Unit #2 Flashcards
New France
France was a latecomer in the race for colonies in the 1500s by foreign wars and domestic strife. When King Louis XIV became king and took an interest overseas (Quebec). Samuel de Champlain, an intrepid soldier and explorer, became known as the “Father of New France.” He entered into friendly relations with the neighboring Huron Indians and helped them defeat the Iroquois. French colonists didn’t come in hordes because they were too poor and Huguenots weren’t allowed to leave.
Early Wars between Colonial Powers
- King William’s War and Queen Anne’s War: The English colonists fought the French coureurs de bois and their Indian allies. Neither side considered America important enough to waste real troops on. The British did try to capture Quebec and Montreal, failed, but did temporarily have Port Royal. The peace deal gave Britain limited trading rights with Spanish America.
King George’s War/Fort Louisbourg
An English Captain named Jenkins had his ear cut off by a Spanish commander, who had essentially sneered at him to go home crying. France allied itself with Spain, but England’s troops captured the reputed impregnable fortress of Cape Breton Island (Fort Louisbourg).
Fort Necessity/Fort Dusquesne
George Washington was sent by the Governor of Virginia encountering some Frenchmen in the forest about 40 miles from Fort Duquesne, the troops opened fire, killing the French leader. Later, the French returned and surrounded Washington’s hastily constructed Fort Necessity, fought “Indian style” (hiding and guerilla fighting), and after a 10-hour siege, made him surrender.
French and Indian War
England and Prussia VERSUS France, Spain, Austria and Russia. Britain and France fought for control of the Ohio Valley and Canada. The Algonquins, who feared British expansion into the Ohio Valley, allied with the French. The Mohawks also fought for the French while the rest of the Iroquois Nation allied with the British. The colonies fought under British commanders. Britain eventually won.
Albany Plan of Union
Ben Franklin had the idea to unite the colonists for strength lay in numbers. This failed because states were reluctant to give up their sovereignty and power.
William Pitt
Known as the “Great Commoner” he took control of Britain when they were being defeated. He assaulted the French in the Quebec-Montreal area because this was were supply routes were. He replaced cautious officers with young and daring ones.
Battle of Quebec
A significant engagement in Britain and American history. Montreal fell and this was the last time French flags would fly on American soil.
Treaty of Paris, 1763
Britain got Canada and the land up to the Mississippi River. The French were allowed to retain sugar islands in the West Indies. Spain gave Florida to Britain but gained Louisiana from the French to compensate for their losses.
Pontiac’s Rebellion
The Treaty of Paris deprived indians of the ability to play European powers against each other (only Britain and Spain were left). In 1763 Chief Pontiac led a few French-allied tribes in a bloody campaign through the Ohio Valley. The whites cruelly retaliated and the violence convinced whites to station troops along the frontier.
Proclamation of 1763
Americans could now settle west of the Appalachians but the proclamation prohibited settlement in the area. This was meant to work out the Indian problem. Americans were upset because they just fought the war for that land.
Proclamation of 1763
Americans could now settle west of the Appalachians but the proclamation prohibited settlement in the area. This was meant to work out the Indian problem. Americans were upset because they just fought the war for that land.
Republicanism
Thomas Paine argued that representative senator, governors and judges should have their power from the consent of the people. He rejected ideas about the monarchy and empire.
Currency Act
1764; the British assumes control of Americans printing their own paper money
James Otis
The lawyer that created the “taxation without representation” saying.
Revenue Act
1764; Updated the unenforced sugar act. It was the first attempt to raise revenue to pay for costs for the French and Indian War.
George Grenville
Prime Minister of Britain that ordered Navigation Acts to be enforced, arousing the resentment of the settlers.
Sugar Act
1764; increased duty on foreign sugar imported from the West Indies
Quartering Act
1765; required certain colonies to provide food and quarters for British troops
Stamp Act
1765; mandated the use of stamped paper or the affixing of stamps certifying payment of tax
External vs. Internal Taxes
External taxes are duties on items coming into the colony. Internal taxes are direct taxes added into the price of a product.
Virtual Representation
The idea that every Parliament member represented all British subjects, so Americans were represented.
Patrick Henry
In opposition of the stamp act. He stated, “give me liberty or give me death”.
Virginia Resolves
In response to the stamp acts, this said only VA representatives could tax their state according to British laws. Passed by the VA House of Burgesses.
Thomas Hutchinson
Governor of Boston; he allowed Britain’s ships carrying tea to stay in Boston Harbor
Sons/Daughters of Liberty
Took the law into their own hand by tarring and feathering violators among people who had agreed to boycott goods.
