APUSH Unit 3
Topic 3.2: The Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War, also known as the French and Indian War, had significant historical causes and effects.
Historical Context
European rivalries, particularly among Great Britain, France, and Spain, were brought to North America by early immigrants.
Conflicts between European powers intensified in their colonies, exacerbating existing tensions.
Britain initially triumphed in a number of 18th-century wars but paid a heavy price, including colonial rebellion and loss of Atlantic coast colonies.
Empires at War (1689-1763)
A series of wars from the late 17th century involved Great Britain, France, and Spain, with conflicts in Europe, India, and North America.
Control of lucrative colonies and trade was a significant driving factor.
The First Three Wars
King William's War (1689–1697)
British attempt to capture Quebec failed; American Indians allied with French attacked British settlements.
Queen Anne's War (1702-1713)
British successes included gaining Nova Scotia and trade rights in Spanish America.
King George's War (1744-1748)
Notable battles included the capture of Louisbourg by New Englanders, which Britain returned to France for political gain in India.
The Decisive Conflict
The fourth war began in 1754 and is referred to in Europe as the Seven Years' War, and in North America as the French and Indian War.
From the British perspective, the conflict was provoked by French fortifications in the Ohio River Valley.
Governor of Virginia sent George Washington to stop French progress on Fort Duquesne.
Washington's initial victory was followed by surrender to French forces on July 3, 1754, marking the start of the war for empire.
Early Challenges for the British
The war initially went poorly for the British; General Braddock's 1755 expedition resulted in defeat near Fort Duquesne.
Algonquin allies of the French attacked the British frontier settlements causing widespread destruction.
The Albany Plan of Union (1754)
A meeting called by British government in Albany, New York, gathered colonial representatives to address defense coordination.
Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan of Union to create an intercolonial government.
Each colony prioritized its own interests over uniformity; thus the plan never took effect.
However, it set a significant precedent for future congresses during the American Revolution.
British Victory
Under Prime Minister William Pitt's leadership, the British shifted focus to conquer Canada, achieving significant victories by retaking Louisbourg, capturing Quebec (General Wolfe 1759), and taking Montreal (1760).
The Treaty of Paris (1763) concluded the war, granting Britain French Canada and Spanish Florida. France ceded Louisiana to Spain in compensation.
Immediate Effects of the War
Resulted in Britain's dominance in North America and fundamentally altered relationships among British, colonists, and American Indians. - British opinion of colonial military competence diminished, creating long-term resentment. - Colonists' pride in military achievements fostered an independent spirit.
Political Changes
Shift away from salutary neglect: Britain's view of colonial governance shifted, leading to stricter control and taxation to recoup war expenses.
Pressure on the colonies increased to contribute to military expenses.
Pontiac's Rebellion (1763)
Chief Pontiac led resistance against British expansion and policies after the war, attacking settlements and forts across the frontier.
Proclamation of 1763
British government issued this proclamation to stabilize relations with Native Americans by restricting colonial expansion west of the Appalachian Mountains, causing widespread colonial dissent.
Rising British-Colonial Tensions
Diverging views on war, governance, and policies led to growing mistrust between Britain and its American colonies, setting the stage for future conflict.
Key Terms
Seven Years' War: A global conflict (1756–1763) known in North America as the French and Indian War, which resulted in British dominance.
French and Indian War: The North American theater of the Seven Years' War (1754-1763), fought between Great Britain and France, supported by various Native American tribes.
King William's War (1689–1697): The first of the French and Indian Wars, where British attempts to capture Quebec failed and American Indians allied with the French attacked British settlements.
Queen Anne's War (1702-1713): The second of the French and Indian Wars, resulting in British gains including Nova Scotia and trade rights in Spanish America.
King George's War (1744-1748): The third of the French and Indian Wars, notable for the capture of Louisbourg by New Englanders, which Britain later returned to France.
