The Early Republic - The American Revolution

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the American Revolution as presented in the lecture notes.

Salutary Neglect

A British policy that allowed the American colonies to develop their own economic strength and self-governance by failing to enforce trade laws.

Taxation Without Representation

Colonial protest against the British government's right to tax them without their consent, as they had no representatives in Parliament.

Boston Massacre

An incident in March 1770 where British soldiers fired into a crowd, killing five colonists, which was framed by colonial leaders to rally support against British rule.

Boston Tea Party

A protest in December 1773 where colonists dumped British tea into the harbor to oppose the tax on tea.

First Continental Congress

A meeting of delegates from the colonies in September 1774 to discuss responses to British overreach and to organize a boycott of British goods.

Declaration of Independence

A document adopted on July 4, 1776, primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, asserting the colonies' right to revolt and establishing the principle of popular sovereignty.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that government power comes from the people, as emphasized in the Declaration of Independence.

Battle of Saratoga

A pivotal battle in the American Revolution that convinced France to ally with the Americans, providing essential support.

Treaty of Paris

The agreement that officially ended the American Revolutionary War in 1783, recognizing American independence and establishing borders.

John Locke

An influential philosopher whose ideas on natural rights helped shape the Declaration of Independence.

King George III

King of England during the American Revolution.

French and Indian War

A conflict between Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763 over territory, which set the stage for the American Revolution.

Sugar Act

A law passed by the British Parliament in 1764 imposing duties on sugar and molasses imported into the colonies, aimed at raising revenue to help pay off war debts.

Stamp Act

A 1765 law passed by the British Parliament requiring colonists to purchase special stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, and other publications, aiming to raise revenue from the American colonies.

Writs of Assistance

Legal documents allowing British officials to search colonists' homes and businesses without specific warrants, infringing on privacy rights.