APUSH Unit 3

The French and Indian War

Conflict between France and Britain over the Ohio River Valley territory recorded the start of colonial tensions. Great Britain emerged victorious but incurred massive war debt, leading to the end of salutary neglect.

Proclamation Line of 1763

Forbade colonists from migrating west of the Appalachian Mountains to avoid further conflict with Natives.

Taxation Tensions

Britain shifted from colonial autonomy to strict enforcement of laws like the Navigation Acts.

The Stamp Act

Imposed taxes on paper items, sparking the cry of "taxation without representation."

British Rationale

Prime Minister George Grenville argued "virtual representation," claiming Parliament represented all English subjects.

Colonial Response

Groups like the Sons of Liberty and the Stamp Act Congress organized to petition for repeal and share grievances.

Escalation of Conflict

Events like the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party signaled rising hostility.

Coercive (Intolerable Acts)

Britain closed Boston Harbor and expanded the Quartering Act in response to colonial defiance.

Revolutionary Ideals and the Path to Independence

Enlightenment Foundations

Natural Rights

Belief that individuals are born with God-given rights to life, liberty, and property.

Social Contract

The idea that government exists by the will of the people to protect rights; if violated, the people have a right to overthrow it.

The Influence of Thomas Paine

Common Sense: A pamphlet that used Enlightenment ideas and biblical arguments to convince colonists that independence was the only solution to British tyranny.

The Declaration of Independence

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, it formally used Enlightenment ideals to argue for the separation of the colonies from Britain.

The American Revolution

Military Advantages and Turning Points

The British held superiority in numbers and naval strength, as well as Loyalist support. The Americans benefited from the leadership of George Washington and specialized training from Baron von Steuben.

Battle of Saratoga

A crucial victory that proved American capability and secured a formal alliance with France.

Victory and Peace

The French provided vital aid, ships, and troops that led to the final British surrender at Yorktown.

Treaty of Paris

Officially recognized the United States as an independent nation and doubled its land holdings.

A New Republic

The Articles of Confederation

The first US government was characterized by a weak central authority and strong state governments. Weaknesses: The federal government lacked the power to tax, raise an army, or regulate interstate and international commerce. Shay’s Rebellion (1786): An uprising of angry farmers that exposed the government’s inability to maintain public order.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Established a process for admitting new states to the Union, reserved land for public schools, and banned slavery in the new Northwest Territory.

The Constitution and Federalism

Constitutional Principles

Separation of Powers: Creation of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches with checks and balances. Federalism: A system where power is shared between the national and state governments.

Key Compromises

• The Great Compromise: Created a bicameral legislature with representation by population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

• Three-Fifths Compromise: Counted 3/5of the enslaved population for representation in Congress.

• Slave Trade: Congress was prohibited from banning the international slave trade for 20 years (until 1808).

Ratification Debate

Federalists: Argued for a strong central government (e.g., Alexander Hamilton and the Federalist Papers). Anti-Federalists: Feared a strong central government and demanded a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

Testing the New Government

Washington’s Presidency

Established the first cabinet (Jefferson, Hamilton, Knox, Randolph) and the precedent of serving only two terms. Farewell Address: Warned the nation to avoid permanent foreign alliances and divisive political parties.

The First Party System

Federalist Party: Wanted a strong federal government, a national bank (Hamilton’s Plan), and alignment with Britain for trade. Democratic-Republican Party: Wanted limited federal power, strict constitutional interpretation, and supported the French Revolution.

National Identity and Expansion

Republican Motherhood

The idea that women should be educated so they could teach their sons to be virtuous citizens of the republic.

Migration Conflicts

Treaties like Jay’s Treaty and Pinckney’s Treaty helped reduce conflicts with European powers and opened new lands for American settlement.

Slavery’s Spread

Soil depletion drove Southern planters westward, taking the institution of slavery with them and increasing tensions with Northern abolitionists.