period 3 study guide

Albany Plan of Union (Albany Congress)/Ben Franklin

Early proposal to unite the colonies under one government for defense; Benjamin Franklin supported it.

Treaty of Paris (1763)

Treaty ending the French and Indian War; France gave Canada and lands east of the Mississippi to Britain.

Paxton Boys

Frontiersmen who attacked Native Americans in Pennsylvania after the French and Indian War.

Pontiac's Rebellion

Native American uprising against British rule in the Great Lakes region (1763).

Proclamation of 1763

British decree forbidding colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Sons of Liberty

Colonial group that resisted British taxes and organized protests.

Stamp Act Congress

Meeting of colonies to protest the Stamp Act and assert rights.

Declaratory Act

1766 law asserting Parliament's right to tax the colonies.

Committees of Correspondence

Colonial networks that shared information about British actions.

Townshend Acts

1767 taxes on imported goods like glass, tea, and paper.

Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)

Punitive laws passed after the Boston Tea Party.

George III

King of Britain during the American Revolution.

First Continental Congress

1774 meeting of colonial leaders to address grievances against Britain.

Continental Army

Army formed by the colonies to fight Britain.

Loyalists

Colonists who remained loyal to Britain.

Thomas Paine/Common Sense

1776 pamphlet arguing for independence from Britain.

Battle of Lexington/Concord

First battles of the American Revolution (1775).

Second Continental Congress

1775 meeting that managed the colonial war effort and moved toward independence.

Olive Branch Petition

1775 attempt by colonists to avoid war with Britain; rejected by King George III.

Declaration of Independence

1776 document declaring American independence.

Battle of Saratoga

1777 victory that convinced France to ally with the U.S.

Franco-American Alliance

1778 treaty providing French military support to the U.S.

Battle of Yorktown

1781 last major battle where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Treaty ending the Revolutionary War; Britain recognized U.S. independence.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. government framework; weak central government.

Shays's Rebellion

1786-1787 uprising by farmers protesting economic injustices.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Law organizing western territories and banning slavery there.

New Jersey Plan

Proposal for equal representation for states in Congress.

Virginia Plan

Proposal for representation based on population.

Connecticut Compromise

Combined Virginia and New Jersey Plans to create a bicameral legislature.

Antifederalists-Patrick Henry/Thomas Jefferson

Opponents of the Constitution who wanted stronger state governments.

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments protecting individual liberties.

Broad (loose/liberal) constructionist

Interpretation of the Constitution that allows implied powers.

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.

Implied powers

Powers not stated but inferred from the Constitution.

Executive Branch

Branch of government led by the president.

Federalists

Supporters of a strong national government and the Constitution.

Federalist Papers-Hamilton, Madison, Jay

Essays promoting ratification of the Constitution.

Declaration of Neutrality (Neutrality Proclamation)

Washington's statement keeping the U.S. neutral in European wars.

Democratic-Republicans

Political party led by Jefferson favoring states' rights and agriculture.

Pinckney's Treaty (Treaty of San Lorenzo)

1795 treaty with Spain giving U.S. navigation rights on the Mississippi.

Jay's Treaty

1794 treaty with Britain avoiding war but angering many Americans.

Farewell Address

Washington's speech warning against political parties and foreign entanglements.

Alien and Sedition Acts

1798 laws limiting immigration and restricting criticism of the government.

Nullification

Idea that states can void federal laws they believe are unconstitutional.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Statements asserting states' right to nullify federal laws.

Enlightenment

Intellectual movement emphasizing reason, science, and individual rights.