Test History Revolutionary War

Front: Why did Britain think taxes were justified?

Back: Pay for French & Indian War, raise revenue, fund defense, colonists were “British.”

Front: Why did colonists resist British taxes?

Back: No representation, taxes didn’t benefit colonists, Britain trying to control them, colonists felt they’d done enough.

Front: What British policies angered colonists?

Back: Revenue taxes (Sugar, Stamp, Townshend), restricted trade (Proclamation 1763, Navigation, Tea), more power to officials (Writs, Quartering, Coercive Acts), limits on assemblies.

Front: What was Britain’s rationale for these policies?

Back: Colonists should pay for empire, pay for protection, “virtual representation.”

Front: Major colonial reactions?

Back: “No taxation without representation,” Stamp Act Congress, Sons & Daughters of Liberty, Nonimportation agreements, Committees of Correspondence, Boston Massacre, Gaspee Affair, Boston Tea Party, First Continental Congress.

Front: What was the message of Common Sense?

Back: No allegiance to monarchy, America can thrive alone, too big to be a colony, must break from England and form a republic.

Front: What did the Second Continental Congress do?

Back: Debated independence, created Continental Army, sent Olive Branch Petition (rejected).

Front: What did the Declaration of Independence do?

Back: Broke ties with England; included rights, complaints, and independence; influenced by Enlightenment ideas.

Front: What caused the French & Indian War?

Back: Rivalry between France & England, desire for North America, conflict over Ohio River Valley.

Front: Who fought on each side? (French Indian war)

Back: British + colonists + Iroquois vs. French + Spain + Huron.

Front: How did Britain win?

Back: Raised taxes, borrowed money, relied on colonial goods and Native American support.

Front: Impact on colonists?

Back: Colonists gained confidence but felt mistreated; Britain thought colonists didn’t help enough; ended Salutary Neglect.

Front: What was Salutary Neglect?

Back: England loosely governed colonies; let them run themselves.

Front: Why did England use Salutary Neglect?

Back: Busy with wars, political problems, long distance, slow communication, focused on making money.

Front: How did Salutary Neglect shape colonial society?

Back: More freedoms, diverse population, smuggling common, more political control, higher wages.

Front: Impact on relations with England?

Back: Colonists became independent-minded; developed different systems from England.

Front: What were Indigenous Americans like before colonization?

Back: Diverse cultures; built irrigation systems, governments, alliances, traded, farmed, built temples, developed math/language/calendars.

Front: What areas did Spain colonize?

Back: Diverse cultures; built irrigation systems, governments, alliances, traded, farmed, built temples, developed math/language/calendars.

Front: What areas did Spain colonize?

Back: Caribbean + large parts of mainland Americas.

Front: What areas did France colonize?

Back: Newfoundland → Rocky Mountains; Hudson Bay → Gulf of Mexico.

Front: What areas did England colonize?

Back: Eastern seaboard → 13 colonies.

Front: What was the Columbian Exchange?

Back: Trade of goods, animals, plants, diseases, and enslaved Africans between Old World, New World, and Africa.

Front: Examples of New World goods?

Back: Gold, silver, tobacco.

Front: Examples of Old World goods?

Back: Coffee, horses, cows, pigs.

Front: Early labor systems?

Back: Enslaved Native Americans, indentured servants, enslaved Africans.

Front: What was the Triangular Trade?

Back: Goods → Africa for enslaved people → Americas for labor on plantations and infrastructure.

Front: Why was Bunker Hill significant?

Back: Americans fought with determination, inflicted huge casualties, proved British victory would be costly.

Front: Impacts of Bunker Hill?

Back: British won but suffered major losses; Americans proved they could fight; boosted morale.

Front: Why was Dorchester Heights important?

Back: Americans forced British out of Boston, gained confidence, showed they could move heavy artillery.

Front: Why was Trenton significant?

Back: Restored morale, proved British were beatable, inspired reenlistment.

Front: Why was Saratoga a turning point?

Back: Stopped British advance, convinced France (and Spain & Netherlands) to support Americans.

Front: Why was Valley Forge significant?

Back: Transformed Continental Army into disciplined force; standardized training; morale improved.

Front: Why was the French alliance important?

Back: Provided military + financial support, brought French navy, helped trap British at Yorktown, helped secure independence.

Front: British advantages?

Back: Strong army, largest navy, loyalists, Hessians, support from slaves & Native Americans.

Front: British disadvantages?

Back: Long distance, foreign territory, thinly spread military, tax resentment, sympathy for colonists.

Front: American advantages?

Back: Fighting for survival, home territory, strong leaders, French alliance, training from von Steuben.

Front: American disadvantages?

Back: Lack of training, supplies, discipline, experience.

Front: African Americans in the war?

Back: Many joined Britain for freedom; later allowed in Continental Army; some enslaved men served in place of owners.

Front: Native Americans in the war?

Back: Fought for both sides depending on who offered better deals; often switched sides.

Front: Women in the war?

Back: Served as spies, nurses, cooks; ran farms/businesses; some fought disguised as men.