LILLY - HISTORY Chapter 5 - Spirit of Independence

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to the American colonists' spirit of independence, including significant acts, events, and figures leading up to the Revolutionary War.

Proclamation of 1763

King George III's ban on colonists settling west of the Appalachian Mountains to maintain peace with Native Americans.

Enforcement of Proclamation of 1763

Britain stationed 10,000 soldiers in the colonies to enforce the Proclamation of 1763 and deter westward settlement.

Sugar Act of 1764

Legislation that lowered the tax on molasses and allowed the seizure of smuggled goods without permission.

British Crackdown on Smuggling

Stricter enforcement of trade laws by Britain, including trials in admiralty courts, to suppress colonial smuggling, often spurred by acts like the Sugar Act.

Stamp Act of 1765

A law requiring colonists to pay a tax on most printed materials, including newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards, indicated by a stamp.

Virginia Resolves

Resolutions passed by the Virginia House of Burgesses, led by Patrick Henry, asserting that only Virginia's assembly could tax its citizens, in response to the Stamp Act.

Patrick Henry's Famous Quote

A quote from Patrick Henry's 1775 speech, 'Give me liberty, or give me death!', inspiring American colonists to fight for independence.

Patrick Henry

A prominent orator and statesman from Virginia known for his passionate speeches advocating for American independence.

Sons of Liberty

A secret society formed by Samuel Adams and others to protest British policies, notably the Stamp Act, often through intimidation and public demonstrations.

Samuel Adams

A prominent leader of the Sons of Liberty and a key Patriot who organized protests against British policies, advocating for colonial rights.

John Adams

A Massachusetts lawyer and statesman, a key advocate for independence and a delegate to both Continental Congresses.

John Hancock

A wealthy Boston merchant and Patriot, known for his prominent signature on the Declaration of Independence and serving as president of the Second Continental Congress.

Benjamin Franklin

A renowned statesman, scientist, inventor, and diplomat who played a crucial role in securing French support for the American Revolution.

Thomas Jefferson

A Virginia statesman and the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, advocating for republican principles.

Declaratory Act (1766)

Parliament's assertion that it had the right to tax colonists.

Townshend Acts (1767)

New taxes imposed on imported goods such as paper and tea.

Boston Massacre (March 5, 1770)

A confrontation where British soldiers fired into a crowd of protesting colonists, killing five and further fueling anti-British sentiment.

Tea Act of 1773

Legislation that allowed the British East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonists without paying taxes, hurting colonial merchants and leading to the Boston Tea Party.

Boston Tea Party

A protest on December 16, 1773, where Sons of Liberty dressed as Native Americans threw 342 boxes of tea into Boston Harbor.

Intolerable Acts

King George III passed the Coercive Acts called the “Intolerable Acts”

First Continental Congress

A meeting in Philadelphia of 55 delegates from the colonies to respond to British policies - agreeing to boycott British goods; repeal unfair laws, and arm themselves with Minutemen.

British March to Lexington and Concord (April 18, 1775)

British troops marched from Boston to Lexington and Concord to seize colonial military supplies and capture Patriot leaders, leading to the first battles of the Revolutionary War.

Paul Revere's Ride

On the night of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere and other riders warned colonial militias of the approaching British troops before the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

The Shot Heard Round the World

The first shot fired at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, marking the start of the Revolutionary War.

Battle of Lexington (April 19, 1775)

The first armed clash of the American Revolutionary War, where colonial militiamen (Minutemen) confronted British troops, resulting in casualties and “the shot heard round the world.”

Battle of Concord (April 19, 1775)

Following Lexington, colonial militias successfully defended their armory in Concord against British forces, forcing the British retreat to Boston and signifying a key early Patriot victory.

Second Continental Congress (May 10, 1775)

A meeting of colonial delegates in Philadelphia that established the Continental Army, appointed George Washington as its commander, and eventually drafted the Declaration of Independence.

Richard Henry Lee

A Virginia statesman who introduced a resolution in the Second Continental Congress calling for the colonies to declare independence from Great Britain.

Battle of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775)

A significant early battle of the Revolutionary War fought near Boston, where colonial forces inflicted heavy casualties on the British before being forced to retreat due to lack of ammunition. Though a British victory, it demonstrated the Patriots' resolve.

Fort Ticonderoga

Captured by Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen, significant early victory for the American patriots.

Loyalists

Colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution, opposing independence.

Patriots

Colonists who supported independence from British rule, advocating for a new American republic.

Thomas Paine's Common Sense

A powerful pamphlet published in 1776 by Thomas Paine, arguing for American independence and republican government, widely influential among colonists.

Key Actions of the Continental Congresses

The First and Second Continental Congresses led colonial resistance, established boycotts, formed the Continental Army, appointed George Washington, and eventually drafted the Declaration of Independence.

Declaration of Independence

Document primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, approved on July 4, 1776, declaring the colonies' freedom from Britain.

Four Parts of the Declaration of Independence

1. Preamble: States the purpose of the document and the philosophical basis for independence, emphasizing natural rights.
2. Declaration of Natural Rights: Highlights the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and the right of the people to alter or abolish destructive governments.
3. List of Grievances: Details 27 specific complaints against King George III and British policies, justifying the colonial revolt.
4. Resolution of Independence: Formally declares the colonies' separation from Great Britain and their status as free and independent states.