APUSH - Period 3 (1754-1800)

French and Indian War

A conflict between the British, French, and American Indians for economic and political advantage in North America, resulting in Britain defeating France and its allies.

Albany Plan of Union

Proposed by Ben Franklin in 1754, aimed to create a unified government system for recruiting troops and collecting taxes, but was not enacted due to colonial opposition.

Pontiac’s Rebellion

Chief Pontiac led attacks against colonial settlements in 1763 due to American Indians' discontent with European settlers moving westward.

Proclamation of 1763

Issued to prevent colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains to avoid conflicts with American Indians, leading to colonial dissatisfaction.

Stamp Act

Enacted in 1765, required stamps on printed materials in the colonies, leading to protests against taxation without representation and the formation of the Stamp Act Congress.

Sons & Daughters of Liberty

Secret society intimidating tax agents, destroying revenue stamps, and opposing British policies, contributing to the repeal of the Stamp Act.

Boston Massacre

Occurred in 1770 when British soldiers fired into a crowd in Boston, resulting in the death of five colonists and increased anti-British sentiment.

Boston Tea Party

Protest in 1773 where colonists, disguised as Native Americans, dumped British tea into the harbor to oppose the Tea Act and assert their rights.

Coercive or “Intolerable” Acts

Enacted in 1774 to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, including the closure of the Boston port and increased British control over the colony.

Quebec Act

Passed in 1774, extended the boundaries of Quebec, established Roman Catholicism as the official religion, and limited representative government, leading to colonial resentment.

Taxation without representation

The concept that the colonists were being taxed by the British government without having any representation in the decision-making process, leading to growing discontent and conflict.

Common Sense

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776, advocating for American independence from British rule and criticizing the monarchy, contributing to the shift in colonial thinking towards independence.

Declaration of Independence

A document drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, declaring the American colonies' independence from Britain and outlining the principles of natural rights and self-governance, marking a significant turning point in the American Revolution.

Battle of Saratoga

A crucial American victory in 1777 that persuaded France to openly support the colonists in their fight against Britain, leading to a significant turning point in the war.

Treaty of Paris, 1783

The treaty signed in Paris in 1783, officially recognizing the United States as an independent nation, establishing boundaries, and outlining terms for peace with Britain after the American Revolution.

Voting Rights

Only white males who owned a minimum amount of property were allowed to vote in the former colonies, with property requirements varying based on the position sought.

Separation of Powers

State constitutions included a separation of powers with three branches - legislative, executive, and judicial - to prevent tyranny and provide checks and balances.

Republican Motherhood

Women were expected to instill patriotic values in their children and shape the next generation's support for the republic during the Revolutionary War.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, established in 1777, created a central government with one Congress, but faced issues like financial problems and lack of taxing power.

Northwest Ordinance

Passed in 1787, this law set rules for creating new states, provided limited self-government, and prohibited slavery in the region between the Great Lakes and the Ohio River.

Shays Rebellion

A revolt in 1786 led by Captain Daniel Shays against high state taxes, debt imprisonment, and lack of paper money, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention

Delegates from the states met in 1787 to propose a constitution, leading to compromises like the Connecticut Compromise on representation and the 3/5 compromise on counting enslaved individuals in the population.

3/5 Compromise

Stated that only three out of the five enslaved people would be counted in the state's population, and the slave trade would be abolished after 1808.

Commercial Commerce Compromise

Gave Congress the right to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, including taxation on imports but not on exports.

Electoral College

System where electors from each state choose the president, fearing direct democracy's potential for mob rule.

Structure of US Gov’t

Includes a strong executive branch, bicameral legislature, and independent judiciary, with George Washington as the first president.

Republican Form of Government

Power held by the people, who elect representatives to serve their interests, ensuring each state has a republican government.

Federalism

Divides powers between central and regional governments, allowing federal aid to states and setting regulations.

Checks & Balances

Prevents one branch from becoming too powerful, with mechanisms like presidential veto, congressional confirmation, and judicial review.

Separation of Powers

Divides powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent tyranny and ensure balance.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution and strong federal government, including key figures like Washington, Franklin, and Hamilton.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed a strong central government, fearing loss of democracy and individual rights, with leaders like Mason and Henry.

Federalist Papers

Persuasive essays by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay supporting the Constitution and its major provisions.

Bill of Rights

Added to the Constitution to protect individual freedoms, including religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Washington’s Administration

Organized with executive, legislative, and judicial branches, including key figures like Jefferson and Hamilton.

Judiciary Act, 1789

Established federal courts, structured the Supreme Court, and defined its powers to review state court decisions.

Alexander Hamilton

First Secretary of the Treasury, implemented a financial plan to stabilize the US economy through debt repayment, industry protection, and a national bank.

First National Bank

Chartered by the federal government to stabilize the economy, print currency, and stimulate business growth.

Washington’s Presidency Challenges

Faced conflicts due to European and Native American presence in North America, including issues with France.

French Revolution

A period of radical social and political change in France, supported by the American public due to similarities with the American Revolution against Britain.

Jay Treaty of 1794

Treaty between the US and Britain negotiated by John Jay, aimed to resolve issues like ship seizures but faced criticism for not addressing British seizures of American merchant ships.

Pinckney Treaty

1795 treaty between the US and Spain, negotiated by Thomas Pinckney, granting the US rights to the lower Mississippi River and New Orleans for trade.

Battle of Fallen Timbers & Treaty of Greenville

Conflict in 1794 where US forces defeated Native American tribes, leading to the Treaty of Greenville in 1795 surrendering claims to Ohio territory.

Whiskey Rebellion

1794 event where farmers in PA rebelled against whiskey taxes, quelled by Washington's use of state militia, showcasing the government's authority.

First Party System

Emergence of political parties in the US, with Federalists supporting Hamilton's financial program and Democratic-Republicans backing Jefferson's policies.

Farewell Address

Washington's advice against permanent alliances, foreign entanglements, and political parties, setting precedents for future presidents.

XYZ Affair

Diplomatic incident where French ministers demanded bribes from the US, leading to public outrage and tensions with France during Adams' presidency.

Alien & Sedition Acts

Laws passed by Federalists restricting immigrants and limiting free speech, sparking opposition from Democratic-Republicans.

Revolution of 1800

Peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans after the election of 1800, marking a significant political shift in the US.

Regional and Economic Differences

Variances in attitudes towards slavery and its spread west between the North and the South, with the North leaning towards abolition and the South relying heavily on slave labor.

3/5 Compromise

Agreement during the early Republic where enslaved individuals were counted as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of taxation and representation, highlighting the contentious issue of slavery.

Slave Trade Debate

Discussion surrounding the continuation of the slave trade, leading to a compromise allowing it to persist for 20 more years before its abolition in 1808.

Economic Importance of Slavery

Recognition in the South of the economic necessity of slave labor for plantations, influencing their stance on maintaining slavery.

Evolution of Views on Slavery

Shift in attitudes post-Revolutionary War among slave owners in the South, viewing slavery as crucial to their economy and choosing to retain their slaves.

Abolition in Northern States

Progress in the North towards abolishing slavery, with many states already having prohibited the practice before Congress took steps towards its limitation and eventual abolition.