Unit 1 (10) B Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering British-American colonial interactions, the Revolutionary War, and key political documents/events from Unit 1 B.

Wise and salutary neglect

A British policy prior to the French and Indian War, described by Edmund Burke, which allowed American colonists to avoid paying taxes on imports while their economy developed independently.

Sons of Liberty

A group described by Loyalist Anne Hulton in 1768 as 'Sons of Violence' who attacked tax officials, broke windows, and used force to defend their property and liberties.

Albany Plan of Union

A proposed continental assembly meant to coordinate common defense and Indian alliances; it was rejected because colonists feared a loss of power and the British government feared the colonies would become too strong.

Common Sense

A pamphlet by Thomas Paine that shifted the colonial goal toward independence and the formation of a new republic.

Declaration of Independence

A 1776 document stating that Patriot leaders believed it was no longer possible to remain part of the British Empire because the King had become a tyrant who ignored their petitions.

Treaty of Paris

The agreement ending the Revolutionary War that approximately doubled the territory controlled by the Patriots.

Battle of Saratoga

The conflict that successfully brought foreign support to the Patriots during the Revolutionary War.

Manumission

The practice of freeing enslaved people, which many southern whites opposed after the Revolution due to fears that freed individuals would seek revenge.

Virginia Resolves

Legislative measures based on Patrick Henry's fundamental assumption that taxation without representation is illegitimate.

Second Continental Congress

The body that assumed responsibility for the Revolutionary War and named George Washington commander of the Continental Army following Lexington and Concord.

Pontiac's Rebellion

An uprising led by an Ottawa leader against British forts to resist colonial settlement and attempt to lure French forces back to North America.

Sugar Act

A post-French and Indian War law that lowered duties on foreign molasses but enforced tax collection strictly and moved smuggling trials to admiralty courts without juries.

First Continental Congress

A meeting of delegates called in response to the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts enacted by Great Britain to punish the colonies.

1778 British War Strategy

A shift in military operations to the South, where the British focused on recruiting Loyalists rather than conducting a full-scale campaign against the Continental Army.

British Advantages vs. Colonial Disadvantages

While Great Britain was a manufacturing leader with well-supplied troops, the colonies lacked manufacturing infrastructure, had no authority to collect taxes, and had untrained, hungry soldiers.