Neil Melwani - APUSH Period 3

What were the key concepts leading to the American Revolution?

Key Concept 3.1: British control and colonial self-government; Key Concept 3.2: Revolutionary ideals inspiring new government forms; Key Concept 3.3: Migration and resource competition intensifying conflicts.

What was the Seven Years' War?

A conflict between France and Britain from 1756-1765, where colonists fought alongside the British, resulting in British control over Canada and Florida.

What was the economic consequence of the Seven Years' War for Britain?

Britain emerged broke and began imposing larger taxes on the colonies to recover financially.

What was the theory of virtual representation?

The belief that each member of Parliament represented the entire empire, not just their district, leading to colonial discontent due to lack of direct representation.

What were the Writs of Assistance?

Legal documents allowing British officials to conduct random searches of private property for smuggled goods, raising colonial alarm.

What was the Sugar Act of 1764?

A British tax on sugar and molasses imported into the colonies, aimed at reducing smuggling and increasing revenue.

What was the Stamp Act of 1765?

A tax requiring colonists to purchase special stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, and other publications, leading to widespread protest.

What were the Townshend Acts of 1767?

A series of taxes on glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea, which further inflamed colonial resistance.

What was the Boston Tea Party?

A protest against the Tea Act in 1773 where the Sons of Liberty dumped 300 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor, costing the East India Company $4 million today.

What were the Intolerable Acts?

A series of punitive measures imposed by Britain in response to the Boston Tea Party, including the Boston Port Act and the Massachusetts Government Act.

What was the First Continental Congress?

A meeting in 1774 where colonial leaders discussed resistance to British sanctions and adopted the Continental Association to halt trade with Britain.

What sparked the outbreak of armed conflict in 1775?

The Battles of Lexington and Concord, known as 'the shot heard round the world,' marked the beginning of armed conflict between British troops and colonial militias.

Who led the Continental Army during the American Revolution?

General George Washington was appointed as the commander of the Continental Army.

What was the significance of Thomas Paine's pamphlet 'Common Sense'?

It rallied colonial support for independence by arguing against monarchy and for the cause of freedom, stating that 'the cause of America is the cause of all mankind.'

What document did Thomas Jefferson write and when was it ratified?

The Declaration of Independence, ratified on July 4, 1776.

How did the colonial press influence revolutionary ideas?

Pamphlets and newspapers were more effective than formal political documents in spreading Enlightenment ideas and rallying support for the revolution.

What role did the Sons and Daughters of Liberty play in the revolution?

They organized protests, boycotts, and disseminated revolutionary literature to galvanize public support against British policies.

What was the purpose of the Committees of Correspondence?

To facilitate cooperation among the colonies in resisting British taxation and policies.

What was the Boston Massacre?

An incident in 1770 where British troops killed five colonists during a confrontation, escalating tensions between Britain and the colonies.

What was the Quartering Act?

A law requiring colonies to provide housing and food for British soldiers stationed in America.

What was the significance of the Battle of Saratoga in 1777?

It was the first major colonial win against the British army, leading to French support for the U.S.

What event marked the end of the Revolutionary War?

The Treaty of Paris signed in 1783, which recognized colonial independence.

What was the Articles of Confederation?

The first written constitution of the U.S., drafted in 1777, aimed at balancing national coordination with fears of centralized power.

What were the major accomplishments under the Articles of Confederation?

The Land Ordinance of 1785 regulated land sales and established funds for public education; the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 allowed for the establishment of new states and prohibited slavery in the Northwest.

What was Shays' Rebellion?

An armed uprising led by Daniel Shays in 1786-1787, protesting oppressive tax collection and demonstrating the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

What was the outcome of the Constitutional Convention?

The creation of a three-branch government with a legislative branch (Congress), an executive branch (President), and a judiciary (Supreme Court) to prevent tyranny.

How did the Constitution address slavery?

The term 'slavery' is not used until the 13th amendment; it allowed states to regulate fugitive slave laws and delayed Congress's ability to stop the Transatlantic slave trade for 20 years.

What were the Federalist Papers?

A series of essays published by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison under the pen name Publius, supporting the Constitution and arguing for a strong central government.

What was Hamilton's financial plan?

It established the first National Bank, used taxes and tariffs to generate revenue, and aimed to lay the foundation for U.S. finance.

What was the Jefferson-Hamilton bargain?

An agreement where the South accepted Hamilton's financial plan in exchange for the U.S. capital being located between Maryland and Virginia.

What was the XYZ Affair?

A diplomatic incident that caused tensions between the U.S. and France during John Adams' presidency.

What were the Alien and Sedition Acts?

Laws that tightened restrictions on foreign-born Americans and limited speech critical of the government during Adams' presidency.

What was the significance of Marbury v. Madison?

The first major Supreme Court decision that established the doctrine of judicial review by declaring an act of Congress unconstitutional.

What was the outcome of the Louisiana Purchase?

It doubled the size of the U.S., blocked further colonization by Spain and France, and expanded slavery.

What triggered the War of 1812?

Territorial disputes between the U.S. and Great Britain.

How did the definition of 'freedom' change between Periods 2 and 3?

Two ways it changed include the expansion of rights to more groups and the growing recognition of economic freedoms; it remained the same in the emphasis on individual liberty and the pursuit of happiness.