Learn: The Road to Revolution: Colonial Grievances and Key Events (1763–1775)

What is republicanism?

An idea from ancient Greece & Rome that citizens must put common good over private interests.

What did radical Whig ideology warn against?

Corruption and arbitrary power of the king.

What were the colonial conditions in America before the revolution?

No dukes, princes, or nobles; widespread property ownership; accustomed to self-government.

What is mercantilism?

The economic theory that wealth equals power, measured in gold/silver, and that colonies exist to supply raw materials and buy British goods.

What were the Navigation Laws?

Laws requiring colonial trade to use British ships and that certain products could only go to Britain.

What was a consequence of the currency shortage in the colonies?

Colonies bought more from Britain than they sold, draining gold/silver out.

What was the Royal Veto?

Britain's ability to nullify colonial laws, which was used 469 times.

What were the benefits of mercantilism for the colonies?

Protection from the British navy & army, tobacco monopoly in Britain, and bounties for ship parts.

What were the downsides of mercantilism?

Stifled economic initiative and kept colonies in 'economic adolescence'.

What was the Stamp Act?

A tax on legal documents, newspapers, cards, etc., enforced in 1765.

What was the colonial reaction to the Stamp Act?

'No taxation without representation' and hatred for admiralty courts.

What did Britain claim about virtual representation?

That colonists were 'represented' in Parliament.

What was the Stamp Act Congress?

A meeting of 27 delegates from 9 colonies to write grievances and promote unity.

What were the Nonimportation Agreements?

Boycotts of British goods that made homespun clothing popular.

What was the Declaratory Act?

An act asserting Parliament's right to bind colonies 'in all cases whatsoever'.

What did the Townshend Acts impose?

Light import duties on glass, lead, paper, paint, and tea.

What was the Boston Massacre?

An incident in 1770 where British troops fired on townspeople, killing/wounding 11.

Who was Crispus Attucks?

The first person to die in the Boston Massacre.

What were the Committees of Correspondence?

Organized by Samuel Adams to spread resistance through letters and promote intercolonial cooperation.

What triggered the Boston Tea Party?

The refusal of Governor Hutchinson to let ships leave with tea.

What happened during the Boston Tea Party?

342 chests of tea were dumped into the harbor on December 16, 1773.

What were the Intolerable Acts?

Laws passed in 1774 that included closing the Boston harbor and restricting town meetings.

What was the First Continental Congress?

A meeting of 12 colonies in 1774 to create The Association and boycott British goods.

What happened at Lexington and Concord?

British marched to seize gunpowder; 8 Americans were killed at Lexington, and Americans forced a British retreat at Concord.

What were the British strengths during the revolution?

Population advantage, strong navy, and professional army.

What were the American strengths during the revolution?

Great leadership, fighting defensively, and moral advantage.

What role did African Americans play in the revolution?

Over 5,000 fought for Americans, and many fled to join the British for promised freedom.