American Revolution Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, events, and political philosophy associated with the American Revolution.

Patriots

American colonists who were determined to fight the British until American independence was won

Loyalists

American colonists who remained loyal to Britain and opposed the war for independence

Proclamation of 1763

A proclamation from the British government which forbade British colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains, and which required any settlers already living west of the mountains to move back east.

American Revolution

the revolution of the American colonies against Great Britain

Natural Rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

Social Contract

A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.

Ordered Liberty

freedom that people have that is limited by the need for order (rules) in society

Sugar Act

law passed by the British Parliament setting taxes on molasses and sugar imported by the colonies

Stamp Act

1765; law that taxed printed goods, including: playing cards, documents, newspapers, etc.

Townshend Acts

A tax that the British Parliament passed in 1767 that was placed on leads, glass, paint and tea

Boycotts

Protests in which people refuse to buy from or work for a person, nation, or business.

Civil Liberties

freedoms to think and act without government interference or fear of unfair legal treatment

Quartering Act

1765 - Required the colonials to provide food, lodging, and supplies for the British troops in the colonies.

Boston Massacre

The first bloodshed of the American Revolution (1770), as British guards at the Boston Customs House opened fire on a crowd killing five Americans

Boston Tea Party

A 1773 protest against British taxes in which Boston colonists disguised as Mohawks dumped valuable tea into Boston Harbor.

Intolerable Acts

in response to Boston Tea Party, 4 acts passed in 1774, Port of Boston closed, reduced power of assemblies in colonies, permitted royal officers to be tried elsewhere, provided for quartering of troops in barns and empty houses

Minutemen

Members of a militia (local patriots) during the American Revolution who could be ready to fight in sixty seconds.

Declaration of Independence

1776 statement, issued by the Second Continental Congress, explaining why the colonies wanted independence from Britain. This document unified the American people.

Unalienable Rights

life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; everyone is born with these rights. This idea originally came from John Locke.

Common Sense, 1776

Common Sense was a pamphlet that attacked the British monarchy, calling for American independence from Britain. Thomas Paine was the author of this propaganda.