6. American Revolution

Question 1

What is the background to the American Revolution?

Answer 1

British settlers colonised parts of North America in increasing numbers.

Question 2

What were the type of people that arrived?

Answer 2

Indentured servants, convicts that had been transported or even people fleeing religious persecution (Pilgrim Fathers)

Question 3

By 1775, how many people lived in the Thirteen colonies?

Answer 3

2.5 million

Question 4

Did the people want freedom to run their own affairs?

Answer 4

Yes

Question 5

What did the Seven Years War between France include?

Answer 5

It included fighting for the control of territories in America

Question 6

What did the British do to help fund this war?

Answer 6

Suggested that the colonies should pay some of the costs of the troops that are protecting them France.
However, colonies argued that already did through customers and duties in trade

Question 7

What tax did the British went ahead and imposed anyway?

Answer 7

Stamp Act of 1763

Question 8

What were the Stamp Act Congress?

Answer 8

They were leaders of the thirteen colonies who worked together to oppose the taxes the British were implementing.
They argued that they shouldn’t have to pay these taxes because they were not represented in the House Of Commons

“No taxation without representation”

Question 9

What was the Boston Tea Party?

Answer 9

When a group a colonists topped all the tea from an East India company (British Company) ship, into Boston Harbour in late 1773.
This caused the harbour to close until paid for

Question 10

Why did some colonists compromise with Britain?

Answer 10

They benefited from the trade with Britain and wanted to remain a part of the British Empire

Question 11

What did Thomas Paine do in 1776?

Answer 11

He was very radical and published a book called ‘Common Sense’. This argued the case for American Independence and sold half a million copies.
He wrote another book in France
He made an impact in America and France

Question 12

What did Tories (mostly) believe?

Answer 12

They insisted the government had every right to make decisions on behalf of the colonies. They thought that without the thirteen colonies, Britain could now longer be a world power and it was essential every effort was made to keep them under British Control.

Question 13

What did the Whigs believe?

Answer 13

They thought the heavy-handed dealings of the government were making it more likely that independence would happen

Question 14

What happened in 1776?

Answer 14

The leaders of all 13 colonies came together and published the Declaration of Independence which mimicked language used in Magna Carta.

Question 15

What did Britain declare?

Answer 15

The war of independence

Question 16

What helped the colonists get an edge on the British?

Answer 16

France joined the colonists so they had more troops, money and ships e,t,c

Question 17

Who were they led by when they defeated Britain in Yorktown in 1781?

Answer 17

Lord Cornwallis

Question 18

What did the British Parliament pass in 1782?

Answer 18

A Bill saying they would no longer attempt to subdue the Americans by force. This meant the 13 colonies were lost to the British Empire and because the first 13 states of the USA

Question 19

Why as the colonies being independent seem unnatural?

Answer 19

It was the first time any colonies had rejected rule by a European Country and many people thought colonies depended on European Rulers for protection, trade and support

Question 20

What did the American Revolution spread the belief of?

Answer 20

Democracy, freedom and basic human rights.

These ideas contributed to the French Revolution of 1789

Question 21

How did it surprisingly impact Britain?

Answer 21

Trade with Canada and India grew rapidly to replicate that lost in America.
Trade also grew as the industrial revolution and population explosion increased demand for raw materials and food

Question 22

What did the American Revolution also led more support for?

Answer 22

The radicals in Britain - They agreed they wanted change in the voting system and having a fairer distribution of power.
They saw the ruling system as unfair and corrupt.
This led to many protests and riots in Britain from the Kate eighteenth century to the nineteenth century

Question 23

What debate did it spark?

Answer 23

Whether or not having colonies was really necessary for generating wealth

Question 24

How did it affect Britain and their determination?

Answer 24

Because America humiliated them by defeating them in the Revolution, it made them more determined to defeat France which could be a reason why they managed to defeat Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815.

Question 25

What was the overall effect of the American Revolution?

Answer 25

America gained independence from Britain
Th US System (congress, constitution and president) was created
Britain sent convicts to Australia and New Zealand
India became the most important colony for Britain
It inspire French Revolution
People in Britain demanded the vote