American Independence Flashcards

Flashcards to help review lecture notes about American Independence

First Continental Congress

A meeting of delegates from all colonies except Georgia in late 1774 to discuss grievances, develop a strategy, and formulate a colonial position on the relationship between the royal government and colonial governments.

Continental Association

Formed by the First Continental Congress, towns set up committees of observation to enforce the boycott on British goods. These committees later became their towns' de facto governments.

Minutemen

Colonial militia who reputedly could be ready to fight on a minute's notice.

Battle of Lexington

Confrontation between British troops and colonial militia (minutemen) in April 1775, resulting in casualties on both sides.

Battle of Concord

Colonial farmers repelled army and inflicted numerous casualties on the British redcoats and forced them to retreat. Referred to as "the shot heard 'round the world."

Loyalists

Colonists who remained loyal to the Crown, including government officials, devout Anglicans, merchants dependent on trade with England, and some religious and ethnic minorities.

Second Continental Congress

Convened after the battles of Lexington and Concord, this group prepared for war by establishing a Continental Army, printing money, and creating government offices to supervise policy.

Olive Branch Petition

Adopted by the Continental Congress on July 5, 1775, it was a last-ditch attempt to avoid armed conflict with Britain.

Declaration of Independence

Contains a list of grievances against George III and the British government. Grievances included taxation without representation, dissolving local representative government, and depriving American colonists of the right to trial by jury.

Common Sense

Pamphlet published in January 1776 by Thomas Paine that advocated colonial independence and argued for the merits of republicanism over monarchy.