APUSH: UNIT 3
French and Indian War: Most important thing to know about the war is the results that came with it. This war (1754-1763), part of the larger Seven Years' War, was a global conflict fought between Great Britain and France, primarily over control of the Ohio River Valley and colonial expansion in North America. It resulted in a decisive British victory, significantly expanding their territorial claims, but at a high financial cost.
Proclamation of 1763: Issued by the British government, this decree prohibited American colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. It was intended to prevent further conflicts with Native Americans, stabilize the frontier, and reduce administrative costs, but it greatly angered colonists who desired westward expansion and felt their sacrifices in the war were unrewarded.
This war was EXPENSIVE, leading to Britain's massive war debt (133 million pounds). This financial strain marked the end of salutary neglect, an unofficial British policy where strict enforcement of parliamentary laws (especially trade laws) was lenient, allowing colonies significant autonomy. The end of this policy meant Britain would now assert greater control and impose taxes to recoup its losses.
TAXES!! These were put in place to help pay off the war debt and administer the newly acquired territories.
Albany Plan of Union (1754): Ben Franklin’s first real attempt at colonial unity, proposing a unified government for the 13 colonies. It featured the famous “Join or Die” cartoon! While it ultimately failed due to individual colonial assemblies wanting to retain their autonomy and fear of losing self-rule, it set a precedent for future efforts at intercolonial cooperation.
SPECIFIC TAXES:
Sugar Act (1764): Also known as the Revenue Act of 1764, it reduced the tax on molasses from six pence to three pence per gallon but increased enforcement, aiming to stop widespread smuggling which had thrived under salutary neglect. It marked a significant shift from regulating trade to directly raising revenue from the colonies.
Stamp Act (1765): Imposed a direct tax on all printed materials (newspapers, legal documents, playing cards, pamphlets) within the colonies. It was the first internal tax levied directly on colonists by Parliament and generated widespread protest due to its internal nature and the principle of "no taxation without representation."
Townshend Acts (1767): Initiated by Charles Townshend, these acts placed duties on imported goods like glass, lead, paper, paint, and tea. The revenue generated was specifically intended to pay the salaries of colonial governors and judges, thereby making them financially independent of colonial assemblies and increasing British control.
Colonists were not happy campers with their new taxes, viewing them as an infringement upon their rights as Englishmen. James Otis coined the quotable phrase: “No taxation without representation”. This principle argued that only colonial assemblies, not the British Parliament, had the right to levy taxes on the colonies because the colonists were not directly represented in Parliament. But it was more than the taxes; the colonies wanted to have a voice again, not a d umb king ruling over them! The Stamp Act Congress in 1765 was an attempt to speak out on Britain's rule, where representatives from nine colonies drafted a unified protest against the Stamp Act. (The Stamp Act was repealed in 1766 due to immense pressure from colonial boycotts and merchants in Britain, but only to be replaced with Charles Townshend’s Act, which continued the revenue-raising policy.)
Declaratory Act (1766): Issued simultaneously with the repeal of the Stamp Act, this act asserted Parliament's full authority to make laws binding the colonies “in all cases whatsoever.” It was a reassertion of parliamentary supremacy, designed to save face after the Stamp Act repeal and ensure colonists understood that Britain still maintained legislative power over them.
Committees of Correspondence: These were shadow governments organized by patriot leaders in the colonies before the American Revolution. They served as a "colonists’ gossip network" – a system for communicating important political developments, coordinating resistance, and disseminating anti-British information (propaganda) among the colonies. They helped organize resistance and foster a sense of colonial unity.
RESULTS OF THE TAXES: Heavy boycotts occurred on British goods and they only increased with the introduction of the Townshend Act. These boycotts were a powerful economic weapon, harming British merchants and exerting pressure on Parliament. Townshend wanted to “control” the colonies, but only further angered them. A group named the Sons of Liberty arose, led by Samuel Adams, this group engaged in public demonstrations, intimidation, and sometimes violence against British tax collectors and loyalists. With methods such as tarring and feathering, this group could essentially be considered the first terrorist organization in the context of their radical actions to achieve political goals.
The colonists needed a reason to declare independence and they got it with the Boston Massacre (1770) British soldiers fired into a crowd of protesting colonists, killing five. While exaggerated by colonial propagandists (like Paul Revere's engraving), it fueled anti-British sentiment and became a powerful symbol of British tyranny.
Boston Tea Party (1773): In response to the Tea Act (which granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies, effectively cutting out colonial merchants), colonists (disguised as Native Americans, led by the Sons of Liberty) boarded British ships and threw 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor on December ext{ }16, ext{ }1773. Britain clapped back with the Intolerable Acts (also known as the Coercive Acts).
The Intolerable Acts (1774) were an attempt for Britain to gain control of the colonies again and punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party. These acts closed Boston Harbor, curtailed self-government in Massachusetts, allowed British officials to be tried in Britain, and expanded the Quartering Act to house British soldiers in private homes. This just furthered tensions and led to the First Continental Congress (1774).
