Causes of the American Revolution Flashcards
During what years did the French and Indian War take place?
1754-1763
True or False: The colonists felt threatened by the French?
True
When do the colonists and British fight the French?
After the Americans move into the Ohio River Valley
Did the Indians fight on the British or French sides?
The Indians fought on both sides.
What happened to General James Wolfe
He died at the Plains of Abraham (Quebec, Canada).
What did General James Wolfe live long enough to witness?
He witnessed a big victory for Britain and America
Who won the French and Indian War?
The British and Colonists won.
What were the results of the French and Indian War?
- The French surrender all claims east of the Mississippi River except the city of New Orleans
- Britain gains Canada (Upsetting for French-Canadians)
Even though England won the French and Indian war, what was one bad thing that happened from the war?
England had a ton of debt. (Americans had NO debt)
After the French and Indian War, The British said the Americans could import or export with _________________
The British ONLY
Because they were only allowed to import or export with the British, _____________________ became common and the _________________________ were frequently broken.
SMUGGLING became common
the NAVIGATION ACTS were frequently broken
What did the Proclamation Act of 1763 prohibit colonists from doing?
It prohibited colonists from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains
When was the Stamp Act and what did it do?
1765
Put a tax on paper goods- newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, playing cards, etc.
Affected all Americans everywhere
What are some examples of the mob activity caused by the Stamp Act?
protests
violence
tarring and feathering
(Especially in Boston, MA)
The Americans finally decided to ________________ taxed goods and this hurt the British economy
BOYCOTT
Parliament __________________
the Stamp Act in March, 1776 and Americans rejoice
REPEALS
What happened the same day the Stamp Act is repealed?
A “Declaratory Act” is passed
What does the “Declaratory Act” state?
The Declaratory Act states that Britain has the right to tax America “in all cases whatsoever”
What is the famous catchphrase that James Otis made? (Starts with “Taxation without…”
“Taxation without representation is tyranny”
What was the Quartering Act of 1765?
The Quartering Act required colonists to house British soldiers stationed at the colonies.
NEW YORK REFUSES!
What were the Townshend Acts?
New taxes on a variety of imports such as glass, paper, lead and TEA.
What happened at the Boston “Massacre” in 1770?
-Tension comes to a head on a cold Monday night
-Ice, snowballs and rocks are thrown at British soldiers for guarding the Customs House
-He calls for help and in confusion British Troops fire into crowd
Paul Revere makes an inaccurate engraving of the event and calls it a ________________________
“Bloody Massacre”
_______________________
defends the soldiers (from the Boston Massacre) and they are acquitted.
John Adams
The British government doesn’t know what to do about the American boycott. They are in a “quandary” because ___________________.
If they repeal the Townshend Duties it would end the boycott, but it would be the second time the British government would have backed down!
What was the Tea Act of 1773?
British East India Company attempts to sell low-priced tea to Americans
Their price is cheaper than the smuggled Dutch tea.
Why were the Americans enraged by The Tea Act?
They thought this was an “insulting bribe” because even though they were selling without paying the Townshend Acts, they were still including a tax that was going to Parliament.
What happened on the night of December 16, 1773?
The Boston Tea Party
What happened during the Boston Tea Party?
Yanks:
-row out to anchored tea ships
-board vessels
- split open 342 chests of tea
-dump the contents into the Harbor
What is the British reaction to the Boston Tea Party?
They are outraged and want to punish the Americans for going too far.
What do the British do to teach the Yanks a lesson for the Boston Tea Party?
They pass the Coercive Acts
What was the First Continental Congress in 1774?
Delegates from each colony (except Georgia) meet at Carpenter’s Hall in Philadelphia PA
- brought the colonies closer together
What was the “Shot Heard Round the World”?
The first shot at the Battle of Lexington and Concord
Battle of Lexington and Concord?
- Evening of April 18,
-700 British soldiers set out for Concord to seize the weapons and arrest rebel leaders (Sam Adams and John Hancock) - British march all night
-reached Lexington at dawn on the 19th (about 5 miles from Concord)
-Find 70 shivering minutemen at the village green and order the to disperse
-someone fires and Redcoats fire shots killing 8 Americans.
What happens when the British march back to Boston?
- disaster for Redcoats; road to Boston lined with Colonists who fired at them from behind trees, stone walls, rooftops
-Americans are angry
Who were the Connecticut patriots that lead a small force to capture Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain a month after the “shot heard round the world”.
Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen
What does repeal mean?
To withdraw a law
