Period 3 Notes (1754-1800)

Period 3: 1754-1800

  • Starts with the French and Indian War in 1754 and ends in 1800.
  • Represents the beginning of American democracy.

Changes in Leadership

  • European dynasties change due to war, bloodshed, or revolt.
  • Jefferson focuses on the common people, despite being wealthy himself.
  • This represents a shift in democracy.

Exam Structure

  • LEQ (Long Essay Question), DBQ (Document-Based Question), and SEQ (Short Answer Question).
  • Short answer questions 1 and 2 cover periods 3-8.
  • The DBQ will focus on period 3.
  • Earlier periods (1, 2, 9) can be embedded in essays but won't be the main focus.

French and Indian War

  • Conflict between the French (with Native American allies) and the British (with the colonies).
  • One of four wars between France and England during this time, primarily over land.
  • Specifically, the fur trade is a major point of contention, particularly in the Ohio River Valley.
  • In 1754, disputes arise as English settlers move into French-claimed land, leading to conflict.

Mercantilist Policies

  • Period 2 introduced mercantilist policies, such as the Navigation Acts of 1650 and 1660.
  • These acts regulated colonial trade, requiring colonists to:
    • Use primarily British sailors.
    • Trade only on British ships.
    • Trade exclusively with Britain.
    • Face taxes on trade with other countries.
  • Essentially, Britain sought to control trade from its North American colonies.

Salutary Neglect

  • From 1650 to 1750, Britain was preoccupied with internal issues (wars, civil conflicts, religious disputes).
  • This led to a period of "salutary neglect," where the British largely left the American colonies alone.
  • The colonies developed their own systems of governance and largely ignored the Navigation Acts.
  • This would change after the French and Indian War as the British began exerting more control.

Treaty of Paris

  • Treaty of Paris of 1763: Ends the French and Indian War, giving Britain all French land in the Ohio River Valley.
  • Treaty of Paris of 1783: Ends the American Revolution.
  • Treaty of Paris of 1898: Ends the Spanish-American War, granting America new territories.

Albany Plan of Union

  • Proposed by Ben Franklin at the start of the French and Indian War.
  • Advocated for a unified colonial government - a single government for all 13 colonies.
  • Rejected by the colonies, who valued their individual autonomy.
  • Sparked a debate about states' rights versus a strong federal government.

Pontiac's Rebellion and the Proclamation Line of 1763

  • Following the Treaty of Paris, British expansion led to conflict with Native Americans, particularly Pontiac's Rebellion in the Ohio River Valley.
  • The British put down the rebellion and established the Proclamation Line of 1763.
  • This imaginary line along the Appalachian Mountains forbade colonists from settling west of it.
  • Marked a reversal of salutary neglect as Britain began regulating colonial life, though colonists largely ignored the line.

Arguments Against British Taxation

  • Colonists argued against British taxation with the principle of "no taxation without representation."
  • John Dickinson's "Letters from a Pennsylvania Farmer" (1765) highlighted this grievance.
  • The British responded with the concept of "virtual representation," claiming that colonists were represented in Parliament as English subjects.

British Taxation Acts

  • Stamp Act (1765)
  • Declaratory Act (1766): Asserted Parliament's power to legislate for the colonies "in all cases whatsoever."
  • Townshend Acts (1767)

Escalation to Revolution

  • Boston Massacre (1770): First violent conflict between British soldiers and American colonists.
  • Tea Act and Boston Tea Party.
  • First Continental Congress: A unified colonial government.
  • Battles of Lexington and Concord (1775): The beginning of the American Revolution.

Key Documents

  • Common Sense:
    • Written by Thomas Paine in January 1776.
    • Based on Enlightenment ideals.
    • Argued it was illogical for the British to rule America, given the distance and population differences.
    • Advocated for natural rights (life, liberty, property), self-government, and republican virtue.
    • CivicVirtueCivic Virtue: The idea that citizens in a republic should prioritize the common good over individual rights by following laws.
  • Declaration of Independence:
    • Also based on Enlightenment ideals.
    • Asserted the right to self-government and natural rights.
    • Drew on John Locke's "Two Treatises of Government," arguing that governments must protect natural rights, and citizens have the right to overthrow governments that fail to do so.
    • Adopted on July 2, 1776, and partially signed on July 4, 1776.

Revolutionary War

  • The actual fight for independence.
  • John Adams argued that the revolution was about the core ideals of the country.