Fort Duquesne: A French fort in the Ohio River Valley whose construction was seen as a provocation by the British and led to early conflicts in the French and Indian War.
George Washington: A Virginian leader sent to stop French progress on Fort Duquesne, whose initial victory and subsequent surrender marked the start of the war.
Albany Plan of Union (1754): A proposal by Benjamin Franklin to create an intercolonial government for defense coordination, which ultimately failed due to colonial prioritization of individual interests but set a precedent for future cooperation.
William Pitt: British Prime Minister whose leadership shifted British focus to conquer Canada during the Seven Years' War, leading to significant victories.
General Wolfe: British General who achieved a significant victory by capturing Quebec in 1759 during the Seven Years' War.
Treaty of Paris (1763): The treaty that concluded the Seven Years' War, granting Britain French Canada and Spanish Florida, and ceding Louisiana to Spain.
Salutary neglect: Britain's earlier policy of lax enforcement of parliamentary laws in the colonies, which shifted to stricter control and taxation after the Seven Years' War.
Pontiac's Rebellion (1763): A resistance movement led by Chief Pontiac against British expansion and policies after the Seven Years' War, attacking frontier settlements.
Proclamation of 1763: A British government decree that restricted colonial expansion west of the Appalachian Mountains to stabilize relations with Native Americans, causing widespread colonial dissent.
Topic 3.3: Taxation Without Representation
In the 1760s, changes in British colonial policies led to increasing awareness and agitation among colonists regarding their liberties and rights.
British Actions and Colonial Reactions
Proclamation of 1763 was seen as the first act defying colonial liberties. - New policies enforced by the British government met resistance by colonists, leading to escalating tensions.
New Revenues and Regulations
Sugar Act (1764): Duties on foreign sugar aimed to raise revenue and regulate trade.
Quartering Act (1765): Required colonists to house British troops.
Stamp Act (1765): First direct tax on colonists requiring revenue stamps on various printed materials.
Reaction to the Stamp Act
Colonial backlash included protests led by figures like Patrick Henry and the formation of the Stamp Act Congress. - Outcries against taxation without representation highlighted growing discontent.
Formation of Sons and Daughters of Liberty to pressure and intimidate British officials.
Repeal of the Stamp Act
The backlash and boycotting led to the partial repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766, while the Declaratory Act (1766) asserted British authority over colonies.
The Townshend Acts (1767)
A new series of indirect taxes that led to renewed protests and boycotts against British goods, further straining relations.
The Boston Massacre
A violent confrontation in March 1770 escalated tensions, with five colonists killed by British troops.
Renewal of Conflict
Formation of Committees of Correspondence to coordinate resistance efforts across colonies.
The Boston Tea Party (1773)
An act of defiance where colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor in protest of tea taxes.
Intolerable Acts (1774)
In retaliation for the Boston Tea Party, the British government passed punitive measures known as the Coercive Acts, further inflaming colonial resentment.
Growth of Demand for Independence
Discontent and resistance led to calls for greater autonomy and eventual independence from British rule.
Key Terms
Sugar Act (1764): British law that placed duties on foreign sugar and certain luxuries, attempting to raise revenue and regulate trade in the colonies.
Quartering Act (1765): British law that required colonists to provide food and living quarters for British soldiers stationed in the colonies.
Stamp Act (1765): British law that imposed the first direct tax on the colonists, requiring revenue stamps on most printed materials, from newspapers to legal documents.
Patrick Henry: A prominent Virginian lawyer and politician who openly protested the Stamp Act, famously declaring "no taxation without representation."
Stamp Act Congress: A meeting of representatives from nine colonies in 1765 who issued a Declaration of Rights and Grievances against British taxation policies, particularly the Stamp Act.
Sons and Daughters of Liberty: Colonial secret societies formed to protest British policies and pressure officials through boycotts, protests, and intimidation tactics.