First Continental Congress (1774): Delegates from twelve colonies (Georgia did not attend) met in Philadelphia to coordinate a unified response to the Intolerable Acts. They demanded the repeal of the Intolerable Acts, called for a complete boycott of British goods (the "Continental Association"), and established plans for colonial militias, but did not yet call for independence.
The release of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense (January ext{ }1776) also inspired many colonists. This highly influential pamphlet boldly argued for American independence from Great Britain in plain language, making a powerful case against monarchy and for republican government. It was a huge piece of propaganda! Its widespread circulation rallied public opinion towards revolution.
Lexington & Concord (1775): On April ext{ }19, ext{ }1775, British troops marched to Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, to seize colonial military supplies and arrest revolutionary leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Minutemen confronted the British at Lexington in the "shot heard ‘round the world"—the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. The Revolution officially begins!
Second Continental Congress (1775): Met in May 1775, following Lexington and Concord. This Congress effectively governed the colonies throughout the war. It organized the Continental Army, appointed George Washington as its commander, and eventually will declare independence.
Battle of Bunker Hill (1775): Fought on June 17 1775, near Boston. Technically a British win, as they eventually took the strategic high ground after several assaults. However, the heavy British casualties (over 1,000) proved that the untrained colonial militia could fight toe-to-toe with the professional British army, boosting American morale and confidence.
INDEPENDENCE IS OFFICIALLY DECLARED- July 4th, 1776
The Declaration of Independence was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson – a Virginia man! Virginia was essentially the center of the colonies and many notable, intelligent men were from there, which explains its prominent role in the revolution.
Jeffy got some help from his pals Benjamin Franklin and John Adams as well, who served on the Committee of Five assigned to draft the document. Jeffy just got all the credit.
WHY WAS THE DECLARATION WRITTEN?
Declare independence (OFFICIALLY) from British rule, formally breaking political ties.
List out grievances against Britain (a total of 27 detailed complaints, including "quartering large bodies of armed troops," "imposing Taxes on us without our Consent," and "cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world") to justify the separation.
Explain the theory of government based on natural rights and popular sovereignty, asserting that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed and that people have the right to alter or abolish a destructive government. This laid the philosophical foundation for the new American republic.
Natural Rights had a HUGE impact on the patriots’ ideals. Inspired by John Locke's philosophy, Americans had inalienable rights that could not be denied by the British! The Declaration famously states these as Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness!
An Olive Branch Petition was sent out to King George in 1775 by the Second Continental Congress, offering a final plea for reconciliation and avoiding war, asserting loyalty to the Crown. That didn’t work, as King George III rejected it and declared the colonies in rebellion. SO, ONTO THE WAR!
OUR TWO CONTENDERS:
BRITAIN: Had a HUGE advantage compared to the patriots! They had a well-trained, professional army, often supplemented by Hessian mercenaries (German soldiers who fought for money), and also boasted the largest and most powerful navy in the world. They were financially stable and had vast resources.
COLONISTS: It’s a bit of a trainwreck here. General George Washington had a volunteer army that consisted of mostly criminals, farmers, and eager but untrained civilians. They also had a super small, almost non-existent navy compared to Britain. They did have home-field advantage though, fighting on familiar terrain and benefiting from shorter supply lines.
The colonies were composed of app 6roximately 40\% Patriots (strongest in New England, Virginia, and among African Americans seeking freedom), 20\% Loyalists (many in the South who benefited from British trade or feared chaos), and 40\% undecided, whose allegiances could shift based on local events and military success.
THE FIGHTING:
Things were NOT looking hot for the colonists within the first 19 months. They had lost key cities like New York City and Philadelphia. Fortunately for them… Britain believed that only New England colonies had it out for them and initially focused their efforts there, saving the colonists some time in other regions. “The Crisis” by Thomas Paine was also written around this time (1776), which served as another piece of effective propaganda, boosting moral and encouraging soldiers not to give up during the harsh winter. It famously began, "These are the times that try men's souls."
The British recognized they couldn't send their whole army to America, so they hired others to fight. Hessians were disciplined German soldiers, but on Christmas night of 1776, Washington knew that the Hessians garrisoned at Trenton would be celebrating and likely less vigilant. He launched a surprise attack after crossing the Delaware River, securing a critical victory in Trenton.
Valley Forge (1777-78): This was a low point for Washington’s army during the winter encampment in Pennsylvania. Soldiers suffered from severe cold, disease, starvation, and lack of supplies. However, it proved a critical period for training under Baron von Steuben, who whipped them into shape, transforming them into a more disciplined and effective fighting force.
Treaty of Alliance (1778): This treaty, signed after the Battle of Saratoga, made the French alliance official, providing crucial military and financial aid to the American cause. This was a huge turning point, turning a colonial rebellion into a global conflict and significantly increasing the Patriots' chances of success.
