Period 3 (Chapters 4-6), 1754-1800

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (CUL)

"Social Contract" he explained an ideal society where each community member would vote on issues and majority would become one law. Had a major influence over the enlightenment and the American way o thinking.

John Dickinson; "Letters From ..." (ID, POL)

("No Taxation Without Representation") In 1767 and 1768, John Dickinson of Pennsylvania in his Letter From a Farmer in Pennsylvania wrote that Parliament could regulate commerce but argued that because duties were a form of taxation, they could not be levied on the colonies without the consent of their representative assemblies. Dickinson argued that the idea of no taxation without representation was an essential principle of English law.

Lord Fredrick North (WXT)

(1769) Lord Fredrick North became the new prime minister. He urged Parliament to repeal the Townshend Acts because they damaged trade and generated a disappointingly small amount of revenue.

Articles of Confederation (POL)

(1776) John Dickinson drafted the first constitution for the United States as a nation. Congress modified Dickinson's plan to protect the powers of the individual states. The Articles of Confederation, as the document was called, was adopted by Congress in 1777 and submitted to the states for ratification.

Shay's Rebellion (CUL)

(1786) Captain Daniel Shays (former veteran) led his fellow farmers in an uprising against high state taxes, imprisonment for debt, and lack of paper money. They stopped the collection of taxes, and tried to seize weapons from the Springfield armoury, where the state militia ultimately broke Shay' Rebellion (Massachusetts).

Battle of Bunker Hill (POL)

(After Lexington & Concord) A colonial militia of farmers fortified Breed's Hill, next to Bunker Hill (ensuing battle wrongly named). A British force attacked and managed to take hill, suffering over a thousand causalities. Americans claimed a victory of sorts.

Land Ordinance of 1785 (PEO, POL)

(Articles of Confederation) Established a policy for surveying and selling western lands. The policy provided for setting aside one section of land in each township for public education.

Paul Revere (POL)

(Concord - Paul Revere & William Dawes) A patriot who helped warn colonists about British movements in the town of Concord.

William Dawes (POL)

(Concord - Paul Revere & William Dawes) A patriot who helped warn colonists about British movements in the town of Concord.

slave trade (WXT)

(Constitutional Convention) The Constitutional delegates decided to guarantee that slaves could be imports for at least 20 years, until 1808. Congress could vote or abolish the practice after that date if it wished.

George Washington (ID)

(Declaration of the Causes and Necessities for Taking Up Arms) George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of a new colonial army and sent to Boston.

James Madison (Federalist) (ID, CUL)

(Federalist, Framer of Constitution) One of the main fashioners of the Constitution. Contributed to the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton (ID, CUL)

(Federalist, Framer of Constitution) One of the main fashioners of the Constitution. Contributed to the Federalist Papers with James Madison

Gouverneur Morris (ID, CUL)

(Framer of Constitution) One of the main fashioners of the Constitution.

John Dickinson (ID, CUL)

(Framer of Constitution) One of the main fashioners of the Constitution.

Prohibitory Act (1775) (WOR)

(King's Response to "Olive Branch Petition) Declared the colonies in rebellion. A few months later, Parliament forbad all trade and shipping between Britain and the colonies.

John Adams (ID)

(Massachusetts) Leading delegate in the radical faction - those demanding the greatest concession from Britain - of the First Continental Congress.

Samuel Adams (ID)

(Massachusetts) Leading delegate in the radical faction - those demanding the greatest concession from Britain - of the First Continental Congress.

John Jay (ID)

(New York) Leading delegate in the cibservative faction - tthose who favoured a mild statement of protest - of the First Continental Congress.

infant industries (WXT)

(Part of Alexander Hamilton's financial program) Protect the young nation's "infant" industries and collect adequate revenues at the same time by imposing high tariffs on imported goods.

John Dickinson (ID)

(Pennsylvania) Leading delegate in the moderate faction of the First Continental Congress.

Patrick Henry (ID)

(Virginia) Leading delegate in the radical faction - those demanding the greatest concession from Britain - of the First Continental Congress.

Enlightenment (CUL)

18th century movement in European literature and philosophy. Said that "darkness" could pass if humans problems could be solved. Had a profound influence on the colonies.

economic sanctions (ID)

1st Cont. Cogress created the Continental Association - a network of committees to enforce the economic sanctions of the Suffolk Resolves.

Framers of the Constitution (ID, CUL)

55 delegates, all white, all male, most college-educated. Most were young, usually wealthier than average American. All were well acquainted with law and politics. George Washington was elected to be chairperson and all agreed to conduct the meetings in private until they had finished. Benjamin Franklin provided a calming and unifying influence. The fashioners of the Constitution were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Gouverneur Morris, and John Dickinson. They shared the common goals of wanting to strengthen the young nation.

