British America, 1713-1783: Empire and Revolution

Flashcards of key vocabulary, people, and events in British America from 1713 to 1783

The Piracy Act, 1717

The Act stated that those convicted of piracy could be hanged and encouraged actions against pirates.

The Hat Act, 1732

Tried to limit the production and sale of hats from within the colonies so colonists would have to buy British custom-made hats.

The Molasses Act, 1733

Britain imposed a tax on the import of foreign Molasses.

The Negro Act, 1740

Fined plantation owners who could not control their slaves, limited the movements of slaves, and stated that slave owners could no longer grant slaves their freedom

Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, 1748

Treaty that ended King George’s War and restored the pre-war borders.

Treaty of Paris, 1763

Treaty that ended the French and Indian War, leaving Britain with complete control of America and France defeated.

Sugar Act, 1764

Act that tried to raise taxation from Molasses to pay off war debts, which faced huge opposition.

Currency Act, 1764

Act that prevented the colonists from paying off more paper money, due to colonists’ printing off more money and causing inflation.

Quartering Act, 1765

British troops would be housed in the homes and inns of the colonists, even without permission.

Declaratory Act, 1766

Act that repealed the 1765 Stamp Act.

Free Port Act, 1766

Trade could take place with French and Spanish colonies in America, paid for with metal coins.

Revenue Act, 1767

Goods would have duties on them and it would enforce writs of assistance to deal with smuggling.

Tea Act, 1773

Act charged 3p per pound taxation on the import of tea to the colonies, leading to the Boston Tea Party.

Boston Port Act, 1774

Boston’s port was closed to all traffic as punishment for the actions of the Boston Tea Party.

Massachusetts Government Act, 1774

British approved only councils in Massachusetts appointed and other councils were shut down.

The Continental Association, 1774

Plans to boycott all British goods to put economic pressure on England to resist authority.

Quebec Act, 1774

A British approved council was set up in Quebec, crown appointed and their control extended in the Ohio Country.

American Prohibitory Act, 1775

American ports would be blockaded by Britain to cut off supplies and Britain would seize American ships.

Declaration of Independence, 1776

The colonies would work together to fight for independence against the British and govern themselves.

Treaty of Alliance, 1778

The French signed a treaty with the colonists to help them fight the British in the American War of Independence.

Treaty of Paris, 1783

After War of Independence, the USA was now independent but Britain owned Canada.

Sam Bellamy

Pirate with a crew of 120 who damaged 50 ships and was killed in a storm in 1717.

Edward Teach (Blackbeard)

Pirate with a crew of 150 who built up a fortune of £100,000 and was killed in 1718.

James Wolfe

British war hero who helped defeat France in Quebec and was killed in the conflict.

Thomas Paine

Author of Common Sense who believed colonies should govern and challenge corrupt government.

General Montcalm

French commander in Quebec who lost control to Britain and was killed in the conflict.

Rochambeau

French General in the American Revolution who forced surrender of Cornwallis in 1781.

Mary Burton

Testified a conspiracy in New York, claiming she heard of plot in a pub, and was rewarded with £100.

George Washington

Commanded forces in War of Independence and kept American forces disciplined.

John Ury

Catholic priest in New York plot, accused of being a Spanish spy, and hanged in 1741.

Pontiac

Led a rebellion against Britain, defeated Britain at Battle of Bloody Run, and sought peace after spread of smallpox.

General Burgoyne

Experienced military commander, defeated at Saratoga, and his surrender was a turning point.

Jonathan Edwards

A revivalist preacher, converted people to Christianity, and wrote books.

Thomas Jefferson

Revolution leader, author of the Declaration of Independence and encouraged American independence.

General Howe

Distinguished military career, British general in American Revolution, and led a costly victory at Bunker Hill.

George Whitefield

Preacher in the Great Awakening, gave open air sermons, and published 80,000 copies of sermons.

Horatio Gates

American leader who blocked British advance at Saratoga, leading to British surrender of 5,800 troops.

Andrew Oliver

Massachusetts official who tried to enforce the Stamp Act and had an effigy of him hanged by the people.

Quok Walker

Former slave who sued master and won freedom in first case where slaves could sue.

Thomas Hutchinson

Loyalist politician in American Revolution who tried to impose hated British taxes and ordered retreat in Boston Massacre.

General Cornwallis

Leading general in American Revolution who surrendered Britain at Charleston, ending hostilities in the war.

Benjamin Franklin

Leading American colonist, developed society, published works, and helped get Americans independence.

Thomas Gage

Fought for England in French/Indian War, enforced Intolerable Acts, and replaced by William Howe after Bunker Hill.

Key events: British America.

British America 1713 – Treaty of Utrecht -British America 1783 – Loyalist resettlement

Governor Spotswood

Governor of Virginia. Dealt with Blackbeard. Encouraged actions against pirates.

William Pitt

Reorganised French/Indian War. Helped Britain win against France. Gave 8,000 troops, 12 ships, £1m

King George’s War (1744-1748)

Britain vs France No one won. Nothing was achieved.

French and Indian War (1754-1763)

Britain vs France. Britain won. France defeated. Land issues in Ohio Country.

The War of Independence (1775-1783)

Britain vs the American colonists. American victory. American independence upheld. British withdraw.