Unit 3: 1754-1800

French and Indian War

A war in North America between France and Britain (both aided by indian tribes).

Albany Plan of Union

Ben Franklin's plan to unite the colonies under one government to defeat France, also to raise taxes for defense and recruit more troops. Set precedent for establishing the future continental congress.

Pontiac's Rebellion

1763 - An Indian uprising after the French and Indian War, led by an Ottawa chief named Pontiac. They opposed British expansion into the western Ohio Valley and began destroying British forts in the area. The attacks ended when Pontiac was killed.

Proclamation of 1763

A proclamation from the British government which forbade British colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Sugar Act

law passed by the British Parliament setting taxes on molasses and sugar imported by the colonies.

Stamp Act

1765 law that taxed printed goods, including playing cards, documents, newspapers, etc.

Townshend Acts

A tax that the British Parliament placed on leads, glass, paint and tea.

Tea Act

1773 act which eliminated import tariffs on tea entering England and allowed the British East India Company to sell directly to consumers rather than through merchants. Led to the Boston Tea Party.

Coercive Acts

This series of laws were very harsh laws that intended to make Massachusetts pay for its resistance. It also closed down the Boston Harbor until the Massachusetts colonists paid for the ruined tea. Also forced Bostonians to shelter soldiers in their own homes. (Series of 4 laws.)

Continental Congress

The legislative assembly composed of delegates from the rebel colonies who met during and after the American Revolution

Stamp Act Congress

A meeting of delegations from many of the colonies, the congress was formed to protest the newly passed Stamp Act It adopted a declaration of rights as well as sent letters of complaints to the king and parliament, and it showed signs of colonial unity and organized resistance.

Homespun Movement

movement begun by Gandhi (India) to boycott British goods by making cloth at home.

Boston Tea Party

protest against increased tea prices in which colonists dumped british tea into boston harbor

Tarring and Feathering

used to frighten tax collectors; often accompanied by pouring hot tea down their throats

John Locke's Two Treatises on Government

The essay written by English philosopher and political theorist John Locke that explained a "social contract" theory which proposed that men form a social contract to agree to create a government to protect their natural rights of life, liberty and property.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

"Social Contract" he explained an ideal society where each community member would vote on issues and majority would become one law.

Montesquieu (tripartite system)

separation of powers

Society Divisions

Patriots (pro-independence), Loyalists (Loyal to britain), Neutral (Rural, removed from fighting)

Battle of Saratoga

Turning point of the American Revolution. It was very important because it convinced the French to give the U.S. military support. It lifted American spirits, ended the British threat in New England by taking control of the Hudson River, showed the French that the Americans had the potential to beat their enemy.

Yorktown

Last battle of the war of independence in 1789 where the British surrendered.

Layfayette

French nobleman and one of Washingtons most trustful friends

De Grasse

french naval officer who assaulted the British at Yorktown

Articles of Confederation

A weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary War. Set precedent for outlawing slavery.

Northwest Ordinance

Law that described how the Northwest Territory was to be governed

Constitution debate topics

Presidency, some thought it was too monarchy. Representation, small v large states. Slavery, count towards population for representation or not.

Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail.

New Jersey Plan

A constitutional proposal that would have given each state one vote in a new congress. (Weak national government)

Virginia Plan

"Large state" proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress. (Strong national government)

Great Compromise

Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature and representation based on population in the other house

3/5 Compromise

Each slave would count for 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation purposes

Federalists

A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures, strong central government and loose interpretation of constitution.

Antifederalists

Opponents of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government, generally.

Democratic-Republicans

An early political party headed by Thomas Jefferson; stood for less centralized government (another term for antifederalists)

Hamilton's National Bank

The establishment of a national bank modelled after the Bank of England; Hamilton argued that creating a bank was an "implied power" within the Constitution. Virtually all northern Congressmen voting for the bank while almost all southern Congressmen voted against it

Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)

a statement in the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8) granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.

Washington's Farewell Address

Warned Americans not to get involved in European affairs, not to make permanent alliances, not to form political parties and to avoid sectionalism.

XYZ Affair

An insult to the American delegation when they were supposed to be meeting French foreign minister, Talleyrand, but instead they were sent 3 officials Adams called "X,Y, and Z" that demanded $250,000 as a bribe to see Talleyrand.

Quasi War

Undeclared war fought entirely at sea between the United States and France from 1798 to 1800. The French began to seize American ships trading with their British enemies and refused to receive a new United States minister when he arrived in Paris in December 1796.

Indian Trade and Intercourse Acts

Series of laws designed to promote better relations between Indians and whites, made provisions for fair dealings.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, some states refused to ratify the constitution if it wasn't added.

Boston Massacre

The first bloodshed of the American Revolution (1770), as British guards at the Boston Customs House opened fire on a crowd killing five Americans.

Declaration of Independence

the document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain

Sons of Liberty

A radical political organization for colonial independence which formed in 1765 after the passage of the Stamp Act. The Sons leaders included Samuel Adams and Paul Revere.

Jay Treaty with England

Prevented war with Great Britain after the British were seizing ships and causing trade problems. The British agreed to remove troops from American territory.

Pinckney Treaty with Spain

1. The US could use the Mississippi River for trade
2. The US could use the port of New Orleans
3. All land east of the Mississippi River is America's

(Treaty of San Lorenzo)