Unit 4: The American Revolution

Question 1

Moving Toward Independence

Answer 1

A. 2nd Continental Congress, May 1775
B. British Actions Hardened Colonial Opinion
C. Thomas Paine and “Common Sense”
D. The Declaration of Independence
E. Results of the Declaration of Independence
F. America’s Initial Problems
G. The Loyalists
H. Mobilizing for War

Question 2

A. 2nd Continental Congress: May 1775

Answer 2

1. Continental army under Washington
2. Two Schools of Thought

Question 3

Two Schools of Thought

Answer 3

a. Complete Independence
b. Reform imperial relationship, reconcile with England

Question 4

B. British Actions Hardened Colonial Opinion

Answer 4

1. Rejected Olive Branch, closed trade
2. Naval blockade of colonial ports
3. Recruited Native American tribes against colonists

Question 5

C. Thomas Paine known as

Answer 5

Common Sense

Question 6

D. The Declaration of Independence

Answer 6

1. Continental Congress becomes “de facto” government
2. Two Major Sections

Question 7

Two Major Sections

Answer 7

a. List of grievances against king
b. Justafied people’s right to rebel

Question 8

E. Results of the Declaration of Independence

Answer 8

1. Language inspired the Revolution as well as other reform movements
2. Led to foreign aid, largely French
3. Encouraged independence as eventual goal
4. Created deep divisions in the colonies

Question 9

F. America’s Initial Problems

Answer 9

1. Congress no authority to pass laws or impose taxes
2. Facing internal divisions
3. Difficulty of attracting volunteer army
4. Severe financial problems

Question 10

G. The Loyalists

Answer 10

1. Back-country people
2. Ethnic, religious minorities
3. Urban Business & Money Interest
4. The Middle Colonies

Question 11

H. Mobilizing for War

Answer 11

1. Arms: relied on Frances, captured material
2. Finances: Paper currency & borrowing
3. Conscription (Draft): Bounties offered
4. Creation of Continental Army

Question 12

The War for Independence

Answer 12

A. British Disadvantages
B. The First Phase (1775): New England
C. The Second Phase (1776-1778): The Mid-Atlantic Region
D. British Blunders During the Second Phase
E. Securing Aid from Abroad
F. Consequences of French Intervention
G. The Final Phase: The South
H. Surrender at Yorktown: October 19, 1781
I. The Treaty of Paris, September 1783
J. Revolutionary Impact on Slavery & Native Americans
K. Women’s Rights and Women’s Roles

Question 13

A. British Disadvantages

Answer 13

1. Fighting for from home in vast wilderness
2. Wide-spread nature of colonial population
3. Britain involved in European wars
4. British commanders incompetent
5. Jealousy between army & navy
6. Opposition to the war in England
7. England underestimated the colonies

Question 14

B. The First Phase (1775): New England

Answer 14

1. British Dilemma: Full-scale war or localized rebellion?
2. Battle of Bunker (Breed’s) Hill
3. Boston Indefensible: British Evacuate
4. Colonial Invasion of Canada

Question 15

C. The Second Phase (1776-1778): The Mid-Atlantic Region

Answer 15

1. Britain primed to win the war
2. Arrival of Gen. William Howe: “Shock” and “Awe”
3. Colonial weakness led to series of defeats
4. British dig in for the winter
5. Delaware Crossing & Battle of Trenton
6. Campaign of 1777: Britain’s Multi-Pronged Attack

Question 16

D. British Blunders During the Second Phase

Answer 16

1. Howe abandoned strategy, leaving Burgoyne alone
2. Failed to press advantage
3. Allowed Washington to retreat, regroup
4. Howe’s personal weaknesses
5. Underestimated colonist’s committment

Question 17

E. Securing Aid from Abroad

Answer 17

1. Selling Point: Victory at Saratoga
2. France eager to weaken England
3. Franklin achieve U.S recognition as a sovereign nation

Question 18

F. Consequences of French Intervention

Answer 18

1. Led to an expanded European war with England
2. France furnished most colonial supplies
3. Provided colonists with a navy and expeditionary forces

Question 19

G. The Final Phase: The South

Answer 19

1. New British Strategy: Enlist Loyalists to undermine Revolution
2. Encouraged slaves to dessert masters
3. Uncommitted colonials converted to the cave
4. Patriots adopted guerrilla warfare
5. Benedict Arnold defects
6. Clinton replaces Howe, moves North
7. Washington Appoints Nathanael Greene

