1. French & Indian War (1754–1763) → “The Divorce That Sparked the Fight” Story analogy: Britain and the colonies were like a married couple who tolerated each other until financial stress hit. The war was the breaking point. Britain defeats France, gains land (Treaty of Paris 1763). Proclamation of 1763: bans westward settlement → angers colonists. British debt explodes → end of Salutary Neglect → taxes coming. Colonial identity shift: Saw themselves as “Protestant, free, victorious.” Britain saw them as freeloaders. Quote clue: “We have suffered much from these colonies and their indolence” → British view. 2. Crisis Decade (1763–1774) → “Taxes Without Love” Acts to know: Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Acts → colonists revolt. Boston Massacre (1770) → used as Patriot propaganda. Tea Act (1773) → leads to Boston Tea Party. Coercive (Intolerable) Acts (1774) → punishment, fuels calls for independence. Colonists argue Parliament had no right to tax them (“taxation without representation”). Britain insists on Parliamentary supremacy. Quote clue: “Parliament has the supreme authority over American politics” → British perspective. 3. Revolutionary War (1775–1783) → “The Teenager Runs Away From Home” Key turning points: Lexington & Concord (1775): shots fired. Common Sense (1776): Paine convinces ordinary colonists monarchy is corrupt. Declaration of Independence (1776): Jefferson channels Locke (natural rights). Battle of Saratoga (1777): turning point, French ally. Yorktown (1781): final surrender with French help. Treaty of Paris (1783): U.S. recognized, Mississippi River as western boundary. Impact on groups: African Americans: contradiction between slavery & liberty. Women: “Republican Motherhood.” Natives: pushed out despite fighting with Britain. Quote clue: “We hold these truths to be self-evident…” → Declaration. 4. Articles of Confederation (1781–1789) → “13 Roommates Without a Landlord” Weak central gov: no taxes, no executive, no judiciary. Successes: Land Ordinance (1785): surveyed land, set aside for schools. Northwest Ordinance (1787): new states, banned slavery in NW. Problems: war debt, inflation, interstate disputes. Shays’s Rebellion (1786–87): farmers revolt → fear of anarchy → push for stronger gov. Quote clue: “A firm league of friendship…” → Articles. 5. Constitution (1787–1789) → “Renovating the House” Compromises: Great Compromise: bicameral legislature. 3/5 Compromise: slavery counted for representation/taxes. Slave Trade Compromise: can’t ban until 1808. Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists: Federalists (Hamilton, Madison, Jay): strong gov., loose interpretation. Anti-Federalists (Patrick Henry, George Mason): protect liberty, demanded Bill of Rights. Federalist 10 & 51: factions controlled by large republic & checks/balances. Quote clue: “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition” → Madison. 6. Washington’s Presidency (1789–1797) → “The Trailblazer” Hamilton’s Plan: Assume state & federal debt. Protective tariffs. National Bank (implied powers, loose interpretation). Jefferson opposed (strict interpretation). Foreign Policy: Proclamation of Neutrality (1793). Jay’s Treaty (1794): Britain leaves forts, unpopular but prevents war. Pinckney’s Treaty (1795): Spain opens Mississippi River. Domestic: Whiskey Rebellion (1794): Washington enforces tax w/ troops. Farewell Address: Avoid parties, foreign alliances, sectionalism. Quote clue: “Steer clear of permanent alliances…” → Washington. 7. Adams’ Presidency (1797–1801) → “The Paranoid Parent” Foreign: XYZ Affair (1797): French demand bribes → outrage. Quasi-War (naval skirmishes w/ France). Domestic: Alien & Sedition Acts (1798): restrict speech/immigrants. Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions: Jefferson/Madison argue states can nullify laws. Adams avoids war → loses popularity but preserves peace. Quote clue: “Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute!” → XYZ Affair. 8. National Identity (Theme Across Unit) Before Revolution: British identity, loyal to crown. During Revolution: Patriots vs. Loyalists → fracture. Articles period: “state-first” identity. Constitution: stronger federal identity emerges. Washington/Adams: beginnings of political parties → competing visions of “American identity.” Federalists: elite-led, Britain-friendly, commerce & industry are

French & Indian War

War from 1754 to 1763 between Britain and France, leading to significant territorial changes in North America.

Proclamation of 1763

An order that prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, angering colonists.

Salutary Neglect

An unofficial British policy of avoiding strict enforcement of parliamentary laws, leading to colonial autonomy.

Boston Massacre

A confrontation in 1770 where British soldiers killed five colonists, used as propaganda by Patriots.

Tea Act

A 1773 act that granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the American colonies.

Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)

A series of punitive laws passed in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party, leading to increased tensions.

Taxation without Representation

Colonial argument that they should not be taxed by Parliament without having representatives in it.

Lexington & Concord

The first military engagements of the Revolutionary War in 1775, signifying the start of armed conflict.

Common Sense

A pamphlet by Thomas Paine in 1776 that argued for American independence from Britain.

Declaration of Independence

A document adopted on July 4, 1776, declaring the colonies' independence from Britain.

Battle of Saratoga

A crucial battle in 1777 that was a turning point in the Revolutionary War, leading to French support for the U.S.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

The agreement that officially ended the Revolutionary War and recognized American independence.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, creating a weak central government.

Shays’s Rebellion

An armed uprising in 1786-87 by farmers protesting high taxes and lack of government response, highlighting weaknesses in the Articles.

Great Compromise

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who favored a strong central government and loose interpretation of its powers.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who argued for states' rights and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Federalist 10

An essay by James Madison arguing that a large republic can control factions and protect minority rights.

XYZ Affair

A diplomatic incident in 1797 in which French officials demanded bribes from U.S. diplomats, leading to public outrage.

Alien & Sedition Acts

Laws passed in 1798 that restricted speech and the rights of immigrants, seen as a violation of civil liberties.

Republican Motherhood

The idea that women's roles were to raise children to be virtuous citizens in the new republic.

National identity before the Revolution

A period where colonists identified largely as loyal subjects of Britain.

Political parties in Washington/Adams' presidencies

Emergence of Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, leading to competing visions of American identity.