History 104H - The French and Indian War; The Revolutionary Era, 1763-1783

These flashcards cover key concepts, events, and terms from the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary Era, ensuring a comprehensive review for the upcoming exam.

What major conflict occurred from 1754 to 1763 between the British and French empires in North America?

The French and Indian War/Seven Years’ War.

What was the key outcome of the Treaty of Paris in 1763?

It ended the French and Indian War and ceded significant territories to Britain.

What proclamation was issued in 1763 to prevent colonial expansion west of the Appalachian Mountains?

The Proclamation of 1763.

What was the purpose of the Stamp Act introduced by Parliament in 1765?

To impose a direct tax on printed materials in the colonies.

What phrase was coined to express the colonies' grievance regarding taxation imposed by Britain?

"No taxation without representation."

What significant event involved colonists protesting against British taxation by dumping tea into Boston Harbor in 1773?

The Boston Tea Party.

What series of punitive measures were enacted by Britain in response to the Boston Tea Party, known as the Coercive Acts?

Intolerable Acts.

What pamphlet did Thomas Paine publish in 1776 to advocate for independence from Britain?

Common Sense.

What was the first military confrontation of the American Revolutionary War in 1775?

The battles of Lexington and Concord.

Which battle in 1777 is considered a turning point for the American Revolution due to the American victory?

The Battle of Saratoga.

Who was the leading British general who surrendered at Yorktown in 1781?

Lord Charles Cornwallis.

What document formally ended the American Revolutionary War in 1783?

Treaty of Paris/Peace of Paris.

What organization was formed by the colonies in response to British taxation and regulation in 1774?

First Continental Congress.

What was the name of the military formed by the colonies to fight against British forces?

Continental Army.

Who is known for drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776?

Thomas Jefferson.

What act of 1764 introduced a tax on sugar and molasses imported into the colonies?

Sugar Act.

What legislative act asserted that Parliament had the right to tax the colonies, regardless of their representation?

Declaratory Act.

What acts passed in 1767 imposed duties on imports such as tea, glass, and paper?

Townshend Acts.

What event in 1770 involved colonial unrest and the killing of five colonists by British troops?

Boston Massacre.

What major global conflict, specifically in North America from 1754 to 1763, pitted the British colonies against New France, with both sides supported by various Native American tribes?

The French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years’ War, a global conflict between the British and French empires.

What was the significance of the Ohio River Valley in the mid-18th century?

A contested territory between the British and French empires, crucial for claiming land and resources, and a primary flashpoint for the French and Indian War.

Who was George Washington's early role during the French and Indian War?

As a young military officer, he led Virginian militia forces and was involved in early skirmishes, including the Battle of Fort Necessity, which contributed to the outbreak of the war.

What is a "land speculator" or "land speculation" in the context of colonial America?

An individual or group who buys and sells land in anticipation of future profit, often acquiring large tracts of undeveloped land with the hope that its value will increase, particularly relevant in border regions like the Ohio River Valley.

What was the key outcome of the Treaty of Paris in 1763?

This treaty formally ended the French and Indian War, resulting in France ceding vast territories in North America, including Canada and all land east of the Mississippi River, to Great Britain.

What was the Proclamation of 1763?

A British royal decree issued after the French and Indian War, prohibiting colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains to prevent conflicts with Native American tribes and to better control the colonies.

What was the purpose of the Sugar Act of 1764?

Passed by the British Parliament, this act imposed new taxes and stricter enforcement on imported sugar, molasses, wine, and other goods, aiming to raise revenue from the colonies and curb smuggling.

What type of taxation typically refers to "external taxes" or "indirect taxes" in the colonial context?

Taxes imposed on imported goods or trade, where the duty is paid by merchants who then pass the cost onto consumers through higher prices; examples include the Sugar Act and Townshend Acts.

What was the purpose of the Stamp Act introduced by Parliament in 1765?

A direct, internal tax levied by the British Parliament on all printed materials in the American colonies, requiring a special government-issued stamp on legal documents, newspapers, playing cards, and more.

What type of taxation typically refers to "internal taxes" or "direct taxes" in the colonial context?

