American Revolution: Causes, Key Events, and Outcomes

What were the Intolerable Acts and why were they passed?

laws passed by Parliament in 1774 to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party, restricting colonists' rights, including town meetings and requiring trials for officials in Britain.

What was the Boston Port Act?

The Boston Port Act closed the Boston harbor until damages from the Boston Tea Party were paid and order was ensured.

What was the Quebec Act and why did American colonists oppose it?

The Quebec Act, passed in 1774, granted religious freedom to Catholic French Canadians and restored French civil law, angering anti-Catholics and extending Quebec's land area.

What was the First Continental Congress and what was its purpose?

The First Continental Congress was a consultative body formed in 1774 by 12 of the 13 colonies to address grievances over the Intolerable Acts.

What significant document did the First Continental Congress create?

The First Continental Congress created a Declaration of Rights and established The Association, which called for a complete boycott of British goods.

What event marked the beginning of armed conflict between British troops and American colonists?

The armed conflict began with the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord in April 1775.

What was the outcome of the confrontation at Lexington?

At Lexington, 8 Americans were shot and killed, an incident later referred to as the 'Lexington Massacre'.

What were the casualties for the British at Concord?

The British suffered over 300 casualties and 70 deaths at Concord.

What were some strengths of the British military during the American Revolution?

The British had a larger population, greater economic wealth, and superior naval power.

What challenges did the British army face in America?

British troops faced shortages of provisions, untrained officers, and the difficulty of operating far from their home base.

What advantages did the American forces have during the conflict?

Americans benefited from good leadership and a defensive fighting strategy.

Who was Marquis de Lafayette?

Marquis de Lafayette was a Frenchman who became a major general in the colonial army at age 19 and was crucial in securing French aid.

What was the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, was the first written constitution adopted by the American colonies.

What financial issue did the Continental Congress face?

The Continental Congress had to print 'Continental' paper money due to a lack of metallic currency, which depreciated rapidly.

What hardships did American soldiers face at Valley Forge?

during the winter of 1777-1778, American soldiers went without food for 3 days.

Who was Baron von Steuben and what was his contribution?

German officer who helped train American fighters to combat the British.

What was Lord Dunmore's proclamation?

In 1775, Lord Dunmore, the royal governor of Virginia, promised freedom to any enslaved black who joined the British army, creating 'Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment'.

How did the British need for troops after the Seven Years War affect American colonists?

After the Seven Years War, the British needed more troops to secure their North American territories, leading to increased taxation on American colonists.

What two ideas influenced American colonists by the mid-18th century?

Republicanism and Radical Whigs.

What is the core principle of Republicanism as understood by American colonists?

All citizens should work towards the common good, prioritizing it over private interests.

Who were the Radical Whigs and what did they advocate?

A group of British political commentators who criticized monarchy corruption and urged vigilance against threats to liberty.

What was the British mercantilism system in the colonies?

A system where colonies were expected to export raw materials to Britain and import manufactured goods exclusively from Britain.

What was the significance of the Navigation Law of 1650?

It mandated that all goods to and from the colonies be transported in British vessels, aimed at harming Dutch shipping.

How did British mercantile laws affect the American colonies?

They were not strictly enforced and had some benefits, but many colonists disliked them.

What financial burden did Britain face after the Seven Years War?

Britain incurred a large debt largely due to defending the North American colonies.

What was the Sugar Act of 1764?

The first law passed by Parliament to raise tax revenue in the colonies, increasing the duty on foreign sugar.

What did the Quartering Act of 1765 require from the colonies?

Certain colonies had to provide food and quarters for British troops.

What was the Stamp Act of 1765 and its impact on colonists?

It required colonists to use stamped paper for tax certification on goods, leading to rebellion against taxation.

What was the Stamp Act Congress of 1765?

A meeting of 27 delegates from 9 colonies to address grievances and request the repeal of the Stamp Act.

What were nonimportation agreements?

Agreements made by colonists to not import British goods as a form of protest.

Who were the Sons of Liberty and what role did they play?

A group that enforced nonimportation agreements and took direct action against British laws.

What was the outcome of the Stamp Act in 1766?

