AP United States History Unit 3 Study Guide
Unit 3: Period 3 (1754-1800) Seven Years’ War through American Revolution and US
Independence.
Key Concepts:
● The French and Indian War (Seven Years’ War) and its aftermath strained the relationship between Britain and
its American colonies, leading to the Revolutionary War. This is when England changed from Laissez-Faire
control of the English colonies to becoming very hands on with the Colonies - wanted colonies to pay
‘em back for winning the 7 Years’ War for them.
● The American Revolution had significant effects on politics, society, and the economy in the United States and
abroad. Philosophy/Beliefs/Values of Independence and personal freedom from oppression and foreign
rule. The right to self-govern and determine one’s own fate/future. Enlightenment
● The new nation faced challenges in defining its government structure, resolving internal conflicts, and
maintaining its independence in a complex international environment. From the Articles of Confederation
(which were WAY too weak) to the Constitution and Bill of Rights (compromise b/w Federalists &
Anti-Federalists)
Key Topics and Themes
1. The French and Indian War (1754-1763)
● Causes:
○ Competition between Britain and France for control of North America. England and France fighting
globally over control of each others’ colonies. That fight ended up in America.
○ Disputes over the Ohio River Valley. France colonies were there….fur trade….England wanted
them….
● Key Events:
○ Albany Plan of Union (1754): Proposed by Benjamin Franklin; sought to unify colonies for defense but
was rejected. First attempt to unite all 13 English Colonies to resist England’s control over
colonies. Colonies didn’t want to lose their individual economies…said “heck no”.
○ Treaty of Paris (1763): Britain gained French Canada and Spanish Florida, ending French colonial
presence in North America. End of 7 Years War - England controls all of North America (for the
time being anyway)
● Consequences:
○ Enormous British debt led to increased taxation of colonies. England spent a TON of money fighting
the 7 Years’ War - remember the American colonists were unable to beat the French? England
stepped in.
○ Proclamation of 1763: Restricted colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, angering
colonists. FIRST law by England telling the Colonists what they could not do - which was explore
WEST into the Ohio River Valley. B/C England had promised Native Americans there they could
have their land back. This Proclamation ANGERED the colonists. Why is England now
controlling us?
○ Tensions escalated over "taxation without representation." Know the different English Taxes on
Colonists. Boston Tea Party, Boston Massacre, Stamp Tax, Townshend Act, Intolerable Acts
2. Road to Revolution
● Acts and Colonial Resistance:
○ Sugar Act (1764) and Stamp Act (1765): Direct taxes to raise revenue; led to protests and boycotts.
○ Townshend Acts (1767): Tax on imports; sparked widespread colonial resistance.
○ Boston Massacre (1770): Tensions erupted into violence, fueling anti-British sentiment.
○ Tea Act (1773) and Boston Tea Party (1773): Opposition to British monopolies; led to punitive
Intolerable Acts.
● Organized Resistance:
○ Committees of Correspondence.
○ First Continental Congress (1774): Response to Intolerable Acts; called for colonial rights and boycotts.
First “unification” of the 13 Colonies. Remember how Franklin introduced the Albany Plan of
Union in 1754? This 1st Congress actually worked. Temporary Congress….on purpose. Focus:
try to patch things up with Mother England…return to the way things were before 7 Years’ War
where Engliand left colonies alone. England said “uhhh….nah.” Sent troops to Boston to
control colonies.
3. The American Revolution (1775-1783)
● Key Battles:
○ Lexington and Concord (1775): First armed conflict. AmRev started here. Just outside Boston.
Small battles here and there.
○ Saratoga (1777): Turning point; secured French support.
○ Yorktown (1781): Final major battle; British surrendered.
● Key Figures:
○ George Washington: Commander of Continental Army.
○ Thomas Jefferson: Primary author of the Declaration of Independence.
○ Thomas Paine: Author of "Common Sense," advocating independence.
