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APUSH Unit 3

The French & Indian War: A Turning Point in the Relationship Between England and Its Colonies

Context and Long-Term Causes

  • Global Wars:

    • Series of four wars between Britain, France, and Spain during the late 17th and 18th centuries.

    • Focused on supremacy in the West Indies and Canada, with little initial value placed on American conflicts.

Direct Causes

  • French Provocation:

    • French built forts in the Ohio River Valley to halt British expansion.

    • Virginia's governor sent George Washington to confront the French.

  • Key Battles:

    • Battle of Jumonville Glen: French forces faced Washington's militia.

    • Battle of Fort Necessity: Washington's troops surrendered, marking the war's beginning.

The Albany Plan of Union (1754)

  • Colonial Defense Coordination:

    • British government called for a meeting in Albany, New York.

    • Benjamin Franklin's plan for intercolonial government and troop recruitment was rejected due to colonial jealousy over taxation powers.

Braddock’s Blunders

  • General Braddock's Campaign:

    • Led British forces to oust French from Fort Duquesne but suffered a decisive ambush.

    • Casualties included Braddock, shattering the myth of British invincibility.

Native Americans Take Sides

  • Tribal Alliances:

    • Most Native American tribes sided with the French due to better relations.

    • Some tribes remained neutral or allied with the British, such as the Iroquois Confederacy.

British Victory

  • William Pitt's Strategy:

    • Focused on conquering Canada, leading to victories at Louisbourg, Quebec, and Montreal.

    • The Peace of Paris (1763) ended French power in North America, with Britain gaining significant territories.

Relationship Between Britain & the Colonists

  • British Perspective:

    • Viewed colonial military efforts as inadequate and disorganized.

  • Colonial Perspective:

    • Gained confidence in their military capabilities and were unimpressed with British tactics.

War Debt & Taxation

  • Shift in British Policy:

    • End of salutary neglect; Britain sought to exert more control over colonies.

    • King George III aimed to make colonies bear more financial burdens post-war.

The American Revolution: From Unrest to Independence

Context of Colonial Unrest

  • Post-War Tensions:

    • Proclamation of 1763 angered colonists seeking westward expansion.

    • Pontiac’s Rebellion highlighted colonial frustrations.

Taxation Without Representation

  • Acts and Reactions:

    • Sugar Act (1764): Tax on sugar and molasses.

    • Stamp Act (1765): Direct tax on documents and newspapers led to protests by the Sons of Liberty.

    • Repeal and Further Acts: Stamp Act repealed, but Declaratory and Townshend Acts followed.

Escalating Tensions

  • Boston Massacre (1770):

    • British soldiers killed civilians, escalating anti-British sentiment.

  • Boston Tea Party (1773):

    • Protest against the Tea Act led to the Intolerable Acts (1774).

Toward War

  • First Continental Congress (1774):

    • Delegates discussed grievances and prepared militias.

  • Lexington and Concord (April 1775):

    • Marked the start of armed conflict.

Independence Declared

  • Second Continental Congress (1775):

    • Appointed George Washington as commander and issued the Olive Branch Petition.

  • Common Sense (1776):

    • Thomas Paine's pamphlet rallied support for independence.

Declaration of Independence

  • Key Principles:

    • All men are created equal with unalienable rights.

    • Governments derive power from the consent of the governed.

Grievances Against Britain

  • List of Tyrannical Actions:

    • Refusal to assent to laws, dissolution of representative houses, taxation without consent, and maintaining standing armies.

Ideals Behind the Revolution

  • Republicanism:

    • Citizens subordinate private interests for the common good.

  • Fear of Tyranny:

    • "Radical Whigs" warned against the arbitrary power of the king.

The Revolution & Beyond

  • Strengths and Weaknesses:

    • British: Well-trained, disciplined, but unfamiliar with the landscape.

    • Colonists: Fighting defensively, received foreign support, but poorly equipped.

Major Battles

  • Key Victories:

    • Trenton (1776), Saratoga (1777), and Yorktown (1781) were pivotal for colonial morale and support.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

  • Recognition of Independence:

    • Britain formally recognized American independence and ceded territory.

The Articles of Confederation

  • Weaknesses:

    • Limited federal power led to economic issues and inability to address rebellions like Shays’ Rebellion.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

  • New Constitution:

    • Aimed to create a stronger federal government with checks and balances.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

  • Debate Over Government Power:

    • Federalists supported a strong central government; Anti-Federalists feared tyranny.

The Bill of Rights

  • Protection of Rights:

    • Added to secure ratification by Anti-Federalists, ensuring individual and state rights.

Washington’s Administration

  • Financial Policies:

    • Hamilton’s plan to assume state debts and establish a national bank faced opposition.

Washington’s Farewell Address

  • Warnings:

    • Cautioned against political parties and foreign alliances.

The Adams Administration

  • XYZ Affair and Alien & Sedition Acts:

    • Highlighted tensions with France and domestic dissent.

Women in the Revolutionary Era

  • Roles in the Revolution:

    • Women participated in boycotts, disguised as soldiers, and contributed to the war effort.

