APUSH Unit 3 (1754–1800): Colonial Tensions, Revolution, and Federal Foundations

French and Indian War / Seven Years' War (1754-1763)

Caused by British expansion into French-claimed land in the Ohio River Valley. George Washington's militiamen fired the first shots in 1754. Britain won, removing France from North America.

Pontiac's Rebellion (1763)

Native American conflict with British colonists expanding westward following the French defeat.

Proclamation Line of 1763 (1763)

British declaration prohibiting colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, creating friction with colonists.

End of Salutary Neglect (1763)

Facing massive war debt, Great Britain ended its policy of loose enforcement of trade laws and took a direct role in colonial taxation and governance.

Sugar Act (1764)

Placed new taxes on foreign sugar to pay off war debts, marking an initial step away from salutary neglect.

Stamp Act (1765)

Placed direct taxes on paper goods and legal documents, sparking widespread colonial protest over 'taxation without representation'.

Quartering Act (1765)

Required colonists to provide food and housing for British soldiers.

Townshend Acts (1767)

Series of parliamentary measures taxing goods imported to the American colonies, stirring further resistance.

Tea Act (1773)

Granted a monopoly on tea sales to the British East India Company, leading to the Boston Tea Party.

Coercive Acts / 'Intolerable Acts' (1774)

British response to the Boston Tea Party that closed Boston Harbor and imposed martial law in Massachusetts.

Stamp Act Congress (1765)

Early collective organization by colonial leaders to petition against British taxation.

Committees of Correspondence (1772)

Intercolonial shadow governments organized to coordinate resistance efforts.

First Continental Congress (1774)

Meeting of delegates from twelve colonies in response to the Coercive Acts.

Outbreak of War (1775)

Armed conflict began with confrontations between British forces and colonial minutemen at Lexington and Concord.

Common Sense (1776)

Pamphlet published by Thomas Paine urging colonists to declare independence, heavily influencing political thought.

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Formal statement drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson enumerating grievances against King George III, drawing on Enlightenment concepts of natural rights and consent of the governed.

Battle of Saratoga (1777)

Major American victory that proved to be the turning point, securing formal French military and financial alliance.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Formally ended the Revolutionary War, with Great Britain recognizing the independence of the United States.

Articles of Confederation (Ratified 1781)

First national government framework; created a weak central government without an executive branch or power to tax.

Paxton Boys (1763) & Shays' Rebellion (1786-1787)

Unrest highlighting western border tensions and the economic instability/weakness of the federal government under the Articles.

Northwest Ordinance (1787)

Established a structured pathway for territorial statehood once a population reached 60,000 and permanently banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

Delegates met in Philadelphia to replace the Articles with a new governing document providing checks and balances among three branches.

Great Compromise

Established a bicameral legislature.

Three-Fifths Compromise & Slave Trade Compromise

Addressed state representation and delayed federal action on slave importation.

Ratification Debates & Federalist Papers (1787-1788)

Essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay advocating ratification; resolved when Federalists promised to add a Bill of Rights.

Washington's Presidency (1789-1797)

Established key executive precedents.

Neutrality Proclamation (1793)

Declared America neutral in European wars following the French Revolution.

Pinckney's Treaty (1795)

Secured navigation rights on the Mississippi River with Spain.

Jay Treaty (1795)

Resolved remaining conflicts with Great Britain, though unpopular with the public.

Farewell Address (1796)

Warned the nation against political factions and foreign entanglements.

Federalists

Led by Alexander Hamilton; favored a strong central government and a national bank.

Democratic-Republicans

Led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison; favored states' rights and strict constitutional interpretation.

Adams' Presidency & Alien/Sedition Acts (1798)

Federalist laws criminalizing government criticism, passed during conflict with France.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (1798-1799)

Authored anonymously by Jefferson and Madison, asserting that states could challenge unconstitutional federal laws.

Election of 1800 (1800)

Thomas Jefferson elected president, marking a peaceful transfer of power between political parties.

Pennsylvania Gradual Emancipation Law (1780)

Early legislative step toward abolishing slavery in northern states following revolutionary ideals.

Republican Motherhood (Post-1776)

Cultural expectation for women to instill republican values and civic virtue in children, leading to expanded educational opportunities for women.