1.
Franklin, Adams, and Jefferson working on the Declaration of Independence

2. Periodization
1754 – Beginning of the French and Indian War in North America
1800 – The Election of Thomas Jefferson leading to the first peaceful transfer of political power from one political party to another

3. Key Concept
British attempts to assert tighter control over its North American colonies and the colonial resolve to pursue self-government led to a colonial independence movement and the Revolutionary War.

4. The French and Indian War
Growing population of the British colonies expanded into the French controlled Ohio River valley
Fourth war in 75 years between England and France
Both sides had native Americans as allies

5. The French and Indian War
Ends with a British victory (The Treaty of Paris 1763)
But at a high cost…and future costs for their expanded empire
Colonists benefit from defeat of the French (no more threat, westward expansion opportunities)

6. Impact of the F/I War ***England re-evaluates its empire
Decides colonists benefit from being in the English empire an need to pay a greater share of the costs of maintaining the empire
How?
More strict enforcement of the Navigation Acts
Increased revenue through taxation

7. Events leading to revolution
British efforts to collect taxes without direct colonial representation or consent and to assert imperial authority in the colonies, began to unite the colonists against perceived and real constraints on their economic activities and political rights.

8. Colonial Arguments Local tradition of self-rule and self-government
Their rights as Englishmen and their rights as individuals
The ideas of the Enlightenment (John Locke)
Men are born with inalienable rights (life, liberty, and property)
Government must protect inalienable rights
Government gets power from the consent of the governed

9. Key people, events, laws Lexington and Concord Writs of Assistance
Stamp Act
Boston Massacre
Tea Act/Tea Party/Intolerable Acts/First and Second Continental Congress (cause-effect chain)
Lexington and Concord
Paine’s Common Sense
The Declaration of Independence
Battle of Saratoga
Battle of Yorktown
Treaty of Paris (1783)

10. Key Concept
The American Revolution’s democratic and republican ideals inspired new experiments with different forms of government.

11. Key events, people and laws
The Articles of Confederation
The Land Ordinance of 1785
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Shays’ Rebellion
Constitutional Convention (1787)
The Plans
Virginia, NJ
The compromises
The Great
The 3/5

12. Key events, people and laws
The Federalist Era
Hamilton’s Financial Plan
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
Jay Treaty (1794)
Pinkney Treaty (1796)
Washington’s Farewell Address
XYZ Affair, Alien and Sedition Acts, Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (cause-effect chain)
The French Revolution and its impact

13. Political Revolution From colonies to a democratic republic
Created the United States
New political significance to the middling elements of society (democratization)
Artisans, merchants, farmers
Popular participation in politics increased (democratization)
Leaders of government were less wealthy

14. Political Revolution
Commitment to radical ideas of liberty, equality, and government by the people
Modern idea of a written constitution approved by the people
State constitutions embodied republican principles
State constitutions gave greater power to legislature rather than governors
Guarantees of religious freedom

15. Social Revolution - Religion
Growing belief in separation of church and state
End of tax supported churches/churches disestablished
Rise of religious pluralism (increased religious diversity)
No religious test for office built into Constitution
1st Amendment (no “establishment” of religion by government and the “free exercise” of religion for all

16. Social Revolution - Slavery
Slavery transformed to a moral problem
Many slaves escaped or were freed during the Rev. War
Free blacks the fastest growing part of the population
Slavery became a purely sectional institution
Northern states abolished or gradually abolished slavery

17. Social Revolution - Slavery
Northwest Ordinance abolished slavery in NW Territory
Pseudo-scientific racism – the notion that science proves the inferiority and superiority of certain races
Constitution gave Congress the power to enforce a fugitive slave law
3/5 Compromise enhanced power of South
Free blacks still denied most rights
No vote some states, did have vote elsewhere, no citizenship

18. Social Revolution - Women
Republican Motherhood – the increased importance of women in raising virtuous citizens that are necessary in a republic
Female literacy rises
Contributed to family income in new ways
Increased rights to divorce and custody of children
Free choice in marriage; began to limit births
Still denied vote, higher ed, and the professions

19. Social Revolution – Natives
Pontiac’s Rebellion – 1763
The Revolutionary War paved the way for westward expansion
The Battle of Fallen Timbers

20. Social Revolution - Class
Historian Howard Zinn (the revolution was conservative)
Historian Gordon Wood – went from vertical society to a horizontal society
***Go to website page 2 for the details

21. Key Concept
Migration within North America and competition over resources, boundaries, and trade intensified conflicts among peoples and nations.