APUSH Period 3 Review Notes (1754-1800)

Seven Years' War (French and Indian War)

A global conflict involving major European powers across five continents, often considered the first "world war."
Root causes: colonial rivalries between Britain and France, territorial disputes between Austria and Prussia.
In North America: British forces clashed with French troops and Native American allies (French and Indian War).
Ended with the Treaty of Paris (1763): Britain became the dominant colonial power, gaining territories in North America, India, and the Caribbean, while France ceded colonial holdings.
Financial strain on Britain led to tensions with American colonies, setting the stage for the American Revolution.

Pontiac's Rebellion

A significant uprising led by Native American tribes against British rule in the Great Lakes region after the French and Indian War.
Led by Pontiac, an Ottawa leader, uniting tribes against British policies, including cessation of gift-giving and encroachment on Native lands.
Began with attacks on British forts and settlements, resulting in the destruction of nine forts and the deaths of hundreds of colonists.
Ultimately failed to drive the British out but led to the Royal Proclamation of 1763, preventing further colonial expansion into Native territories.

Paxton Boys

A group of Scots-Irish frontiersmen in Pennsylvania who killed 20 peaceful Conestoga Native Americans in December 1763 (Conestoga Massacre).
Motivated by frustration over the colonial government's failure to protect frontier settlements from Native American attacks during Pontiac's Rebellion.
In January 1764, about 600 Paxton Boys marched on Philadelphia to protest the government's policies, creating significant tension.
Negotiations led by Benjamin Franklin addressed grievances peacefully, but the incident exposed divisions between frontier settlers and colonial authorities.

Proclamation of 1763

Issued by King George III after the French and Indian War to stabilize relations between British colonists and Native American tribes.
Prohibited settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, designating that territory as Native American land, and ordering colonists already there to leave.
Angered many colonists who wanted access to western lands, contributing to growing tensions with Britain.

Sugar Act (1764)

Also known as the American Revenue Act, aimed to raise revenue from the American colonies to cover the costs of maintaining British troops in North America after the French and Indian War.
Reduced the tax on molasses but imposed new taxes on other goods like sugar, wine, and coffee.
Strengthened enforcement measures, allowing British officials to seize goods and prosecute smugglers in Vice-Admiralty Courts.
Colonists viewed the Sugar Act as an infringement on their rights, sparking protests against "taxation without representation".

Stamp Act (1765)

British law imposing a direct tax on the American colonies, requiring them to use stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, playing cards, and other printed materials.
The first internal tax levied directly on the colonies, aimed at raising revenue to cover the costs of British troops stationed in North America after the French and Indian War.
Colonists strongly opposed the act, arguing that it violated their rights as Englishmen to be taxed without their consent, summarized as "No taxation without representation."
Widespread protests, riots, and boycotts eventually led to the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766, but it left lasting tensions between Britain and its colonies.

Stamp Act Congress

A meeting held in October 1765 in New York City, where representatives from nine of the thirteen American colonies gathered to oppose the British Stamp Act.
The first unified colonial response to British taxation policies.
Delegates drafted the Declaration of Rights and Grievances, asserting that only colonial legislatures had the authority to tax the colonies, not the British Parliament.
Marked a significant step toward colonial unity and resistance, laying the groundwork for future revolutionary actions.

Townshend Acts

A series of British laws passed in 1767 that imposed taxes on goods imported to the American colonies, such as glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea.
Aimed to raise revenue for Britain and assert its authority over the colonies.
Colonists viewed the acts as an abuse of power and responded with widespread protests, boycotts, and resistance.
Tension escalated, contributing to events like the Boston Massacre in 1770.
Most of the taxes were repealed in 1770, but the tax on tea remained, fueling further colonial unrest and eventually leading to the American Revolution.

Sons/Daughters of Liberty

The Sons of Liberty were a secretive and sometimes radical group of American patriots formed in 1765 to oppose British taxation policies, particularly the Stamp Act.
They used protests, boycotts, and direct actions, such as the Boston Tea Party, to resist British rule and rally colonial unity.
The Daughters of Liberty complemented their efforts by organizing boycotts of British goods, producing homemade alternatives, and promoting self-reliance.
Together, these groups played a crucial role in fostering revolutionary sentiment and laying the groundwork for American independence.

