1. What was the Seven Years' War and why is it also called the French and Indian War?

2. How did the British victory in 1763 affect colonial confidence and American colonists' views of themselves?

1. Why did the British attempt to collect more taxes from the colonies after the Seven Years' War?

2. How did Enlightenment thinking influence colonial views on taxation and self-governance?

3. What was the fundamental conflict between British and colonial perspectives that led to independence?

1. Why did the Articles of Confederation prove inadequate as a governing framework for the new nation?

2. How did the Constitution address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

3. What protections did the Bill of Rights provide and why were they important to the new government?

1. What major policy areas did George Washington's administration debate during his presidency?

2. What were the key differences between Democratic-Republicans and Federalists regarding government structure?

3. Why was the peaceful transfer of power in the election of 1800 significant for the new nation?

4. How did Federalist ideas continue to influence American politics even after the party disappeared?

1. What challenges did westward migration create for the United States and Native Americans?

2. What external threats did the United States face from European powers in North America?

3. When did a recognizable national identity emerge in the United States and why did it take until after 1800?