Unit 3 Period 3 - Vocabulary Flashcards
Topic 3.1 Contextualizing Period 3
Learning Objective: Explain the context in which America gained independence and developed a sense of national identity.
Core arc of Period 3 (in broad strokes): over about 150 years after 1607, the 13 British colonies in North America developed an identity distinct from Great Britain; in the next ~$50$ years they fought a war against France, won independence, wrote a constitution, and established a democratic republic. The transformation from colonies to a new country was driven by:
A change in how Britain ruled its colonies (imperial policy, taxation, governance).
Impact of European affairs and ideas on colonists (Enlightenment thought, republican ideals).
Development of American leaders and people who wanted self-government.
The Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War) as a turning point
The war pitted Britain and its colonists against France and many American Indian allies; fought across Europe, the Americas, and Asia; began in 1754 and ended with the Treaty of 1763.
Consequences:
British victory consolidated control of North America and removed the immediate threat of French attacks on colonies.
The war exposed colonial political maturity: colonists stood up for their interests and contributed to war efforts.
Colonial taxation and sovereignty dynamics after 1763
Britain sought to pay for war costs by imposing taxes on colonies that had just fought alongside Britain: tensions between self-sufficient colonial mindset and imperial revenue needs.
Enlightenment ideas inspired colonists to push for greater self-government and governance closer to local needs.
From Articles of Confederation to the Constitution
Early postwar governance was under the Articles of Confederation, which created a weak national government.
A stronger federal framework was later established by the Constitution, complemented by the Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.
Debates under Washington’s presidency between Democratic-Republicans (states’ rights) and Federalists (stronger federal government).
Emergence of a national identity
Through economic development, westward expansion, and cultural formation, a distinct American identity emerged after 1776 and accelerated after 1800 as a new national culture formed distinct practices, laws, and institutions.
Landmark events in the period (chronological anchors)
1754–1763: The Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War) ends; Britain gains North American territorial dominance.
1763: Proclamation Line of 1763; British attempt to stabilize frontier but colonists push westward anyway.
1776: Declaration of Independence marks a formal break with Britain.
1787: Northwest Ordinance expands the new nation and sets governance rules for western territories.
1788: U.S. Constitution ratified; Bill of Rights (first ten amendments) added to protect individual liberties, forming the basis of the current U.S. government.
1789: George Washington takes office as the first U.S. president; new federal government begins under the Constitution.
1791: Bill of Rights ratified; foundational protections for individual rights are in effect.
Analyzing the given context questions 1) Explain a historical context for the changing relationship after the Seven Years’ War.
The war enlarged British imperial responsibilities and costs; growing scrutiny in Britain about how to manage far-flung colonies and how to finance an expanded empire.
Colonists gained confidence from wartime contributions and perceived a desire for greater self-governance; Britain’s move toward more centralized control and taxation after the war created friction with colonial self-government traditions.
2) Explain a historical context for the development of new constitutions after 1776.Republican ideals from the Revolution, combined with practical governance challenges under the Articles, prompted leaders to consider a stronger federal government with checks and balances and a protection of individual rights (Bill of Rights) to address fears of tyranny and deadlock.
3) Explain a historical context for regional differences over economic, political, social, and foreign issues as new U.S. cultural and political institutions formed.Regional economic interests (industrializing north vs. agricultural south), frontier pressures, and foreign relations (British, French, Spanish interests) created continued divergences, shaping state policies and the federal framework.
Key concepts, terms, and people to note
Albany Plan of Union (1754) — Franklin’s attempt to coordinate colonial defense; precursor to later federal visions.
Treaty of Paris (1763) — Ends the Seven Years’ War; Britain gains Canada and Florida; France loses empire in North America.
Proclamation of 1763 — Limits western settlement to reduce frontier conflicts; provokes colonial resistance.
Articles of Confederation (ratified 1781) — Weak central government; no power to tax or regulate commerce.
U.S. Constitution (ratified 1788) — Creates stronger federal structure with separate powers and a system of checks and balances; later amended by Bill of Rights (1791).
