French & Indian War, Revolution, and Early U.S. History Key Figures & Legislation

William Pitt

British Prime Minister during the French & Indian War who invested heavily in troops and supplies, leading to Britain's victory.

Pontiac's War (1763)

Native American uprising led by Chief Pontiac against British forts in the Great Lakes; led to Proclamation of 1763.

George Grenville

British Prime Minister who imposed taxes (Sugar Act, Stamp Act) to raise revenue after the French & Indian War.

Currency Act (1764)

Law forbidding colonies from issuing paper money, worsening economic troubles.

Paxton Boys

Group of Pennsylvania frontiersmen who massacred Native Americans and protested colonial elites ignoring frontier defense.

Quebec Act (1774)

Allowed French Catholics in Quebec religious freedom and expanded territory into the Ohio Valley; angered colonists.

Mercy Otis Warren

Female writer and patriot who published plays and pamphlets supporting the Revolution.

Patrick Henry

Virginia orator known for "Give me liberty, or give me death!"; strong opponent of British policies.

Committees of Correspondence

Colonial networks that spread news and coordinated resistance against Britain.

Daughters of Liberty

Colonial women who supported boycotts by making homespun goods to avoid British imports.

Mutiny Act (1765)

Required colonists to house and supply British soldiers (part of Quartering Act).

Stamp Act Congress (1765)

Colonial meeting that protested the Stamp Act; first unified colonial action against Britain.

Virginia Resolves

Patrick Henry's resolutions declaring only Virginia's assembly could tax Virginians.

Loyalists (Tories)

Colonists who supported Britain during the Revolution.

Joseph Brant

Mohawk leader who allied with the British during the Revolution.

William Howe

British general who led campaigns in New York and Philadelphia; criticized for failing to crush the Revolution.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Law dividing western lands into townships for sale and settlement.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Law establishing process for admitting new states; banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)

U.S. victory against Native Americans in Ohio under Anthony Wayne; led to Treaty of Greenville.

John Burgoyne

British general who surrendered at Saratoga (1777), turning point of the Revolution.

Horatio Gates

American general credited with the victory at Saratoga.

Charles Cornwallis

British general who surrendered at Yorktown, ending the Revolutionary War.

Prohibitory Act (1775)

British act declaring colonies in rebellion and cutting off trade.

Daniel Shays

Leader of Shays' Rebellion (1786), an uprising of farmers against taxes and debt; showed weakness of Articles of Confederation.

Report on Public Credit (1790)

Alexander Hamilton's plan to assume state debts and create a stable national credit system.

Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

Farmers' revolt against Hamilton's whiskey tax; Washington led troops to enforce federal authority.

Jay's Treaty (1794)

Treaty with Britain resolving trade and military disputes; unpopular with many Americans.

Pinckney's Treaty (1795)

Treaty with Spain giving U.S. navigation rights on the Mississippi River.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (1798)

Jefferson and Madison's response to Alien & Sedition Acts, arguing states could nullify federal laws.

Citizen Genêt

French diplomat who tried to rally U.S. support for France during its wars; embarrassed Washington's administration.

Charles de Talleyrand

French foreign minister involved in the XYZ Affair, demanding bribes from U.S. diplomats.

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

Laws restricting immigrants and limiting free speech against the government; used by Federalists to silence opposition.

Quasi-War (1798-1800)

Undeclared naval war between the U.S. and France during John Adams's presidency.