Turning points in the war also came from the Battle of Saratoga (October ext{ }1777) and the Bloody Battle of Oriskany (August ext{ }1777), both crucial American victories. Saratoga, in particular, convinced France that the Americans could win, leading to the formal alliance.
THE FRENCH
-The ultimate turning points were significantly bolstered by European assistance. Europeans such as Baron Friedrich von Steuben (a Prussian military officer) and Marquis de Lafayette (a French aristocrat) helped make strides in these wins, providing invaluable military expertise and leadership. France was an official ally by 1778.
Under the rule of King Louis XVI, the French supplied soldiers, naval forces, weapons, and financial aid to the Americans, turning the tide of the war. Dutch and Spanish also provided aid, further isolating Britain.
Battle of Saratoga (1777) was a decisive victory for the Americans over the British in the American Revolutionary War. It played a crucial role in convincing the French government to formally recognize the American cause and enter the war as an American ally.
OCTOBER 19TH, 1781: SURRENDER AT YORKTOWN! WOOP WOOP
The World Turned Upside Down (a popular song played by the British during their surrender, symbolizing the unexpected defeat).
Treaty of Paris (1783 version) officially ended the American Revolution!
American independence was officially recognized by Great Britain, and boundaries were set to the Mississippi River in the west, the Great Lakes in the north, and Spanish Florida in the south. Fishing rights off Newfoundland were also granted.
Not much changed right away… Britain stayed in America still, specifically maintaining forts in the Northwest Territory which violated the treaty. Properties were returned to Loyalists (though often not fully). The goal was to set up a new government!!
SETTING A POLITICAL EXAMPLE! The success of the American Revolution inspired other democratic movements worldwide.
WOMEN ARE HERE TOO!
Women took over men’s roles during the Revolutionary War, managing farms, businesses, and households. They also worked as nurses, cooks, laundresses, and even some spies or soldiers (disguised). This will happen every single war after! Women step into the men’s shoes and keep production going.
Even before the war, there were the Daughters of Liberty too. Instead of tormenting people like the Sons of Liberty, they organized boycotts of British goods, spun homemade cloth (homespun) to replace British textiles, and supported the non-importation movements.
Republican Motherhood was what women were expected of after the war. This ideology emphasized the role of women in educating their children to be virtuous citizens of the new republic. They were there to educate the children! Stay at home! Do nothing other than that! It shows that while women gained a more defined role, it was primarily domestic, yet it was acknowledged that women are capable of running shit within their sphere.
TO THE CONSTITUTION… cough
articles of confederation…
Written by John Dickinson (though largely drafted by a committee).
Essentially a trainwreck, this was the 1st government formed in America.
It created a weak central government, where large states and small states each counted as one vote no matter their population, causing friction. States prioritized their own power over a federal government, as they were still scared of another monarch figure or strong central authority.
Problems with AOC: Couldn’t effectively tax (could only request funds from states), no national army (relied on state militias), no control over trade between states (leading to economic disputes and tariffs among states), and basically useless in enforcing laws or negotiating foreign treaties effectively.
Each state had its own constitution, reflecting the strong emphasis on state sovereignty.
This was basically just 14 tiny countries going at it for a while, leading to internal disunity and a lack of national cohesion.
Annapolis Convention (1786): A warm-up to the Constitutional Convention, barely anyone showed (only 5 states sent delegates), but it showed people were fed up with the Articles, as those who did attend recognized the need for a stronger national government.
The national government basically had a list of do's and don'ts… like the government COULD declare war, but they COULDN’T draft men into the army. Hm. Every state also had their own currency and the government COULDN’T make a unified currency. Oof.
Basically the only thing that stuck during this Articles of Confederation era. It was a significant accomplishment that set up requirements for statehood in the Northwest Territory (land north of the Ohio River). It established a systematic process for admitting new states.
Requirements were public education, 60,000 population for statehood, no slaves (prohibited slavery in the territory), and guaranteed civil liberties. This addressed slavery! The founding fathers believed that slavery was BAD BAD BAD… unless it was good for them you know… showing the inherent contradiction in their ideals.
EXPOSING THE A.O.C (articles of confederation not the congresswoman)
Nobody outside America gaf about us because we promoted revolution and were perceived as an unstable nation.
No trade, no production which leads to…. MORE WARS !!! States imposed tariffs on each other, hindering interstate commerce, and the national government couldn't regulate foreign trade effectively.
Crazy debt (brokies): The national government couldn't pay its war debts or compel states to contribute funds, leading to economic instability and loss of international credit.
Shay’s Rebellion (1786) highlighted all the flaws of the articles and served as a major catalyst for the Constitutional Convention.
Led by Daniel Shay, a Revolutionary War veteran, farmers in western Massachusetts were upset about high taxes, debt, and foreclosures of their land, so they rebelled. Simple solution, Mass. calls up their militia! (The farmers were the militia, and the national government couldn't provide aid). The rebellion was eventually put down by a privately funded militia.