Declaratory Act (1766): British parliamentary act that asserted Parliament's absolute right to legislate for the colonies in "all cases whatsoever," passed alongside the repeal of the Stamp Act.
Townshend Acts (1767): A series of British parliamentary acts that imposed indirect taxes on goods such as tea, glass, and paper, leading to renewed colonial protests and boycotts.
Boston Massacre: A deadly confrontation in March 1770 between British soldiers and a crowd of Bostonians, resulting in the deaths of five colonists and escalating tensions.
Committees of Correspondence: Networks of colonial leaders established to facilitate communication and coordinate resistance efforts against British policies across the colonies.
Boston Tea Party (1773): An act of political protest by American colonists in Boston, disguised as Native Americans, who dumped British East India Company tea into Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act.
Intolerable Acts (1774): The colonial term for a series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party, primarily targeting Massachusetts.
Coercive Acts: The official British name for the punitive measures passed in 1774, including the Boston Port Act and Massachusetts Government Act, designed to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party and restore British authority.
Topic 3.4: Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution
Influences from Enlightenment thinkers shaped colonial attitudes toward government and rights leading up to the Revolution.
Enlightenment Ideas
Deism: Belief in God as a creator who established the universe but then allowed it to operate according to natural laws, allowing individuals to make free choices.
Social Contract: A theory that legitimate government is formed from the voluntary agreement or consent of the governed, rather than divine right, wherein people give up some freedoms in exchange for state protection.
Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Published in early 1776, argued for complete independence from Britain citing the irrationality of a large continent being governed by a distant monarchy.
Key Terms
Enlightenment: An intellectual and philosophical movement in 18th-century Europe that emphasized reason, individualism, and human rights, influencing American revolutionary thought.
Deism: A religious philosophy popular during the Enlightenment, believing in a creator God who does not intervene in the universe, asserting human reason and free will.
Social Contract: An Enlightenment concept suggesting that governments derive their authority from the consent of the people, who agree to be governed in exchange for protection of their rights.
Thomas Paine: An influential writer and political theorist whose pamphlet Common Sense strongly advocated for American independence from Great Britain.
Common Sense: A widely read pamphlet published by Thomas Paine in 1776, which forcefully argued for the American colonies' independence, criticizing monarchy and hereditary rule.
Topic 3.5: The American Revolution
Events leading to the Revolution marked a transition toward independence.
Continental Congresses
First Continental Congress (1774): Delegates sought to address grievances against Britain and restore relations.
Second Continental Congress: Convened after fighting began, establishing a national army led by George Washington.
Declaration of Independence
Adopted in July 1776, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, asserting inalienable rights and grievances against the crown.
Revolutionary War
Domestically and internationally contentious; the fight against the British influenced the formation of national identity within the colonies.
Key Terms
Intolerable Acts: The colonial term for a series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party, primarily targeting Massachusetts.
1st Continental Congress: A meeting of delegates from twelve of the thirteen British colonies in America (Georgia did not attend) that met in 1774 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, early in the American Revolution.
Patrick Henry: A prominent Virginian orator, lawyer, and politician who famously declared "Give me liberty, or give me death!" and was a strong advocate for American independence.
Samuel Adams: A leading figure in the American Revolution, a political philosopher, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, known for organizing resistance to British policies.
John Adams: A Founding Father who served as the second President of the United States, a lawyer, and a leading advocate of American independence.
George Washington: Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and later the first President of the United States.
John Dickinson: A Pennsylvania statesman and lawyer, known as the "Penman of the Revolution," who argued against British policies but initially advocated for reconciliation rather than full independence.
John Jay: An American statesman, Patriot, diplomat, and one of the Founding Fathers, who served as the first Chief Justice of the United States and co-authored The Federalist Papers.
Suffolk Resolves: A declaration made by the leaders of Suffolk County, Massachusetts, in 1774, rejecting the Intolerable Acts and advocating for active resistance to British rule.
