Review of Period Three Key Concepts

Overview of Period Three

• Covers the foundational events leading to the American Revolution

The Seven Years' War (French and Indian War)

• Definition: Conflict between British/colonials and French with Native American allies.

• Context: Territorial disputes, particularly over the Ohio River Valley.

• Significance:

  • British gain control of most of French North American territories; French retain only Haiti.

  • Expansion of British territories from Great Lakes to Mississippi River.

  • Resulting debt from the war leads to increased taxation on colonists to pay off war costs.

Pontiac's Rebellion

• Event: Native American resistance against British expansion into the Ohio River Valley following the Seven Years' War.

• Outcome: Leads to the Proclamation of 1763, prohibiting colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains to reduce conflicts with Native Americans and manage costs.

Tax Acts and Colonial Response

• Key Taxes:

  • Townshend Act: Tax on various goods necessary for construction, affecting colonies heavily engaged in building.

  • Stamp Act: Tax on all paper goods, represents a broader form of taxation leading to significant colonial unrest and the formation of the Stamp Act Congress.

Impact of Taxation

• Colonists felt betrayed; saw taxation without representation as infringement on their rights.

• Underground newspapers and protest movements emerge, fostering solidarity and organization against British rule.

The Boston Massacre

• Incident: Tensions in Boston lead to a confrontation between British soldiers and colonists, resulting in deaths.

• Propaganda: Paul Revere's engraving dramatized the event, framing it as a massacre to stir colonial sentiment against British oppression.

Boston Tea Party and Intolerable Acts

• Boston Tea Party: Colonists protest against monopolistic tea sales by dumping tea into Boston Harbor.

• Intolerable Acts: In retaliation, the British enforce:

  • Closure of Boston Harbor.

  • Quartering of British troops in colonial homes.

  • Establishment of a pro-British governor in Massachusetts.

  • Trials of British soldiers moved to England.

Continental Congresses

• First Continental Congress: Aimed to address grievances, take a conciliatory approach toward Britain prior to Lexington and Concord.

• Second Continental Congress: Established military effort; outcome includes the Declaration of Independence in response to ongoing conflict.

Declaration of Independence

• Composed of three parts:

  1. Grievances against the King.

  2. Justification for independence.

  3. Formal declaration of freedom.

Enlightenment Influence

• Reflects Enlightenment ideas, advocating for natural rights and governance based on popular consent.

Social Impact of the Revolution

• Diverse groups impacted:

  • Native Americans: Loss of land and autonomy as westward expansion occurs.

  • Enslaved People: Increase in enslaved labor with no diplomatic promises of freedom as given by the British.

  • Women: Advocacies for rights, notable figures include Abigail Adams urging to remember women's contributions.

Articles of Confederation

• Initial governing document characterized by a weak central government, primarily focused on wartime needs.

• No executive or judicial branches established; Congress lacks taxing power, leading to economic distress and rebellions like Shays' Rebellion.

Constitutional Convention

• Convened to address weaknesses of the Articles; resulted in the drafting of a new Constitution establishing a strong federal system with checks and balances.

• Federalist Papers: Series of essays promoting ratification of the Constitution, addressing concerns of state governors and citizens.

Political Parties and Early Governance

• Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans: Emergence of the first political party system, contrasting views on governance and foreign relations.

• Washington's Presidency: Set precedents, including cabinet formation, maintaining neutrality in foreign conflicts, and two-term limits.

Adams Administration and Alien/Sedition Acts

• Conflict with France leads to the Alien and Sedition Acts, limiting immigrant rights and free speech.

• The Alien Act targets foreign nationals; the Sedition Act forbids criticism of the government.

Midnight Judges and Judicial Impact

• John Adams appoints judges to secure Federalist influence in the judiciary, leading to landmark Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison, establishing judicial review.