APUSH Period 3

from notebookLm study guide

Albany Congress

An unsuccessful attempt in 1754 to create a unified government and defense system among the British colonies during the French and Indian War.

French and Indian War (Seven Years' War)

A global conflict fought between 1754 and 1763, with a significant North American theater, resulting in British victory over France and Spain.

Peace of Paris (1763)

The treaty that ended the Seven Years' War, resulting in Great Britain acquiring French Canada and Spanish Florida.

Salutary Neglect

A British policy of loosely enforcing laws and regulations in the colonies, which ended after the Seven Years' War.

Taxation Without Representation

The colonists' cry of protest against British taxes, arguing they should not be taxed by a Parliament in which they had no elected representatives.

Stamp Act (1765)

A British law that required a stamp be placed on most printed materials in the colonies, sparking widespread protest.

Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts)

A series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party.

Patriots

Colonists who supported American independence from Great Britain during the Revolutionary War.

Loyalists (Tories)

Colonists who maintained allegiance to the British crown during the Revolutionary War.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1777, which created a weak central government and strong state governments.

Shays's Rebellion

An uprising of farmers in Massachusetts in 1786-1787 protesting high state taxes, debt imprisonment, and lack of paper money, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

A meeting in Philadelphia where delegates drafted the U.S. Constitution.

Federalism

A system of government where power is shared between a national government and state governments.

Separation of Powers

The division of governmental power among three distinct branches

Checks and Balances

A system established by the Constitution where each branch of government has ways to limit the power of the other two branches.

Federalists

Supporters of the U.S. Constitution and a strong central government, including James Madison and Alexander Hamilton.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the U.S. Constitution, who feared a strong central government and advocated for states' rights, including Patrick Henry and George Mason.

The Federalist Papers

A series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay arguing in favor of the ratification of the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791, which protect individual liberties.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Legislation that established the federal court system, including the Supreme Court, district courts, and circuit courts of appeals.

Alexander Hamilton's Financial Program

A plan to stabilize U.S. finances through paying off national and state debts, imposing tariffs, and creating a national bank.

National Bank

A controversial institution proposed by Alexander Hamilton to hold government funds and issue currency, debated based on differing interpretations of the Constitution.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

A clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8) that gives Congress the power to make all laws "necessary and proper" for carrying out its enumerated powers, used to justify actions like creating the national bank.

Federalist Party

One of the first two major political parties in the U.S., led by Alexander Hamilton, advocating for a strong central government and pro-British policies.

Democratic-Republican Party

One of the first two major political parties in the U.S., led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, advocating for states' rights and pro-French policies.

Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)

George Washington's declaration that the United States would not take sides in the conflict between Great Britain and France.

Jay Treaty (1794)

A treaty negotiated with Great Britain that addressed trade and territorial issues but did not resolve the issue of impressment.

Pinckney Treaty (1795)

A treaty negotiated with Spain that granted the U.S. the right of deposit in New Orleans and established the southern boundary of the U.S. at the 31st parallel.

Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)

A decisive American victory over the Northwest Confederacy of Native American tribes, opening up more land for westward expansion.

Public Land Act of 1796

Legislation that established orderly procedures for dividing and selling federal lands in the West.

Washington's Farewell Address (1796)

George Washington's final address as president, in which he warned against political parties and permanent foreign alliances.

XYZ Affair

A diplomatic incident during John Adams's presidency involving French demands for bribes from American negotiators, leading to increased anti-French sentiment in the U.S.

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

Laws passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress that increased the residency requirement for citizenship and restricted freedom of speech and the press, controversial for potentially violating the First Amendment.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions (1799)

Resolutions written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison arguing that states could nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional, based on the idea of a compact between the states and the federal government.

Republican Motherhood

The concept that emerged in the early republic emphasizing the role of women in educating virtuous citizens, leading to some expansion of educational opportunities for girls.

Judith Sargent Murray

An advocate for expanded roles and education for women in the early republic.

Benjamin Banneker

An African American scientist and surveyor who challenged Thomas Jefferson on the issue of slavery.

J. Hector St. John Crèvecoeur

Author of Letters from an American Farmer, known for defining "an American" as a "new man."