Bill of Rights (1791) — Protects core liberties; restricts federal government powers.
Political parties emerge by the end of Washington’s presidency: Democratic-Republicans (states’ rights) vs Federalists (stronger fed gov).
Connections and implications
The shift from colonial identity to a republican nation involved debates over representation, rights, and the scope of government power.
The experiences of war, governance, and constitutional design informed later debates about federalism, civil liberties, and the role of the citizen in government.
Ethical, philosophical, and practical implications
Debates over representation (virtual vs actual representation); the consent of the governed; the role of the people in taxation and policy formation.
Balancing security (national defense, borders, trade) with individual liberties and state autonomy.
Formulas and numerical references (LaTeX)
Year references and core numbers are noted as year, e.g., 1607, 1754, 1763, 1776, 1787, 1788, 1789, 1791.
Three-Fifths Compromise is a key constitutional detail: rac{3}{5} of enslaved people would be counted for purposes of representation and taxation.
Topic 3.2 The Seven Years’ War
Learning Objective: Explain the causes and effects of the Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War).
Global context of European rivalries
Ethno-colonial dynamics: British, French, and Spanish empires fought worldwide over trade routes, land, and influence; North America was a central theater.
The North American phase is often called the French and Indian War; in Europe it was the Seven Years’ War.
Prelude: 17th–18th century warfare in North America
Earlier wars (1689–1748): William III, Queen Anne, George II, etc., with conflict over territories (Nova Scotia, Louisbourg, Florida). These wars were costly and seldom involved regular troops in the colonies; wars often decided in Europe.
The decisive shift (1754–1763)
Beginning: French forts in the Ohio River Valley (Fort Duquesne) provoked a British colonial response led by George Washington.
Early defeats for Britain: Braddock’s defeat (1755); frontier violence by Algonquin and French allies.
Albany Plan of Union (1754): Franklin’s attempt to coordinate colonial defense; set a precedent for intercolonial cooperation.
British strategy under Pitt: concentrate on Canada; victories at Louisbourg (1758), Quebec (1759), Montreal (1760).
Outcome: Peace of Paris (1763). Britain gained Canada and Florida; France ceded Louisiana west of the Mississippi to Spain; Britain’s North American empire expanded, while French influence in the region waned.
Immediate effects on Britain and the colonies
Military: Britain emerged as the dominant naval power with unchallenged supremacy in North America.
Colonial perception: Colonists prided themselves on military performance; British view of colonial troops shifted to a more negative assessment of colonial military capabilities.
Indian relations: Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763) tested imperial policy; Britain responded with military force and alliances, shifting toward a more interventionist approach.
British imperial reorganization and policies after the war
Abandonment of salutary neglect: Britain began enforcing navagation acts and imposing new taxes to fund frontier defense and imperial administration.
Proclamation of 1763: Banned colonial settlement west of the Appalachians to stabilize lands and appease Native Americans; provoked colonial defiance.
Postwar debt and taxation debate: The war’s costs led Britain to seek revenue from the colonies, triggering a cascade of acts that would fuel colonial opposition.
Pontiac’s Rebellion and the Proclamation Line
Pontiac’s Rebellion demonstrated that western expansion created security threats for Native Americans and colonists alike.
Proclamation Line aimed to limit settlement and reduce frontier conflicts; colonists responded with westward expansion, often ignoring the boundary.
Reorganization of the empire after the war
Britain’s expanded empire necessitated new governance and tax strategies; colonists began to view themselves as self-sufficient and capable of defending their own frontier.
Key terms and figures
Albany Plan of Union (1754); William Pitt; James Wolfe; Marquis de Montcalm; Louisbourg; Fort Duquesne; Peace of Paris (1763); Pontiac’s Rebellion; Proclamation of 1763.
Analytical prompts
How did the Seven Years’ War alter British-colonial relations and the colonists’ sense of their own military capacity?
In what ways did the war’s outcome set the stage for taxation and governance disputes in the 1760s?
