Loss of American colonies 1770-83: Why did clashes between colonists and British develop into a struggle for independence?

Question 1

In which colony did the first military engagements of American War of Independence take place?

Answer 1

Massachusetts

Question 2

In which colony did delegates meet at Continental Congress to agree the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 2

Philadelphia

Question 3

When did the Continental Congress first meet?

Answer 3

September 1774

Question 4

What did Committees of Correspondence become in 1774?

Answer 4

Committees of Safety

Question 5

When did Britain declare Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion?

Answer 5

9 February 1775

Question 6

Who in Britain proposed the removal of all duties from the Americas, including the Sugar Act and the recognition of the Continental Congress as an American parliament?

Answer 6

Pitt the Elder

Question 7

What was the split of voting for Pitt the Elder’s proposal?

Answer 7

2 to 1 against

Question 8

How many troops did General Gage have. available in Boston?

Answer 8

4,000

Question 9

What did Gage attempt to do at Concord on 18 April 1775?

Answer 9

seize or destroy a military store

Question 10

Where were the first shots of the American War of Independence fired?

Answer 10

Lexington, where 75 volunteers fought the British troops heading for Concord?

Question 11

How many British died or were injured at Lexington/Concord in April 1775?

Answer 11

273 casualties
73 killed

Question 12

How many colonial militia surrounded and besieged Boston in April 1775?

Answer 12

20,000

Question 13

When and where was the bloodiest engagement of the War of Independence?

Answer 13

17 June 1775 at Bunker Hill (well actually it was on a neighbouring hill but it’s known as the Battle of Bunker Hill)

Question 14

How many British and American casualties were there at the Battle of Bunker Hill?

Answer 14

> 1,000 of the 2,500 British engaged in the battle
< 500 American casualties

Question 15

Who won the Battle of Bunker Hill?

Answer 15

British, in that they held their position

Question 16

What proportion of British officers killed in the American War of Independence were killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill?

Answer 16

one eighth

Question 17

When did George III issue a proclamation declaring all American colonies to be in a state of open rebellion and why?

Answer 17

23 August 1775
as reaction to Battle of Bunker Hill

Question 18

When were the British forced to evacuate Boston and where did they go?

Answer 18

March 1776
Nova Scotia

Question 19

What two key decisions did the Continental Congress take in June 1775?

Answer 19

• issue of paper money to meet some of the costs of war
• George Washington made commander of new Continental Army

Question 20

What did the July 1775 Necessity of Taking Up Arms Declaration state was not intended?

Answer 20

separation from Britain

Question 21

What did the July 1775 Olive Branch Petition do?

Answer 21

appealed directly to George III to cease hostilities so a plan of reconciliation could be drawn up

Question 22

Why were the July 1775 Necessity of Taking Up Arms Declaration and Olive Branch Petition important?

Answer 22

to show moderates that every effort had beem made to reach a solution with the British

Question 23

What was the most widely read and influential pamphlet of 1776?

Answer 23

Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, which argued that reconciliation was no longer possible and so Americans should look to establish a new and fairer system of government

Question 24

When was the Declaration of Independence passed and formally adopted?

Answer 24

passed 2 July 1776
adopted 4 July 1776

Question 25

What was the split of the vote of the thirteen colonies on the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 25

12 in favour
1 (New York) abstained

Question 26

What were the key Articles of Confederation?

Answer 26

• All powers not specifically granted to Congress were reserved by the states.
• Congress had no right to enforce taxes or regulate trade.
• All states had to agree to any amendment of the constitution.
• Important issues like treaties and alliances needed agreement of at least nine states not just majority.
• Each state had one vote regardless of size, through an elected Congressman per state.
• Congressmen were elected annually and could not be elected more than three times in six years.

Question 27

Name seven things that the Articles of Confederation allow Congress to do?

Answer 27

• declare war
• borrow and issue money
• draw up treaties and alliances with foreign powers
• deal with Native American affairs
• requisition the states for money and men for fighting
• set standards for weights an measures
• regulate post offices