Economic Sanctions: Penalties or restrictions, in this context, boycotts imposed by the colonies on British goods to pressure Britain to change its policies.
2nd Continental Congress: A convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that began meeting in 1775 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, soon after the American Revolutionary War began, managing the colonial war effort and moving toward independence.
Declaration of the Causes and Necessities for Taking Up Arms: A document issued by the Second Continental Congress on July 6, 1775, explaining why the Thirteen Colonies had resorted to armed resistance against British rule.
Olive Branch Petition: A final attempt by the Second Continental Congress to avoid a full-blown war with Great Britain, affirming American loyalty to the British Crown and asking the king to prevent further conflict.
Thomas Jefferson: An American statesman, diplomat, and Founding Father who served as the third President of the United States and was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
Declaration of Independence: The formal statement, adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, announcing the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as independent states and no longer under British rule.
Concord: A town in Massachusetts, site of the Battle of Concord (April 19, 1775), one of the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War.
Paul Revere: An American silversmith and patriot best known for his midnight ride to alert the colonial militia of approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord.
William Dawes: An American Patriot who, along with Paul Revere, rode to warn the colonial militia of the approach of the British army on April 18, 1775.
Lexington: A town in Massachusetts, site of the Battle of Lexington (April 19, 1775), often referred to as "the shot heard 'round the world," marking the first military engagement of the American Revolutionary War.
Bunker Hill: Site of an early battle of the American Revolutionary War (June 17, 1775), where the British achieved a costly victory over American forces outside Boston.
Battle of Saratoga: A decisive American victory during the Revolutionary War (October 1777) that convinced France to officially ally with the United States, often considered the turning point of the war.
George Rogers Clark: A military officer and American surveyor who was the highest-ranking American military officer on the northwestern frontier during the American Revolutionary War, capturing key British forts.
Yorktown: Site of the Siege of Yorktown (September-October 1781), the decisive victory by American and French forces over a British army, effectively ending the Revolutionary War.
Prohibitory Act: A British parliamentary act passed in December 1775, which declared the American colonies outside the King's protection, forbade all trade and commerce with the colonies, and authorized the seizure of American ships.
Absolute Monarch: A monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority without being limited by a written constitution or laws.
Treaty of Paris (1783): The treaty signed in Paris on September 3, 1783, officially ending the American Revolutionary War and recognizing American independence.
Loyalists: American colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolutionary War.
Patriots: American colonists who supported the American Revolution and favored independence from British rule.
Minutemen: Members of the colonial militias who were trained to be ready to fight at a moment's notice during the American Revolutionary War.
Continentals: Refers to soldiers of the Continental Army, the army formed by the Second Continental Congress, led by George Washington; also refers to the paper money issued by the Continental Congress.
Valley Forge: The military camp in southeastern Pennsylvania where the American Continental Army spent the winter of 1777–1778 during the American Revolutionary War, enduring great hardship but also undergoing professional development.
Topic 3.6: The Influence of Revolutionary Ideals
Transformations in society came as a result of Revolutionary ideals, with influences on various social dynamics and structures.
Women’s Roles
Revolutionary impact led to increased visibility for women through participation and the doctrine of Republican Motherhood.
Enslaved African Americans
Varied perspectives on slavery emerged, with abolition discussions influenced by Enlightenment thought and shifting economic conditions.
Native Americans
American Indian populations experienced significant displacement and tension due to westward expansion following independence.
Key Terms
Mary McCauley (Molly Pitcher): A legendary figure who carried water to soldiers during the Battle of Monmouth and, upon her husband's collapse, took his place at a cannon.
Deborah Sampson: A woman who disguised herself as a man, Robert Shurtliff, to serve in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
Republican Motherhood: An 18th-century concept that emphasized the role of women in inculcating republican values in their children and serving as examples of civic virtue, thereby elevating their social status within the new republic.
