APUSH unit 3:(1754–1800)

1754–1763: French and Indian War (Seven Years’ War)

• Albany Plan of Union (1754) – Benjamin Franklin’s failed plan to unite the colonies.

• French and Indian War (1754–1763) – Conflict between Britain and France in North America.

• Treaty of Paris (1763) – Ends the war; France loses most North American territory.

• Salutary Neglect Ends – Britain begins enforcing taxes and laws on colonies.

1763–1775: Road to Revolution

• Proclamation of 1763 – Forbade colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains.

• Sugar Act (1764) – First tax for revenue.

• Stamp Act (1765) – Tax on printed materials; led to the Stamp Act Congress.

• Sons of Liberty – Protest group led by Samuel Adams.

• Declaratory Act (1766) – Parliament affirms its right to tax the colonies.

• Townshend Acts (1767) – Taxes on imports; leads to boycotts.

• Boston Massacre (1770) – British troops kill 5 colonists.

• Tea Act (1773) – Leads to the Boston Tea Party.

• Coercive (Intolerable) Acts (1774) – Punish Boston; include the Quartering Act.

• First Continental Congress (1774) – Response to Intolerable Acts.

• Lexington and Concord (April 1775) – First battles of the American Revolution.

1775–1783: American Revolution

• Second Continental Congress (1775) – Manages war effort.

• Olive Branch Petition (1775) – Final attempt at peace with Britain.

• Common Sense (1776) – Pamphlet by Thomas Paine advocating independence.

• Declaration of Independence (1776) – Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson.

• Battle of Saratoga (1777) – Turning point; leads to French alliance.

• Articles of Confederation (ratified 1781) – First U.S. government; weak central power.

• Treaty of Paris (1783) – Ends the war; U.S. recognized as independent.

1780s: The Critical Period

• Northwest Ordinance (1787) – Organizes territory, bans slavery in NW.

• Shays’ Rebellion (1786–87) – Farmers rebel; shows weakness of Articles.

• Annapolis Convention (1786) – Precursor to the Constitutional Convention.

1787–1800: Constitution & New Nation

• Constitutional Convention (1787) – Replaces Articles; creates new Constitution.

  • Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan – Big vs. small state representation.

  • Great Compromise – Bicameral legislature.

  • 3/5 Compromise – Slaves count as 3/5 for representation/taxation.

• Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists – Debate over ratification.

• The Federalist Papers – Defend Constitution (Hamilton, Madison, Jay).

• Bill of Rights (1791) – First 10 amendments; protects civil liberties.

• Washington’s Presidency (1789–1797) – Sets precedents.

  • Hamilton’s Financial Plan – National Bank, assumption of debt, excise tax.

  • Whiskey Rebellion (1794) – Federal authority tested and upheld.

  • Proclamation of Neutrality (1793) – Avoids foreign wars.

  • Farewell Address (1796) – Warns against political parties, foreign alliances.

• John Adams’ Presidency (1797–1801)

  • XYZ Affair (1797) – French bribe scandal.

  • Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) – Target immigrants, restrict speech.

  • Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (1798) – States’ rights, nullification doctrine.