APUSH Period 3 Overview

Overview

This lecture covers Period 3 of APUSH (1754–1800), focusing on British attempts to control the colonies, colonial resistance and independence, the creation of new governments, and the emergence of political and social conflicts in the new United States.

British Control and Colonial Responses

• Britain tried to reassert control over the colonies after the French and Indian War (1754–1763) due to war debt.
• End of "salutary neglect" in 1763 led to enforcement of old and new laws (Navigation Acts, Proclamation of 1763, taxes like Sugar and Stamp Acts).
• British policies (Quartering, Townshend, Tea, Intolerable, Quebec Acts) aimed at tighter economic and political control.
• Colonial responses included the Stamp Act Congress, Committees of Correspondence, Sons of Liberty, and Continental Congress.

Road to Independence and the Revolution

• Colonial independence was inspired by Enlightenment thinkers (Locke, Rousseau) and grassroots activism.
• "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine and the Declaration of Independence articulated reasons for breaking from Britain.
• Colonists had advantages such as home territory, French assistance (post-Saratoga), and strong leaders (Washington).

Effects and Impacts of the American Revolution

• The Revolution was not radical; elite colonists remained in power.
• Some states dropped property requirements for voting (still mostly benefiting white men).
• The Revolution inspired global movements (French, Haitian, Latin American revolutions).
• Women promoted "Republican Motherhood" but gained little political power.
• Gradual emancipation laws passed in the North; slavery protected and expanded in the South and West.
• Native Americans lost land and protection under the new treaties.

Creating a New Government: Articles and Constitution

• Influenced by Enlightenment ideals (natural rights, consent of the governed).
• The weak Articles of Confederation became the first government; faced challenges (e.g., Shay’s Rebellion).
• Constitutional Convention compromises: Great Compromise (bicameral legislature), Three-Fifths Compromise (slaves counted for representation), federalism, and checks and balances.
• Ratification required the Bill of Rights to appease Anti-Federalists.

Early Political Conflicts and Foreign Affairs

• Disagreements over Hamilton’s financial programs (debt assumption, bank, tariffs) led to the rise of Federalists (strong central government, loose interpretation) vs. Democratic-Republicans (states’ rights, strict interpretation).
• Key domestic tensions: Whiskey Rebellion (Constitution crushes it), Alien and Sedition Acts, and states’ rights (Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions).
• Foreign policy issues: French Revolution (neutrality), Citizen Genet, XYZ Affair, Quasi-War with France, British impressment (Jay’s Treaty), and Pinckney’s Treaty with Spain.
• Washington’s Farewell Address warned against permanent alliances and political parties.
• The 1800 election marked the first peaceful transfer of power between rival parties.

Native Americans and Westward Expansion

• Native Americans mostly sided with the French, then the British, but lost land after the wars.
• Pontiac’s Rebellion and the Proclamation of 1763 tried to check westward colonial expansion.
• Little Turtle’s resistance in the Old Northwest ended at the Battle of Fallen Timbers (Treaty of Greenville).
• Spanish missions expanded into California.
• Northwest Ordinance banned slavery and allowed public education in new territories.

Regional and Social Developments

• Regional identities (North, South, West) became more pronounced.
• Slavery was slowly abolished in the North but expanded in the South and West; slave trade continued until 1808.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Salutary Neglect — Period when Britain left the colonies largely self-governed.
• Proclamation of 1763 — British law stopping colonial westward expansion.
• Articles of Confederation — The first, weak national government structure.
• Great Compromise — Established a two-house Congress: House by population, Senate equal for all states.
• Three-Fifths Compromise — Slaves counted as 3/5 for representation.
• Federalists — Favored strong central government and loose Constitution interpretation.
• Democratic-Republicans — Favored states’ rights and strict Constitution interpretation.
• Republican Motherhood — Idea that women should raise virtuous citizens.
• Northwest Ordinance — Law for governing Northwest Territory, banning slavery there.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Read textbook chapters on Period 3 (1754–1800).
• Review key acts, compromises, and court cases from this era.
• Study the timeline of major events and political developments.
• Prepare for questions comparing the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.