American Revolution Questions

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13 British Colonies in America as of 1732

Virginia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia.

What were the Navigation Acts?

A series of laws created in the 1660s that established mercantilism between the colonies and Great Britain. The colonies could only trade with Great Britain.

Seven Years’ War 1756-1763. Where was it fought and who fought?

The Seven Years’ War was fought in Europe between England and France.

French and Indian War 1754-1763. Where was it fought, who fought, and why?

The French and Indian War was fought in North America between England and France for supremacy in North America.

Treaty of Paris 1763: What was it and the impact on England.

The Treaty of Paris 1763 ended the Seven Years’ War and the French and Indian War. England was awarded Quebec (Canada) and was left with a large war debt.

Impact of French and Indian War and British troops in North America had on American colonies.

The soldiers stationed in the colonies realized how much the colonists were ignoring the Navigation Acts. This leads to laws being passed to stop this.

British position towards colonies as it related to war debt from French and Indian War-Why?

The British wanted the colonies to pay for a share of the war debt because the war was fought to protect the colonies.

What was unusual about the Sugar Act of 1764?

It lowered the tax on sugar, but this tax was actually enforced now.

Stamp Act of 1765: What was it and why was it significant within the American colonies?

It forced the colonies to purchase a certain number of English stamps to make transactions on paper products legal. This impacted every aspect of colonial life. Resistance to the Stamp Act was the first time colonies really united against British rule.

Name the series of British taxes on paper, glass, lead, paint oil and tea place on the Colonies in 1767 by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to raise £40,000 for the administration of the Colonies.

Townshend Revenue Acts

Boston Massacare: Where? When? What happened?

In Boston, March 5, 1770, British soldiers fired into an angry mob of colonists, killing 5 and injuring others. They were proclaimed innocent and many British soldiers withdrew to Fort William.

Tea Act of 1773: What was it? How did the colonists resist?

The act gave the East India Tea Company the exclusive rights to sell tea to the colonies at less than market price, which hurt colonial merchants. The colonists resisted in the Boston Tea Party in Boston, December 16, 1773. Colonial merchants dressed up as Native Americans and dumped East India Tea into the Boston harbor.

Intolerable Acts of 1774 - What did they do? Why were they named “Intolerable”?

The Intolerable Acts were a response to the Boston Tea Party. They closed the port of Boston until the tea was paid for, stationed British troops in Boston, gave Royal governors the ability to move trials to England and other colonies, banned meetings of groups of people, and forced colonists to house British soldiers. They were called intolerable because there was no way to reasonably deal with them or accept them.

Battles of Lexington and Concord 1775 -What led to the battles? Result of battles in colonies.

The British learned colonial farmers were stockpiling weapons outside of Boston in Concord. They go to capture these weapons and a firefight results from this. Fatalities on both sides. Colonists are now thinking of independence.

Declaration of Independence: Who wrote the first draft? When was it published by the Second Continental Congress delegates? What was the intention of Jefferson and committee with the phrase, “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness?"

Thomas Jefferson, July 4, 1776, He wanted to gain the support of the lower classes by giving them a reason to fight.

1776 - Percentages of colonists in America who favored independence, who were loyal to England, and who were neutral.

1/3 favored independence, 1/3 were loyal to England, and 1/3 were neutral.

How did Americans treat loyalists and neutrals?

They treated them with brutality. They burnt their farms and homes, and exiled them to Canada or England.

Colonists who supported Great Britain said “We’re already separate!”. What were the ways they argued they were already separate and DESERVED their independence from Great Britain?

They were 3,000 miles away from them. They had different culture and ways of life. They also had their own governments with representatives.

What social classes started the American Revolution?

The upperclass - merchants and planters.

What social classes were needed to fight for independence (recruited)? What was used to get these classes to join the fight for independence?

The lower class - mechanics and farmers. The Declaration of Independence gave them a reason to fight, and propaganda was also used.

1st factor that allowed America to defeat Great Britian: Guerillla warfare.

Sneak attacks, hit and run, ambush, supply strikes, and knowledge of terrain. This fighting was used in the countryside.

2nd factor that allowed America to defeat Great Britian: French aid.

France did not want to fight a losing war. They had already recently lost to England. The Battle of Saratoga 1777 changed their minds, showing the Americans had a chance to win.

3rd factor that allowed America to defeat Great Britian: Outlasting British.

Washington was good at retreating and wore the British down while staying alive.

When did fighting in the Revolutionary war end (unofficially)? What treaty officially ended the American Revolution?

Fighting ended in 1781. The Treaty of Paris 1783 officially ended the war.

Why did England remain a strong, wealthy, and powerful country after the American Revolution? What was going on in England at the time (mid-1700s)?

England was going through their Industrial Revolution which boosted its economy and allowed them to expand their empire.

Actual fighting in the American Revolution was done by members of what two lower social classes?

Mechanics and Farmers.

What was the name of the document that established the first government of the United States after the American Revolution? Who held power in that government?

The Articles of Confederation gave power to the lower classes.