Boston Massacre

Occurred on March 5, 1770, in Boston, Massachusetts.
Began as a confrontation between British soldiers and a crowd of colonists protesting British taxation policies, such as the Townshend Acts.
Soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five colonists, including Crispus Attucks, who is often regarded as the first casualty of the Revolution.
Widely publicized by figures like Samuel Adams and Paul Revere, fueling anti-British sentiment and uniting the colonies in their resistance against British rule.

Boston Tea Party

A political protest that took place on December 16, 1773, at Griffin's Wharf in Boston, Massachusetts.
American colonists, frustrated by the British government's Tea Act (seen as "taxation without representation"), boarded British ships and dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor.
Organized by the Sons of Liberty; a dramatic act of defiance against British authority and colonial taxation policies.
The British government responded with the Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts), further escalating tensions and setting the stage for the American Revolution.

Coercive (Intolerable) Acts

A series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party.
Included the Boston Port Act (closed Boston Harbor until the tea was paid for), the Massachusetts Government Act (restricting self-governance in Massachusetts), the Administration of Justice Act (allowing British officials accused of crimes to be tried in England), and the Quartering Act (requiring colonists to house British soldiers).
The Quebec Act, though unrelated, was often grouped with these laws, as it expanded Quebec's territory and granted religious freedom to Catholics, alarming Protestant colonists.
United the colonies in opposition to British rule and were a key factor leading to the American Revolution.

Regulator Movement (1766-1771)

An uprising in the backcountry of North Carolina, where settlers protested against corrupt colonial officials, excessive taxation, and economic inequality.
Frustrated by unfair treatment, the Regulators sought to "regulate" their own affairs and demanded reforms.
Culminated in the Battle of Alamance in 1771, where the colonial militia defeated the Regulators, effectively ending the rebellion.
Highlighted growing tensions between frontier settlers and colonial authorities.

Non-Importation Agreements

Collective decisions made by American colonists in the mid-18th century to boycott British goods as a form of protest against taxation policies like the Stamp Act (1765) and Townshend Acts (1767).
Organized by groups such as the Sons of Liberty and Whig merchants, aiming to apply economic pressure on Britain by curtailing trade.
Were effective in hurting British merchants and manufacturers, leading to the repeal of some taxes.
After the Intolerable Acts of 1774, the agreements evolved into broader measures, including non-exportation, as part of the colonies' push for independence.

Committees of Correspondence

Networks established by American colonists in the 1760s and 1770s to coordinate resistance against British policies.
Initiated by figures like Samuel Adams, served as a means of communication between colonies, spreading information about British actions and organizing collective responses.
Played a crucial role in uniting the colonies, fostering patriotism, and laying the groundwork for the Continental Congress, which ultimately led to the American Revolution.

1st Continental Congress

Convened from September 5 to October 26, 1774, at Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia.
Delegates from 12 of the 13 American colonies gathered to address the British government's Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts).
Adopted the Suffolk Resolves, which called for resistance to British policies, and established the Continental Association, an agreement to boycott British goods.
Drafted a Petition to the King, seeking redress of grievances, though it was ultimately ignored.
Marked a significant step toward colonial unity and set the stage for the Second Continental Congress and the American Revolution.

2nd Continental Congress

Convened on May 10, 1775, in Philadelphia, following the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
Delegates from the thirteen colonies gathered to coordinate the war effort against Britain and manage colonial governance during the Revolutionary War.
Established the Continental Army, appointing George Washington as its commander, and issued key documents like the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Articles of Confederation in 1781.
Secured alliances, notably with France, and functioned as the de facto government of the colonies until the war's conclusion.

Olive Branch Petition

A final attempt by the Second Continental Congress to avoid war with Great Britain during the early stages of the American Revolution.
Adopted on July 5, 1775, and signed on July 8; expressed loyalty to King George III and requested a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Rejected by the British government; King George III refused to even read it, instead declaring the colonies in rebellion.
Marked a turning point, solidifying the path toward independence and war.

Lexington/Concord

The Battles of Lexington and Concord, fought on April 19, 1775, marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.
British troops, under orders to seize colonial military supplies in Concord, were met by colonial militias in Lexington.
The confrontation began with the "shot heard 'round the world," though it's unclear who fired first.
After skirmishes in Lexington and Concord, the British were forced to retreat to Boston under heavy fire from colonial militias.
These battles demonstrated the resolve of the colonists and set the stage for the broader conflict that would lead to American independence.

