Empire Topic 2 - America Flashcards
1
Q
How much land did agricultural production in small communities cover?
A
1,000,000 sq km
2
Q
What percentage of people in the colonies were enfranchised?
A
From 50% to sometimes 80% of people.
3
Q
What percentage of people were enfranchised in the UK at this time?
A
5%
4
Q
What were literacy rates like in the colonies?
A
70%, some urban areas with 100%.
5
Q
How much taller were colonists than citizens at home?
A
2 inches
6
Q
What fraction of tax did colonists pay compared to UK citizens.
A
1/6
7
Q
Government structure in the colonies
A
Each state had it’s own assembly but no national assembly, therefore complaints were easily ignored.
8
Q
Why were the British trying to tax North American colonies in the 1770s?
A
- 80,000 new citizens after Treaty of Paris 1763
- National Debt was £133m
- Interest was £4.4m of £8m budget
- Defence cost of NA was £750000
9
Q
Quartering Act
A
- 1765
- Meant colonists had to house British soldiers
10
Q
When were the Sugar and Stamp Acts?
A
1764 and 1765
11
Q
What was the Sugar Act?
A
The Molasses Act of 1733 imposed a tax on sugar previously in the colonies, however it was widely ignored, so the Sugar Act halved the tax in hope they would be able to collect something.
12
Q
What was the Stamp Act?
A
Required colonists used stamped paper which they had to pay for. Addex tax to printed materials, magazines, playing cards etc.
13
Q
Colonist Reaction to Sugar and Stamp Act?
A
Believed it was unfair without government representation.
14
Q
How did Colonists react to the Stamp Act?
A
- Riot on 26th August 1765
- Mob ransacked Lt. Governor Hutchinson’s house
- £900 stolen
- Hutchinson claimed for £2100
- Stamp Act repealed March 1766
15
Q
How much money were the Townshend Duties designed to bring in?
A
£40000 per annum
16
Q
How much money did the Townshend Duties collect?
A
£45 total
17
Q
The Revenues Act
A
- 1767
- Made to raise revnue in colonies to pay salaries of governors and judges so they remained loyal.
18
Q
The Commissioners of Customs Act
A
- 1767
- Enforced the Acts
19
Q
The Indemnity Act
A
- 1767
- Reduced taxes to EIC when they imported tea to England, allowed them to re-export tea more cheaply
20
Q
The New York Restraining Act
A
- 1767
- Banned New York from making laws until they complied with Quartering Act
21
Q
The Vice Admiralty Court Act
A
- 1768
- Meant navy could deal with smugglers, not colonial courts.
22
Q
The Liberty Affair
A
- May-October 1768
- Liberty’s Captain allowed cutom’s officials on board to pay duty on 25 pipes of Madeira Wine
- Customs Officials suspected there had been closer to 100 pipes and they’d been unloaded the night before
- However Tidesmen swore no smuggling had happened, yet later changed his story and said he’d been forcibly detained as wine was unloaded.
23
Q
How did colonists react to the Townshend Duties?
A
- Massachussets Assembly published denunciation of the duties, 7 other colonies later endorsed this.
- Organised boycott of British goods
- Townshend Duties repealed 12th March 1770
24
Q
When was the Boston Massacre?
A
5th March 1770
25
Boston Massacre
- 5 people died
- Soldiers died and defended by John Adams
- Found not guilty
- Massive propaganda tool for Sons of Liberty as it lined up with the tyrannical image of Britain they cultivated
26
Short term effects of Boston Massacre
- Anger kept low as Townshend Duties repealed same day
- Colonies still largely made up of Loyalists
- Lack of Unity among colonies
- Little effect
27
Long Term effects of Boston Massacre
- Boston Massacre and continued tea taxes did become symbolic of British tyranny among the colonies.
28
How were loyalties split in the Colonies in 1770?
- 1/3 Rebels, 1/3 Loyalists, 1/3 neutral.
29
Who composed Loyalists and Rebels?
- Loyalists largely composed of minority groups such as Germans, Dutch, Scottish and Irish.
- Patriots largely composed of wealthier parts of American society.
30
When was the Tea Act
- 1773
31
What did the Tea Act do?
