Key Events and Conditions

Question 1

British Mercantilism

Answer 1

A form of Government-protected trade which aimed to increase Britain’s profits at the expense of the colonies

Question 2

The French and Indian War 1754-63

Answer 2

A war over land between the French and the British which Native America tribes became involved in. First war for the American Colonies

Question 3

Salutary Neglect

Answer 3

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

Question 4

The Proclamation Act 1763

Answer 4

Royal Proclamation of October 1763 which blocked settlement of land West of the Appalachians, leaving land speculators resentful

Question 5

No Taxation Without Representation

Answer 5

A slogan frequently used in response to the revenue-raising Acts - first at the Stamp Act Congress 1775

Question 6

The Boston Massacre 1770

Answer 6

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)

Question 7

The Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) 1774

Answer 7

Numerous Acts - placed Boston under military law, increased tensions in Boston

Question 8

Powder Alarms 1774

Answer 8

Gage ordered removal or destruction of gunpowder in Massachusetts, causing paranoia

Question 9

The First Continental Congress 1774

Answer 9

Held in Philadelphia - passed Articles of Association, which criticized the British. Also organized boycotts.

Question 10

The Second Continental Congress 1775

Answer 10

May 1775 - formed Continental Army (Washington put in charge) - stayed in session throughout the Revolutionary War

Question 11

The Battle of Lexington-Concord 1775

Answer 11

18 April 1775 - 700 troops chased off by militia men - Boston surrounded by 12000 militia

Question 12

The Battle of Bunker Hill 1775

Answer 12

June 1775 - pyrrhic victory - Britain technically ‘won’, but they lost more soldiers than colonial forces

Question 13

Declaration of Independence 1776

Answer 13

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

Question 14

The Sugar Act 1764

Answer 14

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)

Question 15

The Stamp Act 1765

Answer 15

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”

Question 16

The Quartering Act 1765

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Declaratory Act 1766

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Townshend Duties 1767-68

Answer 18

Attempted to raise money to fund British - royal officials would be paid using this money, which would decrease the American colonies’ control over them.

Question 19

Tea Act 1773

Answer 19

Gave British authority to ship tea directly to America, bypassing merchants - portrayed by radicals as sly attempt to make money

Question 20

Boston Tea Party 1773

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Fairfax Resolves 1774

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Suffolk Resolves 1774

Answer 22

Declaration made on 9 September 1774 by Suffolk County, Massachusetts, which rejected the Coercive acts, resolved to boycott and promoted the formation of militia.

Question 23

Olive Branch Petition 1775

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Common Sense 1776

Answer 24

Published in 1776 by Thomas Paine - brought ideology of revolution to the common man

Question 25

Currency Act 1764

Answer 25

Banned the printing or use of American Colonial script, leading to increased economic difficulties and bankruptcies for American traders.

Question 26

Letters From A Farmer (1767-68)

Answer 26

12 letters by John Dickinson (lawyer) published anonymously - argued only colonial assemblies could tax or regulate colonies

Question 27

Massachusetts Circular Letter 1768

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Quebec Act 1774

Answer 28

Increased size of Quebec and gave rights to French Catholics - threatened protestants and angered land speculators