APUSH Unit 3: The American Revolution and Constitution

French and Indian War

Part of the global Seven Years War.

Ohio River Valley

Territory contested between British and French.

George Washington

Virginian lieutenant sent to warn French.

Fort Duquesne

Strategic fort captured by Washington's forces.

Albany Congress

Meeting to discuss colonial defense against French.

Iroquois Confederacy

Native American alliance invited to Albany Congress.

Albany Plan of Union

Proposal for colonial unity, rejected due to taxes.

Treaty of Paris

Ended the French and Indian War.

British National Debt

Doubled due to war expenses.

Proclamation Line of 1763

Restricted colonial expansion westward.

Taxation Without Representation

Colonial grievance against British taxation policies.

Salutary Neglect

British policy allowing colonial self-governance.

Navigation Acts

Regulated colonial trade to benefit Britain.

Three-Pronged Plan

British strategy to control colonies post-war.

Quartering Act of 1765

Colonists must house British soldiers.

Sugar Act

Tax on sugar, tea, and coffee.

Pontiac's Rebellion

Native American resistance against British expansion.

Impressment

Forcing colonists into British Navy service.

Stricter Law Enforcement

Part of the Three-Pronged Plan.

Wartime Provisions

Extended laws from wartime into peacetime.

Colonial Smuggling

Colonists ignored Navigation Acts through illegal trade.

Stamp Act

Tax on all paper items in colonies.

Currency Act

Prevented colonies from printing their own money.

Virtual Representation

Parliament's claim to represent colonists without direct votes.

Sons of Liberty

Group opposing Stamp Act through protests.

Daughters of Liberty

Women who boycotted British goods.

Declaratory Act

Affirmed Parliament's authority to legislate for colonies.

Townshend Act

Taxes on paper, tea, glass, and more.

Boston Massacre

British soldiers killed 4 colonists, trial defended by John Adams.

Boston Tea Party

Protest against Tea Act; 45 tons of tea dumped.

Intolerable Acts

British response to Boston Tea Party, including port closure.

Continental Congress 1774

Colonial assembly resisting British tyranny.

Enlightenment

Philosophical movement emphasizing reason and individual rights.

John Locke

Philosopher advocating natural rights and self-rule.

Natural Rights

Life, liberty, and property as fundamental rights.

Social Contract

Agreement where people give power for protection.

Baron de Montesquieu

Advocated for separation of powers in government.

Checks and Balances

System preventing any government branch from overpowering others.

Common Sense

Pamphlet by Thomas Paine promoting independence.

2nd Continental Congress

Meeting to demand independence from Britain.

Declaration of Independence

Document authored by Thomas Jefferson declaring independence.

Battle of Saratoga

Turning point gaining French alliances against Britain.

Battle of Yorktown

Final battle leading to British surrender in 1781.

Paris Peace Treaty

1783 agreement recognizing American independence.

Mississippi River

Western boundary established for the new nation.

Articles of Confederation

First governing document of the United States.

Legislative branch power

Primary authority held by state governments.

Super majority

Requires ⅔ of states to agree for laws.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Legislation abolishing slavery in Northwest territories.

Statehood application

Western territories could apply once population reached.

Shay's Rebellion

Farmers' uprising highlighting government weaknesses.

Constitutional Convention

1787 meeting to create a new constitution.

Virginia's Plan

Proposed bicameral legislature based on population.

New Jersey's Plan

Proposed unicameral legislature with equal representation.

Great Compromise

Established bicameral legislature with equal state representation.

House of Representatives

First House representing states by population.

Senate

Second House with two votes per state.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted ⅗ of slave population for representation.

Slave ban expiration

Temporary removal of slave ban until 1808.

Massachusetts militia

Stopped Shay's Rebellion in mid-1780s.

Debt from Revolutionary War

Farmers struggled with inflation and high taxes.

Federal government weakness

Highlighted by inability to manage uprisings.

House of Representatives

Members serve 2-year terms, elected directly by citizens.

Senate

Members serve 6-year terms, elected by state legislatures.

Electoral College

Process governing presidential elections, not direct voting.

Federalists

Supported the Constitution; included Hamilton, Jay, Madison.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed the Constitution; feared federal government power.

Federalist Papers

Essays explaining the Constitution's principles and benefits.

Federalism

Power sharing between national and state governments.

Supremacy Clause

National laws override conflicting state laws.

Enumerated Powers

Specific powers granted to the national government.

Reserved Powers

Powers not delegated to the US, reserved for states.

Separation of Powers

Division of government into legislative, executive, judicial branches.

Checks and Balances

System ensuring no branch dominates others.

Presidential Veto

President can reject legislation passed by Congress.

Override Veto

Congress can override a veto with a ⅔ vote.

Judicial Review

Judiciary can enforce laws and review executive actions.

George Washington

First president; established cabinet departments for governance.

National Bank

Created by Hamilton to unify states and manage debt.

Elastic Clause

Allows Congress to pass necessary and proper laws.

Proclamation of Neutrality

Washington's stance to avoid involvement in foreign wars.

Jay's Treaty

Agreement with Britain to resolve post-Revolutionary conflicts.

Pinckney Treaty

1795 agreement allowing US trade in New Orleans.

31st Parallel

Southern US border established by Pinckney Treaty.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

American victory over Native American Confederacies.

Ohio River Valley

Land surrendered by Native Americans after battle.

Whiskey Rebellion

Tax protest on alcoholic beverages in the US.

Federalists

Political party favoring strong central government.

Alexander Hamilton

Leader of the Federalist party in early America.

Democratic Republicans

Political party advocating for state rights.

Thomas Jefferson

Leader of the Democratic Republican party.

James Madison

Co-founder of the Democratic Republican party.

Washington's Farewell Address

Warning against political factions and foreign alliances.

John Adams

Second president and member of the Federalist party.

XYZ Affair

Diplomatic incident involving French bribery demands.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws targeting immigrants and limiting free speech.

1st Amendment

Protects freedom of speech and press.

Republican Motherhood

Role of mothers in shaping political beliefs.

Women's Education

Increased educational opportunities for women.

Native American Women Roles

Shifted from influence to lesser roles due to conflict.