- Implemented to try and help with the debt incurred by the EIC in India. Allowed EIC to trade cheaply and directly with Colonies.
- Undercut Smugglers in Colonies
- Tea was still subject to American Duties
32
Response to Tea Act?
- Tea that was sent to New York and Philadelphia was rejected.
- In Charleston it was not offered for sale.
33
Boston Tea Party
- 90,000 pounds of tea dumped
- Worth £10,000
34
Reaction to Boston Tea Party
- King George III and Lord North who had been previously restrained now wanted to make example of colonies to discourage resistance elsewhere in Empire.
- Three New York Merchants offered to pay for tea, declined.
35
When were the Coercive Acts?
1774
36
What did the Coercive Acts do?
- Closed ports of Boston until tea was paid for, caused huge drop in standard of living
- General Gage became Governor of Massachussets and was given power to appoint own officials, gave impression Massachussets was under military control.
- All murder trials transferred to England
- Power to quarter troops given to military commanders.
37
What was Impact of Thomas Gage as Governor of Massachusetts?
- September 1773 attempted to seize Power-magazine, became known as 'Powder Alarm.'
- Resulted in mobilisation of thousands of Patriot minutmen (militia).
- Attempted to sieze weapons cache in Salem, thwarted by local population raising bridge.
38
When and where was First Continental Congress?
- September 1774
- Philadelphia
39
What was decided at First Continental Congress?
- The Suffolk Resolves
- Called on Massachusetts to arm for defence
- Proclaimed right of each colony to determine it's own need for troops.
- Massachusetts declared to be in a 'state of rebellion' by Britain in Feburary 1775
40
When was Massachusetts declared in State of Rebellion by Britain?
February 1775.
41
Provisional Act of February 1775
- Would've removed all duties, including sugar act.
- Act would've recognised continental congress as American Parliament, rejected by House of Lords
42
What happened at Lexington and Concorde?
- General Gage only had 4000 troops.
- Gage and men march on Concorde gunpowder and weapon stores 12th April 1775.
- Forces intercepted at Lexington.
- After this battle 20,000 Patriot militia surrounded Boston
43
When was the Battle of Bunker Hill?
June 1775
44
What happened at Bunker Hill?
- 1000 US men killed
- 2500 British killed
- 1/6 of all British officers who died in the war died in the battle.
45
Significance of Bunker Hill
- British tactical victory, but American moral victory as they had far less casaulties
46
When was 2nd Continental Congress
June 1775
47
What happened at 2nd Continental Congress
- Paper money issued in colonies to pay for war.
- Washington made Commander-in-Chief of Continental Army
48
When was the Decleration of Independence
4th July 1776
49
Britain's Strengths
- Had standing army of 48,000, 8000 deployed in America
- 340 ships, though suffered from limited investment
- Had population of 8 million and sophisticated financial institutions to help fund war.
50
Britain's Weaknesses
- Most loyalists lived in ports of colonies, weren't spread throughout country.
- Long supply lines and very little knowledge of the interior
- Lack of direction from London in terms of strategy
- No obvious colonial base to defeat
- Couldn't use Royal Navy to blockade colonies as loyalists would suffer
51
US weaknesses
- Soldiers in Continental Army had only served a year or 6 months.
- Ill-equipped
- New York had scraped together 19,000 volunteers but was heartland of loyalsts and tories.
52
Why did British occupy New York?
- Port and entrance to Hudson River which would take them to heartland of rebel territory.
- 2/3 of NYC citizens were against rebellion, so gave British moral highground
53
How many troops landed at NYC?
30,000
54
When was the Battle of Brooklyn Heights?
1776
55
What happened at the Battle of Brooklyn Heights
- Washington's forces failed to defend flank
- Retreated to avoid annihilation
- Untrained men struggled to coordinate organised retreat
- Surrendered Fort Washington and Fort Lee
- Washington's Army reduced to 5000
56
What was the Bunshell's Turtle
- World's first combat submarine invented by Ezra Lee
- Attacked HMS Eagle in September 1776
- Hit metal, caused huge explosion
- British moved Royal Navy out of NYC port
57
Short Term Significance of New York Campaign
- Patriots lost port of NY, althought was mainly loyalist
- Reduced Washington's forces by 75%
- Massive propaganda blow for Washington who's ability to recruit new men to fight was hindered
- Served as propaganda boost for British who could follow narrative that they had situation under control
58
Long Term Significance of NY Campaign
- Showed Washington that for time being Continental Army could not engage British forces in pitched battle
- Attack on HMS Eagle was small propaganda win
59
When was the Battle of Trenton?
