Unit/Period 3 APUSH

George Washington (as a soldier/general)

The commander of the Continental Army during the American Revoliution. although he had military experience from the French and Indian War, he was not a career military man, but his leadershop and determination were crucial to the American victory

French and Indian War/Seven Years War

A global conflict fought between Great Britain and France from 1754-1763. In North America, the conflict involved the British, French and their respective Natice American allies, with the British ultimately winning and gaining control of French territories in North America

Peace of Paris

1763 Treaty that formally ended the Seven Years War. Under the terms of the treaty, France ceded its North American territory east of the Mississippi River to Great Britain, significantly expanding British colonial land claims

Proclamation of 1763

British law the prohibited American colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. the british Government intended the law to prevent conflicts with Native American tribes, but colonists viewed it as an infringement on their right to expand and a key source of tension

Mercantillism

A dominant economic theory in Europe from 16th to 18th centuries. the theory held that a nation’s wealth and power were best served by increasing exports and decreasing imports. Colonial powers, like great Britain, used mercantillism to justify control over their colonies, which they saw as sources of raw materials and markets for finished goods

Sugar Act

the Sugar Act of 1764 was a British law that lowered the tax on molasses but increased enforcement of smuggling laws. the act was a key step in Parliament’s attempt to increase revenue from the colonies after the French and Indian War.

Quarering Act

A series of British laws passed in the 1760s that required American coloniests to provide housing and supplies for British soldiers. the acts were deeply unpopular and seen as a violation of colonists’ rights

Stamp Act

1765 British Law that required Colonists to purchase stamps for Various paper goods, including newspapers, legal documents, and palying cards, the act as the first direct tax levied on the colonies, and it sparked widespread protests and resistance

Admiralty courts

British courts in the colonies that tried those accused of violating trade laws without a jury. colonists viewed the courts as a violation of their right to a fiar trial and another example of British overreach

Tea Act

Tea Act of 1773 was a British law that gave the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the American colonies. while the act actually lowered the price of tea, colonists saw it as another example of British attempts to impose their will on the colonies and a sneaky way to enforce the tea tax

“taxation without representation”

A rallying cry for American colonists who argues that it as unjust to be taxed by the British parliament when they had no elected representatives in that body. they argued that their own colonial assemblied had the right to tax them

Stamp act congress

the stamp act congress was a meeting of delegates from nine colonies in 1765. the Delegates Drafted a unified protest against the Stamp Act and declared that only the colonial legislatures had the authority to tax the colonies

Non-importation Agreements

a series of boycotts organized by colonists in response to British Tax policies. Colonists agreed not to import British goods, hoping to pressure British merchants and parliament to repeal the unpopular taxes

Sons of Liberty

a secret society of American patriots formed to protest British tax policies and government actions. the Group used intimidation and violence, including the destruction of property, to oppose British rule

Townshend Acts

series of british laws passed in 1767 that placed taxes on imported goods like glass, paper, and tea. the acts also created a new customs board and courts to enforce the taxes, further inflaming colonial resistance

boston massacre

a confrontation in 1770 in which british soldiers fired on a group of american colonists, killing, five. the incident was a major propaganda tool for american patriots and further fueled anti-british sentiment

King George III

the British monarch during the American Revolution. His policies, including the enforcement of new taxes and laws in the colonies, contributed significantly to the growing tensions that led to the war

Boston tea party

1773 protest in which a group of American colonists, disguised as Native Americans, boarded british ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into boston harbor. The protest was a direct response to the Tea act and led to harsh British retaliation

Coercive Acts

also known as intolerable acts, were a series of punitive laws passed by british parliament in 1774 in response to the boston tea party. The laws closed boston harbor, restricted town meetings, and allowed British officials to be tried in great britain.

