AP U.S. History - Unit 3 Overview

Introduction

• Focus: Transformation of American colonies into an independent nation (1754-1800)
• Themes: Development of a national identity
• Key Conflict: French and Indian War

French and Indian War (1754-1763)

• Part of the Seven Years' War
• Triggered by disputes over Ohio River Valley
• Initial British losses; eventual victory with Peace of Paris (1763)
• Consequences:
  • French ousted from North America
  • British land holdings doubled
  • Pontiac's Rebellion (Native resistance)
  • Royal Proclamation of 1763 restricted westward expansion

Road to Revolution

• Taxation Without Representation:
  • British debt led to increased colonial taxes
  • End of salutary neglect
  • Key Acts: Navigation Acts, Quartering Act, Sugar Act, Stamp Act
  • Colonial response: Sons and Daughters of Liberty, Stamp Act Congress
  • Repeal of Stamp and Sugar Acts; Declaratory Act asserted British authority
  • Townshend Acts led to further protests and boycotts
• Boston Massacre (1770):
  • Tensions with British troops led to 4 colonist deaths
• Boston Tea Party (1773):
  • Protest against Tea Act
  • Led to the Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)
  • Formation of armed groups and Continental Congress (1774)

Enlightenment Influence

• Ideas of natural rights and social contract
• Emphasis on republicanism and separation of powers

Declaration of Independence

• Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" swayed public opinion
• Declaration influenced by Enlightenment thought (natural rights and social contract)

American Revolution

• Continental Army formed; George Washington as general
• Key victory at Saratoga (1777) secured French alliance
• British surrender at Yorktown (1781)

Post-Revolution America

• Articles of Confederation:
  • Weak central government; no executive or judicial branches
  • Limited taxation power
  • Northwest Ordinance of 1787 organized westward expansion
• Shays' Rebellion (1786):
  • Highlighted weaknesses of the Articles
  • Led to the Constitutional Convention (1787)
  • Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists debate over new Constitution
  • Great Compromise and Three-Fifths Compromise

New Government

• Constitution ratified (1789) with separation of powers
• George Washington as first President
• Alexander Hamilton's financial policies (National Bank, debt assumption)
• Whiskey Rebellion highlighted federal power

Political Parties

• Federalists (strong central government) vs. Democratic-Republicans (state power)
• Washington's Farewell Address warned against parties and foreign alliances

Adams' Presidency

• XYZ Affair increased tensions with France
• Alien and Sedition Acts led to Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

International Relations

• Conflicts with Native Americans and European powers
• Indian Trade and Intercourse Act
• Pinckney Treaty with Spain

Slavery in the New Nation

• Divergent regional attitudes:
  • Northern states: Growth of free black population
  • Southern states: Entrenchment and expansion of slavery

Conclusion

• Unit 3 covers the foundation of American independence and the establishment of a national identity.
• For further review, materials are available in the Ultimate Review Packet.