APUSH Vocab (Period 3)

Salutary Neglect

A British policy in the early 18th century of loosely enforcing colonial trade laws, allowing the American colonies to govern themselves with little interference.

King William's War (1689-1697)

The first of the French and Indian Wars between England and France (and their Native allies) in North America, ending with inconclusive fighting and the Treaty of Ryswick.

French & Indian War / Seven Years' War (1754-1763)

A global conflict between Britain and France, focusing on control of the Ohio River Valley, resulting in Britain's victory but leaving it with massive war debt.

The Albany Congress (1754)

A meeting of colonial representatives in Albany, New York, organized by the British to coordinate defense against French and Native threats.

The Albany Plan of Union

Benjamin Franklin's proposal to create a unified colonial government for defense and trade, which was rejected but laid the foundation for later ideas of colonial unity.

General Edward Braddock

A British general sent to drive the French from the Ohio Valley in 1755, whose defeat and death at the Battle of the Monongahela exposed British vulnerability.

Treaty of Paris (1763)

The agreement ending the French and Indian War, in which France ceded Canada and lands east of the Mississippi to Britain, and Spain gained Louisiana.

Pontiac's Rebellion (1763)

A Native American uprising led by Chief Pontiac against British settlement in the Great Lakes region, highlighting Native resistance.

Proclamation of 1763

A British decree forbidding colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains to avoid conflicts with Native Americans.

George Grenville

British Prime Minister who sought to raise revenue from the colonies after the French and Indian War, introducing unpopular measures like the Sugar Act and Stamp Act.

Molasses Act (1733)

A British tax on imported molasses from non-British colonies, meant to protect West Indian planters, widely evaded through smuggling.

Sugar Act (1764)

Lowered the tax on molasses but enforced stricter anti-smuggling measures to raise revenue for Britain, opposed by colonists as taxation without representation.

Quartering Act (1765)

Required colonists to house and supply British troops stationed in America, seen as an infringement on colonial liberties.

Stamp Act (1765)

Imposed a direct tax on printed materials like newspapers and legal documents, sparking widespread protest and the slogan 'no taxation without representation.'

Whigs

A political faction in Britain that generally supported colonial rights and opposed the king's heavy-handed policies, synonymous with patriots in America.

Sons & Daughters of Liberty

Secret colonial groups formed to oppose British taxation through boycotts, protests, and sometimes violence, instrumental in resisting the Stamp Act.

Samuel Adams

A radical patriot leader in Boston who helped organize opposition to British policies and played a key role in the Sons of Liberty.

Stamp Act Congress (1765)

A meeting of colonial delegates in New York to coordinate opposition to the Stamp Act, affirming that only colonial legislatures could tax colonists.

Patrick Henry

Virginia lawyer and politician known for fiery speeches defending colonial rights, famously declaring, 'Give me liberty, or give me death!'

Declaratory Act (1766)

Passed when the Stamp Act was repealed, asserting Parliament's authority to legislate for the colonies 'in all cases whatsoever.'

Townshend Acts (1767)

Imposed duties on imported goods like glass, paint, and tea to raise revenue. Colonists responded with boycotts and protests.

Boston Massacre (1770)

A deadly confrontation in which British soldiers fired into a crowd of protesting colonists, killing five. It was widely publicized as an example of British tyranny.

Boston Tea Party (1773)

Colonists disguised as Mohawks dumped British tea into Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act. It provoked harsh retaliation from Britain.

Coercive Acts (1774)

British laws passed to punish Massachusetts after the Tea Party, including closing Boston Harbor and limiting town meetings. Known in the colonies as the 'Intolerable Acts.'

Quebec Act (1774)

Extended Quebec's boundaries into the Ohio Valley and granted religious freedom to Catholics. Colonists saw it as a threat to land claims and Protestant dominance.

Intolerable Acts

The colonial name for the Coercive Acts and Quebec Act, seen as proof that Britain intended to strip away colonial freedoms.

The Continental Congress (1774)

A gathering of delegates from 12 colonies in Philadelphia to coordinate a response to the Intolerable Acts. They called for boycotts and organized resistance.

Lexington & Concord (1775)

The opening battles of the Revolutionary War where 'the shot heard 'round the world' was fired. Colonial militia forced the British to retreat to Boston.

Minutemen

Colonial militia members who pledged to be ready at a minute's notice. They played a key role in early Revolutionary battles.

Second Continental Congress (1775)

A convention of delegates that assumed leadership of the war effort, appointing George Washington commander of the Continental Army.

George Washington

Virginia planter and veteran of the French and Indian War who became commander of the Continental Army. Later became the first U.S. president.

