APUSH - Key Concepts 3.1, 3.2, 3.3

Key Concept 3.1

British attempts to control colonies led to independence movement and Revolutionary War.

Key Concept 3.1, I

British, French, and American Indians competed for economic and political advantage, culminating in the Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War).

Causes of British-French Conflict:

  • Expansion into Ohio Valley.

  • Iroquois allied with British.

Impacts of the War:

  • French removed from North America.

  • Britain gained land and debt.

  • Salutary Neglect Ends: Britain sought revenue and control (Sugar Act (1764), Stamp Act (1765)).

  • Tensions led to the Revolutionary War.

Post-7 Years’ War:

  • Proclamation Line forbade expansion west of Appalachians.

  • Natives resisted encroachment (Pontiac's Rebellion (1763)).

Key Concept 3.1, II

Desire for self-government led to independence movement and war.

Colonial Unity Against the British:

  • British taxes lacked representation; colonists boycotted and unified.

Justification for Resistance:

  • Rights of British subjects, rejection of “virtual representation.”

  • Rights of individuals, taxation, writs of assistance, admiralty courts.

  • Enlightenment ideas: Consent of governed, “Life, liberty, and property.”

  • Local traditions of self-rule.

Individuals in the Independence Movement:

  • Colonial leaders, Ben Franklin, Sons and Daughters of Liberty, Thomas Paine.

Patriot Mobilization:

  • Men and women contributed to the war effort.

British and American Advantages:

  • British: Loyalist opposition, bigger military, more $.$

  • American: Familiarity with land, military leadership (Washington), commitment, and foreign aid (French).

Key Concept 3.2

American Revolution’s ideals inspired new forms of government.

Key Concept 3.2, I

Revolutionary cause reflected new beliefs about politics, religion, and society.

Impact of Enlightenment:

  • Individual talent over hereditary privilege.

  • Great Awakening contributed to American liberty views.

Thomas Paine and the Declaration:

  • Common Sense challenged monarchy.

  • Declaration of Independence: natural rights of “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Push for Equality:

  • Calls for abolition of slavery (Pennsylvania’s Gradual Abolition Law (1780)).

  • Increased calls for political democracy: Abigail Adams, Judith Sargent Murray.

Republican Motherhood:

  • Women instill republican values and increased education.

Impact of American Revolution:

  • Inspired revolutions worldwide (French Revolution, Haiti, Latin America).

Key Concept 3.1, II

Political leaders created new constitutions and declarations of rights.

Politics of State Constitution:

  • Feared strong central power; strong legislative branches.

  • Property requirements for voting and citizenship.

Challenges Under the Articles:

  • Trade barriers, differing currency values, high inflation.

  • Federal government could not tax.

  • Foreign Relations issues.

  • Internal unrest: Shay’s Rebellion.

Constitution:

  • Federalism: Division of power.

Constitutional Compromises:

  • Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise): Bicameral legislature.

  • 3/5 Compromise: 3/5 slaves counted for population.

Ratification:

  • Federalists (pro-Constitution) vs. Anti-Federalists.

  • Federalist Papers, promise of Bill of Rights.

Key Concept 3.2, III

New forms of national culture and political institutions developed.

Institutions and Precedents:

  • Established by Washington and Adams: 2-term tradition, cabinet, Bank of the US (BUS).

Emergence of Political Parties:

  • Federalists (Hamilton) favored strong national government.

  • Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson and Madison) favored limited government (VA and KY Resolutions).

  • Economic Policy: Hamilton’s Financial Plan (Federalists).

  • Foreign Affairs: Federalists favored Great Britain, Democratic-Republicans favored France.

Impacts of Slavery:

  • Antislavery sentiment grew in the North.

  • Emergence of sectional attitudes toward slavery.

National Identity:

  • Art: Gilbert Stuart; Literature: Focused on freedom; Architecture: Jefferson and neoclassical.

Key Concept 3.3

Migration and competition intensified conflicts.

Key Concept 3.3, I

Interactions resulted in competition for resources, shifting alliances, and cultural blending.

Relations with Natives Post-Revolutionary War:

  • Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794 - Ohio): Natives defeated, Treaty of Greenville: Natives ceded land.

  • Britain and Natives’ relationship contributed to tensions (War of 1812).

Frontier Cultures:

  • Scots-Irish (Paxton Boys) displaced Natives.

  • Shays’ Rebellion: Farmers demanded debt relief, illustrating tensions.

Northwest Land Ordinance (1787):

  • Process to admit new states, guaranteed freedom of religion and trial by jury.

  • Land sales funded education, abolished slavery, protected private property.

US Government Relations with Natives:

  • No mention of treatment in the Constitution, Treaty of Greenville.

Spain Expanded Into California:

  • Missions created, trade expanded, natives