John Locke. He is known as the "Father of Liberalism" for his ideas on natural rights and government by consent.

American colonists who stayed loyal to the Crown during the American Revolutionary War. Loyalists. Loyalists were colonists who remained supportive of Britain during the Revolutionary War.

A legal theory that a state has the right to nullify, or invalidate, any federal law. Nullification. In U.S. history, nullification refers to the idea that states can reject federal laws they believe are unconstitutional.

Colonists who rejected British rule during the American Revolution. Patriots. Patriots were people in the American colonies who wanted independence from British control.

Tariffs that aim to make imported goods cost more than equivalent goods produced domestically. Protective tariff. Throughout history, protective tariffs have been used to shield a country's industries from foreign competition by making imported products more expensive.

A tax on the British colonies that required printed materials be produced on stamped paper from London. Stamp Act. The Stamp Act was a British law taxing printed materials in the American colonies, sparking colonial protest.

A revenue-raising act passed against specific goods by Great Britain. Sugar Act. The Sugar Act was a British law of 1764 that imposed taxes on sugar and other goods to raise revenue from the American colonies.

The third president of the United States 1801 - 1809. Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.

An agreement to end the war between Britain and its American colonies - 1783. Treaty of Paris. The Treaty of Paris officially ended the American Revolutionary War, recognizing American independence from Britain.

The third of eight military encampments, commanded by General George Washington. Valley Forge. Valley Forge was the site where the Continental Army endured a harsh winter in 1777-1778 but emerged stronger under Washington's leadership.

The last major land battle of the American Revolutionary War Yorktown. Yorktown is where American and French forces defeated the British in 1781, effectively ending the war.