APUSH Unit 2

What was the main cause of the French & Indian War?

Britain and France fought over the Ohio River Valley and control of North American land.

How did the French & Indian War contribute to the American Revolution?,

Britain’s victory created huge debt → led to new taxes on colonies → colonial resistance.

What was the purpose of the Sugar Act (1764)?

Tax on sugar/molasses to help Britain pay war debt.

What was the Stamp Act (1765) and colonial response?

Tax on paper goods; colonists protested “No taxation without representation.”

What was the Townshend Acts (1767)?,

Taxes on imported goods, leading to boycotts and colonial protests.

What was the Boston Massacre (1770)?,

British soldiers fired on colonists; propaganda fueled anti-British sentiment.

What was the Tea Act (1773) and colonial reaction?,

Gave British East India Company monopoly on tea → led to Boston Tea Party.

What were the Intolerable Acts (1774)?,

Punitive laws against Massachusetts → led to the First Continental Congress.

How did Enlightenment ideas influence the American Revolution?,

John Locke’s natural rights and social contract inspired colonists to seek independence.

What was the significance of Common Sense by Thomas Paine?,

Urged independence from Britain, influenced public opinion.

What were the major turning points of the Revolutionary War?,

Saratoga (1777 → France allies with U.S.) and Yorktown (1781 → British surrender).

What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?,

No power to tax, raise army, or regulate trade; led to Shays’ Rebellion.

What was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?,

Set rules for creating new states and banned slavery in Northwest Territory.

What was the Great Compromise?,

Created a bicameral Congress: House by population, Senate equal for each state.

What was the 3/5 Compromise?,

Slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxes.

Who were the Federalists and Anti-Federalists?,

Federalists supported strong central government; Anti-Federalists wanted Bill of Rights to protect liberties.

What is judicial review?,

Established in Marbury v. Madison (1803); courts can declare laws unconstitutional.

What was the “Revolution of 1800”?,

Peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans under Jefferson.

What was the Louisiana Purchase (1803)?,

Jefferson purchased land from France → doubled U.S. size.

Causes of the War of 1812?,

British impressment of sailors, interference with trade, Native resistance.

Effects of the War of 1812?,

Increased nationalism, decline of Federalists, start of Era of Good Feelings.

What was the American System (Henry Clay)?,

National bank, tariffs to protect industry, internal improvements → supported by Whigs.

What was the Market Revolution?,

Economic changes including factories, canals, railroads, and cotton gin → regional specialization and social change.

Key features of Jacksonian Democracy?

, Expanded suffrage for white men, spoils system, veto power, “common man” politics.

What was the Bank War (1832)?,

Jackson vetoed recharter of Second Bank of U.S.; Democrats opposed central banking, Whigs supported it.

What was the Nullification Crisis?,

South Carolina attempted to nullify federal tariff; Jackson asserted federal authority → tension over states’ rights.

Second Great Awakening and its impact?,

Religious revival → inspired reform movements (abolition, temperance, women’s rights).

Key social reforms between 1800–1848?,

Abolitionism, women’s rights (Seneca Falls), temperance, education reform.

How did regional differences shape U.S. politics during this period?,

North = industry, West = commercial farming, South = cotton & slavery → fueled sectionalism.

Whig vs. Democrat key differences?,

Whigs → strong federal government, moral reforms, infrastructure. Democrats → limited government, “common man,” opposed moral legislation.