First continental congress

a meeting of delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies in 1774. the delegates met to discuss a unified response to the Corcive/intolerable Acts and to assert their rights as British subjects. they called for boycott of british goods and planned to meet again if their grievances were not addressed

The continental association

system created by the first continental congress to enforce a complete boycott of Britsh goods. The association was a key step in the move towards colonial unity and a direct challence to british authority

Battles of lexington and concord

the first military engagements of the American revolutionary war. april 1775, the battles began when pritish troops marched to seize colonial military supplies. the fighting, initiated by a shot of unknown origin, amrked the start of the armed conflict between great britain and the American colonies

minute men

american militiamen who were ready to right at a moment’s notice during the American revolution. they were known for their. rapid mobilization and played a crucial role in the early battles of the war

marquis de lafayette

a french aristocrat and military officer who served as a major general in the continental army during the American revolution. He was a close friend and confidant of George washington and a symbol of french support for the American cause

Paul revere

American sulversmith and patriot known for his mignight ride to warn american colonists of british troops’ advance before the battles of lexington and concord. he was an important figure in the early days of the american revolution

Benjamin Franklin

an american polymath, inventor, diplomat, and statesman. he was a key figures in the American revolution, serving as a diplomat in fance and helping to negotiate the treaty of paris 1783

Second continental congress

meeting of delegates from all thirteen colonies that began in may 1775. the congress managed the colonial war effors and, in july 1776, adopted the Declaration of independence, officially declaring the colonies’ separation from Great britain

battle of bunker hill

a battle fought in june 1775 near boston. although the British won the battle, they suffered heavy casualties, and the battle showed that the american militia was capable of standing up to the british army

olive branch petition

the final attempt by the second continental to avoid war with great britain. the petition, sent to King george III in July 1775, affirmed American loyalty to the Crown and asked the king to address their grievances. the king rejected the petition, and the war continued.

declaration of independence

the declaration of independence was a document adopted by the second continental congress on July 4, 1776. the document, primarily authored by thomas Jefferson, declare dth ehtirteen coloneis to be independent from great britain and articulated the principals of natural rights and self government

Common sense by thomas paine

1776 pamphlet written by thomas paine that argued for American independence from Great Britain. the panplet was written in plain accesible language and was widely read, helping to build popular support for the revolutionary cause

Treaty of paris (1783)

the treaty of paris was the 1783 treaty that officially ended the american revolutionary war. under the terms of the treaty, great britain recognized the independence of the united states and ceded territory to the colonies

John Locke

an english philosopher and a key figure in the enlightenment his ideas about natural rights—that all individuals are born with the rights to life, liberty, and property—heavily influenced the amreican revolutionaries, especially Thomas Jefferson

Adam Smith

a scottish economist and philosopher. he is considered the father of modern economics, and his work, The Wealth of Nations, laid the groundwork for modern capitalism and influenced American economic thought

Enlightenment

Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement in the 18th century that emphasized reason, individualism, and scientific inquiry. enlightenment ideas, particularly those of John Locke, heavily influenced the American revolution and the drafting of the declaration of independence and the constitution

Articles of confederation

the first government of the united states established in 1781. the articles created a weal central government with limited powers, and most of the power was held by the individual states. the government under the articles proved to be too weak to effectively govern the new nation

Land of ordinance of 1785

a law passed under the articles of confederation that established a system for surveying and selling western lands. the law divided the land into township and sections

Northwest ordinance of 1787

a law that established a process for admitting new states to the union from the northwest territory. the ordinance also banned slavery in the territory, a significant decision that laid the groundwork for future conflicts over the issue

shay’s rebellion

an armed uprising of farmers in massachusetts in 1786 and 1787, led by Daniel Shays. the rebellion was a protest against high taxes and debt, and it highlighted the weakness of the central government under the articles of confederation. the rebellion helped to convinve many that a stronger national government was needed

Annapolish Convention

a meeting of delegates from five states in 1786 to discuss interstate trade issues. the meeting was a failure, but the delegates. including alexander hamilton and james madison, called for a larger convention to revise the articles of confederation

Constitutional convention

a meeting held in philadelphia in 1787 to revise the artcles of confederation. the delegates, instead of revising the articles, drafted a new constitution that created a stronger federal government with three branches

James madison

an american statesman and a key figure in the drafitn gof the constitution. also known as the “father of the constitution” for his extensive work on the documment and his role in its ratification. he later served as the fourth president of the united states

Alexander Hamilton

an american statesman and on eof the founding Fathers. he was a key figure in the constitutional convention and a leading advocate for a strong federal government. as the first secretary of the treasury, he established the nation’s financial system

Natural rights theory

a philosophical concept that individuals are bron with inherit, inalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and property. this theory, popularized by John locke, was a major influence on the declaration of independence and the bill of rights

