APUSH Unit 3 Overview Guide

Flashcard 1

Front:

1754-1763—French & Indian War

Back:

A conflict between British America and New France, supported by Native American tribes. It was part of the global Seven Years' War.

Why it matters: The war reshaped the balance of power in North America, with Britain gaining significant territory. The war’s costs led Britain to tax the colonies, sparking future conflict.

Flashcard 2

Front:

1754—Albany Congress & Benjamin Franklin’s Albany Plan of Union

Back:

A proposal by Benjamin Franklin to create a unified colonial government during the Albany Congress in 1754. It was not adopted but was an early attempt at colonial unity.

Why it matters: It showed the first efforts to unite the colonies, setting the stage for future collaboration during the Revolution.

Flashcard 3

Front:

1763—Peace of Paris

Back:

It ended the French & Indian War, with France ceding Canada and lands east of the Mississippi River to Britain.

Why it matters: Britain gained a vast new empire in North America, but the debt incurred from the war led to taxing the colonies, which sparked discontent.

Flashcard 4

Front:

1763—Pontiac’s Rebellion

Back:

A Native American uprising led by Chief Pontiac against British rule and policies in the Great Lakes region after the French & Indian War.

Why it matters: It led to the Proclamation of 1763, which restricted colonial expansion westward, angering colonists.

Flashcard 5

Front:

1763—Proclamation Line

Back:

A British law forbidding colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains to prevent conflicts with Native Americans.

Why it matters: It angered colonists who hoped to expand westward, contributing to growing tensions with Britain.

Flashcard 6

Front:

1764—Sugar Act

Back:

A tax imposed by Britain on sugar and molasses imported into the colonies, aimed at raising revenue.

Why it matters: It was one of the first revenue-generating taxes on the colonies, causing resentment and fueling the idea of “No taxation without representation.”

Flashcard 7

Front:

1765—Stamp Act

Back:

A law that required all printed materials to carry a stamp showing that a tax had been paid.

Why it matters: It led to widespread protests, including the first Stamp Act Congress, and the slogan “No taxation without representation.”

Flashcard 8

Front:

1765—Stamp Act Congress

Back:

A meeting of colonial representatives in New York to discuss opposition to the Stamp Act. They petitioned for its repeal.

Why it matters: It was the first unified colonial response to British taxation and set the stage for future cooperation among the colonies.

Flashcard 9

Front:

1766—Parliament Repeals the Stamp Act

Back:

Parliament repealed the Stamp Act due to widespread protests, boycotts, and resistance in the colonies.

Why it matters: It was a major victory for the colonists but was followed by the Declaratory Act, affirming Britain’s right to tax and legislate for the colonies.

Flashcard 10

Front:

1766—Declaratory Act

Back:

An act passed by Parliament stating that it had the right to make laws and tax the American colonies in all cases.

Why it matters: Although the Stamp Act was repealed, this act reinforced British authority over the colonies, leading to more tensions.

Flashcard 11

Front:

1767—Townshend Acts

Back:

Laws that taxed goods imported to the American colonies, including tea, glass, and paper.

Why it matters: These acts led to widespread boycotts and protests, further straining relations between Britain and the colonies.

Flashcard 12

Front:

1770—Boston Massacre

Back:

British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists, killing five.

Why it matters: The event was used as propaganda to galvanize anti-British sentiment, increasing colonial resistance to British rule.

Flashcard 13

Front:

1773—Boston Tea Party

Back:

A protest against the Tea Act where American colonists, disguised as Native Americans, threw British tea into Boston Harbor.

Why it matters: It was a direct challenge to British authority, leading to the Coercive Acts.

Flashcard 14

Front:

1774—Coercive/Intolerable Acts

Back:

A series of punitive laws passed by Britain in response to the Boston Tea Party, including closing Boston Harbor and limiting colonial self-government.

Why it matters: These acts were viewed as harsh and draconian, leading to greater colonial unity and resistance.

Flashcard 15

Front:

1774—First Continental Congress

Back:

A meeting of colonial delegates in Philadelphia to discuss a unified response to the Intolerable Acts.

Why it matters: It marked the beginning of unified colonial resistance against British rule.

Flashcard 16

Front:

1775—First Shots of the Revolutionary War

Where were the first shots of the Revolutionary War fired?