Topic 3.3 Taxation Without Representation
Learning Objective: Explain how British colonial policies regarding North America led to the Revolutionary War.
Core problem: British imperial policy shifted toward asserting power and collecting revenue; colonists argued for representation and consent.
Core question driving the era: What is representation? How can colonies be taxed without consent?
Major British actions and colonial reactions
Proclamation of 1763 (to stabilize western frontier) – colonists saw as limiting their access to land and opportunity.
Sugar Act (1764) (Revenue Act of 1764): duties on foreign sugar and luxuries; tightened enforcement of Navigation Acts; smugglers tried in admiralty courts without juries.
Quartering Act (1765): required colonists to provide housing and food for British troops.
Stamp Act (1765): direct tax on printed materials in the colonies; sparked widespread protest.
Declaratory Act (1766): Parliament asserted its right to tax and legislate for the colonies “in all cases whatsoever” after repeal of the Stamp Act.
Townshend Acts (1767): new duties on imports (tea, glass, paper); used to fund crown officials in the colonies; writs of assistance allowed general searches; New York assembly suspended for defiance.
Repeal of Townshend Acts (1770); tea tax retained as a symbol of Parliament’s right to tax the colonies.
Boston Massacre (1770): killing of five colonists by British troops; used as propaganda against Britain.
Committees of Correspondence (1772): organized colonial communication networks to coordinate resistance.
Boston Tea Party (1773): colonists protested Tea Act by dumping East India Company tea into Boston Harbor; symbolic resistance to taxation without representation.
Coercive Acts (1774) and the Quebec Act: punitive measures against Massachusetts and the broader colonies, including the Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act, and expanded Quartering Act; Quebec Act extended Catholicism and regional boundaries; all collectively dubbed Intolerable Acts by colonists.
Colonial responses and political actions
First Continental Congress (1774): response to Intolerable Acts; Suffolk Resolves called for repeal of the Acts; Declaration and Resolves petitioned the king; Continental Association organized to enforce economic sanctions; threatened further meetings if grievances were not redressed.
Second Continental Congress (1775): meeting in Philadelphia; issued olive branch petition, organized colonial army; declared the causes for taking up arms; eventually moved toward independence.
Declaration of Independence (1776): formal break with Britain; grievances against George III; asserted natural rights and equality principles.
Key terms and figures
Virtual representation; actual representation; Stamp Act Congress; Sons and Daughters of Liberty; writs of assistance; Boston Tea Party; coercive acts; Suffolk Resolves; Continental Association.
Themes and implications
Tension between British sovereignty and colonial rights (liberties, consent, representation).
Economic sanctions as a unifying strategy across colonies; nonimportation agreements as a common tool.
The acts helped forge a collective colonial identity and momentum toward independence.
LaTeX/Numbers to note
Sugar Act: 1764; Stamp Act: 1765; Townshend Acts: 1767; repeal of Stamp Act and passage of Declaratory Act: 1766; Boston Massacre: 1770; Boston Tea Party: Dec 1773; Intolerable Acts: 1774.
Short-answer prompts you should be ready for (examples)
Explain how the Stamp Act Congress argued for representation and consent against taxation without representation.
Compare colonial responses to the Sugar Act vs the Townshend Acts; why did colonists react differently?
Topic 3.4 Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution
Learning Objective: Explain how colonial attitudes about government and the individual changed in the years leading up to the Revolution.
Key Enlightenment ideas shaping colonial thought
Deism, rationalism, and the belief in natural rights and natural laws; the idea that government should be grounded in reason and social consent rather than divine right.
Social contract: power derives from the people; government exists to promote liberty and equality; derived from John Locke and Rousseau.
The influence of Enlightenment thinkers on American leaders (Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Adams).
Thomas Paine and “Common Sense” (1776)
Argues for independence in forceful, accessible language; challenges monarchy and hereditary rule; asserts that it is common sense for a continental land to be governed by itself, not distant Britain.
Helped shift public opinion toward independence by targeting common readers, not just elites.