Letters from Washington and Jefferson were sent over to James Madison on the issue. Jefferson, (writing from France as ambassador), believed that the rebellion was a good thing, stating "a little rebellion now and then is a good thing," as he very much believed in Social Contract ideals, where the people have the right to revolt against an unjust government.
HAMILTON AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION (1787)
(i was chosen for the constitutional convention)
55 delegates secretly met up in Philadelphia to discuss a new constitution. They were often described as "Well bred, well fed, well read, and well wed," implying they were primarily wealthy, educated, white males.
A Federalist system was decided upon, splitting the power (shared sovereignty) with the states and national government, unlike the confederation model which favored states.
We are a country that was built on compromises. Two main plans were brought up at the convention:
The Virginia Plan (James Madison): Favored large states, proposing a strong national government with a bicameral (two-house) legislature, where representation in both houses would be based on population.
The New Jersey Plan (Will Patterson): Favored small states, proposing a unicameral (one-house) legislature where each state would have equal representation (like under the Articles).
Both agreed on a national judiciary, but the Virginia plan was more focused on a checks and balance system to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. A two-house legislative was eventually agreed on in the Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise). This created a bicameral Congress: the Senate allowed only two representatives from each state (pleasing small states), while the House of Representatives was based on population (pleasing large states).
THE SEPARATION OF POWERS (and their constitution articles):
Legislative Branch (ARTICLE 1): Congress (House of Representatives and Senate). Enacts laws, declares war, regulates interstate and foreign commerce, and controls federal spending.
Executive Branch (ARTICLE 2): President and Vice President. Veto power over legislation, commander-in-chief of the armed forces (at this point, the governor was the state executive). Responsible for implementing and enforcing the laws.
Judicial Branch (ARTICLE 3): Supreme Court and lower federal courts. Interprets laws, applies laws to specific cases, and determines the constitutionality of laws.
Unwritten constitution includes: Judicial review (established by Marbury v. Madison in 1803), the presidential cabinet (15 members today, but a small group initially), political parties, and congressional committees.
Amending the constitution = a struggle. It requires a 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress and ratification by 3/4 of the states.
But it was ratified in 1787 initially by enough states. However, prominent states like NY, Mass, and Virginia initially withheld ratification, demanding amendments. And here comes the debates. Anti-Federalists were against the constitution as it was, fearing a too-powerful central government and the absence of individual rights protections. They called for a Bill of Rights (which they got in 1791 through the first 10 amendments). But there were also the Federalists that felt the need to defend the constitution and advocate for its ratification.
THE FEDERALIST PAPERS (HAMILTON WROTE THE OTHER 51!!)
Written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the pseudonym "Publius." These were 85 essays arguing for the ratification of the Constitution.
The most popular papers are #10 and #51 (both written by Madison). #10 defends a republican government by arguing that a large republic with many factions is the best way to control
Early Republic, specifically covering the presidencies of George Washington and John Adams. This section would detail:
George Washington's Presidency:
Formation of the first Cabinet.
Alexander Hamilton's Financial Plan: This plan was crucial for the new nation's economic stability, including the assumption of state debts, the creation of the First Bank of the United States, and tariffs/excise taxes (like the Whiskey Tax).
Whiskey Rebellion (1794): Washington's decisive response demonstrated the strength of the new federal government under the Constitution, unlike under the Articles.
Foreign Policy: His Proclamation of Neutrality (1793) regarding the war between Britain and France, and treaties like Jay's Treaty (1794) with Britain and Pinckney's Treaty (1795) with Spain.
Farewell Address (1796): His warnings against political factions (parties) and permanent foreign alliances.
John Adams's Presidency:
XYZ Affair (1797-1798): A diplomatic incident with France that nearly led to war.
Alien and Sedition Acts (1798): Controversial laws passed by Federalists which restricted immigration and free speech, leading to debates about civil liberties and federal power.
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (1798-1799): Written by Jefferson and Madison in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, introducing the concept of nullification.
Rise of Political Parties: The emergence and ideological differences between the Federalists (led by Hamilton and Adams) and the Democratic-Republicans (led by Jefferson and Madison). - George Washington would be rolling in his grave Contrasted the ideologies of Federalists (strong central government, commerce) and Democratic-Republicans (states' rights, agrarianism).
Cause and Effect Chart for APUSH Unit 3
Cause: French and Indian War (1754-1763) debt (133 million pounds).
Effect: End of Salutary Neglect; Britain asserts greater control and imposes taxes on colonies.
Cause: British desire to prevent further conflict with Native Americans and reduce administrative costs after the French and Indian War.
Effect: Proclamation of 1763, prohibiting colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, angering colonists.
Cause: Britain's need to raise revenue following war debt and the perceived failure of salutary neglect.
Effect: Imposition of various taxes, including the Sugar Act (1764), Stamp Act (1765), and Townshend Acts (1767).
