Unit 1 (1754 - 1783) Independence

Question 1

1492

Answer 1

Following Columbus’ discovery of the New World in 1492, major empires rushed to claim territories

Question 2

What areas did Spain conquer?

Answer 2

Spanish Conquistadors conquered large portions of Central America.

Question 3

What areas did France conquer?

Answer 3

The French conquered portions of North America West of the Appalachian Mountains and in modern day Canada.

Question 4

What areas did England conquer?

Answer 4

The British established the 13 colonies along the Atlantic Coast as well as portions of modern day Canada.

Question 5

What was a result of nations racing to conquer territory in the New World?

Answer 5

This led to European colonies being in close proximity to on another.

Question 6

1750’s

Answer 6

By the 1750’s, conflicts among European powers created a tradition of conflict with one another in the New World colonies.

Question 7

The Seven Years’ War (1756 - 1763)

Answer 7

The Seven Years’ War is the name of the conflict that shifted the balance of power in North America in favor of England. This is the las of the four wars for dominance in North America between the English, French, and Iroquois. It is also known as the French and Indian War.

Question 8

Who was a non European group caught in the middle of European conflict?

Answer 8

The Iroquois Confederacy

Question 9

What was the principle area of conflict?

Answer 9

Ohio Valley

Question 10

King William’s War (1689 - 1697)

Answer 10

War between the English and French in northern New England. After the Glorious Revolution in England, the English throne passed to one of Lois XIV principal enemies, William III.

Question 11

Queen Anne’s War (1701 - 1713)

Answer 11

A border fight between Spaniards in the south vs. French and their Indian allies in the north. The English benefited from this war because they gained Acadia and New Foundland from it.

Question 12

King George’s War (1744 - 1748)

Answer 12

The English colonist were son drawn into a series of conflicts with the French. The Colonist were upset due to this war because they had captured the French Bastion at Louisbourg, but the peace treaty made them abandon it.

Question 13

What is the connection between conflict in the Old World and conflicts in the New World?

Answer 13

They are all wars fought over land and power. Conflicts arise when European powers feel like the balance of power is tipped in favor of a specific nation.

Question 14

Who was England’s main rival in the New World?

Answer 14

France

Question 15

What was the result of the first 3 wars in the New World?

Answer 15

Resulted in an unbalance of power because England kept gaining land. Resentment towards the British by those they took over. The stalemate caused increased tensions between England and France.

Question 16

Why was the fourth war in the New World different than the rest?

Answer 16

They saw the value of the fourth war and began to commit more resources and troops to the conflict.

Question 17

What do Louisbourg (1758), Quebec (1759), and Montereal have in common?

Answer 17

In these battles British managed to achieve victory although at first the war had gone badly for them.

Question 18

Treaty of Paris (1763)

Answer 18

Marked the end of the French and Indian war. British had won unchallenged supremacy in North America and established themselves as the World’s most dominant naval power.

Question 19

Effects of the Seven Years’ War in Britain

Answer 19

1) Unchallenged supremacy (most dominant naval power)
2) Colonies no longer faced with threat of attacks from French, Spanish and their Native American allies
3) Britain actively guarded their colonies
4) All four wars had been extremely costly
5) To cover the cost of war King George and Parliament wanted the colonist to pay through taxes

Question 20

Why did the goals of the French and English conflict?

Answer 20

France wanted to expand south and British wanted to expand west so they would eventually intersect in the Ohio River Valley.

Question 21

Who helped the British?

Answer 21

The Iroquois Confederacy

Question 22

What battle led to the end of the French and Indian War?

Answer 22

Battle of Quebec

Question 23

What changes were made to the colonial policies after the French and Indian War?

Answer 23

Previously, they had little direct control over the colonies. This policy and use of navigation laws to control the colonies was known as salutary neglect. After the war this policy was abandoned and more direct control was taken.

Question 24

What was the first test of Britain’s new colonial policy?

Answer 24

Pontiac’s Rebellion in 1763

Question 25

What did Britain do to stabilize the Western Frontier after Pontiac’s Rebellion.

Answer 25

Proclamation of 1763

Question 26

Proclamation of 1763

Answer 26

Prohibited colonist from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. Infuriated colonists, they ignored the proclamation and thousands migrated westward and past the Appalachian Mountains.
Colonial reaction: anger

Question 27

Why is the Proclamation of 1763 significant?

Answer 27

This is the first in a series of acts passed by the British government that angered colonists. British believed the acts were a proper method to protect their empire. They thought colonist must pay for protection. The colonist saw each act as a threat to their liberties and the long established practice of representative government.

Question 28

How did people resist the increased control by the British in the colonies?

Answer 28

Boycotting, ignoring British laws, tar and feathering, organizing secret groups (Committees of Correspondence & Son’s of Liberty/Daughters of Liberty)

Question 29

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Answer 29

Approved by colonial representative and made the fight to create the United States of America official.
There are 2 main aspects to the document:
1) the philosophical justifications (beliefs)
2) the proof of wrongdoing by the King (grievances)

Question 30

American Struggles (Revolutionary War)

Answer 30

• Untrained volunteers
• British were trained and equipped
• British had ship heavily armed and could carry many soldiers
• British had cannons
• Outnumbered Americans 2:1
• Superior fire power
• British armies have 6 times more experience than Americans
  They managed to win due to French support after the Second War of Saratoga.

Question 31

French Support (Revolutionary War)

Answer 31

They weren’t ready for a war; they though the crisis would resolve. The conditions to gain their support were to declare independence and prove they could defend themselves. They fulfilled the requirements through the Declaration of Independence and after winning the Second Battle of Saratoga. They planned to neutralize British superiority on land and sea. The first direct support was given in July 1778 (4,000 soldiers and 16 ships) under the command of Comte d’Estaing in the Yorktown Battle.