Unit 2: American Revolution Flashcards
Proclamation of 1763
After French and Indian War, King George II forbid colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains
Mercantilism
the idea that colonies exist for the express benefit of the empire, the colonies exist to make the empire better.
Sugar Act
raised taxes on raw sugar & placed new taxes on wine and coffee
Stamp Act
taxed newspapers, diplomas, posters, wills & playing cards
Stamp Act Protests
- Colonists launched massive protests to the passage of the Stamp Act.
- In NYC, in 1965, 9 colonies sent representatives to the Stamp Act Congress to launch an organized protest of the act.
- The British do not listen to the protesting. Local groups begin organized opposition.
- In Boston, the “Sons of Liberty” begin boycotting British goods.
- The British repeal the stamp act after boycotting (denying the link). But pass the Declaratory Act soon after.
Declaratory Act
stated that Parliament could make laws binding the American colonies “in all cases whatsoever.”
The Townshend Acts (1767)
Revenue Act: put new taxes on glass, paint, paper & tea.
-Allowed officials to seize private property & search property without a proper search warrant
- Starting of the phrase, “No taxation without representation.”
Boston Tea Party
- Tea Act of 1773: Gave the British East India Company a tax refund & the ability to bypass American tea distributors.
- December 17, 1773, a group of colonists dressed as Native Americans dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor
- Britain passes the Intolerable Acts
The Gaspee Affair
A ship sent to patrol American waters and intercept smugglers. The ship ran aground and was burned by the colonists.
Committees of Correspondence
- a group dedicated to communication between colonies regarding British activity, the beginning of the US congress
- Created to come to Rhode Island’s aid when being threatened by Britain with seizure and extradition
The Intolerable / Coercive Acts of 1774
a series of four (5) laws passed by the British Parliament to punish the colony of Massachusetts Bay for the Boston Tea Party.
Quebec Act
Gave the Ohio RIver Valley to the Quebec Colony
Quartering Act (Reinstated)
forced the colonists to provide food and housing for the soldiers stationed in the colonies
Massachusetts Governance Act
outlawed town councils and elected officials, put the colony under direct control of the crown
Boston Port Bill
totally closed and shut down the Boston harbor
Administering Justice Act
gave Britain the authority to take the accused back to Great Britain for jury trials
First Continental Congress
- Sept. 5, 1774
- 55 delegates from 12 colonies met in Philadelphia
- Colonists were encouraged to arm themselves and boycott British goods but remain loyal to king
- considered act of rebellion by King George III, troops were sent late 1774 to early ‘75
Minutemen
trained militia meant to be ready to fight at a minute’s notice
Loyalists/Tories
Americans who supported the British
Patriots/Whigs
Americans who believed the British had become tyrants
Lexington/Concord Battle
- 700 British Soldiers planned to seize colonial supplies in Concord
- 70 minutemen intercepted them in Lexington
- Shot heard ‘round the world”- no one knows who fired it
- Colonists removed supplies & set up 400 men at Concord
- British retreated (99 British & 49 colonists died)
2nd Continental Congress
- Met in Philadelphia again to discuss defense
- ## Adopted militia as continental army w/ George Washington as commander
Olive Branch Petition
- stated that colonies were still loyal to the king & asked him to call off the fighting & negotiate peacefully
- was ignored by King George III, left unread, and he declared the colonies to be in full rebellion
- The Continental Congress began functioning as an independent government. Colonies had agreement on alliances and colonies acted as official states.
Common Sense
A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine declaring King George III a tyrant and the need for independence