Unit 1 Independence (1754 - 1783) Key Vocabulary Flashcards
The Seven Years’ War (1756 - 1763)
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.
Treaty of Paris (1763)
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.
Salutary Neglect
A period from 1607-1763 in which England did not strictly enforce Parliamentary laws, which allowed the colonies to flourish as almost independent states for many years. Mercantilism. an economic system in which the government regards money as stored wealth.
Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763)
Chief Pontiac led a major attack on colonial settlements on the frontier. Britain didn’t use colonial militia, but instead sends troops to stop the uprising.
Proclamation of 1763
- first series of acts passes by the British that angered them
- each act represented an alarming threat to liberties and their representative government.
Colonial Reaction: Anger, alarmed
Sugar Act (1764)
- duties on foreign sugar and some luxuries
- purpose = raise money for the crown
- a companion law also made a stricter enforcement of the Navigation Acts
- those accused would be tried without juries
Colonial Reaction: Tar and feathering, protests, boycotts
Quartering Act (1764, 1774)
- requirement of the colonist to provide housing for British troops
- Bostonians resented British troops
- harassed guards causing them to fire
- soldier were defended resulting in an anti British sentiment
Colonial Reaction: Resentment, harassing, Boston Massacre
Stamp Act (1765)
- effort to raise funds for the British forces
- required revenue stamps to be placed on paper
- first direct tax paid by colonists
demanded the king would recognize their rights
Colonial Reaction: Indignation, demands, Son’s of Liberty
Declaratory Act (1766)
- a face saving measure
- this act asserted parliament had the right to tax and make laws for the colonies in all cases
Colonial Reaction: Committee of Correspondence
Townshend Duties (1767)
- new duties to be collected on colonial import of tea, glass, and paper
- revenues be raised to pay crown officials
- provided for the search of private home for smuggled goods
Colonial Reaction: acceptance, protests, boycotts
Tea Act (1773)
- made the price of company’s tea even with cheaper than the dutch smuggled one
- people refused to buy tea because that would recognize parliaments right to tax colonies
Colonial Reaction: Boston Tea Party
Coercive or “Intolerable Acts” (1774)
- closed Boston’s port
- banned in/out trade
- increased royal governors power
-royal officials tried in Great Britain - quartered homes
- established Roman Catholicism as the official religion of Quebec
Colonial Reaction: First Continental Congress, enraged
Declaration of Independence (1776)
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)
Quakers
Loyalist
- Prominent in Pennsylvania
- One of the most diverse colonies
- Accepting of all groups
- Believed in non violence
- Believed in divine right of kings
Presbyterians
Patriot
- Largely present in New England
- Common people could read the Bible
- Included large number of women
- Believed in local authority and power
Congregationalist
Patriot
- Largely present in New England
- Reverend John Edwards wrote “Sinners in the hands of an Angry God”
- Common people could read the Bible
- Believed in local authority and power
Anglican Church
Loyalist
- Anglican references English
- The official church of England
- The king is the head of the Anglican church
- Authority of church officials cam from England
- Viewed as a symbol of English authority
Wealthy Merchants
Loyalist
- Mercantile doctrine forced all business to go through England
- Not all merchants followed Mercantile Doctrine
- Colonies inconsistent money values
- England could back up debts and receipts
- Most merchants were members of the Anglican Church
Western Farmers
Patriot
- Fought the French and Indians for access to western lands
- Defended their land from French and Native control
- Restricted by the Proclamation of 1763
City Dwellers
Loyalist/Patriot
- Hardest location to determine loyalist or patriot
- Center of commerce and social interactions
- More diverse group of affiliation
- Location of Royal Governors headquarters
Boston
Patriot
- Location of the Boston Massacre
- Location of the Boston Tea Party
- Home to Revolutionaries Paul Revere and Sam Adams
- The heart of the Revolutionary Spirit
