Unit 3 of AP U.S History

The Social Contract

• Made by John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• People control the government and only give up a little of that control for protection and order

• No divine right

• The people have the right to go up against the government

(See “Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution”) 

Common Sense 

• Written by Thomas Paine 

• He argued the importance of independence and turned more colonists into rebels 

(See “Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution”) 

Deism

• God exists but he sets natural laws and doesn’t interfere with humans

(See “Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution”) 

Rationalism

• God exists but human reasoning is what will progress us as a society so we should invest in science and learning human behavior

(See “Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution”) 

What were some new colonial views and how did they lead to the Revolution?

• Colonists started to feel passionate about not having a monarchy with absolute power and being able to have more decisions in government

(See “Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution”) 

The Intolerable Acts

• This is how Parliament responded to the Boston Tea Party that put the colonies further under British control (1774)

• Four laws: The Boston Port Act (closed the port until colonists paid for all the tea), the Massachusetts Government Act (restricted self'-government with leaders that the king picked and small town meetings), the Administration of Justice Act (royal officials couldn’t be tried in the colonies), and the Quartering Act (colonists had to house and feed British soldiers if asked) 

(See “The American Revolution”) 

The First Continental Congress  

• Every colony excluding Georgia sent a delegate to a Philadelphia Convention against the Intolerable Acts

• There were radicals (Patrick Henry from Virginia and Samuel + John Adams from Massachusetts) who wanted independence right away

• Then the Moderates (George Washington from Virginia and John Dickinson from Pennsylvania) 

• Also the Conservatives (John Jay from New York and Joseph Gallaway from Pennsylvania) who only wanted to talk 

• Loyalists were not welcome! 

• The delegates decided that if their rights weren’t recognized then they would hold another convection in 1775 

• The king didn’t agree with the Continental Congress so violence occurred in Massachusetts 

(See “The American Revolution”) 

The Suffolk Resolves 

• The colonies agreement to rebel against the Intolerable Acts by forming militia and boycotting British goods 

(See “The American Revolution”) 

The Declaration of Resolves

• The agreement that the king should fix colonial grievances

(See “The American Revolution”) 

The Continental Association

• Dealt with economic sanctions for the Continental Congress

(See “The American Revolution”) 

Lexington and Concord

• The first battle between the colonists, specifically the Minutemen of Massachusetts led by Paul Revere and William Daws vs. the British, led by General Thomas

• The British were trying to capture colonial supplies but they lost

(See “The American Revolution”) 

Battle of Bunker Hill

• Colonists who were Massachusetts farmers faced off against the British in 1775

(See “The American Revolution”) 

Declaration of the Causes and Necessities for Taking Up Arms 

• Give troops to George Washington in Massachusetts

• follow Benedict Arnold to Quebec, 

• set up a navy and marines 

• 1775

(See “The American Revolution”) 

Tories

• Colonists who fought alongside the British 

• Primarily from New York, New Jersey, and Georgia 

• Settled in Canada and Britain to avoid the patriots 

(See “The American Revolution”) 

The Second Continental Congress

• The New England delgates really wanted independence but the Middle Colonies said that they can negotiate still

• 1775

Olive Branch Petition

• Some colonists still resonated with Britain for heritage and protection so they didn’t want independence but wanted a change

• This petition to King George stated that if Britain remains peaceful and acknowledges colonial rights then they’ll be loyal

(See “The American Revolution”) 

The Prohibitory Act 

• King Geroge refused the Olive Branch Petition and allowed Parliment to make a new act

• This prevented trade and shipping with Britian 

(See “The American Revolution”) 

The Declaration of Independence

• 1776

• Richard Henry Lee from Virginia and five delegates such as Thomas Jefferson listed their grievances and moral principles to show why they’re becoming independent

(See “The American Revolution”) 

The Revolutionary War

• 1775-1783

• Patriots called for independence while Loyalists called for allegiance, making this somewhat of a civil war 

