American Revolution & Colonial Crisis Review

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering taxation, colonial resistance, the Seven Years' War, and the path to the American Revolution.

What territory was the primary cause of conflict between Britain and France leading to the Seven Years' War in 1754?

The Ohio Country.

What was the purpose of the Albany Plan of Union proposed in 1754?

To establish a federal union of the northern colonies under the British crown for mutual defense, Indian relations, and frontier settlement.

How did colonial assemblies react to the Albany Plan of Union in 1754?

Colonial assemblies rejected the plan.

Which Native American group sided with the British during the Seven Years' War while most other Indian groups sided with the French?

The Iroquois.

What was the main outcome of the Treaty of Paris in 1763 regarding France's presence in North America?

France surrendered its territories and completely left North America.

What conflict erupted in 1763 when Chief Pontiac led Ottawa and other Indian forces against British troops in the Great Lakes region?

Pontiac's War.

What were the casualty numbers resulting from Pontiac's War in 1763?

400 British dead and 2,000 colonials killed or wounded.

What restriction did the Proclamation of 1763 place on American colonists?

It forbade colonists from settling west of the Appalachian mountains.

What were the key provisions of the Sugar Act of 1764?

It lowered the tax on imported French West Indian molasses, increased penalties for smuggling, and placed new taxes on products from non-British territories.

Why was the Stamp Act of 1765-66 significant compared to previous British tax policies?

It was a direct tax laid on the colonies specifically for the purpose of raising revenue on all paper used for official documents.

What principle regarding taxation was asserted in the Virginia Resolves of 1765?

That the General Assembly of Virginia had the only and exclusive right and power to lay taxes upon the inhabitants of the colony.

How many delegates and colonial assemblies were represented at the Stamp Act Congress of 1765 in New York City?

27 delegates from 9 colonial assemblies.

What intercolonial organization was formed to oppose the Stamp Act under the slogan "Liberty and Property!"?

The Sons of Liberty.

How did Parliament defend its right to tax the colonies under the concept of "Virtual Representation"?

Parliament argued that all British subjects were represented in Parliament, even if they did not elect representatives.

Which act did Parliament pass in 1766 immediately after repealing the Stamp Act?

The Declaratory Act, asserting full power and authority to make laws binding the colonies in all cases whatsoever.

What imported products were taxed under the Townshend Duties of 1767-70?

Glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea.

How did colonial women known as the "Daughters of Liberty" support the non-importation boycotts?

By boycotting British products and producing homespun textiles.

Which single duty was maintained by Parliament when the Townshend Duties were repealed in 1770?

The tax on tea.

What were the key facts of the Boston Massacre in 1770?

8 British soldiers were harassed by a crowd, fired into it, and killed 5 colonists; all but two British soldiers were acquitted.

What colonial communication network was formed following the 1772 Gaspee incident?

Committees of Correspondence.

Why did Parliament pass the Tea Act of 1773?

To provide a financial bailout to the British East India Company by lowering the price of imported British tea.

How many chests of tea were dumped during the Boston Tea Party in 1774?

342 chests of tea.

What were the five acts that made up the 1774 Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)?

1. Boston Port Act, 2. Massachusetts Government Act, 3. Impartial Administration of Justice Act, 4. Quartering Act, 5. Quebec Act.

What was the purpose of the First Continental Congress that met in Philadelphia in September 1774?

To organize resistance to the Coercive Acts and support Massachusetts, with delegates from 12 of 13 colonies declaring "We demand no new rights."

What were the casualty figures for the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775?

273 British soldiers killed or wounded, and 95 colonists killed or wounded.

What was the historical significance of the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775?

It was a British victory at a very high cost that demonstrated Americans could and would fight the British army.

What two contrasting measures were adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1775?

The Declaration of the Causes and Necessity for Taking Up Arms (establishing the Continental Army) and the Olive Branch Petition (an affirmation of loyalty to the King).

What main arguments did Thomas Paine present in his 1776 pamphlet Common Sense?

He ridiculed the idea of monarchy and argued that the people, not the king, are the ultimate governing authority.

What precondition did France require before agreeing to an alliance with the American colonies?

The Americans had to declare independence from Britain.

What proportion of American colonists strongly favored independence versus remaining Loyalists in 1776?

40% strongly favored independence, while 20% remained Loyalists.

How did former slaves participate in the British military during the Revolutionary War?

Approximately 20,000 former slaves fought for the British army after being offered freedom in exchange for running away and joining.