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Thomas Paine - Common Sense (1776)

Pamphlet urging independence from Britain

Proclamation of 1763

Banned colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains to reduce conflict with Natives. Angered colonists eager for land.

Declaratory Act (1766)

Passed after repeal of Stamp Act; declared Parliament had the right to tax and legislate for the colonies "in all cases whatsoever."

Writs of Assistance

General search warrants allowing British officials to search for smuggled goods. Seen as violations of colonial rights.

Townshend Acts (1767)

Taxes on imports like glass

Boston Massacre (1770)

Clash between British soldiers and colonists; 5 colonists killed. Used as propaganda to inflame anti-British sentiment.

Committees of Correspondence (1772+)

Networks of colonial communication to coordinate resistance and share news. Helped unify the colonies.

Intolerable Acts (1774)

Punitive laws (including closing Boston Harbor) after the Boston Tea Party. Unified colonies against Britain.

Quebec Act (1774)

Extended Quebec's boundaries and allowed Catholicism; angered colonists who saw it as limiting western settlement and favoring Catholics.

John Locke - Social Contract

Enlightenment idea that government's power comes from the consent of the governed

First Continental Congress (1774)

Meeting of colonies to respond to Intolerable Acts. Organized boycotts and petitioned the king.

Lexington and Concord (1775)

First battles of the Revolutionary War ("the shot heard 'round the world").

Patriots vs. Tories (Loyalists)

Patriots supported independence; Tories (Loyalists) stayed loyal to Britain.

Battle of Trenton (1776)

Washington's surprise attack on Hessians after crossing the Delaware. Boosted morale.

Battle of Saratoga (1777)

Turning point; American victory convinced France to ally with the colonies.

Albany Plan of Union (1754)

Proposed by Benjamin Franklin during the French and Indian War to unite the colonies under one government for defense. Rejected

French and Indian War / Seven Years' War (1754-1763)

War between Britain and France (with Native allies). Britain's victory gave it dominance in North America but left heavy debt

Pontiac's Rebellion (1763)

Native American uprising led by Pontiac against British settlers after the French and Indian War. Showed Native resistance and led to the Proclamation of 1763.

Stamp Act Congress (1765)

Delegates from 9 colonies met to protest the Stamp Act. Declared "no taxation without representation

Sons and Daughters of Liberty

Secret groups that protested British taxes through boycotts

Yorktown (1781)

Final major battle; British General Cornwallis surrendered to Washington.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Ended the Revolution. Britain recognized American independence and granted territory to the Mississippi River.

Republican Motherhood

Idea that women should teach republican values to children

Articles of Confederation (1781-1789)

First U.S. government; weak central power

Land Ordinance of 1785 & 1787

Set rules for surveying and selling western lands. Revenue helped pay national debt.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Created process for admitting new states

Shays' Rebellion (1786)

Uprising of farmers against taxes in Massachusetts. Exposed weakness of Articles

Annapolis Convention (1786)

Meeting to discuss trade issues; led to the call for the Constitutional Convention.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

Meeting in Philadelphia to create a new Constitution with stronger federal government.

James Madison

"Father of the Constitution." Wrote Virginia Plan

Alexander Hamilton

Strong Federalist

Federalism

Power divided between federal and state governments.

Separation of Powers

Division of government into legislative

Checks and Balances

Each branch limits the power of the others to prevent tyranny.

Virginia Plan

Large-state plan; representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

Small-state plan; equal representation per state.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Created bicameral Congress: House (population) + Senate (equal).

3/5 Compromise

Counted enslaved people as 3/5 for taxation and representation.

Commercial Compromise

Allowed federal regulation of interstate and foreign trade

Electoral College System

Indirect election of the president through electors chosen by states.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Debate over Constitution; Federalists supported strong central government

Amendment Process

Allows changes to the Constitution (2/3 Congress + 3/4 states).

Bill of Rights (1791)

First 10 amendments guaranteeing individual rights (speech