• The British > The Americans in terms of population, funds, army, navy, and experience 

• Most patriots were from the New England colonies and Virginia who enlisted in the local military but had little supplies 

• Britain was the first to promise emancipation for those who enlisted so George Washington tried to do the same, and those who did were often already free from the north

• Natives were hesitant to get involved but agreed to fight for the British in exchange of western settlements

(See “The American Revolution”) 

Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation

• Britain was the first to promise emancipation for those who enlisted  (George Washington tried to do the same, and those who did were often already free from the north)

(See “The American Revolution”) 

Continentals

• Paper money from Congress that became worthless during the war

(See “The American Revolution”) 

The Treaty of Paris

• The Tory Parliament was replaced by the Whig Parliament

• This new Parliament used this document to end the war since it became an economic burden

• 1) Britain recognized the U.S as independent

• 2) The Mississippi River would be the western boundary

• 3) America could fish off of the Canadian coast

• 4) America would pay off debts to British merchants and replace loyalist properties

• 1783

(See “The American Revolution”) 

American Losses/Hardships during the Revolutionary War 

• The winter of Valley Forge (1777-1778) 

• The takeover of New York (1776) and Philadelphia (1777) which declined trade

(See “The American Revolution”) 

Alliance with France during the Revolutionary War

• Colonists won Saratoga (1777) which was Britian’s attempt to cut off the New England colonies

• This battle proved to France that the colonies were worth investing in/they would get their getback at the British 

• Secretive during 1775 but came out in 1778 

(See “The American Revolution”) 

Victory during the Revolutionary War

• Britian needed to conserve troops so they stayed in New York only, giving George Rodgers Clark, the leader of the Patriots, the oppurtunity to take over British forts at Illonios 

• The British tried to shift towards Virginia and the Carolinas for the support of the loyalists but the Patriots caught them

• Yorktown, Virginia in 1781 was where the patriots won the revolution with the help of the French navy since they were near Chesapeake Bay 

(See “The American Revolution”) 

The Daughters of Liberty

• A women-led group that opposed the British during the revolutionary war by boycotting British goods and giving supplies to colonists 

(See “The Influence of Revolutionary Ideas”) 

The Republican Motherhood

• This was a new political concept that stated that women should be educated in order to each their children new american values and history 

(See “The Influence of Revolutionary Ideas”) 

How revolutionary ideas affected different groups

• 1) Women

• Some worked as cooks/nurses at army camps while others actually fought in battle like Debroah Sampson and Molly Pitcher

• Women ran farms and businesses, giving food and clothes to the war effort

• 2) Enslaved African Americans

• The Contidental Congress abolished the bringing of slaves to America, so at first slavery declined, with slave owners like James Madison advocating for them to be free and go back to Africa

• However, with the rise of the cotton gin in 1793, they used political and religious justification to say how they needed slaves 

• 3) Native Americans 

• Since most natives helped the British, they were excluded from liberty and equality 

(See “The Influence of Revolutionary Ideas”) 

Three major revolutions around the world due to the American Revolution

• The French Revolution (1789-1799) that was between the people and the monarchy

• The Irish Revolution (1798) that was between the Irish and Britain

• The Hattian Revolution (1791-1804) that was between the Hattian people and the institutions of slavery set up by European powers

(See “The Influence of Revolutionary Ideas”) 

The Sugar Act 

• 1764

• Tax on sugar (duh)

• Used by Parliment to combat smuggling, which includes a trial with no jury 

(See “The Seven Years War”)

The Quartering Act

• 1765 

• Colonists have to give shelter with British soldiers 

(See “The Seven Years War”)

• The Stamp Act

• 1765

• Taxes on stamps which colonies refused to use as a way to boycott

(See “The Seven Years War”)

• The Declaratory Act

• Response to the Stamp Act boycotts

• 1766

• Parliament is free to tax and make laws for the colonies

(See “The Seven Years War”)

• The Townshend Act

• 1767

• Put taxes on tea, glass, and paper money that would’ve been used to pay crown officials for independence

