The War for Independence Lecture Review

Flashcards to review key concepts, events, and figures from the lecture on the American War for Independence.

When were the Thirteen Colonies founded?

Between 1607 and 1733

What were the first three colonies founded in America?

Jamestown, VA, Plymouth, and the Massachusetts Bay Colony

Into what three geographic regions can the Thirteen Colonies be broken up?

New England, Middle, and Southern colonies

Who famously stated, "We shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us," a quote that encapsulates the myth of American Exceptionalism?

John Winthrop

What three purposes did Britain's American colonies serve for the British Empire?

A market for British goods, a source of raw materials not native to Britain, and a producer of goods to be sold to other nations

What were the two main provisions of the Navigation Acts passed by Parliament in 1651?

Goods had to be shipped through England first, and colonies were limited in where they could sell their goods

What was a direct consequence of colonial resistance, particularly in Massachusetts, to the Navigation Acts?

In 1684, England revoked Massachusetts' corporate charter, making it a royal colony

What was the primary cause of the French and Indian War (1754-1763)?

War between Great Britain and France for control of North America

What was another name for the French and Indian War?

The Seven Years' War

How did the French and Indian War end and what was a key territorial outcome for Great Britain?

It ended in 1763 with the Treaty of Paris, which gave Great Britain all of North America east of the Mississippi River

What was the purpose of the Proclamation of 1763 issued by the British after the French and Indian War?

To forbid colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains

What was the policy of "Salutary Neglect" practiced by England towards its American colonies?

England allowed the colonies more freedom to govern themselves due to fighting with France

What was one of the main goals of the Sugar Act of 1764?

To decrease the duty on molasses to encourage legal trade and to tax sugar and other goods to raise revenue for Britain

Besides new taxes, what significant change did the Sugar Act of 1764 bring regarding smuggling trials?

Smuggling trials would be held at vice-admiralty courts instead of colonial courts

What were two significant effects of the French and Indian War on the British Empire?

Increased colonial empire in the Americas and greatly enlarged England's debt

What were two significant effects of the French and Indian War on the American colonies?

United them against a common enemy for the first time and increased feelings of being "American"

What was the purpose of the Stamp Act of 1765?

To create a direct tax on colonists for virtually all paper documents to help Britain repay debts from the French and Indian War

Who led the secret resistance group known as the Sons of Liberty?

Samuel Adams

What act did the British Parliament pass immediately after repealing the Stamp Act, asserting its full authority to tax the colonies?

The Declaratory Act

What principle did colonists protest against with the cry "No Taxation without Representation" in response to the Townshend Acts?

The idea of being taxed by Parliament without having direct representation in that body

What event occurred on March 5, 1770, where British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists, killing five people?

The Boston Massacre

Who was one of the individuals killed during the Boston Massacre?

Crispus Attucks

What key role did Joseph Warren play in the colonial resistance, particularly related to Paul Revere's ride?

He was a colonial resistance leader who summoned and tasked Paul Revere with warning of the approaching British soldiers

What event occurred on December 16, 1773, where colonists disguised as Mohawk Native Americans dumped tea into Boston Harbor?

The Boston Tea Party

What was the primary reason the British East India Company was granted a monopoly on the tea trade in the colonies?

The company was facing bankruptcy, and Parliament aimed to help it

What was the series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party, which colonists called the "Intolerable Acts"?

The Coercive Acts

Name one of the acts included in the Intolerable (Coercive) Acts of 1774.

Boston Port Act (closed Boston's Harbor), Massachusetts Government Act (revoked colonial charter), or Quartering Act (allowed housing of British soldiers in colonists' homes)

What was the main purpose of the First Continental Congress in 1774?

To draw up a declaration of colonial rights and discuss a unified response to British actions

What were "Minutemen" during the American Revolution?

Civilian soldiers who pledged to be ready to fight at a minute's notice

What individuals were dispatched by the Sons of Liberty to warn Minutemen of the approaching British soldiers before the Battles of Lexington and Concord?

Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott

What was the outcome for the Minutemen at the Battle of Lexington?

8 Minutemen killed and 10 wounded

What was the significant outcome of the Battle of Concord for the British troops?

The British found an empty arsenal and were fired upon by 3,000-4,000 Minutemen on their way back to Boston, resulting in many casualties and humiliation

What actions did the Second Continental Congress take in May 1775 after the Battles of Lexington & Concord?

They recognized the Boston militiamen as the Continental Army, appointed George Washington as general, and sent the Olive-Branch Petition to King George III

What was the "Olive-Branch Petition"?

A plea sent by the Second Continental Congress to King George III, urging for a return to harmony, which he rejected

What was the outcome of the Battle of Bunker Hill (fought on Breed's Hill) on June 17, 1775?

The British ultimately succeeded in taking the hill after three attempts, but suffered heavy casualties, making it the deadliest battle of the war for them

What pamphlet, written by Thomas Paine, advocated for American independence and attacked the monarchy?

Common Sense

Who was tasked with drafting the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

According to the Declaration of Independence, what are three unalienable rights that people possess?

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

From whom do governments derive their just powers, according to the Declaration of Independence?

The consent of the governed

What controversial passage was removed from Jefferson's initial draft of the Declaration of Independence to secure the votes of South Carolina and Georgia?

A passage attacking the cruelty and injustice of the slave trade

What term described colonists who supported independence and wanted to break away from the British Crown?

Patriots

What term described colonists who opposed independence and wanted to remain loyal to the British Crown?

Loyalists

Who was the first American captured and executed for spying during the Revolutionary War, famously stating, "I only regret I have but one life to lose for my country"?

Nathan Hale

What was the name of the notorious spy ring based out of Long Island during the Revolutionary War?

The Culper Ring

Who was Hercules Mulligan, and what significant contribution did he make as a spy during the Revolutionary War?

A tailor turned spy and Son of Liberty whose intelligence saved George Washington

What American general is infamous for defecting to the British during the Revolutionary War?

Benedict Arnold

What were Hessians during the American Revolutionary War?

German mercenaries who fought with the British forces

What famous Revolutionary War battle involved George Washington crossing the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776 to surprise Hessians at Trenton, NJ?

The Battle of Trenton

Why is the Battle of Saratoga (October 17, 1777) considered a turning point in the Revolutionary War?

It resulted in a major American victory, which convinced France to officially join America's side

Who was the young French nobleman known as "The Hero of Two Worlds" who fought alongside the Americans in the Revolutionary War?

Marquis de Lafayette

What was Valley Forge known for during the winter of 1777-1778?

It was the harsh winter encampment of Washington's Continental Army, where conditions were severe, and many soldiers died

How did Baron von Steuben contribute to the American war effort at Valley Forge?

As a Prussian military officer, he trained Washington's men, improving their drills, sanitation, and camp layout, thus boosting morale

Why did the British shift their military strategy to the Southern colonies in 1780?

They hoped to rally Loyalist support and take advantage of the greater number of African Americans who might join them in exchange for freedom

What major battle in 1781 led to General Lord Cornwallis's surrender and effectively ended the Revolutionary War?

The Battle of Yorktown

What was a key outcome of the Treaty of Paris (1783) for Great Britain regarding the United States?

Britain formally acknowledged American independence

What was one significant consequence for Loyalists after the American Revolutionary War?

Many lost land, money, and property, and approximately 80,000 Americans, including 4,000 African Americans, left the country

What type of government did the Continental Congress aim to establish for the new independent country?

A republic, which is a government of the people