Period 3 Apush

Albany Plan of Union

1754, Benjamin Franklin’s proposal to unite the colonies under one central government for defense and trade : First attempt at colonial unity, rejected but later used as a model for cooperation during the Revolution.

Salutary Neglect

British policy (1607–1763) of loosely enforcing trade laws and allowing colonial self-rule : Gave colonies practice in self-government, ended after 1763 which fueled resistance.

French & Indian War (Seven Years War)

War between Britain and France (1754–1763) over North American territory, with Native allies : Britain won, France lost territory, Britain gained debt and taxed colonies, sparking colonial resistance.

Pontiac’s Rebellion

1763 Native American uprising led by Pontiac against British expansion into Ohio River Valley : Led to Proclamation Line of 1763 and British fear of further uprisings.

Proclamation Line of 1763

British proclamation banning settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains : Angered colonists, one of the first large-scale grievances leading toward Revolution.

Stamp Act Congress

1765 colonial meeting protesting the Stamp Act, declaring “no taxation without representation” : Showed united colonial resistance and set precedent for organized opposition.

Sons and Daughters of Liberty

Colonial groups resisting British taxation through boycotts, intimidation, and home manufacturing : Mobilized public opinion and coordinated resistance, key in repealing Stamp Act.

Samuel Adams

Revolutionary leader, founder of Sons of Liberty, organizer of Boston Tea Party : Master propagandist who rallied colonial resistance against Britain.

Committees of Correspondence

Colonial groups formed to spread information and coordinate resistance : Built unity across colonies and laid groundwork for Continental Congress.

Intolerable Acts

1774 British laws punishing Massachusetts by closing Boston Harbor and reducing self-rule : Infuriated colonists, united them against Britain, escalated push toward Revolution.

Sugar Act

1764 tax on sugar and luxuries, aimed to raise revenue and curb smuggling : Colonists resented restrictions on trade, fueling anger at Parliament.

Quartering Act

Required colonists to house and feed British soldiers : Increased resentment toward Britain and sense of lost liberty.

Stamp Act

1765 direct tax on printed materials to raise money for British troops : Provoked mass protests and creation of Sons of Liberty, spurred arguments for representation.

Declaratory Act

1766 law repealing Stamp Act but asserting Parliament’s authority over colonies : Highlighted growing disconnect and set stage for further conflict.

Townshend Acts

1767 taxes on tea, glass, and paper, plus expanded searches for smuggling : Heightened tensions, fueled boycotts, and increased British oversight.

Tea Act

1773 law making British East India Company tea cheaper than smuggled tea : Led to Boston Tea Party and symbolized resistance to British taxation.

Coercive Acts

1774 British laws punishing Boston for Tea Party (same as Intolerable Acts) : Pushed colonists closer to rebellion by restricting liberties.

John Locke

Enlightenment philosopher advocating natural rights (life, liberty, property) : His ideas directly shaped the Declaration of Independence.

Social Contract

Political theory by Locke/Rousseau that government exists by consent of the governed : Colonists used it to justify independence when Britain violated rights.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Enlightenment thinker who emphasized popular sovereignty and direct democracy : Influenced American ideals of republicanism and self-rule.

Thomas Paine

Author of Common Sense (1776) : Persuaded colonists to support independence, spreading revolutionary ideas widely.

Olive Branch Petition

1775 colonial appeal to King George III for peace : Its rejection proved reconciliation was impossible and war inevitable.

Thomas Jefferson

Main author of the Declaration of Independence : Embedded Enlightenment principles in America’s founding, key revolutionary leader.

Battles of Lexington and Concord

April 1775 first battles of Revolutionary War : “Shot heard ’round the world,” beginning of armed conflict.

Minutemen

Colonial militia trained to fight at a minute’s notice : Symbol of grassroots resistance, fought at Lexington and Concord.

Republican Motherhood

Post-Revolutionary belief that women should instill civic virtue in children : Expanded women’s role in education and political culture indirectly.

Abigail Adams

Wife of John Adams, early advocate for women’s rights : Urged her husband to “remember the ladies,” symbol of women’s early political voice.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Law dividing western lands into townships for sale and education : Established orderly settlement and public schooling system.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Created system for admitting new states in Northwest Territory : Banned slavery there, set precedent for expansion.

Shay’s Rebellion

1786–87 uprising of Massachusetts farmers protesting taxes and foreclosures : Exposed weakness of Articles of Confederation, spurred call for stronger government.

Federalists

Supporters of Constitution and strong central government (Hamilton, Madison, Jay) : Advocated ratification and shaped U.S. government structure.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of Constitution fearing central tyranny : Demanded Bill of Rights, strengthened protections for individual liberty.

The Federalist Papers

Essays by Hamilton, Madison, Jay supporting Constitution : Influenced ratification and constitutional interpretation.

Federalism

Division of power between state and federal governments : Core U.S. principle balancing authority and preventing tyranny.

Virginia Plan

Constitutional proposal for representation based on population : Favored large states, became basis of House of Representatives.

New Jersey Plan

Proposal for equal representation regardless of population : Favored small states, became basis of Senate.

The Great Compromise

Merged Virginia and New Jersey Plans into bicameral legislature : Balanced interests of large and small states, shaped Congress.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement to count enslaved people as 3/5 for representation/taxes : Temporarily resolved sectional disputes, entrenched slavery.

Separation of Powers

Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches : Prevents tyranny, foundational to U.S. Constitution.

Bill of Rights

First 10 Amendments guaranteeing individual rights : Secured ratification and protected freedoms like speech and religion.

Amendments

Formal changes to the Constitution : Allowed adaptation over time (e.g., abolition, women’s suffrage).

National Bank

Created by Hamilton in 1791 to stabilize U.S. economy : Sparked debate over loose vs. strict interpretation of Constitution.

Judiciary Act 1789

Established federal courts and Supreme Court system : Organized judiciary branch and clarified authority.

Washington’s Farewell Address

1796 warning against parties and foreign alliances : Shaped U.S. political traditions and foreign policy for decades.

Alien and Sedition Acts

1798 laws restricting immigrants and limiting dissent : Seen as Federalist overreach, fueled opposition.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

Jefferson and Madison’s response to Alien/Sedition Acts, claiming states could nullify laws : Early assertion of states’ rights vs. federal authority.

Proclamation of Neutrality

1793 Washington policy keeping U.S. neutral in France-Britain war : Set precedent for avoiding European entanglements.

Citizen Genet

French diplomat trying to recruit Americans into French war effort : Tested U.S. neutrality, caused controversy.

Pinckney Treaty

1795 agreement with Spain giving U.S. access to Mississippi River and New Orleans : Boosted trade and eased tensions with Spain.

XYZ Affair

1797 scandal where French agents demanded bribes to negotiate : Outraged Americans and led to quasi-war with France.

Cotton Gin

1793 invention by Eli Whitney to separate cotton fibers from seeds : Revolutionized cotton production, expanded slavery in the South.