6 Taxes & Smuggling – Prelude to Revolution

Practice flashcards covering key concepts from the Crash Course on the American Revolution, focusing on events, acts, and ideologies that shaped the conflict.

What are the two things to keep in mind regarding the American Revolution and the American War for Independence?

They are not the same thing, and the American Revolution was not primarily about taxes.

What did the Treaty of Paris (1763) do for the American colonists?

It limited their ability to take land from the Indians and left them with significant war debt.

What was the Sugar Act of 1764?

It extended the Molasses Act by reducing the tax on Caribbean imports from 6 to 3 cents per gallon.

What was the primary reason for colonist anger towards the taxes imposed by Britain?

Lack of Parliamentary representation, not the taxes themselves.

What was the Stamp Act's main requirement?

All printed material had to carry a stamp, which was not free.

What significant action did the Stamp Act Congress take?

They organized a boycott of British goods.

What was the Declaratory Act?

It asserted that Parliament had the right to tax colonies whenever they wanted.

Who were the Sons of Liberty?

A group that organized protests against British taxes and laws.

What was the main outcome of the Boston Massacre?

Five colonists were killed, including Crispus Attucks, which escalated tensions.

What were the Intolerable Acts?

A series of punitive measures imposed by Britain in response to the Boston Tea Party.

What was the First Continental Congress?

A gathering of delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies to coordinate response to the Intolerable Acts.

What was the Olive Branch Petition?

A message sent to King George III asserting loyalty to Britain and seeking reconciliation.

What was Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' about?

It argued for independence from Britain and was influential in shifting public opinion.

What did Paine mean by saying, "the cause of America is in great measure the cause of all mankind"?

He suggested that America's struggle for independence represented a universal fight for liberty.

What marked the beginning of armed conflict in the American Revolution?

The fighting broke out in April 1775 at Lexington and Concord.

What was significant about the phrase 'shot heard round the world'?

It refers to the opening shots of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord.

What was the outcome of the battle of Bunker Hill?

Although the colonists technically lost, the British suffered heavy casualties.

What role did elites in colonies like New York and Pennsylvania play during the revolution?

Many were nervous about the revolutionary fervor and the implications for their political power.

What is the meaning of 'human rights' as discussed in the context of the American Revolution?

The idea that all humans have certain rights derived from natural law, which became a fundamental principle.