APUSH Unit 3 Overview Guide

French & Indian War(1754-1763)

A conflict between British America and New France, supported by Native American tribes; reshaped the balance of power in North America.

Albany Plan of Union(1754)

A proposal by Benjamin Franklin for a unified colonial government during the Albany Congress in 1754; an early attempt at colonial unity.

Peace of Paris (1763)

Ended the French & Indian War, with France ceding Canada and lands east of the Mississippi River to Britain.

Pontiac’s Rebellion(1763)

A Native American uprising against British rule in the Great Lakes region after the French & Indian War.

Proclamation Line of 1763

A British law forbidding colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains to prevent conflicts with Native Americans.

Sugar Act(1764)

A tax imposed by Britain on sugar and molasses imported into the colonies, aimed at raising revenue.

Stamp Act(1765)

A law requiring all printed materials to carry a stamp showing that a tax had been paid.

Stamp Act Congress(1765)

A meeting of colonial representatives in New York to discuss opposition to the Stamp Act.

Declaratory Act(1766)

An act stating that Parliament had the right to make laws and tax the colonies in all cases.

Townshend Acts→Boycotts(1767)

Laws that taxed goods imported to the American colonies, including tea, glass, and paper.

Boston Massacre(1770)

An event where British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists, killing five.

Boston Tea Party(1773)

A protest against the Tea Act where colonists threw British tea into Boston Harbor.

Coercive/Intolerable Acts(1774)

Punitive laws passed by Britain in response to the Boston Tea Party, including closing Boston Harbor.

First Continental Congress(1774)

A meeting of colonial delegates in Philadelphia to discuss a unified response to the Intolerable Acts.

First Shots of the Revolutionary War(1775)

First shots were fired at Lexington and Concord in April 1775.

Common Sense(1776)

A pamphlet by Thomas Paine arguing for American independence from Britain.

Second Continental Congress(1776)

Congress that declared American independence on July 4, 1776, with the Declaration of Independence.

Battle of Saratoga(1777)

A major American victory that convinced France to ally with the U.S. against Britain.

Battle of Yorktown(1781)

The final major battle of the Revolutionary War, resulting in British surrender.

Articles of Confederation(1781)

The first constitution of the United States establishing a loose confederation of states.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

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

Shays’ Rebellion(1786)

An armed uprising in Massachusetts protesting economic injustices and weak government under the Articles of Confederation.

Northwest Ordinance(1787)

A law that established the process for territories to become states and prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Constitutional Convention(1787)

A meeting of delegates to revise the Articles of Confederation, resulting in the U.S. Constitution.

Great Compromise(1787)

Established a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and population-based representation in the House.

3/5 Compromise(1787)

Allowed slaves to be counted as 3/5 of a person for representation purposes.

U.S. Constitution Ratified(1788)

The U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788, replacing the Articles of Confederation.

Washington Was Sworn In(1789)

George Washington became the first President of the United States in 1789.

Bill of Rights(1791)

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing individual liberties.

Whiskey Rebellion(1791)

A protest by Pennsylvania farmers against an excise tax on whiskey.

National Bank Established by Hamilton(1791)

A bank created to manage the nation’s finances and stabilize the economy.

Jay’s Treaty(1794)

A treaty that resolved issues from the Revolutionary War and sought to avoid further conflict with Britain.

John Adams Sworn In(1797)

John Adams became the second President of the United States.