CLEP CLEP History of the United States I Flashcards

54 free flashcards covering all 5 units. Study key concepts, terms, and exam-relevant topics.

RECALLCard 1

What were the primary economic differences between the Union and the Confederacy?

Flip Card

The North had a diversified industrial economy with wage labor, railroads, and manufacturing; the South depended on a plantation-based economy reliant on enslaved labor and cash crops like cotton.

Knowing these economic bases helps explain why each side had different priorities and how the war disrupted their respective economies.

RECALLCard 2

How did Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation shift the focus of the Civil War?

Flip Card

It declared all slaves in rebellious states free, re‑framing the war as a fight for human liberty, deterring European recognition of the Confederacy, and allowing African Americans to join the Union army.

This policy change is central to exam discussions of war motivations and foreign policy implications.

RECALLCard 3

What constitutional justification did Southern secessionists cite for leaving the Union?

Flip Card

They argued that the Constitution granted states sovereign powers, was a compact allowing withdrawal, and that the federal government had no authority to enforce loyalty, citing the limited scope of national power.

Recognizing this argument clarifies the legal and ideological split that provoked secession.

RECALLCard 4

Contrast Lee’s defensive strategy with Grant’s total war approach in the Union’s later campaign.

Flip Card

Lee pursued a defense, concentrating forces to protect southern resources; Grant launched an offensive that targeted infrastructure, supply lines, and civilian resources to cripple the North’s war potential.

Comparing tactics shows why total war became decisive in concluding the conflict.

RECALLCard 5

In what way did the 14th Amendment broaden civil rights compared to the 13th Amendment?

Flip Card

While the 13th abolished slavery, the 14th granted citizenship to all born in the U.S., established equal protection under the law, and prohibited states from denying due process.

Understanding these legal milestones helps assess Reconstruction’s impact on federal authority and individual rights.

RECALLCard 6

What is the Columbian Exchange?

Flip Card

Transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds.

This concept is crucial for understanding the impact of European exploration on the Americas and the world, a key theme in the CLEP USH1 1 COLONIAL unit.

RECALLCard 7

Define Mercantilism

Flip Card

Economic policy where a nation's wealth is measured by its gold and silver reserves.

Mercantilism is a key concept in understanding colonial economic systems and policies, which is a significant aspect of the CLEP USH1 1 COLONIAL unit.

RECALLCard 8

Compare the 13 Colonies and the Spanish Colonies

Flip Card

13 Colonies: diverse economies, Spanish Colonies: centralized, extractive economies.

This comparison highlights the distinct approaches to colonization taken by different European powers, a concept that is relevant to understanding the colonial era in the CLEP USH1 1 COLONIAL unit.

APPLICATIONCard 9

What was the significance of the Triangle Trade?

Flip Card

Network of trade routes connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas, facilitating the exchange of goods and slaves.

The Triangle Trade is essential to understanding the colonial economy, the transatlantic slave trade, and the interconnectedness of the Old and New Worlds, all of which are critical themes in the CLEP USH1 1 COLONIAL unit.

RECALLCard 10

Define the concept of 'Salutary Neglect'

Flip Card

British policy of non-interference in colonial affairs, allowing the colonies to self-govern.

Salutary Neglect is vital to understanding the relationship between the British government and the colonies, as well as the colonies' development of self-governance, a key concept in the CLEP USH1 1 COLONIAL unit.

RECALLCard 11

Compare Indentured Servants and Slaves

Flip Card

Servants had fixed contracts, slaves had lifetime bondage

Distinguishing between indentured servants and slaves is essential for the CLEP USH1 exam, as it reveals the complexities of colonial labor systems

APPLICATIONCard 12

What is the significance of the Triangle Trade?

Flip Card

Network of trade routes connecting Europe, Africa, and Americas

The Triangle Trade is a critical concept for the CLEP USH1 exam, as it illustrates the complex web of economic relationships between colonial powers and regions

RECALLCard 13

Define Colonialism

Flip Card

System of domination by one country over another's territory

Understanding colonialism is fundamental to the CLEP USH1 exam, as it provides a framework for analyzing the relationships between European powers and their colonies in the Americas

RECALLCard 14

Compare mercantilism and capitalism

Flip Card

Mercantilism: state-controlled economy, Capitalism: market-driven economy.

This comparison is essential for the exam as it showcases the different economic systems that emerged during the colonial period, influencing the development of the American colonies.

APPLICATIONCard 15

What is the significance of the Mayflower Compact?

Flip Card

Established self-governance in Plymouth Colony.

The Mayflower Compact is a key concept in the CLEP USH1 1 COLONIAL unit, demonstrating the early attempts at self-governance and democracy in the American colonies.

RECALLCard 16

Define 'triangular trade'?

Flip Card

Transatlantic trade route between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Understanding the triangular trade is vital for the exam as it illustrates the complex network of trade and commerce that connected the Old and New Worlds during the colonial period.

APPLICATIONCard 17

How did the Columbian Exchange affect Native American populations?

Flip Card

Introduced new diseases, leading to significant population decline.

This question is relevant to the exam as it highlights the devastating impact of the Columbian Exchange on Native American populations, shaping the course of American history.

RECALLCard 18

What is Manifest Destiny?

Flip Card

19th-century idea that the US was destined to expand across North America

Understanding Manifest Destiny is crucial for the exam as it drove US expansion and shaped the country's foreign policy.

RECALLCard 19

Compare Abolitionism and Women's Suffrage

Flip Card

Both sought equal rights, but Abolitionism focused on slavery, while Women's Suffrage on voting rights

Recognizing the similarities and differences between these movements is essential for the exam, as they both contributed to the reform era in the US.

RECALLCard 20

What was the Missouri Compromise?

Flip Card

1820 agreement admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state

The Missouri Compromise is a key concept for the exam, as it attempted to balance the power between slave and free states, ultimately contributing to the escalating tensions leading to the Civil War.

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