U6 L5 American Revolution: American Frontier Flashcards
By who was George Washington appointed commander of the colonial army?
Second Continental Congress after battle of Lexington and Concord
Who is famous for the saying ‘Give me liberty or give me death!’?
Patrick Henry of Virginia
What was Common Sense and who wrote it?
- pamphlet by Thomas Paine
- explanation for breaking away from England
Who was the Commander of the English Forces in America?
General Thomas Gage
Who were minutemen?
militia who were alert to fight at any moment
When General Gage led a British army to Lexington, Massachusetts, what colonial leaders did he hope to arrest?
- Samuel Adams
- John Hancock
Who warned the American colonists that General Gage was going to Lexington, Massachusetts?
fast riders form Boston and Paul Revere
What attack sparked the Revolutionary War?
General Gage’s attack on Lexington and Concord
Where was the Colonial Army that George Washington was appointed to quartered?
Boston
Who was the committee of 5 that was appointed to prepare the draft of a Declaration of Independence from England?
- Thomas Jefferson
- Benjamin Franklin
- John Adams
- Robert Livingston
- Roger Sherman
TBJ RobL RogS
How much American colonists are estimated to have remained loyal to England? Who did they include?
- one third
- wealthy business men
- lawyers
- clergymen
- doctors
Who were the American Colonists who were fighting for the English labeled as?
Tories (term of abuse
How was America divided in terms of how people viewed the Revolution?
- 1/3 loyal to Eng, resisted independence
- 1/3 neutral, no active part, left to England
- 1/3 supported independence actively
How did England/Tories have an advantage in the Revolutionary War?
- excellent navy to move and supply army
- Tories provided troops, money and information for British (remember, they’re Americans supporting Eng)
What were the disadvantages England had in fighting in the Revolutionary War? (aka the advantages of the colonists)
- fought far form home
- bring most equipment across Atlantic ocean
- British not like killing fellow Englishmen and not want king’s power increased by victory
- British sympathetic
Who were the Hessians? Why were they hired?
- German soldiers fighting in Revolutionary War
- British people supporting America
Which countries helped the American colonists in the war?
- Holland
- Spain
- France
What American ship was commanded by John Paul Jones?
Bonhomme Richard
What ship did John Paul Jones capture and when?
1779, English ship, Seraphis
On land, who was better organized and equipped?
British
What were the disadvantages the Colonists have in the war?
- colonial troops forbidden by leaders to fight outside their borders
- Second Continental Congress had little power
- had to request/borrow money from states because could not levy taxes
What was the Continental army first mostly composed of?
state militia
What were the results of the wars in the first few months of war?
defeats or draws
What tradition did the British observe in winter?
discontinuing military offensives during winter
How did the Colonists take advantage of the British stopping attacks in winter?
- surprise attack across Delaware River
- captured 1000 British and Hessian Troops in Trenton, New Jersey
Which colonist victory convinced the French that the colonists could win?
battle at Saratoga, Oct 1777
When did the Colonists finally achieve victory? And what happened?
- Oct 1781
- Yorktown, Virginia
- help of French blockade
- General Cornwallis surrendered
What did George III issue in February 1783?
Proclamation of Cessation of Hostilities
What is The Peace Treaty of 1783 also called?
- Paris Peace Treaty
- The Treaty of Paris
Who signed The Peace Treaty of 1783?
- John Adams
- Benjamin Franklin
- John Jay
What was the name of America’s first constitution?
Articles of Confederation
What did The Articles of Confederation establish and distribute power?
- est Congress containing one house
- one vote to each state
- C- auth declare war, peace, borrow money, settle arguments btw states
- C- no power to tax
- Laws made by Congress had to be enforced by indv states as they wished
Was The Articles of Confederation strong?
no, too weak
When was a new constitution developed and adopted after The Articles of Confederation?
D- 1787
A- 1788
George Washington became the first what?
president of US under new Constitutional govt
Under the new Constitution, what were the 3 branches of government created?
- Legislative
- Judicial
- Executive
What is the legislative branch?
- Congress
- lawmaking branch
- two houses- House of Representatives, Senate
What is the judicial branch?
- enforces and interprets laws
- how they apply in situations
- making judgements in courts of justice
What are the 3 levels of US court?
- district court
- courts of appeal
- Supreme Court
What is the executive branch?
Made up of:
- President
- vice president
- Pres Cabinet
The president is not only a national leader, but also an () one
international
What is the system through which the President and Vice president are elected?
Electoral College system
- electors chosen by people
- who then choose the preident
What are the first 10 amendments of the Constitution known as?
Bill of Rights
What do the first 10 amendments/Bill of Rights protect?
God-given rights (personal freedom) against unfair laws
What is the central government known as?
Federal govt
What does the Federal/Central government have the authority to do that states cannot do?
- declaring war
- printing money
How has The Constitution benefited the US and remained stable?
- designed to meet people’s needs
- ability to separate power groups and hold balance (executive, legislative, judicial)
- flexible
- automatic checking system for govt’s 3 branches