Declaration of Independence

Adopted on July 4, 1776; a historic document in which the thirteen American colonies declared their independence from British rule.
Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson, it outlined the colonies' grievances against King George III and asserted their natural rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Emphasized the principle that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed and that people have the right to overthrow oppressive regimes.

Lord Dunmore's Proclamation

Issued on November 7, 1775, by John Murray, the royal governor of Virginia.
Declared martial law and offered freedom to enslaved people and indentured servants who joined the British forces against the American revolutionaries.
Aimed to weaken the colonial rebellion by encouraging enslaved individuals to escape and fight for the British.
Succeeded in recruiting some, but also enraged slave-owning colonists and further fueled revolutionary sentiment.
Highlighted the complexities of freedom and loyalty during the Revolutionary War.

Thomas Paine/Common Sense

Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" was a revolutionary pamphlet published in January 1776 that played a pivotal role in rallying American colonists toward independence from Britain.
Written in clear and persuasive language, it criticized monarchy and hereditary rule while advocating for a democratic republic.
Argued that it was logical and necessary for the colonies to break free from British rule, emphasizing the economic and political benefits of independence.
Sold over 500,000 copies, making it one of the most influential works of the American Revolution and a catalyst for the Declaration of Independence.

Battle of Saratoga

Fought in two engagements on September 19 and October 7, 1777.
American forces, led by General Horatio Gates and supported by Benedict Arnold, defeated British General John Burgoyne's army in upstate New York.
The victory boosted American morale and convinced France to enter the war as an ally, providing crucial military and financial support.
Burgoyne's surrender on October 17 marked the first major defeat of the British and demonstrated the effectiveness of the Continental Army.

Battle of Yorktown

Also known as the Siege of Yorktown, took place from September 28 to October 19, 1781, in Yorktown, Virginia.
American and French forces, led by General George Washington and the Comte de Rochambeau, surrounded British troops commanded by General Charles Cornwallis.
With the French Navy blocking British reinforcements, Cornwallis was forced to surrender, marking a decisive victory for the Franco-American alliance.
This triumph led to the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which officially ended the war and recognized American independence.

Lord Cornwallis

1st Marquess Cornwallis (1738–1805), was a British Army officer and colonial administrator best known for his role in the American Revolutionary War.
He commanded British forces during key battles, including the Battle of Camden and the Siege of Yorktown, where his surrender in 1781 marked the end of major hostilities in the war.
Served as Governor-General of India, where he implemented significant reforms like the Cornwallis Code, and as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, where he helped pass the Act of Union in 1801.

George Washington

(1732-1799), a central figure in American history, known as the "Father of His Country" for his pivotal roles in both the American Revolution and the founding of the United States.
As the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, he led the colonies to victory against British forces, with key successes like the Siege of Yorktown in 1781.
Presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787, shaping the framework for the U.S. government.
Became the first President of the United States (1789–1797), setting many important precedents, including the two-term limit.

Benjamin Franklin

(1706-1790), a renowned American polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was a writer, inventor, scientist, diplomat, and statesman.
Made significant contributions to science, particularly in understanding electricity, and invented items like the lightning rod and bifocal glasses.
Instrumental in drafting the Declaration of Independence and negotiating the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War.
Played a key role in the Constitutional Convention and was the first Postmaster General of the United States.

John Adams

(1735-1826), a Founding Father of the United States and the second President (1797–1801).
Before his presidency, he was a key figure in the American Revolution, advocating for independence and helping draft the Declaration of Independence.
Served as the first Vice President under George Washington.
As President, he faced challenges like the Quasi-War with France and passed the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts.

Thomas Jefferson

(1743-1826), a Founding Father of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
Served as the third President of the United States (1801–1809) and was a key advocate for democracy, individual rights, and the separation of church and state.
Played a significant role in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, which doubled the size of the United States, and supported the exploration of the western territories through the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Abigail Adams

(1744-1818), an influential figure in American history, known for her intellect, advocacy, and role as the wife of John Adams, the second President of the United States, and mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth President.
She was a prolific letter writer, and her correspondence with John Adams provides valuable insights into the political and social issues of the Revolutionary era.
Was an early advocate for women's rights, particularly education, and opposed slavery.