Cause: British Parliament imposing direct taxes (like the Stamp Act) and duties (Townshend Acts) without colonial representation.
Effect: Rise of the principle "No taxation without representation"; widespread colonial protests, boycotts of British goods, formation of the Stamp Act Congress and Sons of Liberty.
Cause: Colonial boycotts and pressure from British merchants due to the Stamp Act.
Effect: Repeal of the Stamp Act (1766), but immediately followed by the Declaratory Act (1766) asserting Parliament's full legislative authority over the colonies.
Cause: British soldiers firing into a crowd of protesting colonists (Boston Massacre, 1770).
Effect: Increased anti-British sentiment; event used as propaganda to fuel revolutionary fervor.
Cause: Tea Act (1773) granting the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies.
Effect: Boston Tea Party (1773), where colonists destroyed tea in Boston Harbor.
Cause: Boston Tea Party and continued colonial defiance.
Effect: Britain passes the Intolerable Acts (1774) to punish Massachusetts and reassert control, leading to the closing of Boston Harbor and restrictions on self-government.
Cause: Intolerable Acts and growing British abuses.
Effect: First Continental Congress (1774) convenes to coordinate a unified colonial response, call for boycotts, and establish militias.
Cause: Thomas Paine's Common Sense (January ext{ }1776).
Effect: Rallied public opinion towards American independence, making a clear case against monarchy and for republican government.
Cause: British attempts to seize colonial military supplies and arrest revolutionary leaders at Lexington and Concord (April ext{ }1775).
Effect: "Shot heard ‘round the world"; beginning of the American Revolutionary War.
Cause: Ongoing conflict with Britain and a need for formal separation.
Effect: Second Continental Congress declares independence with the Declaration of Independence (July ext{ }4, ext{ }1776).
Cause: American victory at the Battle of Saratoga (October ext{ }1777).
Effect: Convinced France to formally recognize American independence and sign the Treaty of Alliance (1778), providing crucial military and financial aid.
Cause: Alliance with France, combined with American military efforts and leadership (e.g., Washington, von Steuben, Lafayette).
Effect: British surrender at Yorktown (October ext{ }19, ext{ }1781), effectively ending the Revolutionary War.
Cause: Successful American Revolution and desire for self-governance.
Effect: Treaty of Paris (1783) officially ends relations with Great Britain and establishes American independence and boundaries.
Cause: States' fear of a strong central government and desire to retain sovereignty.
Effect: Creation of the Articles of Confederation (1781) with a weak central government lacking power to tax, raise an army, or regulate interstate trade.
Cause: Economic instability, inability to tax, lack of a national army, and interstate disputes under the Articles of Confederation.
Effect: Shay's Rebellion (1786) highlights the critical flaws of the Articles and serves as a major catalyst for the Constitutional Convention.
Cause: Recognition of the Articles of Confederation's failures (e.g., Shay's Rebellion).
Effect: Constitutional Convention (1787) convenes in Philadelphia to draft a new Constitution, creating a stronger federal system with separation of powers and compromises (Great Compromise, Three-Fifths Compromise).
Cause: Fears of an overly powerful central government and lack of explicit protection for individual rights in the new Constitution.
Effect: Anti-Federalists demand a Bill of Rights; ratification of the Constitution contingent on its addition, leading to the first 10 amendments in 1791 (Bill of Rights).
Cause: Desire for financial stability and national credit under the new Constitution.
Effect: Alexander Hamilton proposes his Financial Plan, including assumption of state debts, creation of the First Bank of the United States, and excise taxes.
Cause: Excise tax on whiskey as part of Hamilton's Financial Plan.
Effect: Whiskey Rebellion (1794), which was decisively put down by President Washington, demonstrating the strength and authority of the new federal government compared to the Articles.
You were missing specific details and elaborations within the 'Early Republic' section. The newly added details focused on providing more context and specific examples for each point, such as:
George Washington's Cabinet: Specific names of key members (Jefferson, Hamilton, Knox, Randolph).
Hamilton's Financial Plan: The rationale behind the assumption of state debts (to bind states to the national government), further description of the First Bank of the United States' functions and controversy, and the purpose of taxes like the Whiskey Tax (raise revenue, protect domestic industries).
Whiskey Rebellion: Details on who rebelled (farmers in western Pennsylvania) and the significance of Washington's decisive response as a demonstration of federal strength.
Washington's Foreign Policy: More on the implications of the Proclamation of Neutrality (avoiding European entanglements), criticisms of Jay's Treaty (not addressing impressment), and specific benefits of Pinckney's Treaty (Mississippi River navigation, access to New Orleans).
Washington's Farewell Address: Emphasized the warnings against political factions and permanent foreign alliances.
Alien and Sedition Acts: Clarified the restrictions on immigration and free speech, and the Democratic-Republican view of these acts.
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions: Specified Madison and Jefferson as authors and introduced the concept of nullification as a response to federal overreach.