Question 20

Campaign of 1777: Britain’s Multi-Pronged Attack

Answer 20

a. Howe to move north from NY City up the Hudson
b. Burgoyne to come south from Canada, and join forces with Howe
c. Howe, though, abandoned plan, laughed attack on capital at Philadelphia, and occupied the city with little resistance
d. Washington forced to take winter quarters at Valley Forge
e. Howe’s actions left Burgoyne to carry on northern campaign alone
f. Easily seized Fort Ticonderoga: great stores of powder and supplies
g. Loss of this fort led to the colonial appointment of Hpratio Gates by Congress
h. Americans getting upper hand by October of 1777
i. Burgoyne forced to withdraw to Saratoga where Gates surrounded him

Question 21

H. Surrender at Yorktown

Answer 21

October 19th, 1781

Question 22

I. The Treaty of Paris: September 1783

Answer 22

1. Granted U.S recognition of independence
2. Cession of territory: Atlantic to the Mississppi; Cornwallis retreats

Question 23

J. Revolutionary Impact on Slavery and…

Answer 23

Native American

Question 24

K. Women’s Rights and their roles

Answer 24

1. Women left in charge of farms, businesses
2. Large populations of impoverished women
3. Camp follower
4. Women in combat
5. Abigail Adams: Women’s position in new nations
6. Judith Sargent Murray: Better female education
7. “Femme Coverte” remains intact

Question 25

The Creation of American Government

Answer 25

A. Characteristics of the State Constitutions B. Building the New Local Governments C. Forces Militating Against the New Plan of Confederation D. The Articles of Confederation E. Powers of Congress F. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Question 26

A. Characteristics of the State Constitutions

Answer 26

1. Popular Sovereignty 2. Limited Government 3. Civil Liberties 4. Separation of Powers; Checks and Balances

Question 27

B. Building the New Local Governments

Answer 27

1. State gov. powers limited, defined by written constitution 2. Officers elected directly or indirectly 3. Legislative branch strengthened at the expense of the executive 4. States practicing "Virtual Representation"

Question 28

C. Forces Militating Against the New Plan of Confederation

Answer 28

1. Strong localism within colonies 2. Lack of nationalism 3. Re-emergence of old suspicions of central (federal) governments 4. Re-emergence of intercolonial jealousies

Question 29

D. The Articles of Confederation

Answer 29

1. Loose plan of union: 10 years 2. Few powers, mostly negative 3. States-right philosophy: sovereignty reversed to the states 4. Congress only national body: no executive or judiciary

Question 30

E. Powers of Congress

Answer 30

1. Power over foreign relations 2. Mediation of disputes between states 3. Regulation of the value of the coin 4. Power over trade with Native American tribes 5. Authorized to borrow money

Question 31

F. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Answer 31

1. Congress had no power to tax 2. No power to regulate trade between states 3. One vote per state, regardless of size 4. No executive to enforce legislation 5. No national court system 6. Unanimous clause: too strict 7. No power to enforce compliance

Question 32

Confederation Issues

Answer 32

A. The Loyalists B. Organization of Western Lands: Northwest Ordinances, 1784-1785 C. Post-War Depression D. Shays' Rebellion, 1786-1787

Question 33

A. The Loyalists

Answer 33

1. Many fled to Canada 2. Social outcasts, persecuted 3. Lands confiscated, denied protection of the court

Question 34

B. Organization of Western Lands: Northwest Ordinances, 1784-1785

Answer 34

1. Land rights ceded to Congress 2. Western lands to enter as equal states 3. Land to be surveyed and sold 4. Low cost land sales to help fund debt 5. Exempted land for public education

Question 35

C. Post-War Depression

Answer 35

1. Large debt due to Revolution 2. Problem: No power to tax: new government would be forced to default on loans 3. Rise of Nationalist: Enlarge power of central government to pay bills, save face

Question 36

Shays' Rebellion, 1786-1787

Answer 36

1. Indebted states demanded paper money 2. Late 1780s: Rioting breaks out 3. Veterans rallied behind Daniel Shays 4. Long-term Effect of Shay's Rebellion: New urgency support more effective national government