Period 3 APUSH Vocabulary

French Indian Trade Networks

the system of alliances and commerce, centered on the fur trade, that developed between the French and Natives across North America during the 17th and 18th centuries

Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War)

a conflict between Great Britain and France, who fought for control over colonial territories in North America, India, and the Caribbean, as well as for dominance in Europe

Enlightenment

a revolution where thinkers emphasized reason, individualism, natural rights, and challenging traditional authority

American Independence/Revolution

the war and political battle during which the 13 colonies fought for and won their independence from British rule, establishing the USA

Ben Franklin

an author, printer, scientist, inventor, and diplomat who helped form the United States, was one of the Founding Fathers, and helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution

Patriot Movement

a collection of anti-government extremist groups in the United States that believed that the government has been taken over by a malicious conspiracy

Continental Army

the military force of the American colonies during the American Revolutionary War that fought for independence from Great Britain

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

a pamphlet arguing that the colonies need to declare independence from Britain because British rule was tyrannical, a monarchy was unjust, and America was better off as its own independent nation

Declaration of Independence

the 1776 document adopted by the Second Continental Congress that announced the 13 colonies were separating from Great Britain to form an independent nation

Republican Motherhood

the 18th-century idea that women had a crucial role in shaping the new American republic by raising their sons to be virtuous and patriotic citizens

Independent Movements (France, Haiti, Latin Am.)

a series of revolutionary wars and uprisings inspired by Enlightenment ideals that challenged and overthrew established ruling powers

Articles of Confederation

the United States' first constitution, establishing a system with a weak central government and strong state governments after independence from Great Britain

Constitutional Convention

a meeting of people appointed by each state to write or revise a national constitution

Federalists/Anti-Federalists

Federalists supported the U.S. Constitution and a strong central government, Anti-Federalists opposed the Constitution and favored a stronger state government

Federalist Papers (Hamilton & Madison)

a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to persuade the citizens of New York to ratify the new U.S. Constitution

Bill of Rights

the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution that guarantee fundamental rights and liberties for citizens while limiting the power of the government

Democratic-Republican Party

an early American political party that advocated for a decentralized government with limited federal power and an economy based on agriculture

Northwest Ordinance/Territory

a 1787 U.S. act that created the Northwest Territory (land north of the Ohio River) and established a process for its future states to be admitted into the Union, banning slavery but including a fugitive slave clause

French Revolution

a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that ended the absolute monarchy, abolished feudalism, and led to the establishment of a republic based on the principles of liberty, equality, etc

George Washington’s Farewell Address

a public letter where he announced he wouldn't seek a third term and gave advice for the new nation, including warnings against regional differences, the dangers of political parties, and the need to avoid permanent alliances with foreign powers

Democratic Party

one of the two major political parties in the United States and the world's oldest active political party

Whigs

an 18th and 19th-century British political party that promoted parliamentary power and reform