Term | Definition |
Great Awakening | Christian religious movement that encouraged a belief in spiritual equality laying the groundwork for revolt against British authority. |
Enlightenment | A philosophical movement stressing human reason. Ideas of progress, natural rights, and government by agreement had a strong impact on colonial leaders. |
John Locke | An English philosopher who argued that people have natural rights. He challenged the belief that kings had a God-given right to rule. He claimed that because governments were created by consent of the people, they have the right to change them. |
literacy | the ability to read and write |
diversity | The American colonies were noted for their large variety of population. Immigrants from different ethnic groups, races and nationalities came together. The Middle Colonies were known for their religious diversity. |
Magna Carta | A charter of English political and civil liberties. Written by landholding lords in 1215 to force King John of Britain to quit exceeding his authority as king. |
Parliament | England's chief lawmaking body. |
Glorious Revolution | Events of 1688-1689, during which the English Parliament invited William and Mary to replace James II as monarchs. |
English Bill of Rights | 1689 laws protecting the rights of English subjects and Parliament. |
prominent | important and well-known |
heritage | tradition |
Pontiac's Rebellion | When the British took over French forts in the Great Lakes area, Pontiac led his people in raids against them. |
French and Indian War | war of 1754-1763 between Britain, France, and their allies for control of North America. |
Albany Plan of Union | Written by Ben Franklin, this plan suggested that the colonies band together for defense. It was the first formal proposal to unite the colonies and called for each colony to sent representatives to a Grand Council. |
Battle of Quebec | Battle that led to a British victory in the French and Indian War. |
Treaty of Paris (1763) | The treaty that ended the war between France and Britain. |
Proclamation of 1763 | A British declaration that forbid colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. |
pact | a formal agreement |