Period 3 APUSH REVIEW

French and Indian War

A conflict between Britain and France (1754–1763) that involved Native American alliances; it led to British debt and tighter colonial control, sparking colonial resentment.

Stamp Act

A 1765 law requiring colonists to pay a tax on printed materials; sparked widespread protest and the formation of the Sons/Daughters of Liberty.

Boston Massacre

An incident in 1770 where British soldiers killed five colonists during a protest; fueled anti-British sentiment.

Boston Tea Party

A 1773 protest against the Tea Act where colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor; escalated tensions leading to the Intolerable Acts.

Declaratory Acts

A 1766 law asserting Parliament's right to tax and legislate in the colonies "in all cases whatsoever."

Coercive (Intolerable) Acts

1774 laws punishing Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, including closing Boston Harbor and restricting colonial governance.

Daughters of Liberty

A group of colonial women who supported boycotts of British goods and promoted home manufacturing.

Nonimportation Movement

Colonial boycotts of British goods to protest taxes like the Townshend and Stamp Acts.

Townshend Act

1767 taxes on imported goods like glass, paper, and tea; led to renewed colonial protests.

TJ’s Declaration of Ind.

Thomas Jefferson’s 1776 document declaring the colonies’ independence and listing grievances against King George III.

Paine’s Common Sense

A 1776 pamphlet arguing for independence from Britain and the creation of a republic.

John Dickinson’s “Letters”

A series of essays advocating reconciliation with Britain and cautioning against immediate independence.

Phillis Wheatley

A poet and former enslaved woman whose writings supported the ideals of the American Revolution.

Lexington and Concord

1775 battles that marked the start of armed conflict between Britain and the colonies.

1st & 2nd Continental Congress

Assemblies of colonial representatives that coordinated resistance, governed during the Revolution, and drafted the Declaration of Independence.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution (ratified 1781) that created a weak central government; issues with taxation and enforcement led to its replacement.

Land Ordinances of 1785, 1787 (NW Ordinance)

Laws organizing western lands for sale and settlement; NW Ordinance prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory.

George Washington

First U.S. president and Revolutionary War general; symbol of national unity and leadership.

Washington’s Farewell

1796 address warning against political factions, foreign entanglements, and sectionalism.

Alexander Hamilton

First Secretary of the Treasury; advocated for a strong federal government and financial plan including national debt assumption and a national bank.

Thomas Jefferson

Secretary of State, 3rd President, and leader of the Democratic-Republicans; advocated for states’ rights and an agrarian vision.

Democratic-Republicans

Political party led by Jefferson and Madison favoring states’ rights, strict interpretation of the Constitution, and limited government.

Federalists

Political party led by Hamilton and Adams favoring a strong central government, loose interpretation of the Constitution, and commercial economy.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who feared centralized power and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Federalist Papers

Essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay promoting ratification of the Constitution.

Anti-Federalist Papers

Writings opposing the Constitution, emphasizing the need to protect individual liberties and limit federal power.

Alien and Sedition Acts

1798 laws restricting immigration and limiting speech critical of the government; targeted Democratic-Republicans.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing individual freedoms and limiting government power.

Virginia Plan

Proposed at the Constitutional Convention: bicameral legislature with representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Proposed equal representation for states in a unicameral legislature.

Great Compromise

Compromise creating a bicameral legislature: House by population, Senate equal for states.

3/5ths Compromise

Compromise counting enslaved people as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Statements by Jefferson and Madison asserting states could nullify unconstitutional federal laws.

Whiskey Rebellion

1794 uprising against a federal tax on whiskey; suppressed by Washington to show federal authority.

John Adams

Second U.S. president; dealt with the XYZ Affair, Alien and Sedition Acts, and tensions with France.

Shay’s Rebellion

1786–87 uprising of Massachusetts farmers over debt and taxes; highlighted weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Natural rights

Philosophical idea that individuals have inherent rights to life, liberty, and property.

Prince Hall’s Petition

Request by an African American leader for equal rights and education; influenced revolutionary ideals of liberty.

Abigail Adams

Advocated for women’s rights in letters to her husband John Adams, including the famous “remember the ladies” plea.

Republican Motherhood

Idea that women should educate their children to be virtuous citizens, shaping the new nation.

Haitian Revolution

1791–1804 slave revolt leading to independence from France; inspired discussions on freedom and equality in the U.S.

Proclamation of Neutrality

1793 declaration by Washington that the U.S. would remain neutral in foreign conflicts.

Jay’s Treaty

1794 treaty with Britain resolving post-Revolutionary War issues but unpopular for perceived pro-British bias.

“Revolution of 1800”

Jefferson’s election marking the peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans.

XYZ Affair

1797–98 diplomatic incident with France; led to anti-French sentiment and the Quasi-War.

Strict vs. Loose Interpretation

Debate over constitutional interpretation: strict (Jefferson) vs. loose (Hamilton).

Battle of Yorktown

1781 decisive victory by American and French forces, effectively ending the Revolutionary War.

French Alliance in Rev.

French military and financial support crucial for American victory against Britain.

Proclamation of 1763

British law forbidding colonial settlement west of the Appalachians to appease Native Americans.

Pontiac’s Rebellion

1763 Native American uprising against British postwar policies; led to Proclamation of 1763.