The Enlightenment’s philosophical contributions to revolutionary thinking
The social contract as a basis for legitimate government.
The belief that governments require consent of the governed and derive their powers from the people, not from divine right.
The trust in reason to understand political and social life, rather than religious or traditional authority alone.
Historical debates on revolution: Bailyn vs Wood (and others)
Bailyn emphasized the role of ideology and the radical potential of republican thought guiding independence.
Wood and others argued that revolutionary changes built on preexisting colonial practices and ideas; revolution as a culmination of earlier developments rather than a sudden rupture.
Key terms and figures
Deism, rationalism, social contract, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Thomas Paine, Common Sense.
Connections to later events
The Enlightenment foundations shaped later constitutional design, rights rhetoric, and the idea of limited government.
Topic 3.5 The American Revolution
Learning Objective: Explain the factors contributing to the American victory in the Revolution.
Key facts about the war
Population and loyalty: about 2.6 million people in the colonies in 1775; Patriots (about 40%), Loyalists (~25%), others neutral.
Patriots’ strengths: commitment, local militias, geography; Washington’s leadership; financial and supply hardships; occasional French support after 1777.
British advantages: larger population, wealth, professional army, and a strong navy; better supply lines abroad.
Major turning points: Saratoga (1777)—France’s alliance with the U.S.; Yorktown (1781) with French aid; 1783 Treaty of Paris recognized U.S. independence and defined borders.
Ethnic and regional dimensions
African Americans: about 5{,}000 fought on the Patriot side; slaves offered liberty by the British for joining their side.
Loyalists: about 80{,}000 left to Canada or Britain after the war; Loyalists tended to be wealthier and more conservative; many officials and Anglican clergy remained loyal.
Native Americans largely supported the British, who promised to limit colonial expansion westward.
The home front and economy
War disrupted commerce; inflation; Continental currency depreciated; shortages of supplies and funding; maintenance of public morale was a constant challenge.
The consequences of the war
National identity and political institutions began to form; many new rights and limits were debated in the postwar era; foundational experiences influenced the drafting of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Key terms and figures
Saratoga (1777), Benedict Arnold, Horatio Gates, John Burgoyne, Valley Forge, Continental Army, French alliance, Treaty of Paris (1783).
Notable postwar implications
The revolution set in motion debates about who counts as part of “the people,” what rights are guaranteed, and how a new nation should be governed.
Topic 3.6 The Influence of Revolutionary Ideals
Learning Objectives: Explain how revolutionary ideas affected society; describe the global impact of the American Revolution.
Social changes within the United States
Women: Daughters of Liberty, Molly Pitcher, Deborah Sampson; Republican Motherhood emerges as a concept encouraging education for women so they can nurture republican values in their children; women’s public political influence grows, but equality remains limited.
Enslaved Africans and the issue of liberty: abolitionist movements gain momentum in the North; some states begin to end slavery, while the Southern states resist; the cotton economy’s rise (and demand for enslaved labor) complicates abolition prospects.
American Indians: generally aligned with the British during the Revolution; the new nation’s expansion still led to displacement and conflicts; Indians largely did not benefit from independence and often faced pressure to cede lands.
Intellectual and cultural shifts
Republican ideals shape cultural life: new political beliefs, republican virtue, and the spread of civic religion in public life.
The revolution inspires broader global movements and revolutions (France, Haiti, Irish and Latin American movements) and influences later democratic ideals and human rights arguments.
Global impact of revolutionary ideas
The Declaration of Independence and its ideals (liberty, equality, rights) inspired other movements around the world in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Influence on later revolutionary movements in France, Haiti, Ireland, and Latin America; Declaration of Independence cited by later independence-seeking peoples.
Key terms
Republican Motherhood, Molly Pitcher, Deborah Sampson, Mary McCauley, abolition, slavery, Native American policy, Northwest Ordinance (as shaping a Western identity and governance).
Connections and implications
The American Revolution contributed to a broader rethinking of rights, citizenship, and the role of women and enslaved people, even as it exposed clear inequalities in society.