● Effects of the Revolution:
○ Treaty of Paris (1783): Recognized U.S. independence; set boundaries.
○ Inspired revolutions in France, Haiti, and Latin America.
4. Articles of Confederation and the Constitution
● Articles of Confederation (1781-1789):
○ Strengths: Northwest Ordinance (1787) provided for orderly expansion. Law by new US Gov’t
dictating how new territories would be added as new states to the USA. Banned expansion of
slavery. Angered the South bigtime. Mandated education/schooling - “everyone” which meant
whites only. Boys and Girls. K-8 one room school houses.
○ Weaknesses: No power to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce laws.
● Constitutional Convention (1787):
○ Great Compromise: Bicameral legislature (House and Senate).
○ Three-Fifths Compromise: Addressed slavery representation. - Counted enslaved people as just 3.5
of a person to boost the South’s population and representation in Congress but not count them
as a whole person who would be entitled to constitutional rights.
○ Ratification: Federalist Papers supported; Anti-Federalists demanded a Bill of Rights.
● Principles of the Constitution:
○ Federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers.
○ Bill of Rights (1791): First ten amendments guaranteeing individual freedoms.
5. Early Republic (1789-1800)
● Washington’s Presidency:
○ Established precedent of neutrality in foreign affairs (Proclamation of Neutrality, 1793).
○ Addressed internal unrest (Whiskey Rebellion, 1794).
● Political Parties Emerge:
○ Federalists (Hamilton): Strong central government, pro-industry, pro-British. The Conservative political
party
○ Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson): States’ rights, pro-agriculture, pro-French. The liberal political
party.
Key Terms to Know
1. Albany Plan of Union: Early attempt at colonial unity.
2. Proclamation of 1763: Restricted western settlement.
3. Intolerable Acts: Punished Massachusetts for Boston Tea Party.
4. Declaration of Independence (1776): Justified revolution; declared independence.
5. Northwest Ordinance: Organized territory north of Ohio River. At the time this was put into law, it only
applied to new states being added to the NORTH and WEST (around Ohio River Valley). No one was
thinking ahead about expanding due west.
6. Federalist Papers: Essays promoting Constitution ratification. More centralized federal government power.
7. Neutrality Proclamation (1793): Washington’s stance on European conflicts.
8. Alien and Sedition Acts: Controversial laws limiting freedoms.
9. Treaty of Paris (1783): Ended Revolutionary War.
Practice Questions
Short Answer (SAQ):
1. Identify and explain one cause of colonial resistance to British taxation after 1763.
→ One cause of colonial resistance to British taxation after 1763 was
taxation without representation.
2. Explain one way the Articles of Confederation addressed territorial expansion.
→One ways the Articles of Confederation addressed territorial expansion
was through banning the expansion of slavery in new states.
Long Essay (LEQ): MARRY THE PROMPT! USE ALL WORDS FROM IT.
Evaluate the extent to which the American Revolution fundamentally transformed American society in the period
1775–1800. In your response, consider changes and continuities in politics, economy, and social structures.
Plan Step 1: What’s the prompt actually asking? What is good evidence for “politics” or “economy” or “social
structures”? How much did the American Revolution change American society between 1775 and 1800?
POLITICS = kind of federal government, two party political system (Fed / Anti-Fed), AoC, or Const. NW Ord.
ECONOMY = International trade with France or England? SLAVERY contradicts the Bill of Rights! England’s
taxation on colonies which CAUSED the AmRev.
Plan Step 2: Will you focus on politics, economy, or social structures?
Plan Step 3: Build your Claim. MA first - steal it from the prompt and add your ‘umph’ word. Then LoR. Then CA.
Now you’re good to start this beast!
Tips for Studying Unit 3
1. Focus on Causes and Effects: Understand how the French and Indian War led to tensions culminating in the
Revolution.
2. Know Key Documents: Be familiar with the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and
Constitution.
3. Practice Writing: Claim & SAQ
4. Understand Political Divisions: Recognize differences between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
