The American War of Independence

Question 1

Give three examples of the 13 colonies established by the English

Answer 1

• New York
• Georgia
• New Jersey

Question 2

What were the causes of the American War of Independence?

Answer 2

1. Identity
2. The Seven Years’ War
3. The Stamp Act
4. The Townshend Act
5. The Boston Massacre
6. The Boston Teaparty
7. The 1st Continental Congress

Question 3

How was identity a cause of the American War of Independence?

Answer 3

•Many colonists did not identify themselves as British. They did not like the king interfering with their affairs

Question 4

How was the Seven Years’ War a cause of the American War of Independence?

Answer 4

• This was fought between Britain and France over Canada. Many colonists fought with the British army
• Britain wanted to tax colonists to cover the costs of the war

Question 5

What was the Stamp Act and how was it a cause of the American War of Independence?

Answer 5

• This was a tax on official documents like birth certs and wills
• ‘Sons of Liberty’ were formed to resist this tax.
• There slogan was “no taxation without representation”. This meant the English parliament shouldn’t tax them without the Americans having a seat in that parliament.
• People refused to pay the tax.

Question 6

What was the Townshend Act and how as it a cause of the American War of Independence?

Answer 6

• This was a tax on imported goods i.e. tea, glass,paint and paper. These were British goods coming to America
• Americans responded by boycotting British goods.

Question 7

What was the Boston Massacre and how as it a cause of the American War of Independence?

Answer 7

• Group of Redcoats in Boston opened fire on a crowd and killed 5 people.
• Americans exaggerated this and began calling it a massacre. This spread anti-British feelings in the 13 colonies .

Question 8

What was the Boston Tea Party and how as it a cause of the American War of Independence?

Answer 8

• British tea came from east India. They were in deep financial trouble so they cut the tax on tea to America.
• Now smuggled tea was more expensive than British tea. This greatly annoyed the people of Boston.
• On Dec 16 1773 Boston people had a protest meeting. They went on board an East Indian ship and threw all the tea into the sea.
• 342 chests of tea were destroyed and King George III was raging!
• The king reacted harshly. He introduced intolerable acts that closed down Boston port and closed Massachusetts assembly

Question 9

What was the 1st Continental Congress and how as it a cause of the American War of Independence?

Answer 9

• In Sept 1774, A meeting was held in Philadelphia. It was to discuss British interference in America
• Decided to boycott all British goods
• However, some people in Boston wanted more action than that. A few people wanted independence from the British

Question 10

What was the first main event of the American War of Independence?

Answer 10

In April 1775, the British army led by General Gage became aware of a store of arms being kept in Concord, north of Boston. When they went to seize them, Paul Revere (on the American side) rode ahead of the redcoats, warning people of Lexington and Concord of the British plans. The first shots of the war of independence were shot at Lexington, and then Concord. The Americans drove the redcoats back to Boston

Question 11

What was the second main event of the American War of Independence?

Answer 11

The second Continental Congress of the American delegates took place the following month. At this meeting they agreed to form an army (the Continental Army) and they appointed George Washington as commander-in-chief of the army

Question 12

What was the third main event of the American War of Independence?

Answer 12

In June 1775, the first major battle of the war of independence was fought. This was the Battle of Bunker Hill. This took place just outside Boston. While the British won the battle, they suffered massive losses

Question 13

What was the fourth main event of the American War of Independence ?

Answer 13

In January 1776, Thomas Paine is pamphlet ‘Common Sense’ was published. This encouraged the Americans to push for independence. It led to the ‘Declaration of Independence’ being signed on 4 July 1776

Question 14

What did the ‘Declaration of Independence’ say?

Answer 14

This said that King George III had failed to protect their human rights (the right to ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’) and they had the right to rise up against/abolish that government. (This document with its opening statement ‘all men are created equal’ had a huge effect on France and Ireland in the lead up to the revolutions)

Question 15

What was the fifth main event of the American War of Independence?

Answer 15

Washington spent the first few months as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army trying to create a disciplined and effective force. He imposed strict discipline on them to prevent them from deserting

Question 16

What was the sixth main event of the American War of Independence?

Answer 16

In the latter half of 1776, Washington and his men were defeated in a battle in New York. They suffered a further blow when the British captured Philadelphia (capital city) in September 1777

Question 17

What was the seventh main event of the American War of Independence?

Answer 17

In October 1777, the Americans won the battle of Saratoga. This was fought by different unit of the army (not Washingtons unit). This was led by General Horatio Gates

Question 18

What was the eighth main event of the American War of Independence?

Answer 18

Washington and his troops retreated to a remote part of Pennsylvania called Valley Forge. They spent the winter of 1777-1778 here. Seen as turning point of war. Used this time to train in new techniques. Washington as aided by German officer Frederick von Steuben

Question 19

What was the ninth main event of the American War of Independence?

Answer 19

Benjamin Franklin managed to convince the French to assist them. The French Navy played a crucial role in the war as they prevented British sending reinforcements and suppliers to their troops in America

Question 20

What was the tenth main event of the American War of Independence?

Answer 20

In October, 1781, the final battle took place at Yorktown. This was the decisive battle of the war. Britain lost this battle. They surrendered and America had finally won their independence

Question 21

Why did America win the War of Independence?

Answer 21

1. Washington was an excellent leader
2. The Americans used guerilla warfare very effectively
3. The American knowledge of the terrain was superior
4. The French Navy blocked Britain from sending reinforcements and re-supplying

Question 22

What was the eleventh main event of the American War of Independence?

Answer 22

The Treaty of Versailles in 1783 recognised the USA aas an independent country. USA was to be a democracy. George Washington was elected as 1st president. He served two terms. When he retired he returned to Mount Vernon where he died in 1799 aged 67

Question 23

What was the influence of the American War of Independence on France?

Answer 23

1. France fought in the war and returning soldiers brought back ideas of free speech and democracy
2. The French were inspired by ‘Declaration of Independence’. This told them ‘all men are created equal’. This appealed to them because the ancien regime was so unequal
3. The financial cost of helping the Americans duringthe war brought France to near bankruptcy so they increased taxes.This greatly angered the Third Estate

Question 24

What was the influence of the American War of Independence on Ireland?

Answer 24

1. The ‘Declaration of Independence’ inspired the Irish. They too wanted to be equal.
2. The Americans got independence from King George III, the same king who ruled Ireland. The Irish thought that if America could do it , they could too.
3. The ‘Declaration of Independence’also introduced the idea of democracy to Ireland which inspired them to look for greater independence (a republic) and set up a parliament of their own