Ch04 Flashcards
First Continental Congress
a meeting of colonial delegates in Philadelphia to decide how to respond to the closing of Boston Harbor, increased taxes, and abuses of authority by the British government; delegates petitioned King George III, listing the freedoms they believed colonists should enjoy
Patriots
American colonists who fought for independence from Great Britain during the Revolutionary War
Continental Army
the army created by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 to defend the American colonies from Britain
minutemen
American colonial militia members ready to fight at a minute’s notice
Redcoats
British soldiers who fought against the colonists in the American Revolution; so called because of their bright red uniforms
Second Continental Congress
a meeting of colonial delegates in Philadelphia to decide how to react to fighting at Lexington and Concord
George Washington
Revolutionary War hero and Patriot leader, he served as a representative to the Continental Congresses, commanded the Continental Army, and was unanimously elected to two terms as president of the United States
Battle of Bunker Hill
a Revolutionary War battle in Boston that demonstrated that the colonists could fight well against the British army
Common Sense
a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that criticized monarchies and convinced many American colonists of the need to break away from Britain
Thomas Paine
American political philosopher and author, he urged an immediate declaration of independence from England in his anonymously and simply written pamphlet, Common Sense
Thomas Jefferson
American statesman, and member of two Continental Congresses, chairman of the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence, the Declaration’s main author and one of its signers, and the third president of the United States
Loyalists
colonists who sided with Britain in the American Revolution
Declaration of Independence
the document written to declare the colonies free from British rule
mercenaries
hired foreign soldiers
Battle of Trenton
a Revolutionary War battle in New Jersey in which Patriot forces captured more than 900 Hessian troops
Battle of Saratoga
a Revolutionary War battle in New York that resulted in a major defeat of British troops; marked the Patriots’ greatest victory up to that point in the war
Marquis de Lafayette
French statesman and officer who viewed the American Revolution as important to the world, he helped finance the Revolution and served as major general
Bernardo de Galvez
Governor of Spanish Louisiana, he captured key cities from the British, greatly aiding the American Patriot movement and enabling the Spanish acquisition of Florida
Baron Friedrich von Steuben
Prussian soldier who helped train American forces at Valley Forge during the American Revolutionary War
John Paul Jones
American naval officer famed for bravery, his most famous victory was the defeeat of the British warship Serapis, during which he declared, “I have not yet begun to fight!”
George Rogers Clark
American Revolutionary soldier and frontier leader, he captured the British tradiing village of Kaskaskia during the Revolution and encouraged Indian leaders to remain neutral
Francis Marion
Revolutionary War commander of Marion’s Brigade, a group of guerilla soldiers in South Carolina that used surprise raids against British communications and supply lines
Comte de Rochambeau
French soldier who commanded the French troops in the American Revolutionary War. He was with General George Washington at the Battle of Yorktown
Battle of Yorktown
the last major battle of the Revolutionary War; site of British general Charles Cornwallis’s surrender to the Patriots in Virginia
Treaty of Paris of 1783
a peace agreement that officially ended the Revolutionary War and established British recognition of the independence of the United States
First Continental Congress: Who was there? Why did they meet? What did they do?
At the First Continental Congress were Colonial leaders from all the colonies (except Georgia) They meet to discuss and make a list of problems in the colonies.
Second Continental Congress: Who was there? Why did they meet? What did they do?
.Colonial leaders were there and they were there to make a colonial army because there were other battles going on and they needed more troops.
Where was the battle of Bunker Hill? What happened? Why was it significant?
.It was in Breed’s Hill, the patriots lost but the British had to sacrifice twice as any soldiers at the patriots did. This showed the the patriots could fight after all.
What did the Declaration of Independence do? What are some of the things mentioned in it?
.The Declaration of Independence was a bunch of reasons why the colonies should be independent.
What impact did the Declaration of Independence have on minorities such as women, African Americans, and Native Americans?
.The Declaration of Independence dint add as any freedoms to the minorities.
What groups supported the colonists’ war effort?
.Comte de Rochambeau, Francis Marion, Baron Friedrich von Steuben, Bernardo de Galvez were some people who helped the war effort.
What led up to the Battle of Trenton? Why was it significant?
It was significant becuse Washington led his some 2,400 troops to enemy camps right after Christmas and took over 900 prisoners.
What led up to the Battle of Saratoga? Why was it significant?
It was significant because it was a major victory for the patriots.
What problems did the Continental Army face during the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge?
.The Major problem was the brutal winter.
How did the Continental Army respond to the challenges they faced at Valley Forge?
.The patriots build crude shelters from the brutal winter.
What was the winter of 1777-1778 like for the British Army?
.The British lived in luxury in Philadelphia, they enjoyed vacant houses, taverns, and theaters they also held balls and parties.
What is guerrilla warfare? Who used it? How did it affect the Revolutionary War?
Guerrilla Warfare was a bunch of hit-and-run attacks. Francis Marian was the leader of these hit-and-run attacks and it stopped some British communication and supply lines.
What led up to the Battle of Yorktown? Why was it significant?
.It was significant because it was the last major battle of the american Revelation.
What did the Treaty of Paris of 1783 do? Why was it significant?
.This was the official recognition of the colonial receptionist.