Back:

The first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord in April 1775.

Why it matters: It marked the official start of the American Revolutionary War.

Flashcard 17

Front:

1776—Common Sense (Thomas Paine)

What was "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine?

Back:

A pamphlet by Thomas Paine arguing for American independence from Britain.

Why it matters: It influenced public opinion and increased support for independence.

Flashcard 18

Front:

1776—Second Continental Congress & Declaration of Independence

What happened during the Second Continental Congress in 1776?

Back:

The Congress declared American independence on July 4, 1776, with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

Why it matters: This formally started the United States’ struggle for independence.

Flashcard 19

Front:

1777—Battle of Saratoga

What was the significance of the Battle of Saratoga in 1777?

Back:

It was a major American victory that convinced France to ally with the U.S. against Britain.

Why it matters: It was a turning point in the Revolutionary War and secured crucial French support.

Flashcard 20

Front:

1781—Battle of Yorktown

What happened at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781?

Back:

It was the final major battle of the Revolutionary War, where British forces under Cornwallis surrendered to American and French troops.

Why it matters: It led to the end of the Revolutionary War and British recognition of American independence.

Flashcard 21

Front:

1781—Articles of Confederation

What were the Articles of Confederation?

Back:

The first constitution of the United States, establishing a loose confederation of states with a weak central government.

Why it matters: It was later replaced by the U.S. Constitution due to its ineffectiveness.

Flashcard 22

Front:

1783—Paris Peace Treaty

What was the Treaty of Paris (1783)?

Back:

The treaty that ended the Revolutionary War, with Britain recognizing American independence and establishing borders.

Why it matters: It officially marked the end of British colonial rule in America.

Flashcard 23

Front:

1786—Shays’ Rebellion

What was Shays’ Rebellion?

Back:

An armed uprising in Massachusetts led by former Revolutionary War soldier Daniel Shays, protesting economic injustices and weak central government under the Articles of Confederation.

Why it matters: It highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and led to calls for a stronger central government.

Flashcard 24

1787—Northwest Ordinance

Back:

A law passed by Congress that established the process for territories to become states and prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Why it matters: It set a precedent for territorial expansion and the organization of new states.

Flashcard 25

1787—Constitutional Convention

Back:

A meeting of delegates in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation, which led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

Why it matters: It resulted in the creation of the U.S. Constitution, which established the framework for the federal government.

Flashcard 26

1787—The Great Compromise & the 3/5 Compromise

Back:

Great Compromise: Established a bicameral legislature, with the Senate having equal representation for each state and the House of Representatives based on population.

3/5 Compromise: Allowed slaves to be counted as 3/5 of a person for representation purposes.

Why it matters: These compromises were crucial for the creation of the Constitution and balancing interests between large and small states, as well as between North and South.

Flashcard 27

1788—Constitution Was Ratified

Back:

The U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788 after sufficient states signed on.

Why it matters: It replaced the Articles of Confederation and established the federal government as it exists today.

Flashcard 28:

1789—Washington Was Sworn In

Back:

George Washington became the first President of the United States in 1789, setting many presidential precedents.

Why it matters: Washington’s leadership helped establish key traditions and protocols for the new nation.

Flashcard 29:1791—Bill of Rights

Back:

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing individual liberties such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion.

Why it matters: It addressed anti-Federalist concerns and ensured fundamental rights for Americans.

Flashcard 30: 1791—Whiskey Rebellion

Back:

A protest by farmers in Pennsylvania against an excise tax on whiskey.

Why it matters: The rebellion tested the new federal government’s ability to enforce its laws.

Flashcard 31: 1791—National Bank Established by Hamilton

Back:

A bank created to manage the nation’s finances, stabilize the economy, and establish credit.

Why it matters: It was part of Hamilton's economic plan and led to the creation of political factions.

Flashcard 32: 1794—Jay’s Treaty

Back:

A treaty between the U.S. and Britain that resolved issues from the Revolutionary War and sought to avoid further conflict.

Why it matters: It was controversial but helped avoid war with Britain and stabilized relations.

Flashcard 33: 1797—John Adams Sworn In

What happened when John Adams was sworn in?

Back:

John Adams became the second President of the United States.

Why it matters: His presidency marked the start of the Federalist leadership in the U.S.