Chapter 6 - America's War for Independence Flashcards
Confiscation Acts
Continental Currency
Dunmores Proclamation
Hessians
Mecklenburg Resolves
Republicanism
Summarize Britain’s Law and Oder Strategy and It’s Consequences
Britain’s law-and-order strategy during the American colonial crisis primarily aimed to suppress dissent and restore control. Following the Boston Tea Party in 1773, where colonists destroyed British tea in protest against taxation, Britain enacted the Coercive Acts (also known as the Intolerable Acts) in 1774. These laws punished Massachusetts by closing Boston Harbor, restricting town meetings, and dissolving colonial self-governance. Additionally, British troops occupied Boston under General Thomas Gage, who was tasked with enforcing order and confiscating weapons to disarm colonial militias.
These actions had significant consequences. Rather than pacifying the colonies, they escalated tensions. The Massachusetts Provincial Congress rejected British authority through the Suffolk Resolves and called for militias to prepare for potential conflict. These militias, known as minutemen, became the backbone of the colonial resistance. The British attempts to seize munitions, such as at Concord in 1775, directly led to the outbreak of the American Revolution at the battles of Lexington and Concord.
Ultimately, Britain’s strategy of coercion backfired by uniting the colonies in opposition and fostering the conditions for war. The measures intended to enforce control only solidified colonial resistance and highlighted the growing divide between Britain and its American colonies.
Summarize the Early Years of the Revolution
Summarize the War in the South
the coastal regions. The southern campaign came to an end at Yorktown when Cornwallis surrendered to American forces.
Summarize Identity during the American Revolution
What event marked the beginning of the American Revolution?
The battles at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, marked the start of the American Revolution.
What was the significance of the “shot heard round the world”?
The phrase refers to the first shots fired at Lexington and Concord, symbolizing the start of the American Revolution.
What role did Thomas Paine’s Common Sense play in the Revolutionary War?
Common Sense was a pamphlet by Thomas Paine that argued for American independence, rejecting monarchy, and promoting republicanism. It rallied public support for the revolution.
How did the Declaration of Independence justify the colonies’ break from Britain?
The Declaration, drafted in 1776, stated that all men are created equal and have unalienable rights, and that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. It listed grievances against King George III.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Bunker Hill?
Though the British won the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775, they suffered heavy losses. The battle boosted Patriot morale and showed that colonial militias could stand up to the British Army
What was the British Southern Strategy during the Revolution?
The British aimed to rally Loyalist support in the southern colonies and regain control of the region. Initially successful, the strategy ultimately failed due to Patriot resistance and leadership.
What was the significance of the Battle of Yorktown in 1781?
The Battle of Yorktown was the final major engagement of the war, where British General Cornwallis surrendered to American and French forces, leading to peace negotiations.
Who were the Loyalists, and what role did they play in the Revolution?
Loyalists were colonists who remained loyal to Britain during the Revolution, comprising about one-third of the population. They faced persecution and property confiscation under state laws.
What were the main terms of the Treaty of Paris (1783)?
The treaty recognized U.S. independence, established borders, and granted fishing rights off Newfoundland. It also recommended fair treatment for Loyalists.
Give background of Lexington and Concord
Date: April 19, 1775
Location: Near Boston, Massachusetts
Background:
The British aimed to seize colonial military supplies stored in Concord and capture key Patriot leaders, including Samuel Adams and John Hancock.
Colonists, forewarned by riders like Paul Revere and William Dawes, mobilized local militias to resist.Significance:
The battles marked the start of open armed conflict between the colonies and Britain.
They galvanized colonial support for the Patriot cause and led to the Siege of Boston.
These engagements showcased the effectiveness of local militias and set the tone for the Revolutionary War.
