Studied by 19 peopleFrench and Indian War (1754-1763) Causes
British encroachment on French land in the Ohio River Valley, Battle of Fort Duquesne, and more.
French and Indian War (1754-1763) Effects
Further western expansion with the British acquisition of land East of Mississippi, Proclamation Line of 1763, increased British debt, and increased taxes on American colonies.
Battle of Fort Duquesne
Battle lead by George Washington which allowed the British to gain control of the Ohio River Valley and united the American colonies while giving American colonists professional military experience.
Albany Plan of Union
Plan intended to unite the colonists against the French proposed by Benjamin Franklin. It would establish a council of representatives to decide on frontier defense, trade, and westward expansion. It was eventually rejected.
Iroquois Confederacy
American Indian tribes who encouraged fighting between the French and British in hopes that they could gain their land back in the chaos.
Treaty of Paris of 1763
Once King George opened up peace negotiations, this ended the French and Indian War. Spain ceded Florida to the British, the French were out of America, their land West of Mississippi was given to the Spanish and the land East was given to the British.
Proclamation Line of 1763
British produced boundary prohibiting Anglo-American colonists from settling on lands (Ohio River Valley and westward) acquired from the French.
Sugar Act (1764)
Created taxes on wine, coffee, and other luxury goods. Enforced existing taxes on molasses.
Stamp Act (1765)
Created taxes on all paper items created in the colonies.
Salutary Neglect
Unofficial policy of the British government that allowed its North American colonies to be left largely on their own with little British interference.
Grenville’s Plan - George Grenville
Developed by British Prime Minister that increased stricter enforcement of current laws (Navigation Acts), extended wartime provisions into peacetime, and the Quartering Act of 1765.
Quartering Act of 1765
Kept British soldiers stationed in colonies, leading the colonists to be responsible for soldiers food and housing.
Currency Act (1764)
Prohibited colonial assemblies from printing their own paper currencies.
Virtual Representation
The idea that the members of Parliament spoke for the interests of all British subjects, including the colonists.
Sons and Daughters of Liberty
American colonists who supported the patriot cause by protesting, boycotting, and inciting public violence (ex. Sam Adams)
Stamp Act Congress
27 delegates from 9 colonies who met in reaction to an unjust Act. They met to petition to the British Parliament to repeal this act, acknowledging that they were still loyal subjects to the British crown. This act and the Sugar Act was repealed as a result.
Declaratory Act
Passed by the British after the Stamp Act Congress and stated that Parliament had the right to pass any laws they wanted in the colonies.
Townshend Acts
Levied taxes on items imported in the colonies like paper, tea, and glass. Resulted in colonist unification and boycotting (especially from women).
Boston Massacre
British troops fired into a crowd of angry American colonists in Boston who had harassed them. Five colonists were killed. The event helped fuel the outrage against British rule.
Tea Act
Placed taxes on tea and gave exclusive rights the British East India Company to buy and ship tea in the colonies.
Boston Tea Party
Protest that occurred where American colonists, frustrated and angry at Britain for imposing “taxation without representation,” dumped 342 chests of tea, imported by the British East India Company into the harbor.
Intolerable Acts (1774)
The Coercive Act (Passed in response to the Boston Tea Party which closed the Boston Harbor until the tea was paid for.) and a 2nd Quartering Act.
First Continental Congress (1774)
Where Colonial Delegates met and deliberated about what the colonists should do as result of the British’s tyrannical behavior. They all agreed that they needed to resist.
Two Treatises of Government - John Locke
Argued that the power to governed was at the hand of government and that idea of natural rights. Argued path for liberty was self-rule and elected officials.
Baron de Montesquieu
Philosopher who argued for the 3 branches of government and checks and balances.
Common Sense - Thomas Paine
Fiery pamphlet argued for independence from the Births by using common language, enlightenment thought, and references to God.
Second Continental Congress (1776)
Met in react and discuss Thomas Jefferson’s formal resolution for independence.
Declaration of Independence
Announced the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain. Moved to accept on July 2 was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
Loyalists
Opposers of American independence.
Continental Army - General George Washington
Poorly armed and trained soldiers who were very regionally minded and reluctant to fight around the country. Integrated ranks with mirroring the British offer of freedom for fighting slaves.
