American Revolution Colonial Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms defining key concepts, historical agreements, and military terms from the era of the French and Indian War and the American Revolution.

Ally

A nation that works with another nation for a common purpose

French and Indian War

A war that took place from 1754 to 1763 that led to the end of French power in North America

Albany Plan of Union

A proposal by Benjamin Franklin to create a unified government for the British colonies

Treaty of Paris

A 1763 agreement between Britain and France that ended the French and Indian War and transferred much of North America from French to British control

Petition

A formal written request to someone in authority that is signed by a group of people

Boycott

To refuse to buy or use certain goods or services

Repeal

To cancel, remove from law

Writ of assistance

A legal document that allowed British customs officers to inspect a ship's cargo without giving a reason

Committee of Correspondence

A letter-writing campaign that became a major tool of protest in the colonies

Civil disobedience

The refusal to obey unjust laws using non-violent means

Militia

An army of citizens who serve as soldiers during an emergency

Minutemen

Colonial militia volunteers who were prepared to fight at a minute's notice

Patriot

A colonist who favored war against Britain

Loyalists

A colonist who remained loyal to Britain

Blockade

The shutting of a port to keep people or supplies from moving in or out

Mercenary

A soldier who fights for pay, often for a foreign country

Traitor

A person who betrays his or her country

Unalienable rights

Rights that cannot be taken away

Cavalry

Troops on horseback

Guerrilla

A fighter who uses hit-and-run attacks

Siege

To surround and blockade an enemy town or position with troops to force it to surrender

Ratify

To approve