Time Period 3 (1754-1800)

French and Indian War

also called the Seven’s Year War; a conflict fought in North America, primarily involving British colonies and their Native American allies against the French and their own indigenous partners; significantly reshaped territorial claims in North America, leading to tensions that led to the American Revolution

Revolutionary War

a conflict between the American colonies and Great Britain from 1775 to 1783, resulting in the independence of the 13 American colonies and the establishment of the U.S.; war emerged from growing tensions over British control and colonial dissatisfaction with governance, leading to significant political, social, and ideological changes

Declaration of Independence

a document adopted on July 4, 1776, that declared the 13 American colonies independent from British rule and outlined the philosophical justification for revolution; reflects Enlightenment ideals

loyalists

colonists who remained loyal to Great Britain during the Revolutionary War, opposing the rebellion and seeking to maintain their ties with the British crown

Olive Branch Petition

a final attempt by the Secon Continental Congress in July 1775 to avoid a full-blown war with Great Britain; expressed loyalty to the British crown while also requesting redress of grievances, highlighting the colonists’ desire for peace and reconciliation despite escalating tensions

George Washington

the first President of the U.S. and a central figure in the founding of the nation; played a pivotal role in leading the American colonies to victory during the American Revolution and set key precedents for the presidency and the new government

Constitution

the foundational legal document that outlines the framework of the U.S. government, establishing the principles of democracy and the rule of law; serves as a guideline for how the government operates and protects individual rights

Bill of Rights

the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791, which outline and guarantee fundamental rights and freedoms for individuals; created to address the concerns of anti-federalists who feared that a strong central government would infringing upon personal liberties

federalists

supporters of a strong national government who advocated for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in the late 18th century; believed centralizing government was essential for maintaining order and ensuring the country’s survival

anti-federalists

a group of individuals in the late 18th century who opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, believing it gave too much power to the central government at the expense of state sovereignty and individual rights

Stamp Act 1765

imposed a tax on all printed materials, including newspaper, legal documents, and even playing cards

Declaratory Act

an act passed in 1766 by the British Parliament, stating that it had the right to legislate for the colonies ‘in all cases whatsoever’ following the repeal of the Stamp Act

Intolerable Acts

also known as the Coercive Acts; a series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party; these acts aimed to assert British authority over the American colonies and included measures such as closing Boston Harbor and revoking MA’s charter ~ heightened tensions between Britain and the colonies

Boston Tea Party

a protest by American colonists in December 1773 against British taxation, where they dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor

First Continental Congress

a gathering of colonial delegates in Sept. 1774 to address colonial grievances and organize resistance against British rule

Lexington and Concord

the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War, occurring in April 1775, marking the start of open conflict between Britain and the colonies

checks and balances

a system designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the powers of the others; ensures that the legislative executive, and judicial branches operate within their own spheres while providing oversight to maintain a balance of power

Benjamin Franklin

a founding father of the U.S.; played a crucial role in various key events including advocating for colonial unity during conflicts with Britain and contributing to the ideological foundations of the American Revolution through Enlightenment though

Treaty of Paris 1763

an agreement that ended the French and Indian War between Great Britain and France; resulted in significant territorial changes with Britain gaining control over Canada and Florida, while France ceded Louisiana to Spain

Proclamation of 1763

an order issued by King George III following the French and Indian War, which prohibited American colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mts.; aimed to stabilize relations with Native American tribes and control westward expansion

Sugar Act 1764

act imposed taxes on sugar and molasses

Townshend Acts 1767

imposed taxes on a variety of imported goods, including glass, lead, paint, and tea

Tea Act 1773

granted the British East Insia Company a monopoly on the sale of tea in the colonies and lowered the price of tea. led to the Boston Tea Party

“no taxation without representation”

a slogan widely sued by colonists to protest against British taxes and policies; based on the idea that the colonists should not be taxed by the British government unless they had representatives in Parliament who could advocate on their behalf

Sons of Liberty

a secret society formed by several prominent leaders such as Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and John Hancock; the group was formed to protect the rights of colonists and resist British control through boycotts, protests, and intimidation

Committee of Correspondence

a network of communication established among the American colonies in the early 1770s to coordinate responses to British policies and promote resistance against taxation without representation; played a crucial role in uniting the colonies by sharing information and mobilizing public opinion against British rule

Paul Revere

best known for his midnight ride on April 18, 1775, to warn the colonial militia of the approaching British forces; actions became symbolic of the growing resistance against British rule

Samuel Adams

one of the founding fathers of the U.S., known for his role in advocating for colonial rights and opposing British taxation without representation