Abigail Adams: Wife of John Adams, known for her strong support of American independence and for advocating for women's rights in her correspondences, famously urging her husband to "remember the ladies."
Daughters of Liberty: A patriotic organization formed by women during the American Revolution to protest British policies, often by boycotting British goods and producing their own.
Topic 3.7: The Articles of Confederation
The initial framework for American governance led to various challenges.
Structure and Limitations
The Articles established a weak central government, relying on voluntary state cooperation with limited powers to legislate or impose taxes.
Accomplishments and Weaknesses
Several achievements including the Northwest Ordinance; however, inability to enforce laws caused economic issues and foreign respect diminished.
Shays's Rebellion
Highlighted weaknesses in the Articles, showcasing the need for a stronger federal government to maintain order and address debts among veterans.
Key Terms
Land ordinance of 1785: A law passed by the U.S. Congress under the Articles of Confederation that created a system for surveying and selling western lands, establishing a standardized system of land ownership in the Northwest Territory.
Articles of Confederation: The first written constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, which created a weak central government and empowered states with significant autonomy.
Northwest Ordinance: An act passed under the Articles of Confederation in 1787 that established a system for admitting new states to the Union, prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory, and guaranteed civil liberties.
Shays's Rebellion: An armed uprising in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, led by Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays, protesting high taxes and debt, which revealed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
Treaty of Paris (1783): The treaty signed in Paris on September 3, 1783, officially ending the American Revolutionary War and recognizing American independence.
Topic 3.8: The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification
A new framework emerged from the debates at the Constitutional Convention.
Key Issues
Major disputes centered around representation, slavery compromises, and power between the branches of government.
Federalists and Anti-Federalists
Arguments for and against the Constitution highlighted deep ideological divisions regarding governance and individual rights.
The Federalist Papers
A series of essays advocating for ratification, shaping public opinion in favor of the new Constitution.
Key Terms
James Madison: Known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in its drafting and for authoring the Virginia Plan.
Alexander Hamilton: A leading Federalist, advocate for a strong central government, influential in writing The Federalist Papers, and the first Secretary of the Treasury.
Gouverneur Morris: A Founding Father who wrote large sections of the U.S. Constitution, including the Preamble, and was known for his eloquent writing style.
John Dickinson: A Pennsylvania statesman who helped draft the Articles of Confederation and, though initially hesitant about full independence, played a role in the Constitutional Convention.
Federalists: Supporters of the U.S. Constitution during the ratification process, who advocated for a strong federal government.
Anti-Federalists: Opponents of the U.S. Constitution during the ratification process, who feared a strong central government and demanded a Bill of Rights.
The Federalist Papers: A series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to persuade states to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
A Constitution: A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.
Constitutional Convention: A gathering of state delegates in Philadelphia in 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation, which ultimately led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.
Mount Vernon Conference: A 1785 meeting between Virginia and Maryland delegates to discuss interstate trade issues on the Potomac River, which highlighted the need for broader cooperation.
Annapolis Convention: A 1786 meeting of delegates from five states to discuss problems of interstate trade and navigation, which called for a broader convention to revise the Articles of Confederation.
Federalism: A system of government in which power is divided between a central (federal) government and individual state governments.
Separation of Powers: The division of governmental responsibilities into distinct branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) to prevent the concentration of power and provide checks and balances.
Checks and Balances: A system established by the U.S. Constitution that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Congress: The legislative branch of the U.S. federal government, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Virginia Plan: A proposal by James Madison at the Constitutional Convention for a strong national government with a bicameral legislature, where representation in both houses would be based on population.
New Jersey Plan: A proposal at the Constitutional Convention by William Paterson for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, favored by smaller states.
Connecticut Plan: Also known as the Great Compromise, it proposed a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation for each state in the Senate.
Senate: The upper house of the U.S. Congress, in which each state is represented by two senators, regardless of population.
House of Representatives: The lower house of the U.S. Congress, with representation based on each state's population.