Notable climate for change
The period shows both progress toward inclusive political ideals and the persistence of social hierarchies (slavery, gender inequality, Native dispossession).
Topic 3.7 The Articles of Confederation
Learning Objective: Explain how different forms of government developed and changed during the Revolutionary Period.
Organization under the Articles of Confederation (1781–1789)
Structure: unicameral Congress; no executive or national judiciary; each state had one vote; nine of thirteen votes needed to pass major laws.
Powers: declare war, conduct diplomacy, coin money, and borrow money; but no power to regulate commerce or raise taxes; national government relied on state contributions.
Amendments required unanimous consent of the states.
A Committee of States could perform limited duties when Congress was not in session.
State constitutions (as created during the period)
Most states wrote new constitutions with a bill of rights, separation of powers into three branches (legislature, governor/executive, judiciary).
Voting requirements generally limited to property-owning white men; office-holders typically required higher property qualifications.
Major accomplishments under the Articles
Victory in the War for Independence and negotiations of the Treaty of Paris (1783).
Land Ordinance of 1785: a plan for surveying and selling western lands; set aside one section per township for public education.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787: established a process to create new states; prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territory; provided for limited self-government.
Weaknesses and crises
Foreign policy credibility: unable to enforce the Treaty of Paris; inability to regulate interstate commerce and collect taxes to fund government; debt problems.
Economic drains: states owed debts; printing money caused inflation; lack of a reliable national revenue source.
Interstate disputes: tariffs and rivalries; boundary disputes; Shay’s Rebellion (1786–87) exposed the fragility of the Articles.
The shift toward a new constitution
The weaknesses under the Articles generated reforms celebrated in the Constitutional Convention of 1787; the cry for a stronger federal government culminated in drafting a new framework (the Constitution) with checks and balances and a bill of rights.
Key terms and figures
Northwest Ordinance, Land Ordinance of 1785, Shays’s Rebellion, Confederation, unicameral Congress, Articles of Confederation.
Topic 3.8 The Constitutional Convention and Debates Over Ratification
Learning Objective: Explain the differing ideological positions on the structure and function of the federal government.
Path to the Constitution
Annapolis Convention (1786): five states discussed commerce; led to calling a constitutional convention.
Philadelphia Convention (1787): 55 delegates (all white, male, largely educated) met to revise/replace the Articles; George Washington elected president of the convention; James Madison (Father of the Constitution) played a central role; secrecy was maintained during deliberations.
Major issues at the convention and resolutions
Representation: Virginia Plan (larger states favored proportional representation) vs New Jersey Plan (smaller states favored equal representation); resolved by the Connecticut Plan (Great Compromise): bicameral Congress with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.
Slavery: Three-Fifths Compromise counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for purposes of taxation and representation; decision on the slave trade: Congress could regulate it but could not abolish it before 1808.
Commerce: Northern states favored a powerful central government to regulate interstate and foreign commerce; Southern states worried about export taxes; Commercial Compromise allowed Congress to regulate commerce but prohibited export taxes.
Presidency: Debates over term length, method of election (Electoral College), and powers (veto, appointment power).
Ratification process and the Bill of Rights
Federalists argued for ratification, emphasizing strong national government and the checks and balances in the proposed framework; Anti-Federalists worried about centralized power and lacked a bill of rights.
The Federalist Papers argued in favor of ratification; a bill of rights was promised as a priority for the first Congress to secure ratification.
Ratification process concluded with nine states ratifying; later states (Virginia, New York, etc.) debated and ultimately ratified; the Bill of Rights was added in 1791 to protect individual liberties and to reassure Anti-Federalists.
Key terms and figures
Federalists, Anti-Federalists, The Federalist Papers, Great Compromise, Three-Fifths Compromise, Electoral College, Mount Vernon Conference, Annapolis Convention.
Topic 3.9 The Constitution
Learning Objective: Explain continuities and changes in government structure and functions with ratification of the Constitution.
Core features of the new system
Federalism: power divided between national and state governments.