Okay, imagine two big countries, Britain and France, fighting over land in America, especially a place called the Ohio River Valley. This was called the French and Indian War (from 1754 to 1763). Britain won, which meant they got a lot more land! Yay for Britain, right? Not really.
Here’s what happened next:
Britain got super broke from fighting this war. They spent about 133 million pounds, which is a LOT of money! Because of this, they stopped letting the American colonies do whatever they wanted (this was called "salutary neglect") and started keeping a much tighter grip.
Britain told the colonists: "Hey, you can't move west past the Appalachian Mountains!" This was the Proclamation of 1763. They said it was to stop fights with Native Americans, but the colonists just saw it as unfair because they wanted more land.
TAXES! TAXES! TAXES! To pay off their big debt, Britain started making the colonists pay new taxes.
The Sugar Act (1764) put a tax on sweet things like molasses. Before, colonists would just sneak it in, but now Britain was serious about collecting the tax.
The Stamp Act (1765) was a tax on almost all paper, like newspapers, playing cards, and legal papers. This made colonists really mad because it was a direct tax on things they used every day.
The Townshend Acts (1767) put taxes on other imported goods like glass, lead, paper, paint, and tea. The money from these taxes was used to pay important British officials in America, so those officials wouldn't have to listen to the colonists anymore.
The colonists were super upset! They shouted, "No taxation without representation!" This meant they believed that if they didn't have special people (representatives) in the British Parliament (their government) to speak for them, then Parliament shouldn't be able to tax them. They didn't want a bossy king telling them what to do.
The Stamp Act Congress (1765) was when smart people from 9 colonies got together to tell Britain they weren't happy. Because of all the protesting and boycotting (refusing to buy British stuff), Britain took back the Stamp Act. But then they passed the Declaratory Act (1766), which basically said, "We can still make any laws we want for you, even if you don't like it!"
Committees of Correspondence were like secret social media groups for colonists. They spread news and ideas about how to resist the British, almost like a "gossip network" to get everyone on the same page.
What happened because of the taxes?
Colonists stopped buying British goods even more! This hurt British businesses. A group called the Sons of Liberty, led by Samuel Adams, started causing trouble. They would scare tax collectors, sometimes even "tarring and feathering" them (which was really awful!). You could say they were like the first rebellious group using extreme methods to get what they wanted.
The Boston Massacre (1770) happened when British soldiers shot into a crowd of angry colonists, killing five. Colonists used this as proof that Britain was evil and tried to get everyone even angrier.
The Boston Tea Party (1773) was a famous protest against the Tea Act (which made British tea cheaper but cut out colonial merchants). Colonists, dressed as Native Americans, snuck onto British ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor! Britain got really mad and passed the Intolerable Acts (1774), which punished Massachusetts by closing Boston's port and taking away some of their self-government.
These punishments led to the First Continental Congress (1774), where leaders from 12 colonies met to demand that Britain stop their unfair rules. They also started getting ready for a fight by setting up colonial armies.
Thomas Paine wrote a powerful pamphlet called Common Sense (1776). It was like a giant social media post that told everyone in simple words why America had to break free from Britain and become its own country. It was a huge piece of propaganda!
The actual fighting started at Lexington & Concord (1775) when British soldiers tried to take away colonial weapons. This was the "shot heard ‘round the world," and the American Revolutionary War officially began!
The Second Continental Congress (1775) took charge during the war, organized the army, and chose George Washington as its leader.
The Battle of Bunker Hill (1775) showed that even though the British won, the American colonists could fight very well, which gave them a lot of confidence.
INDEPENDENCE DECLARED! July 4, 1776!
The Declaration of Independence was mostly written by Thomas Jefferson. He was from Virginia, which was a very important colony.
It basically said three main things:
"We are officially breaking up with Britain!"
"Here are all the mean things Britain did to us" (they listed 27 complaints!).
"Everyone has natural rights – like Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness – and governments get their power from the people. If a government is bad, the people have the right to change it or get rid of it!"
Before all this, the colonists sent an Olive Branch Petition to King George III in 1775, basically saying, "Can't we just be friends?" But he said no and declared them rebels.
Who fought in the war?
BRITAIN: Had a super strong, well-trained army, the biggest navy in the world, and lots of money and supplies. They even hired German soldiers called Hessians to help them fight.
COLONISTS: George Washington led a volunteer army of regular people – farmers, some criminals, and excited citizens. They had a tiny navy. But they knew their land (home-field advantage!), and that helped a lot.
About 40% of colonists were Patriots (wanted independence), 20% were Loyalists (wanted to stay with Britain), and 40% weren't sure.
The Fighting (It was tough at first!):
The colonists lost a lot at the beginning. But Thomas Paine wrote another pamphlet called “The Crisis” (1776) to keep spirits up, reminding soldiers not to give up, especially during the cold winter.
On Christmas night in 1776, George Washington surprised the Hessians at Trenton (who were probably still celebrating!) and won a big victory.