3/5ths Compromise: An agreement at the Constitutional Convention that counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of determining a state's population for representation and taxation.
Commercial Compromise: An agreement at the Constitutional Convention that allowed Congress to regulate interstate and foreign commerce but prohibited taxing exports.
Electoral College System: A system established by the Constitution for electing the President and Vice President, where electors chosen by each state cast ballots.
Topic 3.9: The Constitution
Ratification transformed the national governance structure and its implications.
Federalism
Separation of powers delineated between federal and state authorities allowed for checks on governmental power while ensuring representation.
The Bill of Rights
Enacted to protect fundamental liberties, responding to concerns raised during ratification debates regarding federal governmental overreach.
Key Terms
Federalism: A system of government in which power is divided between a central (federal) government and individual state governments.
Separation of powers: The division of governmental responsibilities into distinct branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) to prevent the concentration of power and provide checks and balances.
Amendments: Formal changes or additions to a constitution or law to improve it or clarify its provisions.
Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791, designed to guarantee fundamental liberties and rights to citizens and limit the powers of the federal government.
James Madison: Known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in its drafting and for authoring the Virginia Plan.
Topic 3.10: Shaping a New Republic
The new republic under Washington and Adams faced numerous challenges domestically and abroad, particularly regarding political party formation.
Washington’s Leadership
Organized a federal administration and dealt with early foreign policy challenges, including the French Revolution and neutrality.
Establishment of Political Parties
Emerged as a central feature of American political life; early factions reflected differing regional interests and policy preferences.
Key Terms
National Bank: A proposed financial institution by Alexander Hamilton to stabilize the nation's credit and manage federal debt, sparking debate over constitutional interpretation.
Executive Departments: Administrative divisions of the executive branch, such as those for war, treasury, and state, established to assist the President in governing.
Henry Knox: The first United States Secretary of War under President George Washington.
Edmund Randolph: The first United States Attorney General and later the second Secretary of State, serving under President George Washington.
Cabinet: A body of high-ranking state officials, typically consisting of the top leaders of the executive branch's departments, who advise the head of government.
Supreme Court: The highest judicial court in a country or state, the final court of appeal, established by the U.S. Constitution as the head of the judicial branch.
Federal Courts: The system of courts that belongs to the federal government and applies the laws of the United States.
Judiciary Act (1789): A landmark statute adopted in the first session of the First United States Congress, establishing the federal judiciary of the United States.
National Debt: The total amount of money that a country's government has borrowed, in this context, the debt incurred during the Revolutionary War and its assumption by the federal government.
Federalist Era: A period in American history from roughly 1789 to 1801, dominated by Federalist Party policies, particularly strong national government and a commercial economy.
Federalist Party: One of the first political parties in the United States, advocating for a strong central government, a national bank, and a pro-business policy.
Democratic-Republican Party: An American political party formed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in the 1790s to oppose the Federalist Party's policies and advocate for states' rights and an agrarian society.
Political Parties: Organized groups that seek to win elections and hold public office in order to implement their policies and programs.
2 term Tradition: The informal practice, established by George Washington, that a president should serve no more than two terms in office, later codified by the 22nd Amendment.
John Adams: A Founding Father who served as the second President of the United States, a Federalist known for challenging France and signing the Alien and Sedition Acts.
Washington’s Farewell Address: A letter written by George Washington to the people of the United States warning against political factions, sectionalism, and foreign entanglements.
Permanent Alliances: A warning issued by George Washington in his Farewell Address against entering into long-term political or military agreements with foreign nations.
Alien and Sedition Acts: A series of four laws passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress in 1798, which made it harder for immigrants to become citizens and allowed for the deportation or imprisonment of non-citizens deemed dangerous, and restricted speech critical of the government.
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions: Political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799 in which the Kentucky and Virginia state legislatures took the position that the federal Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional.
