UNIT 3 NOTES: American Revolution - Election of 1800

Early Conflicts and Territory Control

  • Battlefield for Territory: Areas affected include Appalachians and Central Europe.

  • George Washington: Key figure; engaged in early conflicts, notably at Fort Duquesne where he killed a French commander.

Pontiac's War and British Debt

  • Pontiac united tribes, capturing eight forts (1763-1766).

  • Results: End of Salutary Neglect, British debt increases, military tensions rise.

Political Developments and Enlightenment Ideals

  • Key concepts: Freedom (to do something), Liberty (freedom from authority).

  • Influential thinkers:

    • Thomas Hobbes: Advocated for a sovereign state.

    • John Locke: Emphasized government accountability and natural rights.

  • Radical Whigs warned against centralized power under George III.

Road to Revolution

  • Key Acts and Events:

    • Stamp Act (1765): Direct tax on printed materials.

    • Townshend Acts (1767): Indirect taxes on imported goods.

    • Boston Tea Party (1773): Resistance against taxation.

    • Intolerable Acts (1774): Responses to colonial dissent.

American Revolution and War

  • Initiated April 1775: “Shot heard round the world.”

  • Key Battles: Lexington, Concord, Saratoga.

  • Treaty of Paris (1783): Recognized U.S. independence, established boundaries.

The Articles of Confederation and the Critical Period

  • Issues: Weak federal authority, economic troubles, no military power.

  • Led to the Constitutional Convention which developed a stronger federal structure.

Key Concepts from the Constitution

  • Principles: Popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances.

  • Ratification issues: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists over central authority and the Bill of Rights.

Washington's Administration and Early Challenges

  • Founded precedent for cabinet roles.

  • Economic policies favored manufacturing and public debt management through taxes.

  • Neutrality Proclamation (1793) maintained U.S. independence from foreign conflicts.

Adams Administration and Political Tensions

  • Faced issues such as foreign policy crises, the Alien and Sedition Acts.

  • Nullification Theory proposed by Madison and Jefferson to counter federal overreach.