Unit 2: American Revolution & New Nation (1754-1800)

Paxton Boys

A group of Scots-Irish frontiersmen in Pennsylvania who violently attacked a peaceful Native American community in 1763 due to frustrations over colonial leaders' protection failure.

Albany Congress

A 1754 meeting of colonial delegates to discuss defense against the French and relations with Native tribes; led to Benjamin Franklin's rejected Albany Plan of Union.

French & Indian War

The North American front of the global Seven Years’ War (1754–1763) between Britain and France; Britain emerged victorious but incurring significant debt.

Proclamation of 1763

A British proclamation that prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains to avoid conflict with Native Americans, causing colonial anger.

George Washington (as General)

Gained military experience during the French & Indian War and led early expeditions; his leadership helped launch his career.

Pontiac’s Rebellion

A 1763 uprising of Native American tribes against British forts and settlements in response to British policies after the French & Indian War.

Peace of Paris (1763)

The treaty that ended the French & Indian War, transferring most of France's North American territories to Britain.

Republicanism

A political philosophy emphasizing a government based on the consent of the governed and civic virtue, which gained traction among American colonists.

Sugar Act

A 1764 act aimed at raising revenue from the colonies by lowering the tax on molasses but strengthening enforcement against smuggling.

Quartering Act

A 1765 act requiring colonial governments to provide housing and supplies to British troops in the colonies.

Stamp Act

A 1765 act requiring colonists to purchase stamped paper for legal documents and newspapers, sparking widespread protest.

Stamp Act Congress

A 1765 meeting of representatives from nine colonies to oppose the Stamp Act and assert that only colonial legislatures could tax colonists.

Nonimportation Agreements

Boycotts of British goods by colonists in response to British taxation acts, aiming to pressure Parliament into repeal.

Sons of Liberty

A radical patriot group formed to resist British taxation and organized protests like those against the Stamp Act.

Samuel Adams

A passionate patriot who helped lead resistance against British policies and was influential in events like the Boston Tea Party.

Declaratory Act

A 1766 act that asserted Parliament's authority to make laws binding the colonies 'in all cases whatsoever'.

Townshend Acts

A series of 1767 acts imposing import taxes on goods like glass and tea, leading to renewed colonial protests.

Boston Massacre

A 1770 incident where British soldiers killed five colonists, which was used as anti-British propaganda by patriots.

Committees of Correspondence

Networks for communication among colonial leaders organized to coordinate resistance against British policies.

Boston Tea Party

A 1773 protest where members of the Sons of Liberty dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor.

Intolerable/Coercive Acts

A series of 1774 acts aimed at punishing Boston for the Tea Party, seen as attacks on colonial rights.

First Continental Congress

A 1774 meeting of delegates from 12 colonies to discuss a unified response to the Intolerable Acts.

Lexington & Concord

The first battles of the American Revolution fought in April 1775 that initiated full-scale war.

Marquis de Lafayette

A French nobleman and important ally to George Washington during the American Revolution.

Abigail Adams

An early advocate for women’s rights and wife of John Adams, known for her letters urging the inclusion of women's rights.

Second Continental Congress

The governing body during the Revolutionary War that created the Continental Army and issued the Declaration of Independence.

Battle of Bunker Hill

An early major battle in June 1775 demonstrating that colonial forces could stand up to British troops.

Olive Branch Petition

A final attempt by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 to avoid war with Britain by professing loyalty to the Crown.

Common Sense

A pamphlet by Thomas Paine advocating for American independence from Britain, published in early 1776.

Declaration of Independence

The 1776 document asserting the colonies' right to self-government and justifying separation from Britain.

Battle of Saratoga

The 1777 turning point victory for America in the Revolutionary War that led to French support.

Battle of Yorktown

The 1781 decisive victory for the American cause that effectively ended major combat in the Revolutionary War.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

The treaty that officially ended the American Revolutionary War, recognizing American independence.

Benjamin Franklin

A key diplomat and thinker of the Revolutionary era, instrumental in drafting the Declaration of Independence.