Separation of powers: three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) with checks and balances.
Constitutional framework: a system designed to prevent tyranny by distributing power and creating guardrails between branches.
The Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments (ratified in 1791) protect individual liberties and limit federal power; later amendments extended protections to state actions via incorporation doctrine (broadly applicable after the 14th Amendment, 1868).
Examples of the enumerated and implied powers
Congress’s enumerated powers to regulate commerce, coin money, declare war; the Necessary and Proper (Elastic) Clause allows implied powers that enable the federal government to fulfill its enumerated duties.
The structure of government today vs. the Articles
The Constitution established a robust central government capable of addressing nationwide issues (defense, interstate commerce, diplomacy) and a stronger federal judiciary.
The Bill of Rights as a political compromise
Anti-Federalists demanded explicit protections; Federalists agreed to add a Bill of Rights to secure ratification.
Notable articles and clauses (to know broadly)
10th Amendment reserves powers to the states; 14th Amendment extends many guarantees to state actions; the Electoral College as a mechanism for electing the president; checks and balances among branches; federal supremacy in constitutional matters.
Topic 3.10 Shaping a New Republic
Learning Objective: Explain competition, party development, and major policy decisions in the early republic.
Washington’s Presidency (1789–1797)
Organizing the new government: four cabinet members (state: Thomas Jefferson; treasury: Alexander Hamilton; war: Henry Knox; attorney general: Edmund Randolph); cabinets remain advisory bodies.
Creation of the federal court system via the Judiciary Act of 1789: one Supreme Court with 1 chief justice + 5 associate justices; 13 district courts; three circuit courts of appeal.
Hamilton’s financial program (the groundwork for a modern economy)
Aim: stabilize the national debt and establish public credit; pay off the national debt at face value and assume state war debts; protect infant industries with tariffs; create a national bank to manage finances and currency.
Political coalitions: Northern merchants supported tariffs and a national bank; Southern planters resisted high tariffs that protected industry but burdened consumers; Jefferson and the Southern Anti-Federalists demanded a southern location for the capital as part of the deal to assume state debts.
Foreign policy under Washington
French Revolution and the corresponding European tensions; debate over whether to support France or Britain; Washington’s policy favored neutrality and the avoidance of entangling alliances (Farewell Address term for “permanent alliances”).
Citizen Genêt affair (French envoy) and the challenge to neutrality; Jay Treaty (1794) with Britain helping stabilize relations and avoid war; Pinckney Treaty (1795) with Spain opening the Mississippi River and Right of Deposit in New Orleans; these treaties helped ensure U.S. access to western rivers and markets.
The two-party system emerges (Federalists vs Democratic-Republicans)
Federalists (Hamilton) advocated a strong central government, a national bank, tariffs; Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson, Madison) favored states’ rights and a limited central government; regional bases differ (northeast vs. south and frontier).
Domestic challenges and civil order
The Whiskey Rebellion (1794): a test of federal authority; Washington federalized militia to suppress the rebellion; controversy over federal power vs. expression of liberties in rural areas.
The Washington Farewell Address (1796)
Warned against: permanent alliances, entangling alliances, and the dangers of political parties; encouraged a cautious foreign policy and a focus on national unity; emphasized the importance of a republic with a strong but limited government, and the need to avoid entangling alliances that could draw the U.S. into costly foreign wars.
The domestic party system and transition of power
The Federalist era (roughly 1790s) established a two-party system; by 1796, Washington’s retirement and the presidential transition set the stage for a recurring pattern of party competition in U.S. politics.
Key terms and figures
Assumption of debt, Bank of the United States, Jay Treaty, Pinckney Treaty, Whiskey Rebellion, Northwest Ordinance (relevant context), Farewell Address, Federalists, Democratic-Republicans.
Topic 3.11 Developing an American Identity
Learning Objective: Explain continuities and changes in American culture, 1754–1800.