Phillis Wheatley

(1753-1784), the first African American poet to publish a book of poetry.
Born in West Africa, she was enslaved and brought to Boston at a young age, where she was purchased by the Wheatley family.
Her poetry, influenced by British Neoclassical styles, often explored themes of religion, morality, and freedom. Her collection, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral (1773), gained her international acclaim.

Republican Motherhood

An 18th-century ideology that emerged in the United States during and after the American Revolution.
Emphasized the role of women as educators of future citizens, instilling republican values like patriotism, virtue, and civic responsibility in their children.
Encouraged their education, as an educated mother was seen as essential for raising informed and virtuous citizens.

Articles of Confederation

Adopted in 1777 and ratified in 1781, served as the first constitution of the United States.
Established a confederation of sovereign states with a weak central government, reflecting the colonists' fear of centralized authority.
Congress could make treaties, maintain armed forces, and coin money, but it lacked the power to levy taxes or regulate commerce.
The weaknesses of the Articles ultimately prompted the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where the U.S. Constitution was drafted to create a stronger federal government.

Land Ordinance of 1785

A significant policy enacted by the United States Congress under the Articles of Confederation.
Established a standardized system for surveying and selling land in the western territories, which had been acquired after the Revolutionary War.
Divided land into six-mile-square townships, further subdivided into 36 sections of one square mile (640 acres) each.
Section 16 of each township was reserved for funding public education.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Landmark legislation, passed by the Confederation Congress, established a framework for governing the Northwest Territory.
Included areas that would later become states like Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Outlined a process for admitting new states to the Union, guaranteed certain rights like freedom of religion and trial by jury, and prohibited slavery in the territory.

Shay's Rebellion

(1786-1787), an armed uprising in western Massachusetts led by farmers, including Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays.
Fueled by economic hardships, high taxes, and aggressive debt collection practices that threatened farmers with property foreclosure and imprisonment.
Aimed to shut down courts and prevent the enforcement of debt-related judgments.
Exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and highlighted the need for a stronger central government, influencing the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

Constitutional Convention

Took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Originally convened to revise the Articles of Confederation; the delegates quickly decided to draft an entirely new framework for government.
The convention resulted in the creation of the U.S. Constitution, which established a stronger federal government with a system of checks and balances.
The Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise were among the critical agreements reached to balance the interests of large and small states.

James Madison

(1751-1836), hailed as the "Father of the Constitution," played a foundational role in shaping the United States.
Instrumental in drafting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, safeguarding individual liberties while balancing federal power.
Co-authored The Federalist Papers, advocating for the Constitution's ratification.
As the fourth President (1809–1817), he led the nation through the War of 1812, solidifying its sovereignty despite challenges.

Alexander Hamilton

(1755 or 1757-1804), a Founding Father of the United States and a key architect of its financial system.
Served as an aide-de-camp to George Washington during the Revolutionary War and later played a pivotal role in drafting the U.S. Constitution.
Co-authored The Federalist Papers, advocating for its ratification, and became the first Secretary of the Treasury, where he established the national bank and laid the foundation for the U.S. financial system.

John Jay

(1745-1829), a Founding Father of the United States, renowned for his contributions to law, diplomacy, and governance.
Served as the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court (1789–1795), establishing key judicial precedents.
Was also a diplomat who negotiated the Treaty of Paris (1783), ending the Revolutionary War, and the Jay Treaty (1794), which resolved tensions with Britain.

Federalist/Federalist Papers

The Federalist Papers are a collection of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym "Publius" between 1787 and 1788.
These essays were published in New York newspapers to advocate for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Addressed concerns about the proposed Constitution, explained its principles, and argued for a strong federal government.
Notable essays include Federalist No. 10, which discusses controlling factions, and Federalist No. 51, which emphasizes checks and balances.

Anti-Federalists

A group of individuals in the late 18th century who opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Feared that a strong central government would erode individual liberties and state sovereignty, potentially leading to tyranny.
Prominent figures like Patrick Henry and George Mason argued for a more decentralized government and demanded the inclusion of a Bill of Rights to protect citizens' freedoms.
Their opposition played a crucial role in shaping the Constitution by ensuring the addition of these amendments, which safeguard fundamental rights.

Bill Of Rights

Consists of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791.
Designed to protect individual liberties and limit government power.
Key provisions include freedom of speech, religion, and the press (First Amendment), the right to bear arms (Second Amendment), protection against unreasonable searches and seizures (Fourth Amendment), and rights to due process and a fair trial (Fifth and Sixth Amendments).

