APUSH Period 3 Summary Video #apush

Overview of Period 3

• Four big picture ideas:

  • Tensions with colonists began in 1763 due to British debt from the French and Indian War and the end of salutary neglect.

  • Desire for independence ignited by lack of representation in Parliament and perceived loss of liberties.

  • Weakness of the Articles of Confederation and resultant Shays' Rebellion led to the Constitutional Convention and the establishment of a stronger central government.

  • By 1796, political divisions emerged, solidifying a two-party system with Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.

Key Vocabulary Terms

• Importance of knowing specific terms related to Period 3.

• Key figures: pivotal individuals mentioned throughout the period.

French and Indian War

• Relationship between France and Britain:

  • New France: primarily Catholic settlers with slow population growth; economy focused on fur trading.

  • British Colonies: Protestant families leading to rapid population growth and cash crop agriculture in the South.

• War causation:

  • Disputes over fertile land in Ohio River Valley, resource competition, and westward expansion.

• Benjamin Franklin's political cartoon and the Albany Conference: attempts to unite colonists against Native Americans and French.

• Colonel George Washington's early leadership roles.

• Treaty of Paris: France ceded most territories in North America.

• The British won this war.

Effects of the French and Indian War

• Short-term Effects:

  • American colonists continued moving into Ohio River Valley, leading to Pontiac's Rebellion.

  • Proclamation of 1763 ended salutary neglect(; British expected colonist support for war debts.

• Long-term Effects:

  • Heightened tensions and anger towards British policies following the war; shifting relationship dynamics.

Causes of the American Revolution

• Key Acts imposed by Britain to recover debts:

  • Sugar Act: taxed sugar/mollasses (first revenue-raising act).

  • Stamp Act: imposed first direct tax on colonists; led to widespread resistance.

  • Declaratory Act: claimed Parliament's right to govern and tax the colonies.

  • Townshend Acts: taxed imported goods like paper, tea, and glass.

• Colonial responses: boycotts, Sons of Liberty, Committees of Correspondence.

• Women's contributions: Homespun Movement and Daughters of Liberty.

Important Cultural Moments

• Paul Revere's Engraving: presentation of British soldiers as aggressors in the Boston Massacre.

• Tea Act and Boston Tea Party: protest against tea taxation that led to British retaliation. Colonists were upset because they were being taxed without representation in the parliament (making decisions without them).

• Boston Massacre: group of boys and young men harassed soldiers with stones and snowballs in Boston. Ended it up in lots of killings. In court 6/8 were said to be innocent.

• Coercive/Intolerable Acts: response to Boston Tea Party; viewed by colonists as an attack on their rights.

Revolutionary Momentum

• First Continental Congress (1774): organized response to Intolerable Acts and addressed grievances.

• Second Continental Congress: drafted the Declaration of Independence and selected George Washington as commander of the Continental Army.

War Divisions and Battles

• Divide between Patriots and Loyalists:

  • Patriots primarily in urban areas; Loyalists in rural settlements like New York and Georgia.

• **Significant Battles:

  • Lexington and Concord:** marked the war's beginning.

  • Bunker Hill: showed Americans' capability against British forces.

  • Saratoga: pivotal victory leading to French alliance.

  • Valley Forge: low point but testament to resilience under Washington's command.

  • Yorktown: end of Revolutionary War; Cornwallis' surrender.

Treaty of Paris of 1783

• Ended the Revolutionary War, granting America control over land west of the colonies.

• Contributions from marginalized groups:

  • Women took on integral roles as nurses and supporters; Native Americans generally sided with British; African Americans fought for freedom promises.

• Inspiring factor for other revolutions (France and Haiti).

Formation of a New Nation

• Establishment of government under the Articles of Confederation; weaknesses noted.

  • Lack of executive, no power to tax, required 9 states for legislation and unanimous consent for amendments.

  • Successes: Land Ordinance and Northwest Ordinance for state admission.

Constitutional Debates & Compromises

• Great Compromise: led to a bicameral legislature balancing representation.

• Three-Fifths Compromise: determined counting of enslaved individuals for taxation and representation.

• Concepts introduced:

  • Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances.

  • Federalism: balancing federal and state power; Necessary and Proper Clause for flexible governance.

Constitution Ratification

• Federalists (supporters) vs. Anti-Federalists (opposers) debates ensued.

• Federalist Papers: written to advocate for ratification.

• Bill of Rights added to protect individual liberties, although limited primarily to white men.

  • Concept of Republican Motherhood arose, emphasizing women’s role in civic education.

Washington’s Presidency and Influence

• George Washington’s unanimous election and establishment of presidential traditions:

  • Creation of a cabinet and serving only two terms.

  • Farewell address: warned against political party divisions and foreign entanglements.

• Alexander Hamilton's financial strategies:

  • National Bank and taxation to stabilize economy.

  • Whiskey Rebellion illustrated effective governance.

Emergence of Political Parties

• Tension between Hamilton (Federalist) and Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) spurred first party system.

  • Differences on interpreting the Constitution and foreign policy approaches.

John Adams' Administration

• Continued challenges post-Washington, including quasi-war with France.

• Alien and Sedition Acts: controversial laws targeting dissenters; led to Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions asserting states' rights.

  • 1800 election symbolized peaceful transfer of power, marking the Revolution of 1800.

Shay’s Rebellion

Armed uprising (1786-1787) by Daniel Shays, prompted by economic hardships for rural farmers.

• Protests against increased taxes led to attempt to seize federal arsenal; suppressed by state militia.

• Highlighted weaknesses of Articles of Confederation; spurred Constitutional Convention.

Battle of Yorktown

Fought (September 28 - October 19, 1781); decisive victory for American forces.

• Led by George Washington and French allies against Cornwallis's fortified troops.

• Successful siege resulted in Cornwallis's surrender; effectively ended major combat operations.

• Contributed to Treaty of Paris negotiations, recognizing American independence.

Alexander Hamilton

• Federalist Leader: Hamilton was a key figure in the Federalist Party, advocating for a strong central government. He was the first Secretary of the Treasury under President Washington.

• Financial Strategies: He implemented financial policies to stabilize the economy, including:

  • Establishment of a national bank.

  • Taxation to generate revenue.

• Whiskey Rebellion: Hamilton's taxation policies led to the Whiskey Rebellion, illustrating the government's ability to enforce law and order.

• Constitutional Advocacy: Promoted the ratification of the Constitution and wrote the Federalist Papers to support this cause.

Treaties and International Relations

• Jay Treaty (1794): Resolved issues remaining from the Revolutionary War and aimed to settle trade disputes with Britain.

• Pinckney's Treaty (1795): Established friendly relations and resolved border disputes between the U.S. and Spain; granted Americans access to the Mississippi River.

• Treaty of Greenville (1795): Ended the Northwest Indian War, resulting in the cession of land to the U.S. from Native American tribes.

• Impact of the French Revolution: Influenced U.S. politics, leading to debates over supporting revolutionary movements or maintaining neutrality.