US History - American Revolution

French and Indian War (1754-1763)

Fought between Britain and France (with Native allies) for control of North America. Britain wins but gains massive debt → taxes colonies → sparks resentment.

Standing Army

British troops remained in colonies after the war 'for protection' but seen as an occupation force—symbol of tyranny.

Proclamation of 1763

Forbade colonial settlement west of Appalachian Mountains; angered settlers eager for western land.

Sugar Act (1764)

Tax on imported sugar/molasses; aimed to raise revenue, not regulate trade → 'taxation without representation.'

Quartering Act (1765)

Required colonists to house British soldiers; seen as violation of personal liberty.

Stamp Act (1765)

First direct tax on colonies (printed materials); led to widespread protests and Stamp Act Congress. Repealed in 1766.

Boston Massacre (1770)

British soldiers killed 5 colonists; used as propaganda by patriots to inflame anti-British sentiment.

Boston Tea Party (1773)

Protest against Tea Act (monopoly for East India Company); dumped tea into harbor.

'Intolerable Acts' (1774)

British punishment for Tea Party: closed Boston Harbor, dissolved assemblies, expanded Quartering Act.

First Continental Congress (1774)

Delegates from 12 colonies met to organize resistance; urged boycott of British goods.

Reasons to Declare Independence

Natural rights, self-government, British tyranny, economic control, taxation, quartering troops.

Reasons not to Declare Independence

Fear of losing trade, military defeat, loyalty to Britain, uncertainty of governance.

'A Summary View of the Rights of British America' (1774)

Jefferson's pamphlet arguing colonies were independent entities under the King, not Parliament—precursor to the Declaration.

Thomas Paine

Author of Common Sense—plain-language argument for independence; inspired mass support.

'Common Sense' (1776)

Rejected monarchy and urged independence; influential in shaping public opinion.

Battles of Lexington and Concord (1775)

First shots of the Revolution ('shot heard 'round the world').

Battle of Bunker Hill (1775)

Early costly British victory; showed colonists could fight effectively.

American Invasion of Canada (1775)

Failed attempt to bring Canada into the rebellion; showed limits of Continental Army.

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Written by Jefferson; listed grievances and asserted natural rights—'life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.'

Deist and Enlightenment Thought

Reason over religion; belief in natural laws; government exists to protect rights (Locke's influence).

Thomas Jefferson

Primary author of Declaration; advocate of limited government, individual liberty.

John Locke

English philosopher; Two Treatises on Government → government by consent, right to revolution.

Hessians

German mercenaries hired by Britain; their presence angered colonists.

Battle of Trenton (1776)

Washington's surprise attack on Hessians after crossing Delaware; morale boost.

Battle of Saratoga (1777)

Turning point—American victory convinced France to ally with U.S.

French Intervention

Provided troops, navy, and funds—crucial to American victory.

Marquis de Lafayette

French nobleman who fought with Washington; symbol of French-American alliance.

Fall of Charleston (1780)

Major British victory; huge loss for the Americans in the South.

Battle of Camden (1780)

Another British win; showed early American struggles in the South.

Battle of King's Mountain (1780)

Patriot militia victory in Carolinas; momentum shift in the South.

Battle of the Cowpens (1781)

American victory under Daniel Morgan; weakened British forces.

Battle of Guilford Courthouse

British pyrrhic victory—lost many troops; Cornwallis retreats to Yorktown.

Nathaniel Greene

Led southern campaign; "fighting, retreating, wearing down" British forces.

Battle of Yorktown

Final major battle; British surrender under Cornwallis with French naval aid.

John Trumbull, "Surrender of Cornwallis"

Famous painting commemorating Yorktown victory.

Treaty of Paris

Recognized U.S. independence; set boundaries to Mississippi River.

Articles of Confederation

Loose union of states under weak central government—feared strong central power after British tyranny.

Powers of states

States kept most power; Congress could not tax or enforce laws.

Nature of Confederation Congress

One vote per state; no executive or judiciary.

Why ineffective?

Couldn't tax, raise an army, regulate trade, or enforce laws. Economic chaos.

Shays's Rebellion

Farmers revolt in MA over taxes/debt; showed need for a stronger federal government.

U.S. Constitution

Met in Philadelphia to revise Articles but created a new Constitution.

"I smell a rat."

Patrick Henry's quote opposing the Convention, fearing tyranny.

James Madison

"Father of the Constitution", wrote much of the document and the Federalist Papers.

Constitutionalism

Government power limited by a written constitution.

Delegated Powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government (e.g., defense, currency).

"Great Compromise"

Combined Virginia and New Jersey Plans → bicameral legislature (House by population, Senate equal).

Separation of Powers / Checks and Balances

Legislative, Executive, Judicial branches limit each other's power.

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is supreme over state laws.

Federalism

Power divided between national and state governments.

Rejection of European Aspects

No monarchy, no hereditary titles—republican model.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted enslaved people as 3/5 for representation/taxation.

Regulation of Slave Trade

Congress could not ban slave trade until 1808.

Ratification of Constitution

9 of 13 states required; sparked debate.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Federalists = strong central gov. (Hamilton, Madison); Anti-Federalists = states' rights (Henry, Mason).

Bill of Rights

First 10 Amendments guaranteeing individual rights—added to secure ratification.

Republicanism

Citizens govern through elected representatives, emphasizing civic virtue.

"It is a republic if you can keep it."

Franklin's warning—democracy requires active participation.

How did the Declaration of Independence reflect Jefferson's Deist beliefs?

Emphasized reason, natural law, and human rights over divine authority.

Why did the American colonies defeat Britain?

Home-field advantage; guerrilla tactics; French alliance; British distance and poor strategy; motivation for liberty; Washington's leadership.

Compare the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.

Articles: Weak central gov., no power to tax/enforce, one-house Congress, state sovereignty. Constitution: Stronger federal structure, three branches, power to tax/regulate trade, checks and balances.

Explain and give examples of Constitutionalism.

Written limits on power (e.g., Bill of Rights).

Explain and give examples of Separation of Powers / Checks and Balances.

Congress makes laws, President vetoes, Court interprets.

Explain and give examples of Federalism.

State vs. national powers (e.g., education vs. defense).

Explain and give examples of Republicanism.

Representation by elected officials (e.g., Congress, state legislatures).