John Locke (CUL)

A 17th century philosopher and political theorist. A major influence over the enlightenment and the American way of thinking.

Edward Braddock (POL, ENV)

A British commander during the French and Indian War. He attempted to capture Fort Duquesne in 1755. He was defeated by the French and the Indians. At this battle, Braddock was mortally wounded. Helped enforce the colonist's idea that the British were not strong enough in colonial warfare.

Patrick Henry (ID, POL)

A Virginia lawyer, stood up in the House of Burgesses and demanded that the king's government recognise the rights of all citizens - including the right to not be taxed without representation.

Rationalism (CUL)

A belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response.

absolute monarch (WOR)

A concept argued by Thomas Paine, who said that it was contrary to common sense for a large contingent to be ruled by a small and distant island and for people to pledge allegiance to a king whose government was corrupt and who's laws were unreasonable.

Annapolis Convention (POL)

A convention held in September 1786 to consider problems of trade and navigation, attended by five states and important because it issued the call to Congress and the states for what became the Constitutional Convention.

Writs of Assistance (WOR)

A general licence to search anywhere in lieu of a judge approved search warrant. It was established in the Townshend Acts.

Committees of Correspondence (ID, POL)

A principal device for spreading the view that British officials were undermining colonial liberties was by means of the Committee of Correspondence initiated by Samuel Adams in 1772.

Sons and Daughters of Liberty (ID, POL)

A secret society organised for the purpose of intimidating tax agents. Members of this society sometimes destroyed revenue stamps and tarred and feathered revenue officials.

The Federalists Papers (ID, CUL)

A series of 85 essays written by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, later composed in book form, that presented cogent reasons for believing in the practicality of each major provision of the Constitution.

Treaty of Greenville (PEO, POL)

A year after the Battle of Falllen Timbers (1795), the tribe chiefs of the defeated peoples agreed to the Treaty of Greenville, in which they surrendered claims to the Ohio Territory and promised to open it up to settlement.

Loyalists (Tories) (CUL)

About 2.6 million people lived in 13 colonies at the time of the war. Around 20 to 30 percent sided with the British as Loyalists (Tories). The Revolutionary War was in some respects a civil war in which anti-British Patriots fought pro-British Loyalists. Members of the same family sometimes joined opposite side. Loyalists tended to be wealthier and more conservative than the Patriots. Most government officials and Anglican clergy in America remained loyal to the crown.

Patriots (CUL)

About 2.6 million people lived in 13 colonies at the time of the war. Maybe 40 percent of the population actively participated in the struggle against Britain. They called themselves American Patriots. Most of the soldiers were reluctant to travel outside their own region. Thus, even though several hundred thousand people fought on the Patriot side, General Washington never had more than 20,000 regular troops under his command at one time. His army was chronically short of supplies, poorly equipped, and rarely paid.

Minutemen (CUL)

Also known as the militia of Lexington, this group came together to face the British when word got out that they were going to try to steal colonial military supplies. The ensuing short encounter was the first battle of the Revolutionary War.

Bill of Rights; amendments (1-10) (ID, CUL)

As a result of Anti-Federalist opposition, the Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution. 1st Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances 2nd Amendment: A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. 3rd Amendment: No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be prescribed by law. 4th Amendment: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. 5th Amendment: No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation. 6th Amendment: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favour; and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence. 7th Amendment: In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States than according to the rules of the common law. 8th Amendment: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 9th Amendment: The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. 10th Amendment: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Washington's Farewell Address (ID, CUL)

Assisted by Alexander Hamilton (And Madison, Founding Brothers), Washington wrote a farewell address for publication in the newspapers in late 1776. Washington spoke about policies and practices that he considered unwise. He warned Americans o not to get involved in European affairs o not to make "permanent alliances" in foreign affairs o not to form political parties o not to fall into sectionalism

George III (WXT)

British King responsible for increasing punitive taxes on the colonies, breaking away from the previous policy of salutary neglect.

salutary neglect (WXT)

British colonial policy during the reigns of George I and George II. Relaxed supervision of internal colonial affairs by royal bureacrats contributed significantly to the rise of American self government

Pontiac's Rebellion (PEO)

Chief Pontiac led a major attack against colonial settlements on the western frontier. The American Indians were angered by the growing westward movement of European settlers onto their land and by the British refusal to offer gifts as the French had done. Rather than relying on colonial forces to retaliate, the British sent regular British troops to put down the uprising.