Boxing Day 1776, tactical choice from Washington to catch Hessian mercenaries hungover and unaware
60
Why did Washington engage the Hessians at Trenton?
- For sake of morale he needed quick victory to exploit for propaganda and recruitment purposes
- Targeted Hessian mercenaries instead of British regulars with hope they'd be less motivated
61
Short Term Impact of Trenton
- Trenton was tiny battle compared to Brooklyn Heights
- Solidified Washington's position as Commander-in-Chief after rumours congresss wanted to replace him
62
Long Term impact of Trenton
- Served as massive propaganda victory for Patriots
- Helped avert recruitment crisis and prove to potential allies that Washington and Continental Army could beat the British
- Nathaniel Greene noticed as highly competent battlefield commander
63
Why did British target New England for their 1777 campaign.
- Hoped to cut off Northern colonies from money source Southern Colonies
- Hoped to seperate Southern Colonies from more Patriotic Northern colonies so they give up Rebellion
- Would force Patriots to abandon Boston
64
Why did New England Campaign fail?
- Plan was techinically and militarily brilliant, but too complicated and led to British stretching supply lines thin
- British led by 3 commanders who were engaged in personal rivalry, Americans had 1 direct commander and overseer - Horatio Gates
- Alliance with native Americans turned many against British
65
What impact did Anglo-Indian alliance have on war?
- Neutral colonists disliked natives as they saw them as a threat, turning them towards Patriots.
- Alliance aligned with Patriot propaganda portrayal of British
66
Significance of Jane McRae
- Wife of British Army officer
- Killed by Indians
- Became martyr of people getting caught up in British struggle that wasn't their own.
67
Context of British at Saratoga
- Burgoyne forced to 1/2 rations, needed to link up with Howe but couldn't effectively communicate with him.
- Burgoyne trapped by Continental Army
- 4000 British troops
68
How many men did the Patriots have at Saratoga
9000
69
Why did British lose Saratoga Campaign.
- Communication methods of the time didn't suffice for such a complex plan
- Internal conflict between Burgoyne and Howe
- Continental Army use of terrain and tactical withdrawal weakened Burgoyne's forces
- Meant when pitched battle occured Gates had numerical advantage, and British troops were weak from starvation and long travel.
70
Significance of Saratoga Campaign
- Huge strategic win for Continental Army, thwarted British split of colonies which would've won the war.
- Encouraged France to join war
71
When did France recognise American indepence and declare alliance?
6th February 1778
72
How did French support war effort in America?
- In 1780 Lafayette landed with 5000 troops
- Baron von Steuben, Prussian mercenary, trained US military
- Forced British to pull forces elsewhere as war had become global
73
When was the Battle of Saintes
1782
74
What happened in the Battle of Saintes
- Decisive British naval victory
- Franco-Spanish invasion of Jamaica aborted
75
When was the Great Siege of Gibralter
1779-1883
76
How many men fought in the Great Siege of Gibralter
7500 British
65000 Franco-Spanish
77
What happened Great Siege of Gibralter
- Franco-Spanish forces unsuccesful in storming peninsula and preventing British relief reaching it.
78
What happened in India after French entry into the war?
- British troops gained control of French outposts in 1778 and 1779
- Sparked long-time French ally Kingdom of Mysore to begine Second Anglo-Mysore war
- French failed to regain territories lost in India during 7 Years War
79
When did British launch campaign in the south?
March 1780
80
Why did British launch campaign in the south?
- Southern Colonies and Carolinas considered 'breadbasket' of the colonies and taking them out would prevent them from funding and feeding Continental Army.
81
What happened in the British campaign in the south?
- British landed in Charleston (richest city in colonies).
- British offered freedom to any slaves who fought for British, 20000 joined.
82
Propaganda Impact of British campaign in the south
- Freedom of slaves resented by southern colonies, turning them fully against British.
- Banastre Tarleton burned and pillaged Southern colonies, offering Patriots propaganda opportunity to gain further support in the South.
