Key Concepts in American History (Part I)

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A phrase used by John Winthrop to describe the Massachusetts Bay Colony as a model of Christian charity.

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City Upon a Hill

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An agricultural system based on large-scale land ownership and the cultivation of cash crops, often using slave labor.

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Plantation System

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The first legislative assembly in the American colonies, established in Virginia in 1619.

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House of Burgesses

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A religious group that sought to purify the Church of England and settled in Massachusetts Bay.

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Puritans

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An unofficial British policy of non-enforcement of trade regulations in the American colonies. It was very lenient.

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Salutary Neglect

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An economic policy used by Britain on the colonies in which they forced the colonies to only trade with them to generate wealth to pay of the debts from the French and Indian War.

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Mercantilism

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The rights inherent to all human beings, often associated with life, liberty, and property. First Introduced by John Locke.

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Natural Rights

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A proposal by Benjamin Franklin in 1754 to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies.

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Albany Plan of Union

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The theory by philosopher John Locke that stated that individuals should consent to form a government to protect their natural rights. If the government did not protect these rights, the people have the right to overthrow it.

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Social Contract Theory

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A system of government established in the U.S. in which power is divided between the federal government and the state governments (enumerated and reserved powers).

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Federalism