Unit 3 APUSH Vocab

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Seven Years War

A massive conflict that stretched across Europe, North America, and India that occurred due to competing interests in those regions; the North American portion of the war is known as the French and Indian War

American Revolution

The rebellion against British rule in the 13 colonies that led to the war for independence; resulted in the creation of the United States of America, a sovereign country no longer a part of the British Empire

Loyalist

A colonist who sought to remain a part of the British Empire; disapproved of fighting for independence

Patriot

A colonist who sought to challenge the status quo and bring an end to British rule over the 13 colonies

Declaration of Independence

The 1776 document created by the Continental Congress that declared the 13 Colonies as an independent country—-the United States of America—-even though it lacked recognition and maintained status as a British colony governed by the Crown

Continental Army

A unified military force created by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 to fight for the Patriot cause against the British in the Revolutionary War

Federalists

Proponents of the then-proposed U.S. Constitution and a strong central government

Anti-Federalists

Sought to prevent the establishment of a powerful central government in favor of political power localized in the states, fearing that such a government would threaten individual liberties and the rights of states

Constitutional Convention

The formal assembly of delegates from all over the U.S. that created the U.S. Constitution, replacing the Articles of Confederation

Federalist Papers

A collection of articles & essays that advocated for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and countered the arguments of the anti-Federalists

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

A fundamental pamphlet that argued for the American colonies to declare independence from Great Britain as doing so was common sense

Articles of Confederation

The United States’s first constitution and attempt at government (it ultimately failed)

Federalism

A government system where a large overarching federal government unites and rules the land, which is divided into various subdivisions like states with their own governments

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, which outlined fundamental freedoms to the American people

Northwest Ordinance

An act by the Confederation Congress that established a government for the Northwest Territory (modern-day Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, & part of Minnesota), provided a process for admitting new states, expanded public education, and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory

Republican Motherhood

The idea that women were responsible for teaching republican ideals to their children, giving women a new importance in political life in the U.S.

Frontier Culture

The diverse and evolving cultural practices, social structures, and economic adaptations that developed as settlers moved westward across North America, marked by individualism, self-sufficiency, community cooperation, and conflict with Native Americans