• Colonists responded with boycotts

(See “The Seven Years War”)

Writs of Assisstence

• Part of the Townshend Acts

• Free search warrants for smuggled goods

(See “The Seven Years War”)

Letter’s From A Farmer

• A book written by John Dickinson about representation in government in Pensylvania as a response to the Townshed Acts

(See “The Seven Years War”)

The Circular Letter

• A book written by James Otis and Sam Adams in Massachusetts on petitioning Parliament 

(See “The Seven Years War”)

The Tea Act

• 1773

• Helped bail out the British East India Company

• Parliament repealed all the Townshend Acts except for this one so they could tax the colonies more

(See “The Seven Years War”)

The Boston Massacre

• High tension between British troops and regular colonists caused this bloodbath

(See “The Seven Years War”)

• The Boston Tea Party 

• A response from the colonists to the Tea Act 

• The Sons of Liberty pretended to be the Native America Mohawks and dumped a ton of British Tea into the Boston Harbor 

• 1773

(See “The Seven Years War”)

The Quebec Act

• Closed off the Ohio River to colonists

• Wasn’t an intolerable act but felt like one

(See “The Seven Years War”)

The Articles of Confederation

• Written by the Second Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War that was purposely weak with no judicial or executive branch out of fear and distrust 

(See “The Articles of Confederation”)

Before the articles of confederation colonies (specifically ten) wrote their own constitutions 

what were the parameters in them?

• 1) Bill/Declaration of Rights

• 2) Separation of powers

• 3) All white men who own property can vote

• 4) Those elected should have more property than average

(See “The Articles of Confederation”)

Which colonies needed ratification for their personal constitutions?

• Maryland

• Pennsylvania

• North Carolina

(See “The Articles of Confederation”)

Ratification

• Approval from the people to pass a law

(See “The Articles of Confederation”)

John Dickinson created the what?

• The Articles of Confederation in 1777

(See “The Articles of Confederation”)

How did states settle disputes over native land west of the Alleghenies and what did that have to do with the Articles of Confederation?

• Rhode Island and Maryland for instance immediately wanted it under government control

• New York and Virgina finally agreed

• Now that these states were unified, the Articles could be ratified since it was 12/12 states in 1781

(See “The Articles of Confederation”)

What could congress do under the Articles of Confederation?

• Send representatives to foreign countries

• Make treaties 

• Borrow money

• Wage war

• Regulate commerce 

• Collect taxes (though it had to be approved by the states through voting)

(See “The Articles of Confederation”)

Shay’s Rebellion

• 1786

• Capitan Daniel Shay’s was a farmer who led an uprising against high taxes, jail for outstanding debt, and the small amount of paper money 

• He along with those who sided with him called the Regulators decided to not pay any taxes and close debtor’s courts

• By 1787, when the Regulators tried to steal weapons, the Massachusetts government had to put an end to the rebellion, which showed that the Articles were too weak and there was a need for a stronger government

(See “The Articles of Confederation”)

What was the significance of the Northwest Territory?

• This settlement was very attractive to both White and Black settlers for schools and no slave laws but only the rich could  afford the acres so the wealthy decided to sell it off

(See “The Articles of Confederation”)

Major effects of the Articles weaknesses?

• Britain and Spain were able to take advantage of the US

• Congress didn’t have enough money, fell into debt, had to limit credit and trade, had worthless money, and fell into an economic depression

• States formed rivalries for money by putting heavy tariffs that crossed over state lines

(See “The Articles of Confederation”)

Bi-cameral government 

• A government split into two parts 

(See “The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification”)

The Annapolis Convention

• 1785

• George Washington held this event at Mount Vernon Virginia with representatives from Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. 