Thomas Jefferson (ID)

Committee delegate of the 2nd Cont. Congress tasked with draftinf the Deceleration of Indepedence.

Concord (POL)

Continuing their march from Lexington, the British entered Concord, where they destroyed some military supplies. On the return march to Boston, British soldiers were attacked by hundreds of militiamen firing at them from behind stone walls.

Whigs (WXT)

Dominant political party in Britain that wanted the American colonies to bear more of the cost of maintaining the British empire.

Suffolk Resolves (ID)

Endorsed by the 1st Cont. Congresss, called for the immediate repeal of the Intolerable Acts and for the colonies to resist them by making military preparations and boycotting British goods. (economic sanctions)

Alien and Sedition Acts (ID, CUL)

Federalists passed the Alien Act, which authorised the president to deport aliens considered dangerous and to detain enemy aliens in times of war. They also passed the Sedition Act, which made it illegal for newspaper editors to criticise either the president or Congress and imposed fines or imprisonment for editors who violated the law.

George Washington (POL, ENV)

From the British point of view, the French provoked the Seven Year's War by building chain forts in the Ohio River Valley. In response, the Virginia governor sent a small militia under the command of a young George Washington.

Mt. Vernon Conference (POL)

George Washington hosted a conference at his home in Mt. Vernon, Virginia (1785). Representatives from Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania agreed that the problems with the Articles of Confederation were serious enough to hold further discussions at a later meeting at Annapolis, Maryland, at which all the states might be represented. James Madison and Alexander Hamilton persuaded the others that another convention should be held in Philadelphia for the purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.

tariffs; excise taxes (WXT)

Hamilton persuaded Congress to pass excise taxes, particularly on the sale of whiskey in hopes of paying off the national debt at face value. Lead to the Whiskey Rebellion.

Mary McCauley (Molly Pitcher) (CUL)

Heroine of the American Revolution who carried water to soldiers during the Battle of Monmouth Court House and took over her husband's gun when he was overcome by heat

checks and balances (POL)

Idea orginated by Madison and Hamilton at the Constitutional Convention, establishing the need to seperate the government into three branches, providing checks to and balancing power.

Massachusetts Circular Letter (ID, POL)

In 1768, James Otis and Samuel Adams jointly wrote the Massachusetts Circular Letter and sent copies to every colonial legislature. It urged the various colonies to petition Parliament to repeal the Townshend Acts.

Battle of Yorktown (POL)

In 1781, the last major battle was found near Yorktown, Virginia. Strongly supported by French naval and military forces, Washington's army forced the surrender of a large British army commanded by General Cornwallis

Battle of Fallen Timbers (PEO, POL)

In 1794 the U.S. army led by General Anthony Wayne defeated the Northwest Confederacy (a formation of Native American tribes that tried to hinder U.S. westward expansion), at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in north-western Ohio.

Thomas Paine; Common Sense (CUL)

In January 1776, a pamphlet was published, written by Thomas Pain, that argued strongly for what until then had been considered a radical idea. Entitled 'Common Sense,' it for the colonies to become independent states and to break all political ties with the British Monarchy

Olive Branch Petition (ID)

In July 1775, the delegates voted to send an "Olive Branch Petition" to King George III, in which they pledged their loyalty and asked the king to intercede with Parliament to secure peace and the protection of colonial rights. King George angrily dismissed the congress' plea and agreed instead to Parliaments Prohibitory Act (1775).

Proclamation of 1763 (PEO)

In an effort to stabilise the western frontier, the British government issued a proclamation that prohibited colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. Colonists reacted to the proclamation with anger and defiance, feeling as though they deserved the land they fought for in the Seven Years' Wars. So, they continued on expanding west.

George Rogers Clark (POL)

In campaign through 1778-1779, the Patriots, led by George Rogers Clark, captured a series of British forts in the Illinois country to gain control of parts of the vast Ohio territory.

Intolerable Acts (ID, POL)

In retaliation to the Boston Tea Party, the British government enacted a series of punitive acts (the Coercive Acts), together with a separate act dealing with French Canada (the Quebec Act). The colonists were outraged by these various laws, which were given the epithet "Intolerable Acts."

Public Land Act (1796) (PEO, POL)

In the 1790s, the Jay Treaty and the victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers gave the federal government control of the vast tracts of land. Congress encourage the rapid settlement of these lands by passing the Public Land Act (1796), which established orderly procedures for dividing and selling federal lands at reasonable prices. The process for adding new states to the Union, as set forth in the Constitution, went smoothly. In 1791 Vermont became the first new state, followed by Kentucky in 1792 and Tennessee in 1796.

