Period 3 (1754-1800)

Pontiac’s Rebellion

An uprising led by Pontiac in 1763 where Native Americans attacked British forts in protest against British policies.

Seven Years' War (French and Indian War)

Conflict between Britain and France over territory in North America, which concluded with Britain's victory and significant territorial gains.

Albany Plan of Union

A proposal created by Ben Franklin in 1754 to organize colonial efforts for defense and taxation.

Royal Proclamation of 1763

A decree by King George III that forbade colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains to avoid conflict with Native Americans.

Stamp Act (1765)

A law that taxed all printed materials in the colonies, leading to widespread protest and the eventual repeal.

Tea Act (1773)

An act that lowered the tax on tea but resulted in colonial resistance and the Boston Tea Party.

First Continental Congress

A 1774 assembly where delegates from the colonies met to coordinate resistance against British policies.

Common Sense

A pamphlet by Thomas Paine that argued for independence from Britain and the establishment of a republican government.

Declaration of Independence

A formal statement adopted in 1776 declaring the colonies free from British rule, heavily influenced by Enlightenment ideas.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, which established a weak federal government without an executive branch.

Shay’s Rebellion

An uprising led by farmers in 1787 against economic injustices and the government's inability to address them, highlighting weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, created to protect individual liberties and appease anti-Federalist concerns.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution, established in Marbury vs. Madison (1803).

Federalist Papers

A series of writings by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay promoting the ratification of the Constitution and outlining principles of government.

XYZ Affair

A diplomatic incident where French officials demanded bribes from American diplomats, leading to an undeclared naval conflict with France.

Pickney’s Treaty

A 1796 agreement between the U.S. and Spain that defined the boundaries of the United States and ensured navigation rights along the Mississippi River.

Whiskey Rebellion (1791)

A violent protest by farmers against a tax on whiskey, which was swiftly suppressed, demonstrating the federal government's authority.