Battle of Fallen Timbers/Treaty of Greenville

The Battle of Fallen Timbers, fought on August 20, 1794, marked the end of Native American resistance in the Northwest Indian War.
U.S. forces under General Anthony Wayne decisively defeated a confederation of tribes resisting American expansion.
Following this victory, the Treaty of Greenville was signed in 1795, forcing Native Americans to cede large portions of Ohio and other territories to the United States in exchange for goods and recognition of their remaining lands.

1st Bank of the U.S.

Established in 1791 as part of Alexander Hamilton's financial plan to stabilize the young nation's economy.
Chartered for 20 years and served as a national bank, providing a safe place for federal funds, issuing a stable national currency, and facilitating government loans.
Figures like Thomas Jefferson argued it was unconstitutional and favored the wealthy.
The bank's charter expired in 1811 and was not renewed, leading to the establishment of the Second Bank of the United States in 1816.

Federalists/Democratic-Republicans

The Federalists and Democratic-Republicans were the first two political parties in the United States, emerging in the late 18th century.
The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, advocated for a strong central government, a loose interpretation of the Constitution, and policies favoring commerce and industry.
The Democratic-Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, championed states' rights, a strict interpretation of the Constitution, and an agrarian economy.

The Whiskey Rebellion

(1791-1794), a significant uprising in western Pennsylvania, where farmers protested an excise tax on whiskey imposed by the federal government.
The tax, part of Alexander Hamilton's financial plan, disproportionately affected small producers who relied on whiskey as a source of income and informal currency.
President George Washington responded by mobilizing a militia force of 13,000 troops, demonstrating the federal government's authority to enforce its laws.

Proclamation of Neutrality

Issued by President George Washington on April 22, 1793.
Declared that the United States would remain neutral in the conflict between revolutionary France and Great Britain, avoiding involvement in European wars.
Warned American citizens against aiding any belligerent nations, emphasizing the importance of impartiality.

Jay's Treaty

Signed on November 19, 1794, an agreement between the United States and Great Britain aimed at resolving lingering tensions following the American Revolutionary War.
Negotiated by John Jay, the treaty addressed issues such as British occupation of forts in the Northwest Territory, trade restrictions, and wartime debts.
Despite its divisiveness, Jay's Treaty marked a significant step in establishing diplomatic relations and economic stability for the young nation.

Pinckney's Treaty

Also known as the Treaty of San Lorenzo, was signed on October 27, 1795, between the United States and Spain.
Negotiated by Thomas Pinckney for the U.S. and Manuel de Godoy for Spain, the treaty resolved territorial disputes and established the southern boundary of the United States at the 31st parallel.
It granted Americans free navigation of the Mississippi River and tax-free storage of goods at the port of New Orleans, fostering economic growth and westward expansion.

Washington's Farewell Address

Published on September 19, 1796, a profound message from President George Washington as he prepared to leave office.
He emphasized the importance of national unity, warned against the dangers of political factions, and advised against permanent foreign alliances.
Encouraged the American people to prioritize the public good over personal interests and to uphold the principles of the Constitution.

XYZ Affair

(1797-1798), a diplomatic incident between the United States and France during John Adams' presidency.
French agents, referred to as X, Y, and Z in official documents, demanded bribes and loans before formal negotiations could begin.
The U.S. refused, leading to public outrage and calls for war. This event escalated into the undeclared naval conflict known as the Quasi-War (1798–1800).

Alien and Sedition Acts

A series of four laws passed by the Federalist-controlled U.S. Congress in 1798 during John Adams' presidency.
The Alien Acts increased residency requirements for citizenship, allowed the president to deport non-citizens deemed dangerous, and authorized the detention of enemy aliens during wartime.
The Sedition Act criminalized making false or malicious statements against the federal government, targeting critics, particularly Democratic-Republican journalists.
These acts sparked significant controversy, as opponents argued they violated constitutional rights like free speech and were politically motivated.

Toussaint L'Ouverture

(1743-1803), a prominent leader of the Haitian Revolution, which was the first successful slave revolt in history.
Led to the establishment of Haiti as the first independent Black republic.
Born into slavery in the French colony of Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti), Louverture gained his freedom and became a skilled military and political leader.
His legacy endures as a symbol of resistance and liberation.