Enlightenment

an intellectual and philosophical movement that emerged in the late 17th and 18th century, emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority; laid the groundwork for moder democratic though by promoting ideas about liberty, equality, and justice that would later influence revolutionary movements; belief that through reason and scientific inquiry, humanity could improve society and govern itself more effectively

natural rights

the fundamental rights that every individual possesses simply by being human; these rights include the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; emphasizes the idea that individuals have inherent rights that must be respected and protected by society and its institutions

John Locke

an Enlightenment philosopher whose ideas on natural rights and government greatly influenced the political landscape of the Enlightenment and the development of liberal democracy

Common Sense

a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776 that advocated for American independence from British rule; played a crucial role in shaping public opinion by arguing that it was common sense for the colonies to break away from a tyrannical government and establish their own democratic system; pamphlet used straightforward language

Second Continental Congress

a gathering of delegates from the 13 colonies that convened in Philadelphia in May 1775; acted as the de fact national government for the colonies, managing the war effort coordinating military actions, and adopted the Declaration of Independence

Alexander Hamilton

a founding father and the first Secretary of Treasury of the U.S., who played a crucial role in shaping the financial system and political landscape of the new republic; believed in a strong central government, economic development, and a national bank

Thomas Jefferson

the third President of the U.S. and a principal author of the Declaration of Independence, known for his strong advocacy of individual liberties and democratic principles

Boston Massacre

a confrontation between British soldiers and a group of American colonists in Boston 1770, between British soldiers and a group of colonial civilians, resulting in a death of five colonists ~ fueled anti-British sentiments and became a pivotal moment in the buildup to the American Rev.

Battle of Saratoga

fought in 1777, marked a pivotal turning point in the American Rev. as it resulted in a significant victory for the American forces against the British; boosted morale but also convinced French to enter the war as an ally of the colonies

Battle of Yorktown

the last major battle of the America Rev.; surrender of British forces

Treaty of Paris 1783

recognized the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the U.S. and set boundaries between the newly independent nation and British North America; the independence of the U.S. also served as an inspiration for many other colonies around the world that would later seek their won independence

Abagail Adams

the wife of John Adams; known for her strong advocacy for women’s rights and her political insight

Republican Motherhood

the idea that women have a vital role in shaping the morals and values of the nation by raising virtuous citizens; emerged in the late 18th century, emphasizing that while women were excluded from formal political power, their influence was crucial in fostering a strong republic through their role as mothers and educators of future generations

Articles of Confederation

the first written constitution of the U.S., ratified in 1781, which established a weak central government that lacked the power to tax or regulate trade; aimed to unify the 13 states but ultimately proved ineffective in addressing economic and political challenges

Land Ordinance of 1785

a significant legislative act that established a systematic process for surveying, selling, and settling land in the western territories of the U.S.; ordinance was crucial in promoting orderly expansion and development, creating a grid system for land division, and helping to raise funds for the federal government

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

a legislation enacted by the Congress of the Confederation that established framework for governing and admitting new states from the Northwest Territory; set forth the process for creating new states and outlined essential rights for settlers, reflecting the ideals of democracy and equal opportunity

Shay’s Rebellion

an armed uprising that took place in MA, led by Daniel Shay, protesting economic injustices and the lack of government response to the economic struggles faced by the farmers; highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, as the federal government was unable to effectively intervene of assist the states in quelling the uprising, leading to calls for a stronger national government

Constitutional Convention

a gathering of delegates in 1787 aimed at addressing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and creating a new framework for the U.S. government; resulted in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution

Virginia Plan

a proposal presented at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 that outlined a framework for a strong national government with a bicameral legislature, where representation would be based on population; aimed to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation by ensuring a more centralized and effective governmental structure, emphasizing larger states’ interests over smaller ones

New Jersey Plan

proposal presented at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 aimed at amending the Articles of Confederation rather than replacing them; advocated for a unicameral legislature where each state would have equal representation, regardless of population size

Great Compromise

combined elements of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan; established a bicameral legislature, lower house (House of Reps.) would be apportioned according to population, upper house (Senate) would have equal representation for each state (2 senators)

Three-Fifths Compromise

an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention that determine how slaves would be counted for representation and taxation purposes; allowed states to count three-fifths of their enslaved population when apportioning seats in the House of Reps.; gave Southern states more political power and acknowledged the existence of slavery within the framework of the new government

Electoral College

each state is allotted a number of electors based on its representation in Congress, and the candidate who receives a majority of electoral votes becomes president

Federalist Papers

a collection of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the Constitution; aimed to explain and defend the principles underlying the new Constitution while addressing concerns about the balance of power between the federal government and that states

tariff

taxes on imports

Whiskey Rebellion

a violent tax protest in the U.S. against the federal tax on whiskey; President Washington would send a militia and squash the uprising

