Lesson 3-2: Ideas Start a Revolution Flashcards

1
Q

When was the Second Continental Congress convened, and where was it located?

A

May 1775; Philadelphia

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2
Q

What sparked such intense debate at the Second Continental Congress?

A
  • The loyalties that separated Americans/colonists: some were Loyalists, some were Patriots
  • Everyone had their own ideas/beliefs about what direction the United States should go
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3
Q

What did John Adams of Massachusetts suggest at the Second Continental Congress?

A

1) Each colony should set up its own government
2) The government should declare the colonies independent
3) The soldiers/militiamen besieging Boston should be considered the Continental Army
4) The Continental Army should have a general to lead them.

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4
Q

What two clauses did the Second Continental Congress agree to?

A

1) The soldiers camped in/around Boston were recognized at the Continental Army
2) George Washington, a 43-year-old veteran of the French and Indian War, was appointed as the commander of the Continental Army.

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5
Q

What did Congress do at this convention in which it acted like an actually independent government?

A
  • Organized the printing of paper money to pay the troops
  • Organized a committee to deal with foreign relations
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6
Q

Where did the Battle of Bunker Hill take place?

A

Boston

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7
Q

Who was the British general at the Battle of Bunker Hill?

A

General Thomas Gage

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8
Q

What was General Gage trying to do?

A

Fire at militiamen who had dug into Breed’s Hill (which was near Bunker Hill, but not Bunker Hill itself)

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9
Q

What was the disadvantage of the British soldiers?

A

They were fighting uphill, and were shooting upward at the Patriots.

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10
Q

How many assaults did the British carry out?

A

Three
- The first and second failed, while the third succeeded.

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11
Q

Why did the Patriots lose this battle?

A

Because they were low on ammunition.

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12
Q

How many fatalities did the Patriots suffer?

A

450

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13
Q

How many fatalities did the British suffer?

A

Over 1,000

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14
Q

Just before and at the beginning of the war, who did the colonists blame for the need for revolution?

A

The King’s ministers, NOT the King himself (George III)

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15
Q

The Olive Branch Petition: When and What?

A
  • When: July 8, 1775
  • What: A document sent to the King of England urging for “a return to the former harmony” between England and the colonies.
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16
Q

How did the King react to the Olive Branch Petition?

A

He flatly and blatantly denied it; he issued a statement officially declaring the colonies in a state of rebellion.
- He urged Parliament to order a naval blockade of the American coast.

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17
Q

Common Sense

A

The document written by Thomas Paine that attacked King George III.

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18
Q

When did Thomas Paine state that his revolt against the King began?

A

The battle of Lexington and Concord

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19
Q

What was the main message of Common Sense?

A
  • It was time for the colonists to proclaim an independent republic
  • It was time for the colonists to form their own government
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20
Q

Paine argued that independence was America’s _______________.

A

“destiny”

21
Q

What did Paine argue that independence would allow the Americans to do?

A

Trade with foreign nations for guns and ammunition that would help them win the war against Great Britain.
- He also argued that independence would allow the Americans to receive foreign aid.

22
Q

What was the final, and one may argue, the most important, thing that Paine argued independence would allow the Americans to do?

A

Give them the chance to create a better society; one free of tyranny and consisting of equal social and economic benefits for all.

23
Q

How many copies of Common Sense sold?

A

Around 500,000

24
Q

How did Common Sense affect the colonists?

A
  • It relieved some of their doubts about separating from Britain.
  • It made the colonists think about the better lives and country they could create for themselves separate from the King/Great Britain.
25
Q

By the summer of 1776, which states had already declared themselves independent?

A
  • North Carolina
  • Many Virginians stated that they wished for independence
26
Q

After several events took place, what did the Congress FINALLY do?

A

Ordered the colonies to create their own governments.

27
Q

Thomas Jefferson

A

A Virginia lawyer who was known for his broad knowledge and skillfully crafted prose; was chosen to express the committee and America’s points/reasons for action/rebellion against the King.

28
Q

From whom did Jefferson draw much inspiration for the Declaration of Independence (especially the clause pertaining to “unalienable rights”)?

A

English Enlightenment philosopher John Locke

29
Q

What were John Locke’s natural rights?

A
  • Life, liberty, and property
  • All men are born with these rights, and they cannot be taken away under any circumstances
  • A government’s job is to protect these natural rights
  • If a government fails to protect these rights, then the people have a right to overthrow that government and create a new, more just one.
30
Q

What were Jefferson’s “unalienable rights”?

A

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness

31
Q

In keeping with Locke’s ideas, with the consent of whom does the government operate?

A

The PEOPLE

32
Q

What does the phrase “all men are created equal” really mean?

A

That all FREE CITIZENS were political equals.
- Therefore, naturally, this statement did not apply to minorities, such as women, African American slaves, and Native Americans

33
Q

There was originally a clause in the Declaration attacking slavery. What happened to it?

A

It was dropped in order to gain the votes of two prominent slave states: Georgia and South Carolina.

34
Q

On what day did the delegates at the Second Continental Congress VOTE that the colonies were free?

A

July 2, 1776

35
Q

On what day was the Declaration of Independence ADOPTED?

A

July 4, 1776

36
Q

When the delegates were creating a formal copy of the Declaration, what was going on outside?

A

It was being read aloud to a crowd that had gathered in front of Pennsylvania State House (now called Independence Hall).

37
Q

Patriots

A

Supporters of independence; those who wanted to break away from Britain.

38
Q

What divided Americans most at the beginning, middle, and even even of the Revolutionary War?

A

The fact that they had to choose sides: they could either be a Patriot, and support breaking away from the Crown, or they could choose to be a Loyalist who favored remaining with the Crown.
- The decisions the colonists made created stark divisions within states, communities, and families.

39
Q

How many Loyalists were there?

A

We do not actually know; many with Loyalist sympathies changed sides during the war.

40
Q

Why did some people feel a special tie to King George III?

A

Because they had been royal governors, councilors, and judges.

41
Q

Why did the majority of Loyalists chose to remain loyal to King George III?

A

Because they were afraid that the British were going to win the war and punish the colonists.
- Remember, if the colonies lost, their leaders were to be hanged for treason.
- It’s only treason if you lose!

42
Q

Still, why did some other Loyalists choose to remain on the side of the King?

A

Because they thought that the King could better protect their rights than the new colonial governments.

43
Q

While the Patriots made up about half of the population, many Americans still remained ___________________.

A

Neutral

44
Q

Who were some of the people that the Patriots accepted?

A

1) Merchants
2) Elected officials
3) Artisans
4) Landowners
5) Farmers

45
Q

What group of people did the conflict present serious dilemmas for?

A

The Quakers; they generally supported the Patriots but did NOT fight in the war because they were pacifists.

46
Q

Why did some African Americans join the British?

A

Because they (the British) often promised freedom to slaves that fought for the Crown.

47
Q

Why did many Native Americans support the British?

A

Because they viewed the colonial settlers as bigger threats to their land.

48
Q

What TWO wars were the colonies really fighting?

A

1) A war for independence
2) A civil war between Americans with differing opinions