Valley Forge (1777-78) was a horrible winter for Washington's army – cold, sick, and starving. But a German officer named Baron von Steuben helped train them, turning them into a much better army.
A huge turning point was the Battle of Saratoga (1777), which the Americans won! This made France finally agree to officially help America through the Treaty of Alliance (1778). France sent soldiers, ships, weapons, and money, making it a much bigger war for Britain.
Other European helpers like Friedrich von Steuben (German) and Marquis de Lafayette (French) also gave valuable military advice.
Finally, in October 1781, the British surrendered at Yorktown! WOOP WOOP! This basically ended the war.
The Treaty of Paris (1783) officially ended the war. Britain recognized America as an independent country and gave them a lot of land.
The American Revolution inspired other countries to fight for their freedom!
What about the Women?
Women took over men’s jobs during the war, running farms and businesses. Some even helped as nurses or spies.
Before the war, the Daughters of Liberty protested British goods by making their own clothes and organizing boycotts.
After the war, Republican Motherhood meant women were expected to stay home and raise their children to be good citizens of the new country. So, they got an important job, but it was still mainly in the house.
The first government: The Articles of Confederation (AOC)
Written by John Dickinson, this was America's first government, and it was a mess!
It created a very weak central government. States had almost all the power because they were scared of a strong ruler like the British king.
Problems with the AOC: The government couldn't force states to pay taxes or raise an army, couldn't control trade between states (so states fought each other with taxes), and basically couldn't do much. It was like 14 tiny countries doing their own thing.
The Annapolis Convention (1786) was a meeting to fix problems, but hardly anyone showed up, proving how weak the AOC was.
The only good thing was the Northwest Ordinance (1787), which set up rules for new territories to become states. It said new states had to have public education, 60,000 people, and no slavery! This was a big deal, even though many founding fathers owned slaves themselves.
Why the AOC was a disaster (EXPOSING THE A.O.C):
No one outside America took them seriously, because they looked unstable.
No trade, no production, and states fought over money, which led to money problems.
Huge debt because the government couldn't raise money.
Shay’s Rebellion (1786) was the final straw! Farmers in Massachusetts, led by Daniel Shay, were losing their farms because of high taxes and debt. They rebelled. The state government couldn't stop them easily because the national government couldn't help! This showed everyone how broken the AOC was. Thomas Jefferson even said, "a little rebellion now and then is a good thing," because he believed people had the right to fight against unfair governments.
Creating a New Government: The Constitutional Convention (1787)
55 smart, rich, white men met secretly in Philadelphia to write a new Constitution. They decided on a Federalist system, where power would be shared between the national government and the states.
There were two big ideas for how the government should work:
The Virginia Plan (from James Madison): Wanted a strong national government with two parts in Congress, and how many people each state got would depend on its population (good for big states).
The New Jersey Plan (from Will Patterson): Wanted one part in Congress, and every state would get the same number of people, no matter their size (good for small states).
They combined these ideas into the Great Compromise, creating a Congress with two parts:
The Senate: Each state gets 2 representatives (great for small states).
The House of Representatives: The number of representatives depends on the state's population (great for big states).
How the government has separate powers (like different jobs):
Legislative Branch (Congress - Article 1): These are the people who make laws.
Executive Branch (President - Article 2): This is the president, who makes sure the laws are followed and is the leader of the army.
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court - Article 3): These are the judges, who decide what laws mean and if they are fair.
Changing the Constitution is really hard – it needs 2/3 of Congress and 3/4 of the states to agree!
Not everyone liked the new Constitution. The Anti-Federalists worried the central government would be too powerful and demanded a Bill of Rights to protect people's individual freedoms. They got it in 1791 (the first 10 amendments).
The Federalists (like Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison) wrote 85 essays called The Federalist Papers to convince people to approve the Constitution. Papers #10 and #51 (by Madison) explained how a big country with lots of different groups would actually keep the government fair.
The First Presidents: George Washington and John Adams (Early Republic)
George Washington's Presidency:
He created the first Cabinet (a team of advisors, like Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton).
Judiciary act of 1789 established the federal judiciary system, setting up the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, which helped define the role of the judiciary in the new government.
Alexander Hamilton (his money guy) came up with a big plan to fix the country's money problems. This included having the national government pay off the states' debts (to make states feel like they belonged to the country), creating the First Bank of the United States (like a national piggy bank), and putting taxes on things like whiskey.
The Whiskey Rebellion (1794) happened when farmers got mad about the whiskey tax. Washington quickly sent the army to stop them, showing that the new government was strong and could enforce its laws, unlike the AOC.
Washington said America should mostly stay neutral (not take sides) in wars between European countries like Britain and France.
In his Farewell Address (1796), he warned future presidents to avoid having political parties (groups that always fight) and to not get into permanent alliances with other countries.