Battle of Saratoga
Turning point which allowed Benjamin Franklin to finally convince the French to ally with the Americans.
Battle of Yorktown (1781)
Final battle of the American Revolution. Support from the French allowed the Continental Army to force the British to surrender.
Treaty of Paris (1783)
Formal end to the American Revolution which formally recognized the United States as an independent nation.
Republican Motherhood
Placed national political importance on women's roles as mothers who educated their sons in Republican ideals.
French Revolution (1789)
Inspired by the American Revolution and resulted in a Declaration inspired by the Declaration of Independence. Caused Washington to issue the Proclamation of Neutrality when debating US involvement.
Haitian Revolution
Inspired by the American Revolution which was the first successful revolution of enslaved people and the first Black-lead independent nation in the Western Hemisphere.
Articles of Confederation (1781)
First American constitution greatly influenced by existing state constitutions (who concentrated power towards the Legislative Branch). Didn’t provide for a President or Supreme Court, provided each state with veto power, and needed a super majority for any changes.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Abolished slavery in the NW territory and provided a means by which western territories could get a population and apply for statehood.
Shay’s Rebellion - Daniel Shays
Uprising in western Massachusetts in opposition to high taxes and stringent economic conditions. When Massachusetts called for federal help and there was none, the weakness of the Articles of Confederation was proved.
Constitutional Convention
Met to address the failure of the Articles of Confederation. Argued over the Virginia Plan (population and bicameral legislature) vs. New Jersey Plan (equal representatives).
Great Compromise
Provided for a bicameral legislature with the Senate (representation) and the House of Representatives (population).
3/5 Compromise
Determined that three out of every five slaves was counted when determining a state's total population for legislative representation and taxation. Banning of slavery off the table until 1808.
Bill of Rights
Anti-Federalists argued that this was necessary to guarantee that the new government would not trample upon their newly won freedoms in the constitution. This was eventually included.
Federalist Papers - John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton
A series of essays written by the Federalists urging the citizens of New York to ratify the new United States Constitution.
Federalism
The sharing of power between the national and state governments. Plays out with the Supremacy Clause, Enumerated Powers, 10th amendment, and more.
George Washington
1st President of US. Established the Treasury (Hamilton) War, and Justice Departments and their secretaries.
Hamilton’s Economic Plan
Supported the federal assumption of state debts, creation of a Bank of the United States, and support for the new nation's emerging industries. When enacted, this plan worked.
Elastic Clause
Allows Congress to make all laws that are “necessary and proper” for carrying out its duties. Used by Hamilton to argue for his National Bank.
Whiskey Rebellion
When Farmers from Western Pennsylvania rose up in protest of the whiskey tax, George Washington put down the rebellion with the United States Army.
Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)
Formal announcement issued by U.S. President George Washington, that declared the nation neutral in the conflict between France and Great Britain.
Jay’s Treaty - John Jay
Reaction of continued British impressment. Didn’t address impressment but lead to the British giving up their posts on Western Frontier of the American Territory.
Pinckney Treaty
Suspicion from Spain as result of Jay’s Treaty lead to an agreement where Spain agreed to let American use the New Orleans port and that the Southern US border would fall on the 31st parallel.
Battle of Fallen Timbers
Conflict between the US and Native Americans. The US defeated the Native Americans which opened the Northwest Territory to white settlement.
Current Two Party System
Federalists (strong central gov, Alex Hamilton, urban interests) vs. Democratic-Republicans (states rights, Thomas Jefferson/James Madison, rural interests)
Washington’s Farewell Address
Goodbye speech warning against United States involvement in foreign affairs and the formation of political parties.
XYZ Affair
Incident in which 3 french diplomats (XYZ) attempted to get a bribe and loans from US diplomats before speaking about French destruction of US ships trading with the British.
Alien and Sedition Acts
Laws which raised the residency requirements for citizenship, authorized the president to deport, arrest, and impression foreigner. It also made it illegal to publicly critize the government. These enraged the Democratic Republicans.
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Response to Alien and Sedition Acts which stated that states had right to nullify any law passed by the Federal government which went beyond powers explicitly granted to them by the Constitution.
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