Identifications

1. Appeal of Forty Thousand Citizens:

The “Appeal of Forty Thousand Citizens, Threatened with Disfranchisement, to the People of Pennsylvania” was a pamphlet written in 1838 by Robert Purvis, an African American abolitionist. It was a response to the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention’s proposal to disenfranchise Black voters by adding the word “white” to the state’s voting qualifications. This appeal highlighted the contributions of Black citizens and argued for their right to vote based on principles of equality and justice1. Historically, it is significant because it represents an early organized effort by African Americans to fight for civil rights and suffrage, setting a precedent for future civil rights movements.

2. Established Churches:

Established churches are religious institutions officially recognized and supported by the state. In colonial America, several colonies had established churches, such as the Anglican Church in Virginia and the Congregational Church in Massachusetts. These churches often received financial support from the government and had significant influence over public life2. The historical significance of established churches lies in their role in shaping early American society and politics, as well as the eventual push for religious freedom and the separation of church and state, which became a foundational principle in the United States with the First Amendment.

3. Shay’s Rebellion:

Shay’s Rebellion was an armed uprising in 1786-1787 by farmers in western Massachusetts, led by Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays. The rebellion was fueled by economic grievances, including high taxes and debts, which led to widespread farm foreclosures. The rebels attempted to shut down courts to prevent further foreclosures3. The historical significance of Shay’s Rebellion lies in its impact on the formation of the United States Constitution. The rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger central government, leading to the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

4. Federal Constitution:

The Federal Constitution, also known as the United States Constitution, was drafted in 1787 and ratified in 1788. It established the framework for the federal government, including the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and outlined the rights of states and individuals4. The historical significance of the Federal Constitution is profound, as it created a stable and enduring system of government that has guided the United States for over two centuries. It also served as a model for other democratic nations around the world.

5. "Key of Liberty”:

“The Key of Liberty” is a pamphlet written by William Manning in 1798. Manning, a farmer and Revolutionary War veteran, critiqued the growing divide between the wealthy elite and the common people in the new American republic. He argued for greater political participation and economic equality for ordinary citizens5. The historical significance of “The Key of Liberty” lies in its early articulation of populist and democratic ideals, which influenced later movements advocating for the rights of laborers and the expansion of democracy in the United States.

6. The “Elastic Clause”:

The “Elastic Clause,” also known as the Necessary and Proper Clause, is found in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. It grants Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers6. This clause is historically significant because it provides flexibility for the federal government to adapt to changing circumstances and address issues not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. It has been the basis for many important legislative actions and Supreme Court decisions that have shaped American law and governance.

7. Farm Households & the Market Revolution

During the early 19th century, the Market Revolution transformed American farm households from self-sufficient units to participants in a national market economy. This shift was driven by innovations in transportation, such as canals and railroads, and advancements in agricultural technology, like the mechanical reaper and steel plow1. Farmers began producing crops for sale rather than for personal consumption, leading to increased productivity and specialization. The Market Revolution had profound effects on family dynamics and economic practices, as farm households became more integrated into the broader economy, fostering a shift towards a cash-based economy and away from barter systems1.

8. British Idea of Liberty

The British idea of liberty has evolved over centuries, deeply rooted in historical documents and legal reforms. Key milestones include the Magna Carta (1215), which established the principle that the monarch was subject to the law, and the Bill of Rights (1689), which further limited the powers of the monarchy and affirmed parliamentary sovereignty2. These developments emphasized individual rights, the rule of law, and the protection of personal freedoms. The British concept of liberty influenced political thought worldwide, including the American colonies, and played a crucial role in shaping modern democratic principles2.

9. Politics of “Who You Are”

The politics of “who you are,” often referred to as identity politics, focuses on the interests and perspectives of social groups with which people identify, such as race, gender, and sexual orientation3. This form of politics emerged prominently in the mid-20th century with movements like civil rights, feminism, and LGBTQ+ rights. Identity politics has significantly influenced modern political discourse and policy-making, highlighting issues of representation, equality, and social justice. It underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing the unique experiences and challenges faced by different social groups3.

10. “Pre-capitalism”

Pre-capitalism refers to economic systems that existed before the rise of capitalism, characterized by feudalism, mercantilism, and other forms of economic organization4. In these systems, economic activities were often based on subsistence farming, barter, and local trade rather than market-driven production and profit. Understanding pre-capitalist systems helps contextualize the development of modern capitalism, highlighting the transition from agrarian economies to industrialized, market-oriented societies4.

