New Republic Study Guide

For APUSH

What was the goal of the 1st Continental Congress (1774)?

To restore rights and relationships with Britain (not independence), organized boycotts and petitioned to the king.

What were the first battles of the Revolutionary War?

Lexington & Concord and Bunker Hill (1775)

What was the Olive Branch Petition?

The 2nd Continental Congress’s plea for peace and loyalty to Britain (rejected by King George III)

: Why was Thomas Paine’s Common Sense important?

Argued monarchy was corrupt and independence was common sense; shifted public opinion toward independence.

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

What were the Declaration of Independence core ideas?

natural rights, grievances against King, government derives power from the people.

Who were the Patriots, Loyalists, and Neutrals?

Patriots fought for independence, Loyalists supported Britain, Neutrals avoided conflict

What did the Treaty of Paris (1783) establish?

U.S. independence, Mississippi River as western boundary, fishing rights off Canada, repayment of British debts, Loyalist property claims honored.

What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

No power to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce laws; 1 vote per state; needed unanimous approval to amend.

What were the major accomplishments of the Articles?

Land Ordinance of 1785 (survey/sell land, education funds) & Northwest Ordinance of 1787 (statehood process, no slavery).

What event showed the Articles’ inability to maintain order?

Shays’s Rebellion (1786–87).

What was the Great Compromise?

Bicameral Congress: Senate (equal) + House (population).

What was the 3/5 Compromise?

Each enslaved person counted as 3/5 for taxation and representation.

What was the Slave Trade Compromise?

Allowed the international slave trade until 1808.

Why was the Bill of Rights added?

To satisfy Anti-Federalists’ concerns about protecting individual liberties.

What precedents did Washington set?

Cabinet, neutrality in foreign affairs, 2-term tradition.

What did the Judiciary Act of 1789 do?

Created the federal court system and Supreme Court.

What were the parts of Hamilton’s Financial Plan?

Assume state debts, create tariffs/excise taxes, establish National Bank.

What was the Whiskey Rebellion (1794) and why was it important?

Farmers resisted whiskey tax; Washington sent militia to enforce; showed strength of new gov vs. weakness under the Articles.

What was the Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)?

Declared U.S. neutral in French Revolution wars.

What did Jay’s Treaty (1794) accomplish?

Britain agreed to leave western forts, but no resolution on ship seizures.

What did Pinckney’s Treaty (1795) accomplish?

Spain opened Mississippi River and New Orleans to U.S. trade.

Who led the Federalists and what did they believe?

Hamilton/Adams; strong central gov, loose Constitution, pro-British, business/tariffs.

Who led the Democratic-Republicans and what did they believe?

Jefferson/Madison; states’ rights, strict Constitution, pro-French, farmers.

What was the XYZ Affair?

French demanded bribes from U.S. diplomats which led to Quasi-War with France.

What were the Alien & Sedition Acts (1798)?

Restricted immigrants and made it illegal to criticize the gov’t.

What were the Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions?

Jefferson/Madison declared states could nullify unconstitutional federal laws.

Why was the election of 1800 called the “Revolution of 1800”?

Peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson).

What was Republican Motherhood?

Belief women should teach republican values to children; limited public role.

How did slavery change after the Revolution?

Gradual emancipation in the North; expansion in the South.

What happened to Native Americans after the Revolution?

Lost land as Americans expanded west after the Treaty of Paris (1783).