Unit 3Causes and Effects of the American Revolution

French and Indian War

Disputes between Britain and France over the Ohio River Valley. Led to British victory but created massive debt, increasing colonial taxation.

Albany Plan of Union

Ben Franklin's proposal to unify the colonies for defense. It failed due to lack of colonial unity, but was an early step toward unity.

Treaty of Paris (1763)

Ended the French and Indian War. Britain gained territory but inherited debt, which led to colonial taxation and tensions.

Pontiac's Rebellion

Native resistance to British expansion in the Great Lakes. Caused the Proclamation Line of 1763 to limit westward settlement.

Proclamation Line of 1763

It banned settlement west of the Appalachians. Colonists felt betrayed after fighting for that land in the war.

End of Salutary Neglect

Britain began enforcing strict trade and tax laws after 1763. Led to increased colonial resistance.

Stamp Act (1765)

A direct tax on printed materials. Led to colonial protests, boycotts, and the formation of the Sons of Liberty.

Sons of Liberty

A radical group resisting British taxation. Known for organizing the Boston Tea Party.

Declaratory Act (1766)

Parliament had the right to legislate for the colonies 'in all cases.' Asserted British authority after repealing the Stamp Act.

Townshend Acts

Taxes on imports like glass and tea. Colonists resisted with boycotts and increased unity.

Boston Massacre (1770)

British troops killed five colonists. Used as Patriot propaganda to rally anti-British sentiment.

Boston Tea Party (1773)

Protest against the Tea Act and British monopoly. Led to the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts.

Coercive (Intolerable) Acts

Punishment for the Boston Tea Party. Closed Boston Harbor and reduced self-government in Massachusetts.

First Continental Congress (1774)

A colonial meeting to coordinate resistance. Organized boycotts and prepared for potential conflict.

American Revolutionary War advantages

Knowledge of land, guerrilla tactics, George Washington's leadership, and the French alliance.

Valley Forge, Saratoga, and Yorktown

Valley Forge = winter hardship and training; Saratoga = turning point, gained French support; Yorktown = final British surrender.

Enlightenment ideas influence

Ideas of natural rights and liberty inspired colonists. Seen in Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence.

Articles of Confederation strengths and weaknesses

Strength: Northwest Ordinance. Weakness: No power to tax or enforce laws; weak central government.

Shay's Rebellion (1786)

Farmers rebelled over debt and taxes. Exposed weaknesses of the Articles and led to the Constitutional Convention.

Great Compromise

Combined Virginia and New Jersey Plans. Created a bicameral Congress: House based on population, Senate with equal reps.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Each enslaved person counted as 3/5 of a person for representation. Gave more power to slaveholding states.

Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist debate

Federalists supported the Constitution; Anti-Federalists demanded a Bill of Rights to protect freedoms.

Key principles of the Constitution

Federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers. Designed to limit government power.

Washington's presidential precedents

Two-term limit, creation of a Cabinet, neutrality in foreign wars (Proclamation of Neutrality, 1793).

Whiskey Rebellion

A tax on whiskey angered frontier farmers. Washington used troops to stop it, showing strength of the new federal government.

First Two-Party System

Federalists (Hamilton) vs. Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson). Debated national bank, economy, and foreign policy.

XYZ Affair (1797)

French agents demanded bribes from U.S. diplomats. Caused anti-French sentiment and led to an undeclared naval war.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws targeting immigrants and punishing anti-government speech. Seen as unconstitutional and sparked backlash.

Key figures in Period 3

Washington (leadership, neutrality), Franklin (unity efforts), Hamilton (Federalist policies), Jefferson (Declaration), Madison (Constitution).