Key Events and Conditions Flashcards
British Mercantilism
A form of Government-protected trade which aimed to increase Britain’s profits at the expense of the colonies
The French and Indian War 1754-63
A war over land between the French and the British which Native America tribes became involved in. First war for the American Colonies
Salutary Neglect
A period between the mid-1600s and mid-1700s in which Britain left the colonies to essentially self-govern. Ended in 1763 with the Treaty of Paris 1763
The Proclamation Act 1763
Royal Proclamation of October 1763 which blocked settlement of land West of the Appalachians, leaving land speculators resentful
No Taxation Without Representation
A slogan frequently used in response to the revenue-raising Acts - first at the Stamp Act Congress 1775
The Boston Massacre 1770
5 March 1770 - mob harassing British officers. Soldiers fired (unclear exactly why) resulting in 5 dead. Used by radicals as anti-British propaganda (eg. Paul Revere’s engraving)
The Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) 1774
Numerous Acts - placed Boston under military law, increased tensions in Boston
Powder Alarms 1774
Gage ordered removal or destruction of gunpowder in Massachusetts, causing paranoia
The First Continental Congress 1774
Held in Philadelphia - passed Articles of Association, which criticized the British. Also organized boycotts.
The Second Continental Congress 1775
May 1775 - formed Continental Army (Washington put in charge) - stayed in session throughout the Revolutionary War
The Battle of Lexington-Concord 1775
18 April 1775 - 700 troops chased off by militia men - Boston surrounded by 12000 militia
The Battle of Bunker Hill 1775
June 1775 - pyrrhic victory - Britain technically ‘won’, but they lost more soldiers than colonial forces
Declaration of Independence 1776
Richard Henry Lee introduced motion for independence 7 June 1776. Committee (John & Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson). Motion passed 2 July 1776, Declaration of Independence (mainly credited to Jefferson) passed 4 July 1776
The Sugar Act 1764
Tax on molasses designed to stop trade with the French, but actually resulted in increased smuggling (included Writs of Assistance 1764 - essentially search warrants based on suspicion)
The Stamp Act 1765
Act which required a tax to be paid on all documents. Angered all colonies and classes, leading to the Stamp Act Congress and the slogan “No Taxation without Representation”
The Quartering Act 1765
An update of the Mutiny Act that required Colonial Governments to quarter (house) British troops - portrayed by radicals as forcing Americans to house British in their homes.
Declaratory Act 1766
After the 1776 repeal of Stamp Act 1775, Tories pushed for passing of this Act, which declared British Parliament had full power to make laws for the colonies - changed the discussion from tax-based to ideological
Townshend Duties 1767-68
Attempted to raise money to fund British - royal officials would be paid using this money, which would decrease the American colonies’ control over them.
Tea Act 1773
Gave British authority to ship tea directly to America, bypassing merchants - portrayed by radicals as sly attempt to make money
Boston Tea Party 1773
16 December 1773 - colonists refused to unload 3 ships of tea (so they wouldn’t need to pay tax) - Governor Thomas Hutchinson gave deadline to unload tea. 50 men dressed as Native American’s dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor
Fairfax Resolves 1774
A set of resolutions adopted by a committee in Fairfax County, Virginia, on 18 July 1774 which rejected British Parliament’s claims of supreme authority
Suffolk Resolves 1774
Declaration made on 9 September 1774 by Suffolk County, Massachusetts, which rejected the Coercive acts, resolved to boycott and promoted the formation of militia.
Olive Branch Petition 1775
A final letter sent to King George III to make peace due to worries about Britain easily defeating to colonists. Supported by radicals, even though they believed it wouldn’t work
Common Sense 1776
Published in 1776 by Thomas Paine - brought ideology of revolution to the common man
Currency Act 1764
Banned the printing or use of American Colonial script, leading to increased economic difficulties and bankruptcies for American traders.
Letters From A Farmer (1767-68)
12 letters by John Dickinson (lawyer) published anonymously - argued only colonial assemblies could tax or regulate colonies
Massachusetts Circular Letter 1768
Written by Samuel Adams, criticized the British and endorsed by Massachusetts Assembly. Led to dissolving of Massachusetts Assembly - mob violence, leading to troops in Boston
Quebec Act 1774
Increased size of Quebec and gave rights to French Catholics - threatened protestants and angered land speculators
