Loss of American colonies 1770-83: Why did clashes between colonists and British develop into a struggle for independence? Flashcards
In which colony did the first military engagements of American War of Independence take place?
Massachusetts
In which colony did delegates meet at Continental Congress to agree the Declaration of Independence?
Philadelphia
When did the Continental Congress first meet?
September 1774
What did Committees of Correspondence become in 1774?
Committees of Safety
When did Britain declare Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion?
9 February 1775
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?
Pitt the Elder
What was the split of voting for Pitt the Elder’s proposal?
2 to 1 against
How many troops did General Gage have. available in Boston?
4,000
What did Gage attempt to do at Concord on 18 April 1775?
seize or destroy a military store
Where were the first shots of the American War of Independence fired?
Lexington, where 75 volunteers fought the British troops heading for Concord?
How many British died or were injured at Lexington/Concord in April 1775?
273 casualties
73 killed
How many colonial militia surrounded and besieged Boston in April 1775?
20,000
When and where was the bloodiest engagement of the War of Independence?
17 June 1775 at Bunker Hill (well actually it was on a neighbouring hill but it’s known as the Battle of Bunker Hill)
How many British and American casualties were there at the Battle of Bunker Hill?
> 1,000 of the 2,500 British engaged in the battle
< 500 American casualties
Who won the Battle of Bunker Hill?
British, in that they held their position
What proportion of British officers killed in the American War of Independence were killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill?
one eighth
When did George III issue a proclamation declaring all American colonies to be in a state of open rebellion and why?
23 August 1775
as reaction to Battle of Bunker Hill
When were the British forced to evacuate Boston and where did they go?
March 1776
Nova Scotia
What two key decisions did the Continental Congress take in June 1775?
- issue of paper money to meet some of the costs of war
- George Washington made commander of new Continental Army
What did the July 1775 Necessity of Taking Up Arms Declaration state was not intended?
separation from Britain
What did the July 1775 Olive Branch Petition do?
appealed directly to George III to cease hostilities so a plan of reconciliation could be drawn up
Why were the July 1775 Necessity of Taking Up Arms Declaration and Olive Branch Petition important?
to show moderates that every effort had beem made to reach a solution with the British
What was the most widely read and influential pamphlet of 1776?
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
When was the Declaration of Independence passed and formally adopted?
passed 2 July 1776
adopted 4 July 1776
What was the split of the vote of the thirteen colonies on the Declaration of Independence?
12 in favour
1 (New York) abstained
What were the key Articles of Confederation?
- 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.
Name seven things that the Articles of Confederation allow Congress to do?
- 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