Parliament repealed the Stamp Act but passed the Declaratory Act affirming its right to rule the colonies.

What were the Townshend Acts of 1767?

Laws that imposed light import taxes on glass, white lead, paper, paint, and tea.

What event is known as the Boston Massacre?

A confrontation on March 5, 1770, where British troops fired on a crowd, killing/wounding 11 civilians.

What was the role of Samuel Adams in the lead-up to the Revolution?

He was a master propagandist who formed the first local committee of correspondence in Massachusetts.

What were Committees of Correspondence?

Groups formed by the colonies to maintain communication and coordinate responses to British actions.

What did Lord North do regarding the Townshend revenue duties?

He persuaded Parliament to repeal them due to colonial unrest.

What was the relationship between British mercantilism and colonial grievances?

Colonial grievances stemmed from the restrictive nature of British mercantilism, which limited economic freedom.

How did the enforcement of Navigation Laws change under Prime Minister George Grenville?

He ordered strict enforcement of the Navigation Laws to increase revenue from the colonies.

What was the primary reason for the colonists' rebellion against British taxation?

They felt the laws impinged on their liberties and rights as Englishmen.

What proposal did the Virginia House of Burgesses make in March 1773?

They proposed that each colonial legislature appoint a standing committee for intercolonial correspondence.

What was the Boston Tea Party and when did it occur?

On December 16, 1773, a group of Bostonians disguised as Indians dumped tea into the sea to protest British tea policies.

Why did the British East India Company receive the exclusive right to sell tea in America in 1773?

The company was overstocked with tea, and the London government wanted to prevent its collapse to maintain tax revenue.

What was the fate of Loyalists after the Declaration of Independence?

They faced increased persecution, ridicule, hangings, and imprisonment, leading many to flee to British lines.

Why did the British concentrate their forces in New York City instead of Boston in 1776?

Boston was evacuated in March 1776.

What significant event occurred on December 26, 1776, involving General Washington?

Washington crossed the Delaware River to surprise and capture 1,000 Hessians in Trenton.

What was the objective of the British plan for the Hudson River valley in 1777?

To sever New England from the rest of the states and paralyze the American cause.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Saratoga on October 17, 1777?

General Burgoyne surrendered his entire command to American General Horatio Gates, marking a turning point in the war.

What was the Model Treaty drafted by the Continental Congress?

It dictated that Americans would only have a commercial trading connection with the French, avoiding political or military ties.

What alliance did the French make in 1778 and why?

The French made an open alliance with the Americans to support their quest for independence and to prevent American-British reconciliation.

What was the Armed Neutrality created by Catherine the Great of Russia in 1779?

It was a passive alliance of neutral European countries against Britain.

What was General Benedict Arnold known for in 1780?

He turned traitor against the Americans.

What was General Nathaniel Greene's achievement in the southern colonies?

He succeeded in clearing most British troops out of Georgia and South Carolina.

What was the Treaty of Fort Stanwix and when was it signed?

Signed in 1784, it was the first treaty between the United States and an Indian nation, where the Iroquois ceded most of their land.

Who was George Rogers Clark and what was his mission?

He conceived the idea of capturing British forts in the Illinois country during 1778-1779.

What is John Paul Jones known for in American naval history?

He is known as the father of the navy and employed the tactic of privateering.

What was the British response after losing the Battle of Saratoga?

The British offered the Americans home rule.

What was the significance of the French alliance for the American Revolution?

It provided much-needed support and resources to the American cause against Britain.

What was the role of General William Howe during the American Revolution?

He was General Washington's adversary and commanded British forces in New York.

What was the strategic importance of the Hudson River valley during the American Revolution?

Capturing it would sever New England from the rest of the colonies and disrupt the American war effort.

What was the impact of the Loyalist Exodus on the American Revolution?

It reflected the deep divisions within American society and the consequences of the war on those loyal to Britain.

How did the British plan to use Colonel Barry St. Leger's troops in the invasion of 1777?

His troops were to come from the west via Lake Ontario and the Mohawk Valley to support Burgoyne's advance.

What is privateering?

