Revolutionary War Flashcards
What was the first continental congress
Who: all colonies except Georgia
What: gathering of colonial leaders who were deeply troubled about the relationship between Great Britain and its colonies
When: October 1774
Where: Carpenters hall in Philadelphia
Why: to determine how to move forward from intolerable acts, and improve relationship with Britain
What was the conclusion of the first continental congress
- did not seek separation from Britain
- declaration of rights: state concerns and ask king to correct the problems
- continue boycotting
- ready militia
- agree to meet again
What happened between the first and second continental congress
Lexington and concord
What was the second continental congress
Who: all colonies except Georgia
What: King George refused declaration of rights
When: may 1775
Where: carpenters hall in Philadelphia
Why: how to react to Lexington and concord, some wanted war and some wanted peace
What was the conclusion of the second continental congress
- far from unified, but first attempt at republican government for colonies
- created a military force: continental army
- John Adams wanted Washington to lead and not Hancock, because Washington was from Virginia
- asked colonies to write new constitution
- sign olive branch petition to restore harmony
Compare the population of women and African Americans between England and the US
England: 12 million
Us: 2,800,000 (many loyal to England)
Compare manufacturing between England and the United states
England: highly developed and flourishing
US: practically none
Compare money between England and the US
England: great wealth, taxed the people to finance war expenses
US: can’t tax, sold property of loyalists, loans from wealthy Americans and other foreign governments, $8,000,000 from France holland and Spain
Compare the army between England and the US
England: well trained, good equipment, not skilled in frontier type of American fighting
US: continental army and state militias, experienced in frontier fighting
Compare leaders between England and the US
England: bought commission or appointed as a reward, not able leaders
US: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton
Compare geography between England and the US
England: fighting on foreign land, couldn’t count on a local source for supplies
US: knew the land
Compare the navy between England and the US
England: most powerful navy in the world
US: no warships at all
What’s the purpose of government
- protect our rights
- government rules with the consent of the governed
- “whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it”
What are basic human rights
- basic, human, God given, natural, unalienable
- all human beings deserve the same natural rights
- all men are created equal
- life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
Summary of the declaration by the colonists
- the colonists have declared independence from Britain
- all connections between them are gone
- power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, do all other acts and things that independent states have the right to do