Taxes levied directly on individuals or their property within the colonies, such as the Stamp Act, which colonists argued only their own colonial assemblies had the right to impose.

What legislative body of Great Britain had the authority to enact laws and taxes for the British Empire, including the colonies?

Parliament.

What phrase became a rallying cry for colonists, expressing their grievance regarding taxation imposed by Parliament without their consent or representation?

"No taxation without representation."

What was the Declaratory Act of 1766?

Passed by Parliament concurrently with the repeal of the Stamp Act, this act asserted Parliament's full authority "to make laws and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the colonies and people of America… in all cases whatsoever."

What were the Quartering Acts?

A series of British parliamentary acts requiring colonial assemblies to provide provisions and housing for British soldiers stationed in the colonies, which was a source of significant grievance.

What were the Townshend Acts of 1767?

A series of acts passed by the British Parliament that imposed duties on imports such as glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea, and established new customs officials to collect taxes and enforce trade laws in the colonies.

What event occurred in Boston in 1770 involving colonial unrest and the killing of five colonists by British troops?

The Boston Massacre, a confrontation where British soldiers fired into a crowd of protesting colonists, killing five and further escalating tensions between Britain and the colonies.

What was the purpose of the Tea Act of 1773?

Passed by Parliament, this act granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies, allowing it to sell tea directly and bypass colonial merchants, which was seen by colonists as an attempt to undercut them and impose British authority.

What significant event in 1773 involved colonists protesting against British taxation by destroying a valuable commodity?

The Boston Tea Party, where American colonists, disguised as Native Americans, boarded British ships in Boston Harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea into the water to protest the Tea Act.

What series of punitive measures were enacted by Britain in response to the Boston Tea Party, also known as the Coercive Acts?

The Intolerable Acts (also known as Coercive Acts), a series of harsh laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 designed to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, including closing Boston Harbor and restricting colonial self-governance.

What organization was formed by the colonies in 1774 in response to the Intolerable Acts and growing British taxation and regulation?

The First Continental Congress, a meeting of delegates from twelve of the thirteen British colonies (Georgia did not attend) that convened in Philadelphia to discuss grievances and strategize a response to British policies.

Who was Benjamin Franklin in the context of the American Revolution?

A prominent statesman, diplomat, scientist, and inventor, who played a crucial role in securing French support for the American cause and helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris (1783).

What pamphlet did Thomas Paine publish in 1776, widely advocating for immediate independence from British rule?

Common Sense, a powerful and influential pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that used plain language to argue for American independence and republican government, swaying many colonists towards the revolutionary cause.

What were the first military confrontations of the American Revolutionary War in April 1775?

The Battles of Lexington and Concord, where colonial militia ("Minutemen") clashed with British regulars in Massachusetts, marking the beginning of armed conflict.

What assembly of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies managed the colonial war effort and moved towards independence?

The Second Continental Congress, which formed the Continental Army, appointed George Washington as its commander, and eventually issued the Declaration of Independence.

What was the name of the military forces formed by the colonies to fight against British forces during the American Revolution?

The Continental Army, the unified military force of the Thirteen Colonies during the American Revolutionary War, led by General George Washington.

Who is known for drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776?

Thomas Jefferson, who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, a foundational document proclaiming the American colonies' separation from Great Britain and stating their natural rights.

What document, adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, formally declared the American colonies' independence from Great Britain?

The Declaration of Independence.

Which battle in 1777 is considered a major turning point for the American Revolution, securing crucial French support?

The Battle of Saratoga, an American victory that convinced France to officially ally with the United States and provide military and financial aid, significantly bolstering the American cause.

Who was the leading British general who surrendered his forces at Yorktown in 1781, effectively ending major hostilities in the American Revolutionary War?

Lord Charles Cornwallis, the British commander whose surrender at Yorktown marked a decisive victory for the Americans and their French allies, leading to peace negotiations.

What decisive battle in 1781, involving a combined American and French force, led to the surrender of a major British army and effectively ended the fighting in the American Revolution?

The Battle of Yorktown.

What document formally ended the American Revolutionary War in 1783?

The Treaty of Paris (1783), which was signed by representatives of Great Britain and the United States, officially recognized American independence and established its new boundaries.