• From there, James Madison and Alexzander Hamilton convinced them to come to another convention in Philadelphia which was the Constitutional Convention

(See “The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification”)

The Constitutional Convention

• 1787

• Most of the delegates that came (Ben Frank, James Madison, Alexzander Hamilton, Governor Morris, and John Dickinson) were white men with a college degree

• George Washington was the chairman 

• The meetings would be kept secret until an agreement was made 

• Some delegates didn’t show up, like John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams (business abroad), Thomas Paine (Europe trip), Samuel Adams and John Hancock (not invited), and Patrick Henry (disagreed with the convention) 

(See “The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification”)

What were some of the key issues of the Constitutional Convention? 

• Should we only make revisions to the Articles or change it entirely?

  • Many said only revisions while Madison and Hamilton said the whole thing should change

• Who gets to have the most representation?

  • The Virginia Plan vs. The Jersey Plan was the debate, but the outcome was the Connecticut Plan/The Great Compromise

• Should slaves be counted in population size

  • The South said yes but the North said no so the outcome was the Three-Fifths Compromise

• Should slave importation continue?

  • Some said no for human rights while others said yes for economics so they decided to wait 20, until 1808

• How should we do trade?

  • The north said that the central government can do it but the south was worried about the export taxes so there was the Commercial Compromise

• How should the Presidency work? 

  • Some said for life while others said four years/Some said that the President should have direct control while others said indirect which led to the Electoral College System 

(See “The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification”)

The Virginia Plan vs. The Jersey Plan

• Large states should have more representatives vs. small states should have more representatives

(See “The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification”)

The Connecticut Plan

• Created by Roger Sherman

• In the senate, all states will have the same amount of representatives but in the house of representatives the amount will be based on size

(See “The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification”)

The Three-Fifths Compromise

• Slaves only account for 3/5 of people

(See “The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification”)

The Commercial Compromise

• Congress will regulate commerce and put tariffs on foreign imports but not exports

(See “The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification”)

The Electoral College System

• Electors are the same number of representatives and senators so that there would be no mob rule

• The President has power against Congress

(See “The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification”)

The Federalist Papers

• Essays written by James Madison, Alexzander Hamilton and John Jay to get people to believe in the Constitution

(See “The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification”)

What was the ratification procedure for the Constitution?

• September 1787

• Only technically needed 9/13 states but 13/13 would be best for unity

(See “The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification”)

Federalists vs. Anti-federalists

• Big cities and Atlantic Coast vs. small farms and Western Frointer 

• Yes to ratification! vs No to ratification! 

• Need a strong government vs need a weak government for the revolution

• The Articles were too weak vs the Constitution won’t be protective because of the lack of the bill of rights (but Federalists argued that it’s unnecessary since the states already had a bill of rights and could be manipulated and it could be added in later)

• Didn’t know what the results would be vs much less united 

(See “The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification”)

Which were the first three states to be ratified with the Constitution?

• Delaware

• New Jersey

• Pennsylvania

(See “The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification”)

Who argued in Virginia for/against the Constitution?

• George Mason and Patrick Henry (against)

• George Washington and James Madison and John Marshall (for)

(See “The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification”)

The Bill of Rights

• 1789 - 1791

• Protected people against abuses in power by both state and federal governments

• 1st: Freedom of speech and religion and press

• 2nd: right to bear arms

• 3rd: soldiers can only be housed with consent

• 4th: no unreasonable searches/.seizers - need warrants

• 5th: protections in court

• 6th: quick and public trial

• 7th: trial by jury

• 8th: no excessive bail, fines, or punishment 

• 9th: other rights should be respected 

• 10th: power all around 

(See “The Constitution”) 

Federalism 

• division of powers: the central and the state

• this government grew strong with changes in transport, communications, and the economy 

• amendments were very dynamic like the 19th amendment that gave women the right to vote

• the government owned more than half of public programs but public emploeyees often worked in school

(See “The Constitution”) 

Separation of Powers

• Legislative: laws, taxes, and spending

• Executive: president, laws, and federal programs

• Judicial: supreme court, laws, constitution

• Congress can pass laws but the president can veto it but the supreme court can deem it as unconstitutional