11. Seven Years’ War

The Seven Years’ War (1756-1763) was a global conflict involving most of the European great powers, fought primarily in Europe and the Americas5. It pitted Great Britain and Prussia against France, Austria, Russia, and other allies. The war had significant consequences, including the reconfiguration of colonial empires. Britain emerged as the dominant colonial power, gaining control of Canada and India, while France ceded many of its territories6. The war also strained British finances, leading to increased taxation in the American colonies, which contributed to the revolutionary sentiments that sparked the American Revolution6.

12. Trumbull, Declaration of Independence

John Trumbull’s painting, “Declaration of Independence,” depicts the presentation of the draft of the Declaration to Congress on June 28, 17761. This iconic artwork, commissioned in 1817 and placed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in 1826, features 42 of the 56 signers of the Declaration1. The painting is historically significant as it visually captures a pivotal moment in American history, symbolizing the birth of the nation and the ideals of liberty and democracy that the Declaration represents2.

13. Arminianism

Arminianism is a theological movement within Protestant Christianity, initiated by Dutch theologian Jacobus Arminius in the early 17th century3. It emphasizes free will and conditional election, contrasting with Calvinist predestination. Arminianism’s historical significance lies in its influence on various Protestant denominations, including Methodism, and its role in shaping debates on free will, grace, and salvation within Christianity4.

14. Federalist #10 & #51

Federalist Papers No. 10 and No. 51, written by James Madison, are key documents advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution5. Federalist No. 10 addresses the dangers of factionalism and argues for a large republic to control factions6. Federalist No. 51 discusses the need for checks and balances within the government to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power7. These papers are historically significant for their profound impact on American political theory and the structure of the U.S. government.

15. The Jeffersonians

The Jeffersonians, followers of Thomas Jefferson, advocated for a vision of America based on agrarianism, states’ rights, and limited federal government8. They opposed the Federalist Party’s emphasis on a strong central government. The Jeffersonians’ historical significance lies in their influence on early American politics, including the Louisiana Purchase and the establishment of the Democratic-Republican Party, which shaped the nation’s political landscape8.

16. Olive Branch Petition

The Olive Branch Petition was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 5, 1775, as a final attempt to avoid war with Great Britain9. It affirmed the colonies’ loyalty to the British crown while seeking redress for grievances. King George III’s rejection of the petition and subsequent declaration of the colonies in rebellion marked a turning point, leading to the American Revolution9.

17. The Religious Revolution

The Religious Revolution refers to the significant changes in religious thought and practice during the 19th century, particularly the shift from institutional religion to personal spirituality10. This period saw the rise of new religious movements and the decline of traditional religious authority. The historical significance of the Religious Revolution lies in its impact on modern spirituality and the diversification of religious beliefs and practices10.

18. Paine’s Common Sense

Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, “Common Sense,” published in January 1776, was a powerful argument for American independence from British rule1. Paine criticized monarchy and hereditary succession, advocating for a republic where power derived from the people. The pamphlet was widely read and immensely influential, selling over 100,000 copies within a few months1. Its historical significance lies in its role in galvanizing public opinion towards the cause of independence, making complex political ideas accessible to the general populace, and helping to unify the colonies against British rule2.

19. Artisans and “family-centered work relations”

In pre-industrial America, artisans often worked in family-centered workshops where family members, including women and children, contributed to the production process3. This system fostered close family ties and community cohesion, as work and family life were deeply intertwined. The historical significance of these family-centered work relations lies in their contrast to the later factory system, which separated work from home and led to significant social and economic changes. Understanding this shift helps explain the broader impacts of industrialization on American society3.

20. Hamilton’s Economic Plan

Alexander Hamilton’s economic plan, proposed in the early 1790s, aimed to stabilize the American economy and establish the nation’s financial credibility4. Key components included the federal assumption of state debts, the creation of a national bank, and the promotion of manufacturing through protective tariffs4. Hamilton’s plan was historically significant because it laid the foundation for the modern American financial system, strengthened the federal government, and fostered economic growth. It also sparked significant political debate, contributing to the formation of the first political parties in the United States4.

21. Jacksonian Democrats

The Jacksonian Democrats, led by President Andrew Jackson, emerged in the 1820s and 1830s as a political movement advocating for greater democracy and the rights of the "common man"5. They opposed elitism and sought to expand suffrage to all white men, dismantle the national bank, and promote westward expansion6. The historical significance of the Jacksonian Democrats lies in their impact on American politics, including the expansion of democratic participation and the shaping of the Democratic Party. Their policies and ideology also reflected and reinforced the social and economic changes of the era7.

Part II - Essay Question

Prompt: By the 1830s, Americans lived in a society far different than that which they had lived in – or imagined living in – at the time of American Independence. What key historical changes (in economy, society, culture, politics, and government) remade the US nation and redefined the lives of Americans? In your view, did the transformations take Americans closer to or farther from their ideas of Liberty?