PERIOD 3 APUSH

Key vocabulary and concepts from lecture notes on the American Revolution and early Republic.

Albany Plan of Union

A plan developed by Benjamin Franklin for an intercolonial government and a system for recruiting troops and collecting taxes for their common defense, adopted by delegates from 7 colonies but ultimately failing due to colonial taxation power jealousy.

French and Indian War Context

Part of a series of four global wars between European colonial powers (Britain, France, Spain) for supremacy in the West Indies and Canada, and to dominate colonial trade.

Direct Cause of the French and Indian War

French provocation by building forts in the Ohio River Valley to halt British westward growth, leading to a military encounter involving George Washington.

British Military Strategy (William Pitt)

Focused on conquering Canada, leading to victories such as the retaking of Louisbourg, the surrender of Quebec, and the taking of Montreal by 1760.

Peace of Paris (1763)

Extended British control over North America, virtually ending French power. Britain acquired French Canada and Spanish Florida, while France ceded Louisiana to Spain.

British View of Colonial Military Effort

Low opinion of colonial military, considering the American militia poorly trained and noting the refusal of some colonies to contribute troops or money.

Colonists' View of Military Performance

Developed confidence in their ability to provide for their own defense and were unimpressed with British troops and their warfare methods.

British Colonial Policy After French and Indian War

Aimed at solving Britain's domestic financial problems by making American colonies bear more of the cost of maintaining the British empire, leading to increased colonial taxes.

Sugar Act (1764)

Taxed sugar and molasses (indirect tax).

Stamp Act (1765)

Taxed all documents, newspapers, pamphlets, and books (direct tax), leading to the organization of the Sons of Liberty and colonial resistance.

Declaratory Acts and Townshend Acts (1767)

Acts passed by Parliament asserting their right to tax the colonies.

Boston Massacre (1770)

British soldiers fired into a crowd, igniting hatred against the British, later defended by John Adams in court.

Boston Tea Party (1773)

Sons of Liberty dumped English tea into the harbor in protest of taxes.

Intolerable Acts (1774)

Included closing Boston Harbor, canceling the Massachusetts Bay Colony charter, offering toleration to French Catholics, and forcing colonists to house British soldiers.

First Continental Congress (1774)

Delegates from all colonies (except Georgia) met to discuss tensions.

Second Continental Congress (1775)

Appointed George Washington commander of the Continental Army.

Common Sense

Thomas Paine's pamphlet that rallied the people for independence.

Declaration of Independence

Signed July 4th, 1776, after much debate, declaring the colonies' independence.

Republicanism

A just society where citizens subordinate private interests to the common good, inspired by ancient Greece and Rome.

Radical Whigs

Warned against the threat to liberty posed by the power of the king and his ministers, urging citizens to be on guard against corruption.

Battle of Saratoga (1777)

Decisive colonial victory in upstate New York that helped secure French support for the Revolutionary cause.

Battle of Yorktown (1781)

Washington, with French aid, besieged Cornwallis, leading to his surrender and marking a crucial victory.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

British formally recognized American Independence and ceded territory east of the Mississippi.

Shays’ Rebellion (1786)

Showed the dangers of a weak government and led to calls for a stronger federal government.

Articles of Confederation

Intentionally weak government created during the Revolution, lacking federal taxation powers, power to regulate trade, and power to raise an army.

Land Ordinance & Northwest Ordinance (1787)

Set settlement guidelines, including creating schools and a process for admitting new states; also forbid the extension of slavery into the Old Northwest.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Every 5 slaves counts as 3 persons toward state population.

Great Compromise

Two chambers in Congress: the Senate (equal representation) and the House of Representatives (based on population).

federalists

Want POWER in National Government

Anti-Federalists

Want POWER in state governments

Hamilton's Financial Plan

Includes Congress assuming states' debt, Whiskey Tax & Tariff (1789), and establishment of a National Bank.

Washington's Farewell Address

Warned against foreign alliances, political parties, and sectionalism.

XYZ Affair (1797)

Diplomatic conflict with France involving bribery demands, leading to a 'Quasi War'.

Alien & Sedition Acts (1798)

Allowed deportation of 'dangerous foreigners' and punished critics of the Federalists.

Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions

Statements arguing that states could nullify national legislation deemed unconstitutional.

Jay’s Treaty (1794)

Unpopular, pro-British treaty that granted 'most favored nation' status but restricted US commercial access to the British West Indies.