APUSH Time Period 3

The French and Indian War

A conflict from 1754 to 1763 between Britain and France in North America, primarily over territorial disputes. It was part of the larger Seven Years' War and involved various Native American tribes as allies to both sides. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763, which significantly expanded British territory in North America and set the stage for colonial discontent due to increased taxes and regulations imposed by Britain to cover war debts.

The Albany Congress and Plan of Union

A meeting of representatives from seven British colonies held in Albany, New York, in 1754. The Congress aimed to discuss colonial defense and the possibility of uniting the colonies against the French threat in North America. It was significant for being one of the first attempts to foster intercolonial cooperation. It was rejected by the colonial assemblies who were reluctant to relinquish individual authority.

The Treaty Of Paris of 1763

The treaty that ended the French and Indian War (Seven Years' War) in North America. Signed on February 10, 1763, it resulted in significant territorial changes: France ceded Canada and all its territory east of the Mississippi River to Britain, and Spain ceded Florida to Britain in exchange for the return of Havana, Cuba. The treaty marked the beginning of British dominance in North America but also sowed seeds of discontent among colonists due to the increased taxation and regulation needed to pay for the war debts.

The acts of Grenville and Parliament -

Proclamation Act of 1763

The Sugar Act

The Quartering Act

The Stamp Act

The Declaratory Act

Colonial response to these acts - Sons and Daughters of Liberty, boycotts, Stamp Act Congress 

Term: Proclamation Act of 1763

This act prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains in order to appease Native Americans and prevent conflicts. Colonists who wished to expand westward were frustrated by this restriction.

Term: The Sugar Act
Definition: Enacted in 1764, this act imposed a tax on sugar and molasses imported into the colonies, aimed at reducing smuggling and increasing revenue for Britain. Colonists protested the tax, claiming it violated their rights as British subjects.

Term: The Quartering Act
Definition: Passed in 1765, this act required colonial assemblies to provide housing and supplies for British troops stationed in the colonies. It was resented by colonists who considered it an invasion of their rights and an imposition on their resources.

Term: The Stamp Act
Definition: Also passed in 1765, this act required colonists to purchase special stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, and other publications. It incited widespread protests and led to the formation of the Stamp Act Congress, where colonists demanded the repeal of the act.

Term: The Declaratory Act
Definition: Enacted in 1766, the Declaratory Act asserted Britain's right to make laws binding the colonies 'in all cases whatsoever.

Sons and Daughters of Liberty

The Sons of Liberty was a secret organization formed in the American colonies in the mid-1760s to oppose British taxation and policies, particularly the Stamp Act of 1765. They used both peaceful protests and acts of intimidation to resist British authority. The group included prominent figures such as Samuel Adams and John Hancock. The Daughters of Liberty, a women's subsidiary group, supported boycotts of British goods and promoted homemade products as a way to resist British economic control. Both groups played a crucial role in mobilizing public opinion and organizing resistance against British rule, contributing to the eventual push for independence.

Boston Tea Party

The Boston Tea Party was a political protest that took place on December 16, 1773, during which American colonists, frustrated by British taxation without representation, dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor. The protest was organized by the Sons of Liberty, and it was a direct response to the Tea Act, which granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies. This act of defiance escalated tensions between Britain and the colonies, leading to punitive measures by the British government known as the Intolerable Acts.

Intolerable Acts

The Intolerable Acts, passed in 1774, were a series of punitive measures imposed by the British Parliament on the American colonies in response to the Boston Tea Party. These acts aimed to punish Massachusetts and suppress colonial dissent. Key components included the Boston Port Act, which closed Boston Harbor until the dumped tea was paid for; the Massachusetts Government Act, which limited town meetings and strengthened the role of the royal governor; the Administration of Justice Act, allowing royal officials accused of crimes to be tried in Britain; and the Quartering Act, requiring colonists to house British soldiers. These laws united the colonies in opposition to British rule and contributed to the call for a Continental Congress.

Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Published in January 1776, 'Common Sense' was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine advocating for American independence from British rule. It argued for the moral and political necessity of independence and criticized the monarchy, claiming it was an absurdity for an island to rule a continent. Paine's clear and persuasive writing galvanized colonial sentiment for independence, making complex political ideas accessible to the average colonist. It played a key role in persuading many Americans to support the revolutionary cause, especially in light of oppressive measures like the Intolerable Acts.

The Declaration of Independence

Adopted on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was a revolutionary document that proclaimed the thirteen American colonies as independent states free from British rule. Authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it articulated the philosophical justification for independence, asserting the principles of individual rights and government by consent. The declaration famously states that all men are created equal and are endowed with unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It was a direct response to the oppressive actions of the British government, particularly after events like the Intolerable Acts, and it galvanized support for the American Revolution.

The Battles of Trenton and Saratoga

The Battle of Trenton took place on December 26, 1776, when George Washington led his army across the icy Delaware River to launch a surprise attack on the Hessian forces stationed in Trenton, New Jersey. This crucial victory boosted the morale of the Continental Army and reinvigorated the revolutionary cause. The Battle of Saratoga, fought from September 19 to October 7, 1777, is often considered the turning point of the American Revolution. The American forces, led by General Horatio Gates, achieved a significant victory over the British, leading to the surrender of General Burgoyne's army. This victory was pivotal as it convinced France to enter the war as an ally of the Americans, providing crucial military support. The treaty between the colonists and France after the Battle of Saratoga was called the Treaty of Alliance, signed in 1778. This treaty formalized France's support for the American cause in the Revolutionary War, significantly bolstering the military capacity of the colonies against Britain.