Battle of Bunker Hill (1775)

Early battle in Boston showing that colonial forces could stand up to the British, though they ultimately lost due to lack of ammunition.

Olive Branch Petition (1775)

A final attempt by the Continental Congress to seek peace with Britain. King George III rejected it, declaring the colonies in rebellion.

Thomas Paine's Common Sense (1776)

A pamphlet that argued for independence from Britain and inspired widespread support for the revolutionary cause.

John Locke's Social Contract

A theory that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed and must protect natural rights. It deeply influenced the Declaration of Independence.

Deism

A belief that God created the world but does not interfere in human affairs, emphasizing reason and natural law. Many Enlightenment-era leaders embraced it.

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it declared the colonies free from Britain, citing natural rights and grievances against the king.

Articles of Confederation (1781)

The first U.S. constitution, creating a weak national government with limited powers. It proved ineffective in addressing economic and political challenges.

Continental Army

The military force established by the Continental Congress to fight Britain, commanded by George Washington. It relied heavily on militia support.

American Revolution (1775-1783)

The war for independence fought between the American colonies and Britain. It ended with the creation of the United States.

Battle of Saratoga (1777)

A turning point in the Revolution where American forces defeated a British army. It convinced France to ally with the colonies.

Battle of Yorktown (1781)

The final major battle of the Revolution, where British General Cornwallis surrendered to Washington. It effectively ended the war.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Officially ended the Revolutionary War, recognizing U.S. independence and granting territory to the Mississippi River.

John Adams

A Massachusetts patriot, lawyer, and diplomat who helped draft the Declaration of Independence and later became the second U.S. president.

Republican Motherhood

The idea that women should instill republican virtues in their children, linking motherhood to civic duty. It expanded women's influence in the new republic.

Abigail Adams

Wife of John Adams, known for her letters advocating for women's rights with the famous plea to 'remember the ladies.'

Alexander Hamilton

Founding Father, first Secretary of the Treasury, and leader of the Federalist Party. He established the national bank and promoted a strong central government.

Federalist

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong national government. Leaders included Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

Anti-Federalist

Opponents of the Constitution who feared centralized power and demanded a Bill of Rights. They favored stronger state governments.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Established a process for admitting new states from the Northwest Territory. It banned slavery in the region and set rules for settlement.

Shay's Rebellion (1786-1787)

An armed uprising of Massachusetts farmers protesting taxes and debt. It exposed weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

James Madison

Known as the 'Father of the Constitution' and co-author of The Federalist Papers. Later became the fourth U.S. president.

Virginia Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention for representation based on population. Favored larger states.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention for equal representation of states regardless of size. Favored smaller states.

The Great Compromise (1787)

Created a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement counting enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation. It appeased both northern and southern states.

Bill of Rights (1791)

The first ten amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing individual rights like freedom of speech, religion, and due process.

The Federalist Papers

A series of essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay defending the Constitution. They remain key documents of American political thought.

Bank of the United States

Proposed by Hamilton to stabilize the economy, manage debt, and issue currency. It sparked debates over constitutional interpretation.

Thomas Jefferson

Author of the Declaration of Independence, advocate for states' rights, and leader of the Democratic-Republicans. Later became the third U.S. president.

Democratic-Republicans

Political party led by Jefferson and Madison that favored states' rights, agrarianism, and strict interpretation of the Constitution.

Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)

Washington's declaration that the U.S. would remain neutral in the conflict between Britain and France.

Jay Treaty (1794)

A treaty with Britain that averted war and secured British withdrawal from forts in the Northwest. It was highly unpopular among Democratic-Republicans.

Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

A protest by western farmers against a tax on whiskey. Washington's suppression of it showed the strength of the new federal government.

Pinckney Treaty (1795)

A treaty with Spain granting Americans navigation rights on the Mississippi River and access to New Orleans.

Daniel Boone

A frontiersman who explored and settled Kentucky. He became a symbol of westward expansion.

Washington's Farewell Address (1796)

Washington warned against political parties, foreign entanglements, and sectionalism. It shaped U.S. foreign policy for decades.

XYZ Affair (1797-1798)

A diplomatic scandal where French officials demanded bribes from U.S. envoys. It led to the Quasi-War with France.

Alien & Sedition Acts (1798)

Laws passed under Adams that restricted speech critical of the government and made it harder for immigrants to become citizens. They provoked major backlash.

Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions (1798-1799)

Written by Jefferson and Madison, they argued that states could nullify unconstitutional federal laws. They challenged federal authority.