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Seven Years War
Seven Years’ War also known as the French and Indian war , began in 1756 when the fighting between French and colonists merged into a European conflict involving France, Austria, and Russia against Prussia and Britain. Peace was declared in 1763 through the Peace of Paris, which ended French power in North America. -
Proclamation of 1763
This proclamation which prohibited American colonists from settling west of Appalachia. The Treaty of Paris, which marked the end of the French and Indian War, granted Britain a great deal of valuable North American land. -
Stamp Act Congress
Stamp Act Congress also known as the Continental Congress of 1765, was a meeting held in New York, consisting of representatives from some of the British colonies in North America. -
Sons and daughters of Liberty
Sons & Daughters of Liberty The Sons of Liberty was a group consisting of American patriots that originated in the pre-independence North American British colonies. -
Committees of Correspondence
This was formed in cities and regions throughout the American colonies.The Committees of Correspondence rallied colonial opposition against British policy and established a political union among the Thirteen Colonies. -
Declaration of Rights
This was adopted by the First Continental Congress, it promised obedience to the king, but denied parliament's right to tax the colonies. They wanted to protest parliamentary infringements of their rights and restore the relationship with the crown that had existed before the seven years war. -
Prohibitory Act
This act allowed the blockade and seizure of American ships and trade. This act is referenced as one of the 27 colonial grievances of the Declaration of Independence. -
Minutemen
The nickname given to local militiamen who fought against the British during the Revolutionary War. They were called minutemen because of their supposed ability to be ready for battle at a minute's notice. -
Olive Branch Petition
Olive Branch Petition the colonies made a final offer of peace to Britain, agreeing to be loyal to the British government if it addressed their grievances, repealed the Coercive Acts, and ended the taxation without representation policies. It was rejected by Parliament, which in December 1775 passed the American Prohibitory Act forbidding all further trade with the colonies. -
Common Sense
One of the most potent pamphlets ever written. It called for the colonists to realize their mistreatment and push for independence from England. The author Thomas Paine introduced such ideas as nowhere in the universe is a smaller heavenly body controlling a larger body. For this reason there is no reason for England to have control over the vast lands of America. -
Unicameral Legislature
A legislature with only one legislative chamber, as opposed to a bicameral two-chamber legislature, such as the U.S. Congress. Today, Nebraska is the only state in the Union with a unicameral legislature. -
Treaty of 1783
Signed in Paris by representatives of King George III of Great Britain and representatives of the United States of America on September 3, 1783 ended the American Revolutionary War. This included fishing rights and restoration of property and prisoners of war. -
Shays Rebellion
Shay’s Rebellion was an armed uprising in Western Massachusetts in opposition to a debt crisis among the citizenry and the state government's increased efforts to collect taxes both on individuals and their trades; the fight took place mostly in and around Springfield during 1786 and 1787. -
Annapolis Convention
Annapolis Convention called by the state of Virginia held in Annapolis, Maryland, in September 1786 to which all 13 states were asked to send delegates. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the commercial problems besetting the United States under the Articles of Confederation. -
The National Bank
The National bank was another document issued by Alexander Hamilton. In this document, Hamilton asked Congress to charter the bank of the United States. He wanted this to be jointly owned by private stockholders and the national government. Hamilton argued that the bank would provide financial stability by making loans to merchants, by handling government funds, and by issuing bills of credit. -
Proclamation of Neutrality
This was issued by President George Washington upon notification that France and Britain were at war. It pledged the United States to "pursue a course friendly and impartial" toward the belligerents and enjoined observance on all citizens upon pain of prosecution. -
Jay Treaty 1794
This was a treaty that addressed the differences between the British and the US. The British were seizing American ships, impressing American sailors and causing problems in the west. In order to prevent war, Washington urged the Senate to ratify this treaty. -
Pinckney Treaty 1795
This was a treaty between the U.S. and Spain which gave the U.S. the right to transport goods on the Mississippi river and to store goods in the Spanish port of New Orleans -
XYZ Affair
An insult to the American delegation when they were supposed to be meeting French foreign minister, Talleyrand, but instead they were sent 3 officials Adams called "X,Y, and Z" that demanded $250,000 as a bribe to see Talleyrand. -
Revolution of 1800
Jefferson's view of his election to presidency. Jefferson claimed that the election of 1800 represented a return to what he considered the original spirit of the Revolution. Jefferson's goals for his revolution were to restore the republican experiment, check the growth of government power, and to halt the decay of virtue that had set in under Federalist rule.
