The American War Of Independence Flashcards
What happened in 1776?
4th July
Congress met again and declared themselves independent
Which century was the war of independence?
Towards the end of the 18th century
What happened in 1774?
The first congress
Vote to fight the British Army
What was the First Congress?
Representatives from 12 of the 13 colonies met in secret to discuss if they should leave the British Empire
In 1774
Independent actions and independence:
CLASS SYSTEM IN BRITAIN was hard to move up socially and economically
America - ‘self-made’ people
New Plymouth- Constitutions
British ruling system seemed outdated
Being governed by far away land seemed wrong
What was the long term impact of the war of independence?
Keeps strong trade links with America
Britain developed a wider empire such as African countries and India later on
What was the short term impact of the war of independence?
A productive colony was lost but by 1785, trade went back to pre-war levels.
War & human cost
- £80 million
- 10000 British soldiers
- 20000 sailors
What was the stamp act?
1765
Meant that a tax was placed on every piece of printed paper used.
To be able to pay for the armed forces in America.
What happened in 1781?
Battle of Yorktown
British were defeated and humiliated
What happened in 1775?
George Washington was appointed the leader of the American Army
Independent minds and independence:
Tough, hardy, different people had come to America.
Puritans and Quakers came to escape Britain, left alone for years.
Didn’t rely on Britain, resentment when British interfered.
What was the Boston Tea Party?
- When?
- Who?
- Where?
- What?
- Why?
- Consequences
- 1773
- Sons of liberty dressed as natives
- At Boston Harbour
- Raided tea ships & poured tea into harbour
- The tea act: British East India Company exempt from paying taxes
- Colonial merchants had to pay
Taxation and independence:
High taxes on imports to America from anywhere except Britain
Stamp act - 1765
Tax used to pay Britain’s wars
Taxes too high - unjust & unfair
What were the Navigation acts?
Enforced in 1651, 1660 and 1663
Meant that all European goods to be exported to America would have to pass through Britain first.
Thereby making the British money from the taxes collected.
Why was Boston important in the story of how America achieved independence?
Boston massacre - 1770
- Protest against tax, gave Americans evidence of British badness
Boston tea party - 1773