James Otis (ID, POL)

Initiated a call for cooperative action among the colonies to protest the Stamp Act. Representatives from nine colonies met in New York in 1765 to form the so-called Stamp Act Congress. They resolved that only their own elected representative had the legal authority to approve taxes. In 1768, James Otis and Samuel Adams jointly wrote the Massachusetts Circular Letter.

Joseph Galloway (ID)

Joseph Galloway proposed a plan, similar to the Albany Plan of 1754, that would have reordered relations and form a union of colonies within the British empire. It failed to pass by a single vote.

"permanent alliances" (ID, CUL)

Keeping alliances with countries that cannot change. Washington warned against them in his farewell address.

Deism (CUL)

Many Enlightenment thinkers in Europe and Americas were Deists, who believed that God had established natural laws in creating the universe, but that the role of divine intervention in human affairs was minimal. Tney believed in rationalism and trusted human reason to solve the many problems of life and society, and emphasised reason, science, and respect for humanity.

Lexington (POL)

On April 18 1775, General Thomas Gage (British), sent a large force to seize colonial military supplies in the town of Concord. Warned of the British march by two riders, Paul Revere and William Daws, the militia (or minutemen) of Lexington assembled on the village green to face the British. Americans were ultimately forced to retreat.

Declaration of Independence (ID)

On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced a resolution declaring the colonies to be independent. Five delegates including Thomas Jefferson formed a committee to write a statement in support of Lee's resolution. The declaration drafted by Jefferson listed specific grievances against George III's government and also expressed the basic principles that justified revolution.

Anti-Federalists (ID, CUL)

Opponnents of the Constitution and its strong federal government were known as Federalists.

Continentals (CUL)

Paper money issued by Congress which was almost worthless due to inflation.

Townshend Acts (1767) (WOR)

Parliament enacted new duties to be collected on colonial imports of tea, glass, and paper. The Townshend Acts also provided for the search of private homes for smuggled goods. All that an official needed to conduct such a search would be a writ of assistance rather than a judge's warrant permitting a search only of a specifically named property. Another of the Townshend Acts suspended New York's assembly for that colony's defiance of the Quartering Act.

national bank (WXT)

Part of Alexander Hamilton's financial program) Create a national bank for depositing government funds and printing banknotes that would provide that would provide the basis for a stable U.S. currency.

Declaration of Rights and Grievances (ID)

Passed by 1st Cont. Congress, urged the kings to redress colonial grievances and restore colonial rights. In a conciliatory gesture, it recognised Parliament's authority to regulate commerce.

Deborah Sampson (CUL)

Patriot who disguised herself as a man and served in the Continental Army.

Valley Forge (CUL)

Place where Washington's army spent the winter of 1777-1778, a 4th of troops died here from disease and malnutriton, Steuben comes and trains troops

Treaty of Paris (1783) (WOR)

Provided the following: (1) Britain would recognise the existence of the United States as an independent nation. (2) The Mississippi River would be the western boundary of that nation. (3) Americans would have fishing rights off the coast of Canada. (4) Americans would pay debts owed to British merchants and honour Loyalist claims for property confiscated during the war.

Stamp Act Congress (ID, POL)

Representatives from nine colonies met in New York in 1765 to form the so-called Stamp Act Congress. They resolved that only their own elected representative had the legal authority to approve taxes.

Second Continental Congress (1774) (ID)

Soon after fighting broke out, delegates to the Second Constitutional Congress met in Philadelphia in May 1775. The congress was divided, with one group supporting a declaration of independence (mainly New England) and the other hoping for a new relationship negotiated with Britain (Mainly middle colonies).

Federalists (ID, CUL)

Supporters of the Constitution and its strong federal government were known as Federalists.

Declaration of the Causes and Necessities for Taking Up Arms (ID)

The 2nd Cont. Congress adopted a Declaration of the Causes and Necessities for Taking Up Arms and called the colonies to provide troops. George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of a new colonial army and sent to Boston. Congress also authorised a force under Benedict Arnold to raid Quebec in order to draw Canada away from the British empire. And American navy and marine corps was organised for the purpose of attacking British shipping.

unicameral legislature (POL)

The Articles of Confederation established a central government that consisted of just one body, a congress. In this unicameral (one-house) legislature, each state was given one vote, with at least 9 votes out of 13 required to pass important laws.

Albany Plan of Union (1754) (POL, ENV)

The British government called for representatives from seven colonies to meet in congress at Albany, New York, in 1754. The delegates adopted a plan - the Albany Plan of Union - developed by Benjamin Franklin that provided an intercolonial government and a system of common defence. Each colony was too jealous of its own taxation powers to accept the plan, however, and it never took effect.