Key idea: a new national identity appropriated from colonial roots while incorporating new influences
Crèvecoeur’s concept of the “new man” (1782)
The American identity as a fusion: an individual can cast off old European prejudices and adopt new republican ideals; the national identity emerges through new political institutions and social norms.
The Great Seal and national symbols (implicit in the period)
National symbols and emblems reflect the new republic’s values: unity, resilience, and democratic ideals. The symbolism (olive branches, arrows, stars) reflect a political community intent on peace and readiness for defense.
Changes in social structure and culture
The abolition of aristocratic titles and the emphasis on republican values reconfigure social hierarchies.
Separation of church and state emerges in many states; religious institutions lose direct state funding, though religious enthusiasm remains robust in various regions.
The emergence of a distinct American culture in literature, visual arts, and urban development (book publishing, newspapers, galleries, architecture, and urban planning in capital cities).
Regional variations in culture and life
The North and South diverge in economic practices (industrialization vs. agriculture), slavery, and religion; frontier communities adopt different cultural norms than coastal ones.
The Great Seal and civic symbolism
Symbols reflect a new national ethos—liberty, unity, and a civic republican identity that binds disparate regions.
Key figures and cultural milestones
Mary McCauley (Molly Pitcher), Deborah Sampson, Judith Sargent Murray (advocacy for women’s equality and education); the town of Philadelphia, national galleries and newspapers; early American educational and cultural institutions.
Questions for reflection
How did national symbols and cultural practices support the new republic’s legitimacy and unity?
In what ways did the revolution redefine gender roles and family life while leaving many inequalities intact?
Topic 3.12 Movement in the Early Republic
Learning Objective: Explain migration and population shifts, and the continuities and changes in attitudes toward slavery as the nation expanded.
The westward expansion and migration
The Northwest Ordinance (1787) and other policies supported the organized expansion across the Ohio River valley; it provided a framework for new states with a path to statehood and a ban on slavery in the Northwest Territory (a major early policy). The ordinance also included provisions for public education and a structured territorial government.
Population growth and demographic changes: natural increase; immigration from Europe; the domestic slave population continued to grow, particularly in the South, while abolitionist sentiments grew in the North.
Slavery and expansion
Slavery expands in the late 18th century in the new western territories; the Northwest Ordinance banned slavery in the Northwest Territory, but the spread of cotton production and the invention of the cotton gin (1793) increased demand for enslaved labor elsewhere (South).
The movement of enslaved people within the country and to new territories remains a central, divisive issue shaping political alignments and future policy debates.
Interactions with Native Americans and land policy
The Northwest Territory is opened for settlement, leading to conflict with Native nations (e.g., the Northwest Confederacy, Little Turtle); Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794) and the Treaty of Greenville (1795) settle some conflicts but displacement continues.
Indian Intercourse Act (1790s): federal control over trade and land purchases from Native peoples; later expansion and enforcement faced ongoing pushback and evasion by settlers.
Domestic policy and economic development
Public Land Act (1796): structured land sales to promote orderly settlement; the expansion of roads, towns, and statehood processes; the push toward a market economy and a stronger federal role in land policy.
The emergence of political factions and parties
Early party development around federalist and Democratic-Republican lines; differences in economic policy, foreign policy, and the scope of federal power shape early political life.
Key terms
Northwest Ordinance, Indian Intercourse Act, Battle of Fallen Timbers, Treaty of Greenville, public land act, cotton gin, population growth, migration patterns.
Figures and events to connect
Daniel Boone, Little Turtle, Anthony Wayne; the push toward western expansion and the corresponding conflicts with Native Americans and international powers.
Topic 3.13 Continuity and Change in Period 3
Learning Objective: Explain the American independence movement’s effects on society from 1754 to 1800.
Core themes of continuity and change
Continuities: persistent social hierarchies (gender, race, class), continued Native American displacement, and enduring religious and cultural tensions.
Changes: expansion of political participation (though still limited by property; women’s roles evolve through Republican Motherhood), abolitionist pressures and reform movements begin to take root in certain areas, and the development of a national political party system.