Samuel Adams
Started the Committee of Correspondence; he was a master propagandist and engineer of rebellion
Stamp Act Congress
1765; 9 out of 13 colonies met to discuss the stamp act. He was largely ignored in Britain but was a step toward intercolonial unity.
Non-Importation Agreements
Attempts to force British recognition of political rights through application of economic pressure.
Lord Rockingham
British Lord who wanted to repeal stamp act so he got merchants to sign petition that said the boycott would bankrupt them.
Declaratory Act
1766; proclaimed that parliament had the right “to bind” the colonies “in all cases whatsoever”
New York Suspending Act
NY was the most uncooperative of the quartering act. This forbid royal governors of every colony to assent to any act of a colonial house of reps that would change their constitution.
New York Suspending Act
NY was the most uncooperative of the quartering act. This forbid royal governors of every colony to assent to any act of a colonial house of reps that would change their constitution.
Townshend Act
1767; a light tax on lead, paper, paint and tea which were later repealed. The revenues were earmarked to pay salaried of American royal governors and judges.
Admiralty Courts
Offenders of the stamp or sugar act would be tried in these courts where defenders were guilty until proven innocent.
John Dickinson
A man from Pennsylvania that led one end of the extreme at the Second Continental Congress. He led a group of moderates, much like himself, that hoped for a quick reconciliation with Great Britain.
Circular Letters
Written by Samuel Adams; this passed by Massachusetts HOR in response to Townshend acts and results in military occupation of Boston by the British in 1768
Circular Letters
Written by Samuel Adams; this passed by Massachusetts HOR in response to Townshend acts and results in military occupation of Boston by the British in 1768
Samuel Adams
Started the Committee of Correspondence and wrote the Circular Papers; he was a master propagandist and engineer of rebellion
John Dickinson
“Penman of the Revolution”; Pennsylvanian politician who wrote the Olive Branch Petition and Letter from a Farmer which stated Britain could regulate commerce but duties were only to be done by representative government
Circular Letters
Written by Samuel Adams; this passed by Massachusetts HOR in response to Townshend acts and results in military occupation of Boston by the British in 1768
Lord North
Leader of the Tory Whigs who supported England. Opposite of English Whigs, supported Americans, who thought that if George III won, his rule of England would be tyrannical.
Boston Massacre
1770; A crowd of Bostonians were harassing Redcoats. Two redcoats got hit and when provoked the troops opened fire killing eleven innocent citizens. Crispus Attucks a former slave was the leader of the mob. Two redcoats were prosecuted for this and represented by John Adams.
Gaspee Incident
A British ship that enforced British trade regulations was attacked/looted by colonists. The colonists were tried in Britain.
Committees of Correspondence
A network of letter-writers that spread propaganda and keep rebellious moods sparked by act such as the Townshend act. The first committee was started by Samuel Adams and this would be the forerunner of the Continental Congress..
East India Company/The Tea Act
1773: the company was overburdened with millions of pounds of tea and was facing bankruptcy. They tried to sell it to Americans and even with the tax it was super cheap tea.
Boston Tea Party
When the British East India Company tried to sell super cheap tea to them the Americans thought it was a trick. Some whites lead by Samuel Adams disguised themselves as Indians and dumped tea into the Boston Harbor.
Coercive Acts
1774; this was passed by Parliament to punish the colonies. Included the Intolerable Acts (restricted colonists’ acts), Quartering Act (quartering of redcoats) and Boston Port Act (shut down harbor).
Quebec Act
Guaranteed Catholicism to the French-Canadians and permitted them to retain their old customs. This extended the boundaries of Quebec all the way to the Ohio River. Americans felt threatened and French believed it was intended to pacify them.
Day of Fasting and Prayer
Lord Dunmore (British Royal Governor) called for this day for Bostonians in light of the Coercive Acts. Most people disregarded this action.
First Continental Congress
1774 Philadelphia; Consultive and did not want independence yet, it just came up with a list of grievances. 12/13 colonies, Georgia didn’t have a representative there. They came up with the Declaration of Rights.
Suffolk Resolves
Colonists decided to nullify intolerable acts, enforce non-importation and arm Massachusetts. They had no real authority.
The Continental Association
Nonimportation agreement that called for a complete boycott of British goods. Non-importation, Non-exportation and Non-consumption.
England: Advantages and Disadvantages
Britain had experience fighting and their military was the best in the world. Their soldiers were well trained as well as well equipped. British order’s took a long time to reach America due to the distance. They lacked a moral incentive.
Americans: Advantages and Disadvantages
Americans had great leaders, French aid and they had a moral cause. They were better marksman and knew the terrain of the land bette. The Americans were lacking in unity and sectional jealousy boiled up over appointment of leaders. They had nothing of a navy and little money.
