Revolutionary War Flashcards
Quebec Act (1774)
- Extends boundaries
- Allows the practice of Catholicism in Quebec and the government to operate without representatives or trial by jury.
- Colonists angry because they want the land, and they think England will take their representative government
Alien and Sedition Acts
- Created by John Adams- angry that he isn’t as respected as Washington.
- Alien act- president can remove a citizen or immigrant from the country who is “dangerous”.
- Sedition act- Can’t criticize the government
Boston Massacre
- Angry colonists charge British soldiers, who shoot into the crowd, killing several people.
- Exaggerated cartoon is released, giving colonists an incorrect version of what happened.
Committee of Correspondence
Colonists complaining about England
Boston Tea Party (1773)
- Sam Adams and other Patriots throw British tea overboard.
- Everyone in Boston knows who did it, but won’t say anything
- England closes the harbor (Boston makes living from harbor).
Lexington and Concord
- Sons of Liberty store guns, so the British come to arrest them.
- Colonists ambush the British and some colonists are killed.
- The British go back to Boston.
Valley Forge
- Cold winter, Patriots suffer living outside.
2. Baron von Steuben helps make army more disciplined
Treaty of Paris
- Ends Revolutionary war, acknowledging American independence.
- Borders are established, Americans agree to pay debts to the British.
Declaration of Independence
- Approved by Congress on July 4, 1776
- Vilifies King George
- Uses Enlightenment ideas, power lies in the hands of the electorate.
- Goals- to justify independence, rally support among the colonists, and get support from foreign nations.
Thomas Jefferson
Wrote Declaration of Independence.
George Washington
Revolutionary war general, first US president.
Quartering Act (1765)
Colonists are required to provide food and shelter for soldiers.
Salutary neglect
- England pays no attention to colonists for 60-70 years
2. Colonists begin to think of themselves as separate.
Writs of Assistance (1774)
Allows customs officials to enter any ship or building they suspect contains stolen goods.
2nd Continental Congress
Colonies meet to discuss how they will deal with the military threat of the British.
Townsend Acts
- Tax on paper, paint, glass, and tea
- Revenue Act- board of customs commissioners and admiralty courts.
- Money will be used to pay British officials in the colonies.
George Grenville
- British prime minister
- Wanted imperial reform
- Passed currency and sugar acts
Charles Townsend
- British politician
2. Passed Townsend Acts
John Dickinson
- Politician from Philadelphia
2. Wrote letters from a farmer- Britain’s policies are against British law, urge united action from the colonies
James Otis
- Patriot lawyer and activist
2. “no taxation without representation”
John Locke
Came up with idea used in Declaration of Independence- people have right to overthrow government if it doesn’t do its job.
Thomas Paine
- Wrote Common Sense- call for independence and Republican government, insults British style of government.
- Uses Enlightenment ideas
Olive Branch Petition
Colonists want to make up with England and apologize.
Declaratory Act (1766)
Reaffirms Parliament’s power over the colonies.
Battle of Yorktown
- British retreat, hoping their ship will be there, but are trapped by the French navy.
- The British surrender
- Last major battle of the war
Battle of Saratoga
- First traditional European style battle, and Patriots win
- After the battle, the French agree to help
- Turning point of the war.
Battle of Bunker Hill
- Colonists steal a cannon and are capable of shooting a British ship
- British shoot back and eventually win
1st Continental Congress
- 12/13 colonies send reps to Philadelphia to talk about England.
- Some colonists want to arm themselves
- Create declaration of rights and grievances which are dismissed by King George
Purpose of the Stamp Act Congress
- Protest loss of rights, especially trial by jury.
- Declare Stamp and Sugar Acts unconstitutional.
- Goal is to compromise with England
Gaspee Incident
- British sailboat that had been used to capture smugglers gets stuck near Rhode Island.
- Colonists throw the soldiers overboard and burn the ship.
Intolerable/ Coercive Acts (1774)
- British response to Boston Tea Party
- Boston has to pay for the tea.
- The British shut down Boston harbor.
Virginia Resolves
- Patrick Henry
2. No taxation without representation
Virtual representation
England argues that the colonists are British citizens and are therefore already represented in Parliament.
Tea Act
- Gives tea monopoly to British East India Company, actually making tea cheaper
- Colonists are angry the act was passed without their consent.
Suffolk Resolves
Boycott British goods until the Intolerable Acts are repealed.
England’s strengths
Militarily and economically superior, considerable loyalist opposition in colonies, weak government in the colonies.
America’s strengths
Colonies have greater familiarity with land, resilient military and political leadership, ideological commitment, and eventual support from foreign nations.
France’s role
- Help with war in order to receive land and regain power in North America, and end of trade policies meant free trade with the colonies
- Provide colonists with money, weapons, and naval support
Impacts of the Revolution
- State constitutions abolish European laws and traditions- no titles of nobility granted
- Many states eliminate property requirements for voting
- Inspired revolutions in Haiti, France, and Latin America
Social impacts of the Revolution
- Women played significant roles by running farms and businesses- call for more rights
- More tension with Native Americans, as the British had helped restrict colonial settlement
- African Americans allowed to serve in Continental Army
- Slaves are gradually emancipated in northern and middle colonies, creating regional attitude toward slavery
Massachusetts Circular Letter
Requests that colonies protest the Townshend Acts