John Adams's Presidency:
The XYZ Affair (1797-1798) was when French officials tried to get bribes from American diplomats, almost causing a war with France.
The Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) were laws that made it harder for immigrants to become citizens and made it illegal to criticize the government. Many people thought these laws were unfair and took away freedom of speech.
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison wrote the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (1798-1799), saying that states should have the power to say if a federal law is unconstitutional.
Political Parties began forming, even though Washington warned against them! You had Federalists (who wanted a strong central government and big businesses, led by Hamilton and Adams) and Democratic-Republicans (who wanted states to have more power and focused on farming, led by Jefferson and Madison).
How Things Led to Other Things (Cause and Effect Chart for your APUSH Unit 3, simplified!)
Cause: Britain spent too much money in the French and Indian War (1754-1763).
Effect: Britain stopped being nice and started taxing the colonies a lot.
Cause: Britain wanted to stop fights with Native Americans after the war.
Effect: They told colonists, "No moving west of the Appalachian Mountains!" (Proclamation of 1763), which made colonists mad.
Cause: Britain needed money after the war.
Effect: They made new taxes like the Sugar Act (1764), Stamp Act (1765), and Townshend Acts (1767).
Cause: Britain taxed colonists without letting colonists have a say in Parliament.
Effect: Colonists shouted "No taxation without representation!" and started protesting, boycotting, and groups like the Sons of Liberty appeared.
Cause: Colonists boycotted British goods because of the Stamp Act, hurting British businesses.
Effect: Britain took away the Stamp Act (1766) but then said, "We can still make any laws we want!" (Declaratory Act, 1766).
Cause: British soldiers shot colonists in Boston (Boston Massacre, 1770).
Effect: Colonists got even angrier at Britain, and this event was used to turn more people against the British.
Cause: Britain gave one company (East India Company) a special deal to sell tea cheaply in America (Tea Act, 1773).
Effect: Colonists dumped a lot of tea into Boston Harbor (Boston Tea Party, 1773).
Cause: The Boston Tea Party and other protests.
Effect: Britain passed harsh laws called the Intolerable Acts (1774) to punish Massachusetts.
Cause: The Intolerable Acts and Britain's meanness.
Effect: Leaders from 12 colonies met at the First Continental Congress (1774) to plan how to fight back.
Cause: Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense (1776).
Effect: Lots of colonists were convinced that America had to become independent.
Cause: British soldiers tried to take American weapons and leaders at Lexington and Concord (1775).
Effect: The American Revolutionary War officially started!
Cause: The fight with Britain was getting serious, and they needed to formally break up.
Effect: The Second Continental Congress declared independence with the Declaration of Independence (July ext{ }4, ext{ }1776).
Cause: Americans won a big battle at Saratoga (1777).
Effect: France finally decided to help America officially by signing a treaty (1778) and sending money and soldiers.
Cause: France helped, and American soldiers fought hard.
Effect: British surrendered at Yorktown (1781), ending the war.
Cause: America won its freedom.
Effect: The Treaty of Paris (1783) officially created the United States of America as an independent country.
Cause: States were afraid of giving too much power to a central government.
Effect: They created the weak Articles of Confederation (1781) as their first government.
Cause: The Articles of Confederation government was too weak to collect taxes, raise an army, or keep states from fighting over trade.
Effect: Shay's Rebellion (1786) happened, showing everyone how bad the Articles were and that a new government was needed.
Cause: Realizing the Articles of Confederation didn't work (like after Shay's Rebellion).
Effect: They held the Constitutional Convention (1787) and wrote a new Constitution, creating a stronger government with shared powers.
Cause: Some people worried the new Constitution gave the central government too much power and didn't protect individual rights.
Effect: The Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments) was added to the Constitution in 1791 to protect people's freedoms.
Cause: The new country needed to fix its money problems.
Effect: Alexander Hamilton came up with his Financial Plan, including a national bank and taxes.
Cause: Hamilton's tax on whiskey.
Effect: The Whiskey Rebellion (1794) started, but President Washington quickly stopped it, showing the new government was strong and could make people follow laws.
The lead-up to George Washington's Farewell Address in 1796 involved key aspects of his presidency that shaped his warnings against political factions and permanent foreign alliances. His administration established a strong federal government, as demonstrated by his decisive action during the Whiskey Rebellion (1794), where he put down an uprising against an excise tax, contrasting sharply with the weak response capabilities under the Articles of Confederation. This event underscored the potential for internal divisions and the need for national unity, which informed his warning against political parties. In foreign policy, Washington issued his Proclamation of Neutrality (1793) regarding the war between Britain and France, intending to keep the young nation out of European conflicts. Treaties like Jay's Treaty (1794) with Britain and Pinckney's Treaty (1795) with Spain further defined American foreign relations while striving to avoid entanglements. These experiences with internal governance and foreign relations directly influenced his Farewell Address, where he cautioned against the dangers of factions and permanent foreign alliances, advocating for national cohesion and an independent foreign policy.