British Strengths and Weaknesses

  • Strengths: Large military, strong economy, ample supplies.
  • Weaknesses: Fighting 3,000 miles away, more concerned with France.

Battle of Saratoga

  • Turning point in the Revolutionary War.
  • Led to the Franco-American Alliance (1778), bringing French troops and naval support to the American cause.
  • French support was crucial for victory.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

  • Ended the war.
  • Granted America independence and land up to the Mississippi River.
  • The British were supposed to vacate forts in the Midwest, which they didn't do immediately.

Republican Motherhood

  • The idea that women should educate their children to be good citizens in the new republic.
  • This was seen as a vital role for women in society.
  • Promoted civic virtue and the importance of following laws for the common good.

Articles of Confederation

  • The first American government (1777-1789).
  • Established a "firm league of friendship" between states.
  • Featured a weak federal government with most power residing in the states.
  • This structure was intentional, reflecting a fear of centralized power after the revolution.

Weaknesses and Strengths of the Articles of Confederation

  • Weaknesses: Weak Congress, no federal court system, no standing army, inability to coin money or tax.
  • Strengths: Land Ordinance and Northwest Ordinance.

Land Ordinance and Northwest Ordinance

  • Land Ordinance: Divided new territories into plots of land for sale, generating revenue for the government.
  • Northwest Ordinance (1787):
    • Banned slavery in the Northwest Territories (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin).
    • Established a process for territories to become states (60,000+ population required).

Shay's Rebellion

  • Daniel Shays led a rebellion against the Massachusetts court system due to foreclosures on farms.
  • Showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

  • Originally intended to revise the Articles of Confederation.
  • James Madison proposed the Virginia Plan, advocating for a stronger federal government.
  • The convention ultimately decided to write a new constitution.
  • The meetings were held in secret.

Key Compromises

  • Great Compromise: Combined the Virginia Plan (bicameral legislature with proportional representation in both houses) and the New Jersey Plan (unicameral legislature with equal representation) to create a bicameral Congress with the House of Representatives (proportional) and the Senate (equal).
  • Three-Fifths Compromise: Determined that each slave would count as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.
  • Slave Trade Compromise: Agreed that the importation of slaves would end 20 years after the Constitution's ratification.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

  • Federalist Papers: Arguments in favor of the Constitution, advocating for a strong federal government and economic expansion.
  • Anti-Federalists: Opposed the Constitution, fearing it gave the federal government too much power. Thomas Jefferson was one of them.

Bill of Rights

  • Anti-Federalists' main demand was the addition of a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

Ratification

  • Nine states needed to ratify the Constitution for it to replace the Articles of Confederation.
  • The promise of a Bill of Rights secured ratification.

George Washington's Presidency

  • Unanimously elected president twice.
  • Established the cabinet, an unwritten constitution.

Hamilton's Financial Plan

  • Addressed the national debt.
  • Four Components:
    • Assumption of State Debts: The federal government would assume all state debts.
    • Excise Tax: A tax on specific goods. For example, whiskey.
    • Protective Tariff: A tax on imported goods to promote American-made products.
    • National Bank: A federal bank to store money and provide credit.

Political Parties

  • The banking plan led to the creation of the first two political parties. Led to factions being formed.
    • Federalists: Supported Hamilton's plan, a strong federal government, and manufacturing.
    • Democratic-Republicans: Opposed Hamilton's plan, favored farming, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution.

Interpretation of the Constitution

  • Loose Interpretation: Federalists believed in using the "necessary and proper" clause (elastic clause) to expand federal power.
  • Strict Interpretation: Democratic-Republicans believed the federal government should only do what is explicitly stated in the Constitution, emphasizing the Tenth Amendment (states' rights).

Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

  • Farmers rebelled against the whiskey tax.
  • George Washington led troops to put down the rebellion, demonstrating the federal government's power to enforce laws.

Washington's Foreign Policy

  • Proclamation of Neutrality (1793): America should remain neutral in foreign affairs.
  • Farewell Address: Warned against foreign entanglements.

John Adams' Presidency

  • Second President of the United States.
  • Dealt with foreign affairs, particularly French impressment of American Sailors.

XYZ Affair

  • French officials demanded a bribe from American envoys.
  • Led to calls for war against France.

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

  • Restricted civil liberties during wartime.
  • Made it illegal to speak out against the president or Federalist policies.
  • Allowed the president to deport immigrants.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

  • Written by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts.
  • Introduced the theory of nullification, arguing that states had the right to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.
  • Used later in the Tariff Crisis of 1832 and the secession crisis of 1861.