American Revolution and a New Nation (1775-1787)

Question 1

Second Continental Congress (May 1775)

Answer 1

meeting that authorized the creation of a Continental army. Delegates still hoped that conflict could be avoided with the British.

Question 2

Common Sense (1776)

Answer 2

pamphlet written by Thomas Paine attacking the monarchical government which was extremely influential in the colonies.

Question 3

Battle of Yorktown (1781)

Answer 3

defeat of the British in Virginia, ending their hopes of winning the Revolutionary War.

Question 4

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Answer 4

treating ending the Revolutionary War. Britain recognized American independence and gave the territory between the Appalachians and the Mississippi.

Question 5

Articles of Confederation

Answer 5

document establishing the first government of the United States. States remained much power and little power given to the government.

Question 6

Northwest Ordinances (1784, 85, 87)

Answer 6

bills authorizing the sale of lands in the Northwest Territory to raise money for the government. Laid out procedures for these territories to attain statehood.

Question 7

Lexington (April 1775)

Answer 7

Massachusetts town where the first encounter of the Revolutionary War took place. 8 colonists were killed and another nine wounded.

Question 8

Battle of Concord (April 1775)

Answer 8

British Regulars and Massachusetts military men: killed 275 British were wounded or dead. A wider conflict between the colonies and Britain became more probable.

Question 9

Loyalist

Answer 9

colonists who remained loyal to Britain during the Revolutionary Era. Many were higher class and ended up moving to Canada, West Indies, or back to Britain when war broke out.

Question 10

Enlightenment

Answer 10

18th century European movement to discover natural laws that governed science and society and taught that progress was inevitable. Americans were heavily influenced: particularly by John Locke and that the government should serve the people.

Question 11

Hessians

Answer 11

German troops who fought in the Revolutionary War with Britain. Almost all were paid soldiers.

Question 12

Battle of Bunker Hill (June 1775)

Answer 12

British attacked colonial forces at Breed’s Hill outside Boston. Britain lost many soldiers but won this battle.

Question 13

Valley Forge

Answer 13

where Washington stationed troops for winters of ‘77 and ‘78. Soldiers suffered from hunger, cold, and disease: nearly 1300 died. Morale of the troops was raised by drilling and discipline by a former Prussian officer.

Question 14

bicamerial v. unicameral legislature

Answer 14

two houses of representatives (population + statehood) vs. one house with all states having equal representation

Question 15

Continentals

Answer 15

soldiers commanded by George Washington at the Battle of Trenton in December 1776. Also, a term used for paper money printed in 1781 later became worthless due to inflation.