American Independence and Revolutionary War

Vocabulary flashcards covering key dates, reasons, and order of events leading to American independence as detailed in the lecture notes.

Thomas Paine — Common Sense (1776)

Argued that the colonies should become independent, using ideas about government and natural rights.

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Declared the colonies independent from Great Britain.

Order of Events Leading to Independence

French & Indian War → Taxes → Protests → Boston Tea Party → Intolerable Acts → Continental Congress → Lexington & Concord → Common Sense → Independence

Reasons Colonists Came to America

Religion, opportunity, and land.

Reason Britain Taxed the Colonies

To help pay war debts.

Cause of Colonial Anger Over Taxation

They were taxed without having representatives in Parliament.

Lexington & Concord (1775)

The event that started the fighting in the American Revolution.

Factors That Pushed Independence

Increasing British control + colonial resistance + ideas about rights and self-government.