• the president can make treaties but congress has to ratify it 

• president can enforce laws but the supreme court can stop it but the president can appoint justices 

• supreme court interprets laws and congress writes laws

• supreme court can make

(See “The Constitution”) 

Judiciary Act of 1789

• 1789

• Supreme Court has one chief justice and five associate justices that determine how constitutional state courts are

• System of 13 district courts and 3 court of appeals 

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

Washington’s Presidency

• 1789

• Organized the exectuive branch with four heads of departments called the Cabinet - part of the unwritten constitution 

  • Thomas Jefferson - Secretary of State

  • Alexzander Hamilton - Secretary of Treasurey 

  • Henry Knox - Secretary of War 

  • Edmund Randoplh - Attorny General 

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

• 1) Pay off national debts, including state war debts (super important!!) 

• 2) Protect developing industries, collect enough revenue, and put high tariffs on imports

• 3) Create a national bank for printing banknotes and government funds 

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

What were the reactions to Hamilton’s Financial Plan?

• Opposed by anti-federalists who thought that the plan would make states lose power - especially Thomas Jefferson who thought the rich would take advantage of farmers in debt 

• Due to this discourse, Congress decided to change the plan a little before accepting it: no high tariffs!

• Jefferson at least (See “Shaping a New Republic”)  with the debt relief part of the plan so Hamilton agreed to having the nations capital south of the Potomac river

• Jefferson was against the national bank but Washington liked it so that was that - the federal government became major shareholders in it 

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

What caused the first political parties?

• Division on Hamilton’s Financial Plan and the French Revolution

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

Proclamation of Neutrality

• 1793

• Washington believed that the US was too young to engage in war so it stayed neutral, making Jefferson quit 

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

The Jay Treaty 

• 1794

• since Britain was searching and seizing American shops and impressing American seamen John Jay made a treaty with them

• unfortunately it was all focused on one and not the other - very half baked - so it was considered as a failure

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

The Pinckney Treaty

• 1795

• Spain felt threatened by US and Britain relations so it consolidated its holdings in north america and spread influence through catholic missionaries and traded with the US using the Mississippi River and New Orleans 

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

What was the significance of the French Revolution on America? 

• People generally supported it but were shocked at the mass hysteria and mobs 

• Some argued that there was an alliance with the monarchy, not the revolutionary republic 

• Jefferson supported it and argued that the US should get involved since Britain took ships headed for French ports

• Citizen Edmond Genet told Americans directly to support the French, breaking diplomacy and getting fired by the French government 

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

The Northwest/Western Confederacy

• Settlers were encroaching on Native land so the Shawnee, Delaware Natives, Iroquois, and more went under Little Turtle’s leadership and formed this group

• The British often gave natives weapons to attack settlers

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

The Right of Deposit

• Americans could transfer cargo without paying duties to Spain and had Florida’s northern boundary at the 31st parallel

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

The Battle of Fallen Timbers

• 1794

• The US Army went against the Confederacy Tribes at Ohio and won

• This was due to settlements and frustration at Natives

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

Treaty of Green ville

• 1795

• The Confederacy surrendered Ohio settlements 

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

The Whiskey Rebellion

• 1794

• Hamilton convinced Congress to have a tax on whiskey but farmers in west Pennsylvania couldn’t afford it 

• These farmers rebelled but when Washington gave Hamilton access to milita it ended quickly, leaving people with mixed feelings 

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

The Public Land Act

• 1796

• Congress began to encourage settlment in new lands due to the Pickney Treaty and the Battle of Fallen Timbers

• They decied to divide up the land and sell it which 

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

What were the first political parties?

• Democratic Republicans 

• Federalists 

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

Key points of Washington’s Farewell Address? 

• late 1796

• don’t get involved with Europe

• don’t make permanent alliances

• don’t form political parties

• don’t fall into sectionalism (more loyal to the state than to the country)

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

Why did people think that political parties were unnecessary?

