US History I Ch.3 Test

George Washington

A young Virginia militia officer who gained early military experience during the French and Indian War and later became commander of the Continental Army.

Pontiac’s Rebellion

An uprising of Native American tribes in the Great Lakes region against British rule after the French and Indian War, led by Chief Pontiac.

Proclamation of 1763

A British law forbidding American colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains to avoid conflict with Native Americans.

Albany Plan of Union

Benjamin Franklin’s proposal to create a unified colonial government for defense and cooperation against the French; it was rejected by the colonies.

Benjamin Franklin

Colonial leader, inventor, and diplomat who proposed the Albany Plan and later helped draft the Declaration of Independence and negotiate the Treaty of Paris (1783).

Treaty of Paris (1763)

Ended the French and Indian War; France lost most of its North American territories to Britain.

Relationship among British colonists, French and American Indians

The war reshaped alliances—colonists resented British military control, while Native groups lost territory and power.

Causes and effects of French and Indian War

Caused by British and French competition over land (Ohio river valley); resulted in British debt and new colonial taxes that fueled resentment. Also resulted in the weakening of French global power and the expansion of British territory in North America.

Salutary Neglect

British policy of allowing the colonies self-rule as long as trade benefited Britain; its end led to colonial anger.

Colonists’ political heritage

Colonists valued self-government and rights inherited from English traditions such as the Magna Carta.

Sugar Act

1764 tax on imported sugar and molasses; increased smuggling and protest.

Stamp Act

1765 law taxing printed materials like newspapers and legal documents; first direct tax on colonists.

Quartering Act

Required colonists to house and supply British soldiers stationed in the colonies.

Townshend Acts

Taxes on goods like glass, paper, and tea imported into the colonies; led to boycotts.

Taxation without Representation

Colonial slogan protesting being taxed without having elected representatives in Parliament.

Influence of Enlightenment on Revolution

Jefferson and Franklin were inspired by the ideas of natural rights and government by consent

John Adams

Boston lawyer who defended British soldiers after the Boston Massacre and became a strong supporter of independence.

Patrick Henry

Virginia leader known for his speech declaring 'Give me liberty, or give me death!'

Sons of Liberty

Secret organization that resisted British taxes through protest and direct action.

Nonimportation agreements/boycott

Colonial pledges to refuse British goods in protest of taxes.

Boston Massacre

1770 confrontation where British soldiers killed five colonists; used as propaganda by Patriots.

Committees of Correspondence

Colonial groups that were established to coordinate opposition against British Parliament.

Boston Tea Party

1773 protest where colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor to oppose the Tea Act.

Intolerable Acts

Punitive British laws passed after the Tea Party; closed Boston Harbor and restricted colonial self-government.

First Continental Congress

1774 meeting of colonial delegates to organize resistance and petition the king for redress.

Paul Revere

Patriot who warned colonists of the approaching British troops before the battles of Lexington and Concord.

Militia

Volunteer colonial soldiers ready to defend their towns.

Minutemen

Members of colonial militias who were ready to fight at a minute’s notice.

Loyalists

Colonists who remained loyal to Britain during the Revolution.

Patriots

Colonists who supported independence from Britain.

Lexington and Concord

First battles of the American Revolution in April 1775.

Second Continental Congress

Assembly that managed the colonial war effort and adopted the Declaration of Independence.

Continental Army

Army formed by the colonies to fight Britain, led by George Washington.

Thomas Paine/Common Sense

Pamphlet encouraging independence by arguing against monarchy and for self-government.

Republic

A government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions.

Declaration of Independence

1776 document declaring the colonies’ freedom from Britain, written mainly by Thomas Jefferson.

Thomas Jefferson

Principal author of the Declaration of Independence and later third U.S. President.

Natural Rights

Rights all humans are born with—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Revolutionary War

The war fought between Britain and its American colonies (1775–1783) for independence.

Advantages and Disadvantages of British and Colonists

Advantages": Britain had a strong army and navy; colonists had home advantage and motivation for freedom. Disadvantages: British were marching great lengths across the 13 colonies. Continental Army of the colonists was weak, outnumbered, and inexperienced.

William Howe

British general whose cautious tactics failed to defeat the Continental Army.

Mercenary

A hired foreign soldier, such as the German Hessians used by Britain.

Battle of Trenton

1776 surprise attack led by Washington after crossing the Delaware River; boosted morale.

Charles Cornwallis

British general defeated at Yorktown, ending the war.

Saratoga

Major American victory in 1777 that convinced France to join the war as an ally.

Marquis de Lafayette

French nobleman who helped train and support American troops.

Valley Forge

Winter camp where Washington’s army endured hardship but emerged stronger in 1777–1778.

Monmouth

Battle in New Jersey showing improved American discipline after Valley Forge.

Kings Mountain

Patriot victory in the South that turned the tide of war there.

Yorktown

1781 battle where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington, ending major fighting.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Officially ended the war; recognized American independence and set U.S. boundaries.

Impact of the American Revolution

Inspired other movements for independence and established democratic ideals.

Essay Q: Reasons some delegates did not support Independence

Fear of British military power and possible failure. Economic ties and loyalty to Britain. Concern over internal division among colonies. Uncertainty about forming a new government. Belief reconciliation with Britain was still possible.

Essay Q: How the French and Indian War led to the Revolution

British debt led to new colonial taxes (e.g., Stamp Act). British soldiers remained in colonies, causing tension. Colonial unity increased through shared war experience. Loss of French threat made colonists feel more independent. British restrictions (like Proclamation of 1763) angered settlers.

Essay Q: Navigation Acts and Proclamation of 1763 – Effects and Reactions

Navigation Acts limited colonial trade to benefit Britain. Proclamation restricted settlement west of Appalachians. Colonists saw both as violations of economic freedom. Led to widespread anger, smuggling, and resentment toward British control.

Essay Q: British vs. American advantages and why the Patriots won

Britain had a powerful military and more resources. Americans had motivation, home advantage, and foreign allies (France). Washington’s leadership and guerrilla tactics helped. British distance from home made logistics difficult. Patriot unity and resilience led to eventual victory.