The authorization of privately owned and crewed vessels by a government during wartime to attack and capture enemy vessels, diverting enemy manpower and raising morale.

What significant event occurred on October 19, 1781?

British General Cornwallis was forced to surrender at Yorktown.

Who joined the Americans in the assault against Cornwallis at Yorktown?

Admiral de Grasse and Rochambeau's French army.

What were the key conditions of the Treaty of Paris of 1783?

1. British recognition of U.S. independence. 2. Florida ceded to Spain. 3. U.S. territory extended to the Mississippi, Great Lakes, and Spanish Florida. 4. Yankees retained fishing rights in Newfoundland. 5. No prosecution of Loyalists. 6. Restoration of confiscated Loyalist property recommended.

Who negotiated the peace terms with Britain after the Revolutionary War?

Ben Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay.

What was the objective of the Second Continental Congress in 1775?

To draft appeals to the king, with independence not yet widely accepted.

Who was selected to lead the Continental army by the Second Continental Congress?

George Washington.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Bunker Hill?

The British captured Bunker Hill but suffered heavy casualties.

What was the Olive Branch Petition?

A petition released by the Second Continental Congress professing loyalty to the king and requesting an end to hostilities, which was rejected.

What proclamation did King George III make in August 1775?

He proclaimed that the colonies were in rebellion.

What was the goal of the colonists' attack on Canada in 1775?

To add Canada as a 14th colony and eliminate it as a British base.

What pamphlet did Thomas Paine publish in 1776, and what was its main argument?

Common Sense; it argued that the colonies had outgrown the need for English domination and should seek independence.

What political society did Thomas Paine advocate for in his writings?

A republic where power flows from the people.

Who proposed the colonies declare their independence at the Second Continental Congress?

Richard Henry Lee.

Who was appointed to draft the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson.

When was the Declaration of Independence formally approved by Congress?

July 4, 1776.

What was the financial state of the U.S. government from 1780-1781?

The U.S. government was nearly bankrupt.

What was the significance of the capture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point?

It was an early American victory led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold.

What did the British do in October 1775 as part of their military strategy?

They burned Falmouth (Portland), Maine.

What did the rejection of the Olive Branch Petition force Americans to choose?

To fight for independence or submit to British rule.

What was the impact of privateering on the Revolutionary War?

It diverted enemy resources, brought in gold, and boosted American morale.

What was the role of Admiral de Grasse in the American Revolutionary War?

He assisted the Americans in the assault against Cornwallis at Yorktown.

What was the outcome of the colonists' feelings towards independence from April 1775 to July 1776?

Mixed feelings; some wanted to mend differences while others raised armies to fight.

What was the result of the British hiring German Hessians?

They aimed to bring order to the colonies during the rebellion.

What was the primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

To explain why the colonists sought their independence.

What were the names used for Loyalists and Patriots during the War of Independence?

Loyalists were called 'Tories' and Patriots were called 'Whigs'.

What percentage of the American population were Loyalists during the Revolution?

16%.

Where were Loyalists most numerous in the American colonies?

In New York City, Charleston, Quaker Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Where were Patriots most numerous during the American Revolution?

In New England, where Presbyterianism and Congregationalism flourished.

What did the Land Ordinance of 1785 establish?

It stated that the acreage of the Old Northwest should be sold to help pay off the national debt.

What was the purpose of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

To create a uniform national land policy and allow territories to be admitted as states when they reached 60,000 people.

What was Britain's stance on commercial treaties with the American colonies post-Revolution?

Britain declined to make any commercial treaty or repeal its Navigation Laws.

What was Shay's Rebellion and what did it aim to achieve?

An uprising of impoverished farmers in 1786 demanding cheap paper money, lighter taxes, and a suspension of property takeovers.

What was the outcome of Shay's Rebellion?

The uprising was crushed but led to changes in laws.

What was the purpose of the convention called by Virginia in 1786?

To address the issue of interstate commerce.

Who saved the Annapolis Convention from collapsing?

Alexander Hamilton.

What was the main goal of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787?

To discuss how the government should operate and fix the Articles of Confederation.

What was the 'large-state plan' proposed by Virginia?

It suggested that a state's representation in Congress should be based on its population.