Heimler's History: AP US History Unit 3 Overview

Major Theme

• Transition from British colonies to an independent nation
• Development of a distinct national identity
• Time period: 1754 to 1800

French and Indian War (Seven Years' War) - 1754

• British and French conflict over Ohio River Valley
• Benjamin Franklin's Albany Plan of Union proposed a centralized government
• British won, Peace of Paris 1763
  • French ousted, Louisiana to Spain
  • British gained land east of Mississippi River

Post-War Consequences

• Westward expansion led to conflicts with Native Americans
• Royal Proclamation of 1763 restricted westward expansion
• British debt led to increased taxation of colonies

Taxation Without Representation

• End of salutary neglect; stricter enforcement of Navigation Acts
• Quartering Act, Sugar Act, Stamp Act imposed
• Virtual representation argument by British
• Formation of Sons and Daughters of Liberty
• Stamp Act Congress petitioned against taxation

Rising Tensions and Acts

• Repeal of Stamp and Sugar Acts, but Declaratory Act asserted Parliament’s control
• Townshend Acts imposed new taxes
• Boston Massacre (1770) highlighted British tyranny
• Boston Tea Party (1773) as resistance against Tea Act
• Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts) closed Boston Harbor

Continental Congress and Enlightenment Influence

• Continental Congress 1774, resistance to British violations
• Enlightenment ideas: natural rights, social contract, republican government

Path to Independence

• Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" (1776) advocated for independence
• Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) influenced by Enlightenment

American Revolution (1776-1783)

• Loyalists opposed independence
• George Washington led Continental Army
• French alliance post-Saratoga victory
• British defeat at Yorktown, Treaty of Paris 1783

Articles of Confederation

• Weak central government structure
• Northwest Ordinance of 1787: statehood process, abolition of slavery in Northwest
• Shays' Rebellion exposed weaknesses, led to Constitutional Convention

Constitutional Convention and New Constitution

• Federalists (strong central government) vs. Anti-Federalists (state power)
• Great Compromise: bicameral legislature
• Three-Fifths Compromise on slave representation
• Federalist Papers promoted ratification
• Constitution ratified 1789, followed by Bill of Rights

Developing American Culture

• Public education initiatives
• Republican motherhood concept
• Artistic focus on historical themes

Washington and Adams Administrations

• Washington's neutrality, Hamilton's financial policies
• Whiskey Rebellion response demonstrated federal power
• Adams’ presidency: XYZ Affair, Alien and Sedition Acts
• Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions challenged federal overreach

International Relations and Slavery

• Conflicts with Britain, Spain, American Indians
• Pinckney Treaty established US-Spain border
• Distinct regional attitudes towards slavery emerged
• Growth of free black population in the North, continued slavery in the South

Conclusion

• Unit 3 covers foundational events leading to the independence and formation of the United States
• Importance of understanding the development of American identity and governance structures