Peace of Paris (1763) (POL, ENV)

The British prime minister, William Pitt, concentrated the government's military strategy on conquering Canada, ultimately negotiating the Peace of Paris (1763), receiving both French Canada, and Spanish Florida. The Spanish took the France's claim to the Louisiana territory.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions (ID, CUL)

The Kentucky legislature adopted a resolution written by Thomas Jefferson, and the Virginia legislature adopted a resolution introduced by James Madison. Both resolutions declared that the states had entered into a "compact" in forming the national government, and, therefore, if any sect of the federal government broke the compact, a state could nullify the federal law. Although only Kentucky and Virginia adopted nullifying resolutions in 1799, they set forth an argument and rationale that would be widely used in the nullification controversy of the 1830s.

Coercive Acts (1774) - Port Act - Massachusetts Government Act - Administration of Justice Act (WOR)

The Port Act closed the port of Boston, prohibiting trade in and out of the harbour until the destroyed tea was paid for. The Massachusetts Government Act reduced the power of the Massachusetts legislature while increasing the power of the royal governor. The Administration of Justice Act allowed royal officials accused of crimes to be tried in Great Britain instead of in the colonies.

Quebec Act (1774) (WOR)

The Quebec Act established Roman Catholicism as the official religion in Quebec, set up a government without a representative assembly, and extended Quebec's boundary to the Ohio River. This was perceived as a direct act to American colonists' lands, as well as the fear that Britain would enact similar laws in the predominantly protestant colonies.

Stamp Act (1765) (WOR)

The Stamp Act (to help fund the British Military) required that revenue stamps be placed on most printed paper in the colonies, including all legal documents, newspapers, pamphlets, and advertisements. This was the first direct tax - collected from those who used goods - paid by the people in the colonies. Boycotts against British imports were the most effective form of protest. Faced with a sharp drop in trade, London merchants put pressure on Parliament to repeal the controversial Stamp Act.

Tea Act (1773) (WOR)

The colonists continued their refusal to buy British tea because the British insisted on their right to collect the tax. Parliament passed the Tea Act (1773), which made the price of the British East India Company's tea - even with the tax included - cheaper than that of smuggled Dutch tea.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 (PEO, POL)

The congress passed an ordinance (law) that set the rules for creating new states. It granted limited self-government to the developing territory and prohibited slavery in the region.

Constitutional Convention (POL)

The convention opened with the delegates disagreeing sharply on its fundamental purpose. Some wanted to just revise the Articles of Confederation, while those like Madison and Hamilton wanted to draft an entirely new document.

Samuel Adams (ID, POL)

The more radical of the two brothers. Samuel jointly wrote the Massachussetts Circular with James Otis. He also initiated the Committee of Correspondence, a principal device for spreading the view that British officials were undermining colonial liberties.

First Continental Congress (1774) (ID)

The punitive Intolerable Acts drove all colonies except Georgia to send delegates to a convention in Philadelphia. Many Americans did not have desires for Independence, but simply wanted to protest parliamentary infringements of their rights and restore the relationship with the crown that had existed before the Seven Years' War.

Battle of Saratoga (POL)

The turning point for the American revolutionaries came with a victory at Saratoga in upstate New York. British forces had marched from Canada in an ambitious effort to link up with other forces. The troops instead were attacked, at Saratoga and were forced to surrender. News of the surprising American victory persuaded France to join the war against the Britain.

Declaratory Act (1766) (WOR)

This act asserted that Parliament had the right to tax and make laws for the colonies "in all cases whatsoever."

Sugar Act (1764) (WOR)

This act placed duties on foreign sugar and certain luxuries, aiming to raise money for the crown while also prosecuting (Navigation Acts) those smuggling in sugar in juryless courts.

Quartering Act (1765) (WOR)

This act required colonists to provide food and living quarters for British soldiers stationed in the colonies.

Seven Year's War (French & Indian War) (POL, ENV)

Unlike the previous wars, this war started in the American colonies and made its way back to Europe. From the British point of view, the French provoked the war by building chain forts in the Ohio River Valley. Big idea: Colonists were proud and confident in their abilities, and they were not impressed with British troops or their leadership, whose methods of warfare seemed badly suited to the densely wooded terrain of eastern America.

Parliament (WXT)

Wanted the American colonies to bear more of the cost of maintaining the British empire.

Abigail Adams (CUL)

Wife of John Adams. During the Revolutionary War, she wrote letters to her husband describing life on the homefront. She urged her husband to remember America's women in the new government he was helping to create.