Loyalists / Tories

American colonists who remained loyal to Britain during the Revolutionary War.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the U.S. ratified in 1781, establishing a weak national government.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Legislation establishing a method for surveying and selling western lands to raise federal revenue.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Legislation for admitting new states from the Northwest Territory, banning slavery in the region.

Shays’ Rebellion

A 1786–87 rebellion led by indebted farmers in Massachusetts that exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia Plan

A plan proposing a bicameral legislature based on state population, favoring large states.

New Jersey Plan

A plan favoring small states with a unicameral legislature and equal representation for each state.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Plan)

The compromise that created a bicameral legislature balancing population-based and equal representation.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement counting enslaved persons as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.

Antifederalists

Opponents of the Constitution who feared strong central government and demanded a Bill of Rights.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution advocating a strong central government and checks and balances.

Federalist Papers

A series of essays supporting the Constitution, written primarily by Hamilton and Madison.

Constitutional Convention

The 1787 meeting in Philadelphia that resulted in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

Electoral College

A compromise system established in the Constitution for electing the president, balancing populous and less-populous states.

John Jay

A Founding Father, diplomat, and co-author of the Federalist Papers, serving as the first Chief Justice.

George Washington (as President)

The first U.S. president who set key precedents and promoted national unity during his presidency.

Alexander Hamilton

Washington's Secretary of the Treasury who created an ambitious financial plan and co-founded the Federalist Party.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution ratified in 1791, ensuring individual liberties.

Judiciary Act of 1789

An act that organized the federal court system and established the Supreme Court.

Assumption Bill

Part of Hamilton's plan proposing federal assumption of state debts from the Revolutionary War.

Protective Tariff

A tariff proposed by Hamilton to protect American manufacturing by taxing imports.

Compromise of 1790

An agreement resolving the assumption of state debts by relocating the national capital.

Bank of the United States

A federal bank established in 1791 as part of Hamilton's economic plan.

Whiskey Rebellion

A 1794 protest against the excise tax on whiskey, showing the power of the federal government.

Democratic-Republican Party

A political party led by Jefferson and Madison, advocating states' rights and opposition to Federalist policies.

Federalist Party

A political party founded by Hamilton that supported a strong central government and banking.

First Party System

The political divide in the 1790s between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.

Neutrality Proclamation

A proclamation by Washington in 1793 declaring U.S. neutrality in European conflicts.

Citizen Genêt

A French diplomat who violated U.S. neutrality by recruiting Americans to support France.

Treaty of Greenville

A treaty forcing Native American tribes to cede lands in exchange for peace after the Battle of Fallen Timbers.

Jay’s Treaty

An agreement with Britain in 1794 addressing unresolved Revolutionary War issues but angering many Americans.

Pinckney’s Treaty

A 1795 agreement with Spain granting the U.S. navigation rights on the Mississippi River.

Washington’s Farewell Address

Washington's 1796 address warning against political parties and foreign alliances.

John Adams (as President)

The second U.S. president whose term was marked by tensions with France and the Alien and Sedition Acts.

Quasi-War with France

An undeclared naval conflict between the U.S. and France resulting from the XYZ Affair.

XYZ Affair

A 1797 incident where U.S. diplomats were asked for a bribe by French agents to start negotiations.

Alien & Sedition Acts

Laws passed in 1798 allowing deportation of immigrants and making it illegal to criticize the government.

Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions

Resolutions asserting that states could nullify unconstitutional federal laws.

Wealth of Nations

A book by Adam Smith advocating for capitalism and free markets, published in 1776.

John Locke

An Enlightenment thinker advocating natural rights and government by consent, influencing American revolutionaries.

Prohibitory Act

The 1775 act declaring Britain would no longer protect the colonies, escalating economic conflict.

Republican Motherhood

The idea emphasizing women's roles in educating future citizens and promoting civic virtues.

Tea Act

A 1773 act allowing the British East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonies, leading to the Boston Tea Party.

Virginia Declaration of Rights

A 1776 document outlining individual rights that influenced the Declaration of Independence.

Compact Theory

The theory that states created the federal government and have the right to judge federal actions.

Contract Theory

The idea that government is a social contract with the governed, justifying rebellion against tyranny.