83
How many American soldiers were captured in the campaign in the south?
3000 soldiers + arms and supplies.
84
How many surrendering men did Tarleton slaughter?
113 American soldiers
85
When was the Battle of Camden
August 1780
86
How many men were at the Battle of Camden
- 2000 redcoats vs 3000 patriots
87
Who won the Battle of Camden
- British :)
88
Betrayal of Benedict Arnold
- Owed Congress $1000 and was angry having not recieved promotion for role in Saratoga campaign.
- Offered service to General Gage through British spy - Major Andre
- Clinton offered $20,000 in return for West Point
- Andre captured trying to return to British territoriy after meeting Arnold
89
Result of Betrayal of Benedict Arnold
- Only recieved $6315 for not handing over fort.
- Major Andre executed October 1880
- Martyred by both British and Americans
- Massive propaganda blow to Washington due to Andre's popularity among Patriots
- Served little strategic impact on outcome of war
90
When was the Battle of King's Mountain
October 1880
91
What happened at the Battle of King's Mountain
- Rebels found cover in wooded areas
- British launched failed bayonet charge which allowed Patriots to regroup and envelop British
- Commander Bull Ferguson killed
92
When were the Pennsylvania and Pompton line mutinies?
January 1871
93
What was the Pennsylvania Line Mutiny?
-Pennsylvania recuits who had served for 3 years angry that their $20 bounty had been dwarfed by the $1000 bounty granted to new recruits in New Jersey
- 1500 soldiers of Penn line insisted their 3 year enlistments had expired and killed 3 officers in drunken rage.
- Pardoned and transferred to Southern Campaign as they refused to defect.
94
What was the Pompton line mutiny?
- Mutiny in Pompton following similar grievances as Penn line mutiny.
- Washington had been tipped off and ringleaders were arrested and 2 sergeants were executed by their own men.
95
Impact of Penn and Pompton line mutinies?
Whole affair was personal and propaganda blow to Washington.
96
Context of 1781 British campaign in the South?
- Last roll of the dice
- Many regular troops had been pulled from colonies to fight in other more strategically important areas of the empire.
- British forces left supplemented by loyalist militia and slaves, good troops hard to come by.
97
Pretext to Battle of Cowpens
- 4000 British forces went on offensive in the south under command of Lord Cornwallis
- Greene split force to engage Cornwallis and disrupt supply line at the same time - ideas was to seperate and isolate Tartleton from Cornwallis.
- Cornwallis sent Tarleton after a smaller US force led by Daniel Morgan.
98
When was Battle of Cowpens?
January 1871
99
Number of Troops at Battle of Cowpens?
2000 Patriots
1000 British
100
Result of Battle of Cowpens?
- American Victory
- British were exhuasted and Daniel Morgan exhbited superior tactics.
101
When was the Battle of Guildford Courthouse?
March 1781
102
Result of Battle of Guildford Courthouse?
- British victory, but 25% of British forces were lost.
- Long Term effects of battle favoured Americans as battle stopped British recruitment drive.
103
When was the Yorktown Campaign?
Summer 1781
104
Context of Yorktown Campaign
- 5500 French forces landed under Lafayette and von Steuben.
- Force decided to move south and engage Cornwallis moving into Virginia following Cowpens.
- Cornwallis arrived in Yorktown and fortified town, waiting for Royal Navy to resupply him.
- Comte de Grasse decided to engage Royal Navy on the Virginia Coast at Chesepeake bay.
105
When was the Battle of Chesepeake Bay?
September 1781
106
What happened at the Battle of Chesepeake Bay?
- Comte de Grasse's fleet of 24 ships engaged Admiral Graves 19 ships from Royal Navy.
- Engagement resulted in French victory
107
Impact of Chesepeake Bay?
- Graves returned to NY and panic ensued amongst loyalist communties in colonies
- Graves began to assemble new force to relieve Cornwallis, while Washington and Lafayette begun bombardment of Yorktown
- Massive propaganda win for loyalists
108
When was the siege of Yorktown?
September - October 1781
109
Result of Yorktown
- 7000 British soldiers captured
- Negotiations between US and Great Britain began, resulting in Treaty of Paris 1783