Examples of continuity and change
The Revolution’s impact on gender roles (Republican Motherhood) versus the persistence of women’s secondary public roles; abolitionist ideas gained momentum but slavery persisted in law and practice.
The growth of a national press, capital cities, and a shared national culture; yet regional differences remained significant in politics, religion, and social life.
The foreign policy of neutrality and strategic alliances shaped later U.S. diplomacy and the balance of power among European nations.
Major takeaways for AP exam preparation
You should be able to argue how revolutionary ideas generated lasting political and social changes while acknowledging ongoing inequalities.
You should be ready to compare different historians’ interpretations on the radicality of the Revolution (e.g., Bailyn vs Wood; Beard vs Hofstadter) and to use specific events (Treaty of Paris, Northwest Ordinance, Jay Treaty, Whiskey Rebellion, etc.) as supporting evidence.
Key terms and topics for this period’s continuity/change analysis
Republican motherhood, abolition, women’s rights movements, slavery, Native American policy, the Northwest Ordinance, Shays’s Rebellion, the emergence of political parties, the Constitution and Bill of Rights, foreign policy (Proclamation of Neutrality, Jay Treaty, Pinckney Treaty), the Whiskey Rebellion, population and migration patterns, westward expansion.
Quick reference: major landmarks by date (for quick review)
1607: Jamestown founded (beginnings of English colonization in North America)
1754–1763: Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War in North America)
1763: Treaty of Paris ends war; British territorial gains; Proclamation Line; Pontiac’s Rebellion
1764: Sugar Act
1765: Stamp Act; Quartering Act
1766: Declaratory Act (after Stamp Act repeal)
1767: Townshend Acts
1770: Boston Massacre; repeal of Townshend duties (except tea)
1773: Boston Tea Party; Tea Act
1774: Intolerable (Coercive) Acts; Quebec Act
1775: Lexington and Concord; Second Continental Congress begins
1776: Declaration of Independence
1781: Articles of Confederation in effect;Battle of Yorktown (later in year)
1783: Treaty of Paris ends Revolutionary War; U.S. independence recognized
1787: Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia
1788: Constitution ratified
1789: Washington takes office; Judiciary Act establishes federal court system
1791: Bill of Rights ratified
1794: Whiskey Rebellion; Fallen Timbers (defeat of Northwest Confederacy)
1795: Pinckney Treaty with Spain; open Mississippi River
1796: Washington’s Farewell Address
1797–1800: Early Federalist era consolidates party politics; neutrality policies in foreign affairs remain central
Connections to foundational principles
The Revolution’s legacy rests on the tension between liberty and equality and the realities of social and political power structures (women, enslaved people, Native Americans).
The move from a weak confederation to a strong federal republic sets the pattern for U.S. governance: federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances, and the protection of civil liberties through the Bill of Rights.
The Revolution was both a political and a cultural transformation: it altered political institutions and concepts of citizenship, while it left unresolved tensions around slavery, women’s rights, and indigenous sovereignty to be addressed in later generations.
Study tips based on these notes
Memorize the major turning points and the years associated with them (wars, treaties, ratifications, and landmark acts) using year notation for quick recall.
Be prepared to explain both sides of major debates (e.g., Federalists vs Anti-Federalists; Bailyn vs Wood on the Revolution’s radicalism).
Practice connecting political developments (constitution, federalism, Bill of Rights) to social changes (Republican Motherhood, abolition) and to global events (French Revolution, Haitian Revolution) to illustrate the Revolution’s broader impact.
Use the Three-Fifths Compromise as a concrete example of how constitutional design balanced competing regional interests and how it embedded racial politics into the constitutional framework.
Short glossary (for quick review)
Albany Plan of Union; Articles of Confederation; Constitution; Great Compromise; Three-Fifths Compromise; Northwest Ordinance; Bill of Rights; Federalists; Anti-Federalists; Jay Treaty; Pinckney Treaty; Whiskey Rebellion; Northwest Territory; Elastic Clause; incorporation doctrine (conceptual, when applicable).