The Articles of Confederation - Strengths and Weaknesses

The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, served as the first constitution of the United States, establishing a confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government.

Strengths:

• League of Friendship: The Articles created a loose alliance of independent states, which allowed them to collaborate on common interests and issues, particularly during the Revolutionary War.

• Transitional Government: The Articles provided a framework for governing the nation in its infancy, allowing the Continental Congress to function and manage relations with foreign powers.

• Northwest Ordinance of 1787: This legislation established a method for admitting new states and promoted education and the prohibition of slavery in the Northwest Territory, showcasing the potential for orderly expansion and governance.

Weaknesses:

• Lack of Central Authority: The Articles did not grant the federal government the power to tax, which left it financially dependent on state contributions.

• No Executive Branch: The absence of a strong executive meant there was no effective leadership or enforcement of laws, leading to issues in national governance.

• Unanimous Consent for Amendments: Altering the Articles required the agreement of all thirteen states, making it nearly impossible to adapt to changing needs.

• Interstate Commerce Issues: Under the Articles, states maintained their own trade regulations, leading to conflicts and economic dis

The Land Ordinance of 1785

The Land Ordinance of 1785 was a significant piece of legislation passed by the Articles of Confederation Congress to organize the surveying and sale of federal land in the western territories gained after the American Revolution. The ordinance established a systematic method for dividing and selling land, promoting orderly settlement and development. It divided the land into townships, each measuring six miles square, further subdividing them into 36 sections of one square mile each. The law also encouraged education by setting aside the 16th section of each township for schools. This ordinance laid the groundwork for future westward expansion and set a precedent for land policy in the United States.

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787

The Northwest Ordinance was a pivotal piece of legislation that established a framework for the governance and admission of new states in the Northwest Territory, which included areas that would become Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota. Enacted by the Confederation Congress, it included important provisions such as:

1. Structure of Government: It proposed a three-stage process for governance, starting with federal control, transitioning to a territorial government when the population reached 5,000, and finally allowing statehood application once the population hit 60,000.

2. Civil Liberties: The ordinance guaranteed certain rights for residents, including freedom of religion, the right to a jury trial, and the prohibition of slavery in the territory, laying the groundwork for future governance in new states.

3. Education: It emphasized the importance of education by setting aside land for schools, recognizing the need for a well-informed citizenry.

Shays Rebellion

Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising in 1786-1787 led by Daniel Shays and other Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices and the lack of government response to their financial struggles. The rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger federal government.

The Constitution Convention

A meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that produced a new constitution

Compromises in the Constitution

• Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise) - New Jersey and Virginia plans together and create the senate and House of Representatives senate equal vote house of rep by population

• The Three-Fifths compromise - Slaves count as population for vote in congress 3 slaves for every 5 white were counted

• Electoral College - Established system for electing the President, by balancing power between large vs. small states

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Federalists: Pro- Constitution, strong central government, included James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay

Anti-Feds: Anti-Constitution, weak central government

Hamilton’s economic plan

1. Fund debts at par (pay back security bonds from American Revolution)

2. Assume state debts

3. Create a national bank

4. Task Whiskey

Loose vs. Strict interpretation of the Constitution

Loose Interpretation: Constitution is flexible and that thee are broad powers beyond those that are explicitly stated.

Strict Interpretation: Constitution is not flexible and only what is explicitly written is what the government is allowed to do.

The Whiskey Rebellion

In 1794, farmers in Pennsylvania rebelled against Hamilton's excise tax on alcohol. In October, 1794, the army, led by Washington, put down the rebellion. The incident showed that the new government under the Constitution could react swiftly and effectively

Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation of 1793

Declared that the USA would remain neutral in the conflict between France and Great Britain

Jay’s Treaty -1794

British and US agreed that Britain will continue trade with Americans and the British leave the northwest territory

-Britain will pay back sailors

-USA will pay back Loyalists

The Northerners love the treaty while the South hates the treaty, this causes division and influences the formation of the first political parties.

Pinckney's Treaty -1795

• Signed between US and Spain

• Granted the US the right to navigate Mississippi River

• Allowed American to use the port of New Orleans

• Helped secure westward expansion for Americans and better trade routes

Washington’s Farewell Address

Washington warned the young country against 3 things that would cause division

• Regionalism (identity is found in one’s state/region rather than national identity

• Partisanship

• Foreign entanglements

John Adams

First VP under Washington from 1789-1797, became second President from 1797-1801

The XYZ affair

Diplomatic conflict between France and the United States when American envoys to France were asked to pay a hefty bribe for the privilege of meeting with the French foreign minister. Many in the U.S. called for war against France, while American sailors and privateers waged an undeclared war against French merchants in the Caribbean.

The Alien and Sedition Acts

• Passed by Federalists in Congress to weaken Democratic-Republican party and stop them from criticizing the government

• Prevented immigrants (mainly the ones who came from France) to not support the opposition party/ Democratic-Republicans

The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Written by Madison and Jefferson to oppose the Sedition Acts, argued that a state had the right to nullify/cancel a Constitutional act.