Jay’s Treaty

an agreement between the U.S. and Great Britain aimed at resolving lingering issues from the American Rev. and stabilizing relations between the two nations; addressed matters such as British military presence in the Northwest Territory, trade disputes, and compensation for American shipowners

Farewell Address

a letter written by George Washington in 1796, where he announced his decision to step down from the presidency and shared his thoughts on the future of the U.S.; served as a guiding document for the young republic, emphasizing the importance of national unity, the dangers of political parties, and the need for a strong foreign policy

John Adams

the second President of the U.S., and a key figure in the founding of the nation; played a significant role in shaping the new government, advocating for independence, and establishing the principles that would guide the Republic

XYZ Affair

a diplomatic incident between the U.S. and France in the late 18th century, where American diplomats were approached by French agents demanding bribes for negotiation

Ailen and Sedition Acts

a set of four laws passed that aimed at restricting the activities of foreign residents and limiting dissent against the government (restricted free speech)

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

both of them were simply saying that the federal government had legally exceeded its power with the Ailed and Sedition Laws

Proclamation of Neutrality

a declaration by President Washington that the U.S. would remain neutral in the conflict between France and Great Britain; reflected Washington’s desire to keep the young nation out of foreign affairs and to focus on its domestic affairs, setting precedent for future U.S. foreign policy

Pontiac’s Rebellion

an uprising that took place in 1763, led by the Ottawa chief Pontiac, in response to British policies and encroachments on Native American lands after the conclusion of the Seven Years’ War; marked a significant moment in the struggle between Native Americans and European settlers

federalism

a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units (states)

Albany Plan of Union

a proposal for the unification of the American colonies under a centralized government, primarily aimed at coordinating colonial defense during the French and Indian War; proposed by Ben Franklin, it sought to create a council with representatives from each colony to oversee common affairs ~ plan was ultimately rejected, it marked an early attempt at intercolonial cooperation and laid the groundwork for future unification efforts

George Grenville

the British Prime Minister; to obtain funds for Britain after the Seven Years War, in 1763 he ordered the Navy to enforce the Navigation Laws; in 1764 he got Parliament to pass the Sugar Act; in 1765 brough about the Quartering Act

Stamp Act Congress

a gathering of representatives from various American colonies to organize opposition against the Stamp Act; marked a significant moment in colonial unity, as it was one of the first collective responses to British taxation, emphasizing the principle of ‘no taxation without representation’ and setting the stage for future resistance against British rule

Quartering Act

a law passed by the British Parliament in the 18th century that required American colonists to provide housing and supplies to British soldiers stationed in the colonists; many colonists viewed it as an infringement on their rights and liberties

Patrick Henry

an American revolutionary leader known for his oratory skills and passionate advocacy for colonia rights in the lead-up to the American Rev.

Massachusetts Circular Letter

drafted by Sameul Adams and James Otis Jr. in Feb. 1768 in response to the Townshend Acts; letters urged colonial assemblies to unite in opposition to the taxes imposed by the British Parliament without colonial consent

Patriots

colonists in America who rebelled against British rule during the late 18th century, advocating for independence and the establishment of a new nation; played a crucial role in key events leading up the Revolutionary War

Marquis de Lafayette

a French aristocrat and military officer who played a crucial role in both the American Rev. and the early French Rev.; became an important figure for his contributions to the American struggle for independence

James Madison

the fourth President of the U.S. and a key founding father, known as the ‘Father of the Constitution’ for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the U.S. Constitution; advocated for a strong central government while balancing the right of states and individuals

Democratic Republicans

a political party founded in the early 1790s by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, advocating for a strict interpretation of the Constitution, states’ rights, and agrarian interests; emerged as a response to the Federalists, promoting a vision of America that emphasized liberty, individual rights, and decentralized government

cabinet

a group of high-ranking officials in the executive branch of government, typically composed of the heads of various departments, who advise the president and help implement policy decisions

National Bank

financial institution chartered by the federal government that serves as a central bank, managing currency, credit, and monetary policy; established the nation’s economy, provide a uniform currency, and facilitate government financial operations

nullification

the legal theory that allows states to invalidate any federal law they deem unconstitutional; became a significant point of contention as southern states sought to assert their rights against perceived federal overreach, particularly in response to tariffs

implied powers

those powers of the federal government that are not explicitly listed in the Constitution but are assumed to be necessary for the government to effectively carry out its duties; allow the government to adapt and respond to new situations and challenges, fostering a more flexible approach to governance

elastic clause

refer to the implied powers of the federal government that enable it to expand its authority beyond what is explicitly stated in the Constitution