Republicanism

a political ideology centered on the idea that citizens should be governed by a system in which the head of state is elected by the people. it emphasized civic virtue, public service, and a government of laws rather than men

Virginia plan

A proposal at the constitutional convention for a new constitution that would create a strong national government. the plan called for a bicameral legislature with a representation based on a state’s population

New jersey plan

a proposal at the constitutional convention that called for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of population. This plan was favored by smaller states who feared being dominated by larger ones

Connecticut Plan/Great Compromise

A compromise between the Virginia and New Jersey plans. the compromise created a bicameral legislature with a house of representatives based on a state’s population and a senate with equal representation for each state

Three-fifths compromise

an agreement at the constitutional convention that as determined that three-fifths of the enslaved population would be counted for both taxation and representation purposes. the compromise helped resolve the debate between Northern and Southern states over the issue of slavery

electoral college

the system used to elect the president and vice president of the United States. it is a body of electors chosen by each state, with the number of electors based on the state’s congressional representation

Federalists

A political faction in the late 18th century who supported the ratification of the constitution and advocated for a strong central government.

Anti-Federalists

A political faction that opposed the ratification of the constritution. they were concerned that the constittion created a national government that was too powerful and that it did not include a bill of rights to protect individual liberties.

The federalist papers

a series of 85 essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to defend the constitution and encourage its ratification. the essays are considered a key resource for unnderstanding the intentions of the constitution’s framers.

Bill of rights

the first ten amendments to the United states Constitution. the Amendments were added to the constitution to protect individual liberties and to address the concerns of the anti-federalists

Judiciary Act of 1789

law that established the federal court system, including the supreme court and a system of lower federal courts. The law as a key step in organizing the new government under the constitution.

Thomas jefferson (as Secretary of State & VP)

Served as the first secretary of state under George Washington and second Vice President under John Adams. He was a leading figure in the Democratic-Republican Party and a strong advocate for states’ rights and a limited federal government

Hamilton’s financial plan

a series of proposals by Treasury secretary alexander hamilton to strengthen the new nation’s economy. the plan included assuming state debts, creating a national bank, and implementing a protective tariff to promote American industry

Federalism

a system of government in which power is divided between a central government and regional governmens. the United states constitution created a federal system that balanced power between the federal government and the states

pennsylvania Gradual emancipation law

1780. one of the first laws in the US to abolish slavery. the law provided for the gradual emancipation of enslaved people born after the law’s passage, demonstrative a growing anti-slavery movement in the North

Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)

declaration by president George washington that the US would not take sides in the ongoing war between Great Britain and France. the proclamation was a key part of washington’s foreign policy and set a precedent for american neutrality in foreign conflicts

Jay treaty (1794)

a treaty between the US and great britain that sought to resolve outstanding issues from the American revolution. the treaty was controversial but helped to avoid war with great britain and secured a promise from britain to withdrawl its troops from the western territories

pinckney treaty (1795)

treaty between the US and Spain that granted the US the right to navigate the Mississippi River and use the port of New orleans. the treaty was a major diplomatic victory for the us and opened up the west for settlement

Whiskey Rebellion

1794 uprising of farmers in western pennsylvania in protest of federal tax on whiskey. president George washington led federal troops to supress the rebellion, demonstrating the new government’s power to enforce its laws

Democratic-republican party

a political party founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in opposition to the federalist party. the party favored the states’ rights, a limited federal government, and an agrarian economy

Federalist party

a political party founded by alexander hamilton. the party supported a strong central government, a national bank, and apro business economic policy

Washington’s farewell address

1796 letter written by president George washington to the American people as he was leaving office. in the address, washington warned against the dangers of political parties and urged the US to avoid entangling alliances with foreign nations

XYZ affair

a diplomatic incident in 1797 in which French officials demanded a bribe from american diplomats to being negotiations. the incident outraged Americans and led to an undeclared naval war with France, known as the Quasi-war

Kentucky and virginia resolutions

a series of resolutions passed by the kentucky and virginia legislatures in 1798 and 1799 in response to the Alien and Sedation acts. the resolutions, written by thomas jefferson and james madison, argued that the states had the right to nullify federal laws the considered unconstitutional.