• Washington’s unanimous vote to be president using the Electoral College System

• No mention of political parties in the constitution

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

So then why did political parties form??

• Strong debates and divisions over the French Revolution and Hamilton’s Financial Plan 

• Conflicts went across state lines

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

The Federalist Era

• period of time in the 1790s where Federalists dominated the government

• during this federalists targeted the democratic republicans with three acts: the sedition act, the alien act, and the naturalization act against immigrants who largely voted democratic republic 

  • Sedition Act: Can’t say anything bad about the government in the news pr else there will be fines

  • Naturalization Act:Increased the amount of years for immigrants to qualify as U.S. citizens from 5 to 14 years

  • Alien Act: People are allowed to be freely deported if suspected of being dangerous, especially during times of war

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

Key points of John Adam’s Presidency

• The federalists candidate by electoral vote

• Jefferson was vice president

• The XYZ Affair

• The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

• Obliviously Democratic Republicans called the Alien + Sedition + Naturalization Acts unconstitutional

• However, the Supreme Court hadn’t established the principle of judicial review (the rule that they could overturn laws that were deemed as unconstitutional)

• So, democratic republicans decided to nullify those acts in the states that they had control over! especially Kentucky (courtesy of thomas jefferson) and virginia (courtesy of james madison) which was referred to as the nullification controversy of the 1830s

• This ended once the democratic republicans got more control of the government, repealing and expiring the acts

• John Marshall later decided ig laws were constitutional

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

The XYZ Affair

• French warships were seizing american ships which angered the public 

• Adams sent american delegates to work things out 

• Anonymous french ministers—X Y Z— attempted to bribe these delegates!!

• However they said no and word got out in the news

• Americans were outraged! But Adams refused to go to war to adhere to the policy of neutrality 

• Even federalists wanted to go to war for french and spanish lands in the US but he still still said no believing that the US army/navy weren’t strong enough 

(See “Shaping a New Republic”) 

Key social changes?

• No aristocratic ties to nobility 

• No premogenture! 

  • This was the law that the first son gets the property

• Separation of church and state (religious taxes lasted at the latest till the 1830s)

• stronger regional distinctions between the north and the south

(See “Developing an American Identity”)

Key political changes?

• Official political parties

  • the federalists and the democratic republicans

• the Great Seal with an eagle became a symbol

(See “Developing an American Identity”)

Key cultural changes? 

• Expansion of newspapers in the 1700s

• Charles Brockden Brown was a notable novelist

• Pierre-Charles L'Enfant designed Washington DC 

• Gilbert Stuart painted presidents 

• Charles Wilson Peale opened the first gallery 

• The American Academy of Fine Arts opened

• First dictionary for American English 

• Book on American geography 

(See “Developing an American Identity”)

Where were settlers moving and what was going on?

• Settlers were moving westward into territories such as the Northwest Ordinance, leading to conflicts with Native Americans

(See “Movement in the Early Republic”)

The Indian Intercourse Act

• Only the federal government could regulate trade and travel dealt in Native American territories

  • Settlers did not care and proceeded to enroche onto their lands 

(See “Movement in the Early Republic”)

Why did Native Americans go west of the Mississippi?

• They faced brute force, disease, and destruction, which largely hurt the sale of food and furs 

How come Native Americans had more freedom when they went farther south?

• Specifically referring to New Orleans and Florida, which were controlled by Spain that stopped settlers

(See “Movement in the Early Republic”)

What were big reasons for the population change?

• Europeans immigrated in fluxes depending on the events that went on

• Enslaved Africans continued to be brought until January 1st, 1808

• There was a growth of food supply and want for help on farms so people had more babies

• Daniel Boone helped establish settlements across the Appalachian Mountains

(See “Movement in the Early Republic”)

What were the major groups that wanted slavery to end?

• people in religious groups

• those who believed in Enlightenment ideals

• supporters of immigration

(See “Movement in the Early Republic”)