Battle of Fallen Timbers: A decisive battle in 1794 in which the U.S. Army, led by General Anthony Wayne, defeated a confederation of Native Americans, leading to the Treaty of Greenville.
Treaty of Greenville: A 1795 treaty between the United States and various Native American tribes in the Ohio Country that ceded large tracts of land to the U.S. in exchange for goods and recognition of Indian land rights elsewhere.
Public Land Act (1796): An act that established procedures for surveying and selling federal lands in the Northwest Territory, facilitating westward expansion.
French Revolution: A period of radical social and political upheaval in France from 1789 to 1799, which significantly influenced American foreign policy and domestic politics.
Proclamation of Neutrality: A formal announcement issued by George Washington in 1793, declaring the United States a neutral nation in the conflict between France and Great Britain.
Citizen Genet: Edmond-Charles Genêt, a French diplomat whose attempts to recruit American aid for France against Great Britain violated American neutrality and caused an international incident.
Jay Treaty: A 1794 treaty between the United States and Great Britain that sought to resolve outstanding issues from the American Revolution, including British occupation of western posts and shipping disputes, but was controversial for its concessions to Britain.
Pinckney Treaty: A 1795 treaty between the United States and Spain that granted American ships the right to navigate the Mississippi River and use the port of New Orleans, also settling disputed borders.
Right of Deposit: The privilege granted by Spain to American merchants in the Pinckney Treaty, allowing them to transfer goods from riverboats to ocean-going ships at New Orleans without paying duties.
XYZ Affair: A political incident in 1797–1798 involving a confrontation between the United States and Republican France that led to an undeclared naval war known as the Quasi-War.
Topic 3.11: Developing an American Identity
The evolution of American identity was influenced by revolutionary ideals and practices amid changing cultural dynamics.
Social and Cultural Changes
Rapid changes in attitudes toward governance, religious practices, and regional identities redefined the American social landscape post-Revolution.
Key Terms
Charles Wilson Peale: An American artist, soldier, scientist, inventor, and naturalist, best known for his portraits of leading figures of the American Revolution, including George Washington, and for establishing one of the first museums in the U.S.
Pierre-Charles L’Enfant: A French-American military engineer who designed the layout of the streets of Washington, D.C., and was a significant figure in the planning of the new federal capital.
Gilbert Stuart: An American painter, widely considered one of America's foremost portraitists. His best-known work is his unfinished portrait of George Washington, often called The Athenaeum Portrait, which has appeared on the one-dollar bill.
Topic 3.12: Movement in the Early Republic
The movement westward caused notable competition over land and differing attitudes towards slavery and Native Americans.
Impact of Migration
The expansion into new territories was met with resistance from Native Americans and often disregarded legal frameworks meant to protect their rights.
Slavery and Expansion
Cotton production transformed labor demands, leading to the intensification of the slave economy in the southern states, creating deep-seated regional conflicts over the institution.
Key Terms
Northwest Ordinance: An act passed under the Articles of Confederation in 1787 that established a system for admitting new states to the Union, prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory, and guaranteed civil liberties.
Indian Intercourse Act: A series of acts passed by the U.S. Congress, beginning in 1790, that regulated trade and land sales with Native American tribes, aiming to control westward expansion and prevent illegal land dealings.
Battle of Fallen Timbers: A decisive battle in 1794 in which the U.S. Army, led by General Anthony Wayne, defeated a confederation of Native Americans, leading to the Treaty of Greenville.
Daniel Boone: A famous American frontiersman and pioneer who explored and settled Kentucky, blazing the Wilderness Road.
Eli Whitney: An American inventor best known for inventing the cotton gin, which revolutionized cotton production and significantly impacted the Southern economy and the institution of slavery.
Cotton Gin: A machine invented by Eli Whitney in 1793 that quickly and easily separates cotton fibers from their seeds, greatly increasing cotton production and the demand for slave labor in the American South.