U.S. History Unit 3.1 Vocabulary

During this time, philosophers introduced concepts that later 

helped form American ideas about government.

• Great Awakening

• Enlightenment

• Natural Rights

• Mercantilism

A British political philosopher that believed people were born with 

certain “natural rights” that no government could morally take away.

• Montesquieu

• Thomas Jefferson

• John Locke

• George Washington

A French political philosopher who believed that the best form of 

government was one that featured a separation of powers.

• Montesquieu

• Thomas Jefferson

• John Locke

• George Washington

Rights which no government can morally take away.

• Freedom of Speech

• Freedom of Religion

• Natural Rights

• Bill of Rights

Natural rights that the government cannot take away.

• Freedom of Speech

• Freedom of Religion

• Inalienable Rights

• Bill of Rights

Drafted the Declaration of Independence.

• George Washington

• James Madison

• John Hancock

• Thomas Jefferson

Men that were assigned to drafting a statement of independence 

from Great Britain.

• Committee of Five

• Committee of Correspondence

• Sons of Liberty

• Tories

Document adopted in July 1776 by the Second Continental 

Congress.  It proclaimed the colonies independence from Great Britain.

• The Constitution

• The Declaration of Independence

• Treaty of Paris of 1783

• Common Sense

Bold move by Washington’s army on Christmas 

night 1776.  They surprised the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey and won a victory.

• Saratoga

• Yorktown

• Valley Forge

• Washington Crossing the Delaware River

Washington built an army from farmers and 

volunteers.

• Saratoga

• Washington's challenge to build an army

• Yorktown

• Washington crossing the Delaware River