Heimler Review Packet: APUSH Unit 3

Albany Plan of Union

Proposal by Benjamin Franklin that called for an intercolonial government to more effectively recruit troops and raise taxes for the common defense during 7 years war. Set a precedent for establishing future colonial congresses

Pontiac's Rebellion

A 1763 conflict between Native Americans and the British over the increased settlement of land beyond the Appilachian Mountains.

Proclamation of 1763

In response to Pontiacs rebellion, and to prevent future wars, the British government forbade settlement west. This caused increased resentment against the British

Economic measures taken by Parliment after 7 Years War

Enacted revenue-producing taxes to pay off the war debt.

Most taxes were placed on imported luxury (Townshend Acts), paper (stamp act), and manufactured goods (tea act). These measures also sent tax collectors to the US, and more troops

Coercive Acts

This series of laws passed in responce to the Boston Tea Party. It also closed down the Boston Harbor until the Massachusetts colonists paid for the ruined tea. Also forced Bostonians to shelter soilders in their own homes.

How did colonists and colonial governments react to parliment taxes?

Colonists protested in many different ways such as organizing intercolonial committees (Stamp Act Congress/Continental Congress). Boycotting British goods (homespun movement), destruction of property (Boston Tea PArty), violence against British officials (Tarring and feathering)

How did the Enlightenment affect political thought in the colonies during this time?

The ideas of natural rights (John Locke), social contract (Jacques Rousseau), and separation of powers (Montesquieu) all contributed to the desire for independence as patriots saw the British as violating these.

Heavily shown in Decleration of Independence

How was colonial society divided during the Revolutionary War?

● Patriots (pro-independence, about half of colonies)

● Loyalists (loyal to Britain)

● Neutral (rural populations removed from fighting)

Cause of France's support for independence

The Battle of Saratoga was a significant turning point as it was a decisive colonial victory that convinced France and Spain to support the colonies against England, and diplomacy by Benjamin Franklin helped as well

Effect of France's support fpr independence

France's military aid, (Lafayette, Rochambeau) and economic alliance would ultimately lead to the victory at Yorktown that effectively ended the war.

What did the government consist of under the Articles of Confederation?

A unicameral (one body) legislature (congress) with each state having one equal vote. No executive branch

What did the government accomplish under the Articles of Confederation?

Won the war, established Northwest Ordinance, created system for admitting new states to union and set precedent for outlawing slavery

Why was a new Constitution proposed?

The Articles of Confederation were too weak, lacking the power to levy taxes, raise an army, or regulate commerce

Describes the significant topics of debate concerning the new Constitution.

Presidency: some feared the position was monarchical while others claimed the need for a strong executive.

Representation: small states vs large states, i.e. equal vote or based on population. (NJ Plan vs Virginia Plan)

Slavery: Should slaves count toward a state's population for representation purposes

Compromises resulting from the debate around the new Constitution

Creation of checks and balances with legislative and judicial branches, limiting executive power. President is reelected every 4 years

Great (Connecticut) compromise between NJ and Virginia plan, creation of Senate and House of Representatives.

Three-Fifths compromise, counting enslaved persons as 3/5 for representative purposes

Bill of rights was eventually created in amendments, giving Americans explicit rights

Slave trade could not be banned for 20 years

Define the Federalist political stance

Federalists advocated for a strong central government and a loose interpretation of the Constitution. Used the elastic clause (such as for Hamilton's National Bank)

Define the Anti-Federalist political stance

Anti-Federalists (later Democratic Republicans) wanted a small government limited by a strict interpretation of the Constitution.

What did George Washington warn against in his Farewell Address?

The formation of political factions and getting involved in foreign alliances/wars (especially in Europe). Was not followed: Federalists v Democratic-Republicans, XYZ Affair, Quasi-War, etc.

How did the young country address relations with Native Americans?

The Indian Trade and Intercourse Act regulated the relationships among settlers and Indians and made provisions for fair dealings

Describe the regional identities of the new country with regard to black lives.

Slavery existed in most states, North and South, with the South economically relying on it. Free blacks were afforded more economic and political rights in some Northern states.

Salutory Neglect

British policy of avoiding strict enforcement of parliamentary laws meant to keep American colonies obedient to England, and allowing them to semi-govern themselves

Stamp Act Congress

A meeting of delegations from many of the colonies, the congress was formed to protest the newly passed Stamp Act, and gain their rights as british citizens. Showed developing sense of unity

Townshend Acts

Taxes on most goods coming from England; fiercely resisted and finally repealed in 1770

Olive Branch Petition

A final offer of peace to Britain from colonies in 1775, agreeing to be loyal to the British government if it addressed their grievances (repealed the Coercive Acts, ended the taxation without representation policies). It was rejected by Parliament

Reasons for American Independence

Taxation without representation

Proclimation of 1763

Unfair trade relationship from Mercantalism

Powerful Propaganda

Shay's Rebellion

Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786, against poor economic conditions and high taxes. It highlighted the need for a strong national government to maintain order

Arguments for ratification of constitution

A.O.C. too weak to govern effectively, strong central government needed, can prevent rebellion by the people, closest to perfect it's gonna get, protects from other countries

Arguments against ratification of the constitution

New government takes too much power from the people & states; no bill of rights to protect the rights of the citizens & states, delegates authorized only to revise articles, gives government right to issue taxes like Britain

Whiskey Rebellion

1794 protest against the government's tax on whiskey by backcountry farmers, shut down by Washington and showed that new constitution can react to these matters quickly

Alien Act

Gave the president authority to deport individuals whom he considered threats to US, and was a result of the Quasi-war with France. Feared french spies in Government

Sedition Act

If anything critical of Government is published, it's a crime that can lead to imprisonment or a fine. Adams was tired of anti-federalists

Jay's Treaty

Treaty signed in 1794 between the U.S. And Britain in which Britain agreed to withdraw from forts in the northwest territory, but did not guarantee the stop of impressment. Disliked because brought us closer to england, not france

XYZ Affair

When a Commission was sent to France to discuss the impressment of American sailors, the French diplomats demanded a bribe before they even sat down at the table

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Written anonymously by Jefferson and Madison in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, they declared that states could nullify federal laws that the states considered unconstitutional. Used to support nullification and secession

Sons of Liberty

A radical political organization for colonial independence which formed in 1765 after the passage of the Stamp Act. They promoted opposition to British policies towards the colonies. The Sons leaders included Samuel Adams and Paul Revere.

Daughters of Liberty

An organization formed by women prior to the American Revolution. They supported the boycott of british goods and led the homespun movement

Virtual Representation

British governmental theory that Parliament spoke for all British subjects and members considered all of the empire while voting, including Americans, even if they did not vote for its members. This was rejected by the colonists

Battle of Saratoga

American victory over British troops in 1777 that was a turning point in the American Revolution. Convinced the French to send military aid to the americas

Failures of the Articles of Confederation

No power to raise funds, no standing army, states were able to conduct their own trade,

Elastic Clause

The part of the Constitution that permits Congress to make any laws "necessary and proper" to carrying out its powers. Often used by federalists

Hamilton's Financial Plan

Pay off the national war debt "at par", and have federal government assume state debts.

Impose high tarrifs on imported goods to collect revenue and benifit american industry

Create a national bank for depositing government funds and printing banknotes

Quasi War with France

An almost war with france, that resulted from increased tensions around impressment, and elevated further with the XYZ affair

Republican Motherhood

The idea that American women had a special responsibility to cultivate virtue and american values in their children, and were important in that respect