APUSH Period 3 Review (1754-1800)

The American Revolution & Establishment of Democracy (1754-1800)

Period 3 Dates to Know

Period 3 Essential Questions

1. What were the causes and consequences of the American Revolution?
2. How did leading Americans address regional differences to develop a federal government?
3. In what ways did migrations across North America intensify conflicts?

Past Essay Questions From Period 3

Take the APUSH Period 3: American Revolution Quiz

Period 3 Key Concepts - Course Outline

Key Concept 3.1. The American Revolution

The Seven Years’ War, also known as the French and Indian War, led to the British defeat of France and allied Native Americans.

• Colonial rivalry between Britain and France intensified.
• Britain’s North American territory expanded, but it was costly and required raising taxes, like the Stamp act
• British officials attempted to prevent colonists from moving westward.
• The Proclamation of 1763 intensified colonial discontent

Colonial independence movement formed as salutary neglect ended.

• Colonists united because the British were taxing them without representation.
• Colonial leaders called for representation to reflect Enlightenment ideas.
• Popular movements for independence were energized by activists.
• People across the American colonies mobilized finances and materials for the Patriot movement.
• The Patriots beat the British because of strong leadership, ideological commitment, and assistance by European allies.

Key Concept 3.2. New American Government

New ideas about politics, religion, and society continued through the revolution.

• Enlightenment ideas inspired American thinkers and promoted social mobility.
• Republican ideals were reflected through Common Sense by Thomas Paine & the Dec. of Independence.
• Some groups called for abolition of slavery in the new state & national governments.
• Women’s role highlighted in “Republican motherhood” – to teach American values.
• American Revolution inspired similar revolts in Haiti and Latin America.

State and federal constitutions sought to protect liberties while limiting central power.

• Power was given to legislative branches and voting rights were limited.
• Articles of Confederation unified the states, but limited central power, which made things difficult for the federal government to handle trade, finances, and unrest.
• The Constitutional Convention was held with state representatives to negotiate a new federal government that would embody federalism and separation of powers. The leaders pitched new experiments in self-government.
• The issue of slavery was at the forefront of constitutional compromises.
• Anti-federalists opposed the constitution while Federalists promoted ratification by promising a Bill of Rights that would focus on individual freedoms.
  • 📜 Study Guide: The Constitution and Debates Over Ratification

American national culture & political institutions developed despite of regional differences.

• George Washington and John Adams created political precedents.
• Political parties formed as leaders differed in their positions of issues. (Jefferson vs. Hamilton)
• Slavery continued to divide Americans as it expanded in the south & west.
• National identity was reflected in works of art, literature, and architecture.

Key Concept 3.3. Migrations within North America intensified conflicts

After independence, increased interactions between groups resulted in competition, alliances, and cultural blending.

• Native tribes fluctuated in alliances with Europeans and other tribes.
• More people moved westward, which fueled social, political, and ethnic tensions.
• The Northwest Ordinance was developed to admit new states.
• Treaties with Native Americans were often violated.
• Spanish mission settlements expanded in California.

The US had to protect its borders amidst European powers throughout North America.

• Diplomatic initiatives sought to protect settlers from the British and Spanish.
• The French Revolution and war between France and Britain posed new foreign policy challenges to the US.
• Washington’s Farewell Address discouraged political parties and warned of alliances.

Period 3 Vocabulary & Concepts

• Abigail Adams
• absolute monarch
• Adam Smith
• Albany Plan of Union
• Alien & Sedition Acts
• Articles of Confederation
• Battle of Bunker Hill
• Battle of Saratoga
• Battle of Yorktown
• Bill of Rights
• Coercive Acts
• Committees of Correspondence
• Common Sense
• Declaration of Independence
• Declaratory Act
• Deism
• Democratic-Republicans
• Enlightenment
• First Continental Congress
• French Revolution
• George Washington
• Great Compromise
• Hamilton’s Financial Plan
• Intolerable Acts
• James Otis
• Jay’s Treaty
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau
• John Adams
• John Jay
• John Locke
• Lexington & Concord
• Loyalists (Tories)
• Mercantilism
• Minutemen
• Northwest Ordinance
• Patrick Henry
• Patriots
• Paul Revere
• Peace of Paris
• Pinckney’s Treaty
• Political parties
• Pontiac’s Rebellion
• Proclamation of 1763
• Quartering Act
• Quebec Act
• Rationalism
• Republican Motherhood
• Revolution of 1800
• Salutary Neglect
• Samuel Adams
• Second Continental Congress
• Seven Years’ War
• Shay’s Rebellion
• Sons & Daughters of Liberty
• Stamp Act
• Sugar Act
• Tea Act
• Thomas Jefferson
• Townshend Acts
• Treaty of Paris
• unicameral legislature
• US Constitution
• Valley Forge
• Washington’s Farewell
• Writs of Assistance
• XYZ Affair