APUSH Unit 3

The French & Indian War: A Turning Point in the Relationship Between England and Its Colonies

Context and Long-Term Causes

  • Global Wars:

    • Series of four wars between Britain, France, and Spain during the late 17th and 18th centuries.

    • Focused on supremacy in the West Indies and Canada, with little initial value placed on American conflicts.

Direct Causes

  • French Provocation:

    • French built forts in the Ohio River Valley to halt British expansion.

    • Virginia's governor sent George Washington to confront the French.

  • Key Battles:

    • Battle of Jumonville Glen: French forces faced Washington's militia.

    • Battle of Fort Necessity: Washington's troops surrendered, marking the war's beginning.

The Albany Plan of Union (1754)

  • Colonial Defense Coordination:

    • British government called for a meeting in Albany, New York.

    • Benjamin Franklin's plan for intercolonial government and troop recruitment was rejected due to colonial jealousy over taxation powers.

Braddock’s Blunders

  • General Braddock's Campaign:

    • Led British forces to oust French from Fort Duquesne but suffered a decisive ambush.

    • Casualties included Braddock, shattering the myth of British invincibility.

Native Americans Take Sides

  • Tribal Alliances:

    • Most Native American tribes sided with the French due to better relations.

    • Some tribes remained neutral or allied with the British, such as the Iroquois Confederacy.

British Victory

  • William Pitt's Strategy:

    • Focused on conquering Canada, leading to victories at Louisbourg, Quebec, and Montreal.

    • The Peace of Paris (1763) ended French power in North America, with Britain gaining significant territories.

Relationship Between Britain & the Colonists

  • British Perspective:

    • Viewed colonial military efforts as inadequate and disorganized.

  • Colonial Perspective:

    • Gained confidence in their military capabilities and were unimpressed with British tactics.

War Debt & Taxation

  • Shift in British Policy:

    • End of salutary neglect; Britain sought to exert more control over colonies.

    • King George III aimed to make colonies bear more financial burdens post-war.

The American Revolution: From Unrest to Independence

Context of Colonial Unrest

  • Post-War Tensions:

    • Proclamation of 1763 angered colonists seeking westward expansion.

    • Pontiac’s Rebellion highlighted colonial frustrations.

Taxation Without Representation

  • Acts and Reactions:

    • Sugar Act (1764): Tax on sugar and molasses.

    • Stamp Act (1765): Direct tax on documents and newspapers led to protests by the Sons of Liberty.

    • Repeal and Further Acts: Stamp Act repealed, but Declaratory and Townshend Acts followed.

Escalating Tensions

  • Boston Massacre (1770):

    • British soldiers killed civilians, escalating anti-British sentiment.

  • Boston Tea Party (1773):

    • Protest against the Tea Act led to the Intolerable Acts (1774).

Toward War

  • First Continental Congress (1774):

    • Delegates discussed grievances and prepared militias.

  • Lexington and Concord (April 1775):

    • Marked the start of armed conflict.

Independence Declared

  • Second Continental Congress (1775):

    • Appointed George Washington as commander and issued the Olive Branch Petition.

  • Common Sense (1776):

    • Thomas Paine's pamphlet rallied support for independence.

Declaration of Independence

  • Key Principles:

    • All men are created equal with unalienable rights.

    • Governments derive power from the consent of the governed.

Grievances Against Britain

  • List of Tyrannical Actions:

    • Refusal to assent to laws, dissolution of representative houses, taxation without consent, and maintaining standing armies.

Ideals Behind the Revolution

  • Republicanism:

    • Citizens subordinate private interests for the common good.

  • Fear of Tyranny:

    • "Radical Whigs" warned against the arbitrary power of the king.

The Revolution & Beyond

  • Strengths and Weaknesses:

    • British: Well-trained, disciplined, but unfamiliar with the landscape.

    • Colonists: Fighting defensively, received foreign support, but poorly equipped.

Major Battles

  • Key Victories:

    • Trenton (1776), Saratoga (1777), and Yorktown (1781) were pivotal for colonial morale and support.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

  • Recognition of Independence:

    • Britain formally recognized American independence and ceded territory.

The Articles of Confederation

  • Weaknesses:

    • Limited federal power led to economic issues and inability to address rebellions like Shays’ Rebellion.

Constitutional Convention (1787)

  • New Constitution:

    • Aimed to create a stronger federal government with checks and balances.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

  • Debate Over Government Power:

    • Federalists supported a strong central government; Anti-Federalists feared tyranny.

The Bill of Rights

  • Protection of Rights:

    • Added to secure ratification by Anti-Federalists, ensuring individual and state rights.

Washington’s Administration

  • Financial Policies:

    • Hamilton’s plan to assume state debts and establish a national bank faced opposition.

Washington’s Farewell Address

  • Warnings:

    • Cautioned against political parties and foreign alliances.

The Adams Administration

  • XYZ Affair and Alien & Sedition Acts:

    • Highlighted tensions with France and domestic dissent.

Women in the Revolutionary Era

  • Roles in the Revolution:

    • Women participated in boycotts, disguised as soldiers, and contributed to the war effort.