The American Revolution

Salutary Neglect

A period from 1630 to 1763 when the colonies were largely ignored by the English government, leading to a lack of rules.

Perspectives on the French and Indian War

The British viewed themselves as heroes who saved the colonies, despite incurring significant debt (~130 million pounds). The Americans believed they were the real heroes.

Stamp Act and Quartering Act

Britain's Two Directives in 1765

Proclamation of 1763

A decree that prohibited colonists from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Mutiny Act

A British law enacted in 1689 to ensure military discipline by allowing punishment for disobedience.

Sugar Act (1764)

It imposed an external tax on sugar products, making producers pay the cost.

Currency Act (1764)

A British act that prohibited American colonies from issuing paper money.

James Otis

An American lawyer and activist who supported patriotic causes in Massachusetts at the start of the American Revolution.

Stamp Act Congress

A meeting in 1765 in New York City where representatives from colonies united against the Stamp Act.

Pontiac's Rebellion

A 1763 uprising by Native Americans against British rule, which influenced British policies towards the colonies.

Albany Plan of Union

A proposal in 1754 to create a centralized government for the British North American colonies, which was never implemented.

Regulator Movement

An uprising in North Carolina from 1766 to 1771 against corrupt colonial officials.

Stamp Agents

They were responsible for distributing and selling the taxed stamps required by the British Parliament.

Declaratory Act (1767)

An act affirming British authority over the colonies, stating that England could legislate for the colonies despite boycotts.

Townshend Duties (1767)

Taxes imposed on the colonies to raise revenue for British officials, reducing British control over them.

Writ of Assistance

A legal document that allowed British officials to search colonial homes and businesses without specific warrants.

Boston Massacre

A deadly confrontation on March 5, 1770, where British soldiers killed five colonists, escalating anti-British sentiment.

Crispus Attucks

A black man regarded as the first casualty of the Boston Massacre.

Committees of Correspondence

Political organizations that coordinated opposition to British Parliament and supported American independence.

Gaspee Incident

In June 1772, Rhode Island colonists attacked and burned the British customs schooner HMS Gaspee.

Boston Tea Party

A protest on December 16, 1773, where colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor to oppose the Tea Act.

Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)

A series of punitive measures aimed at Boston to enforce compliance with British rule.

Tea Act

An act that lowered the price of tea but still imposed a tax, leading to colonial protests.

Loyal Nine

A group of wealthy individuals who supported the Sons of Liberty while avoiding direct confrontation with British authorities.

Patrick Henry's quote, 'Give me liberty, or give me death'

It expressed the radical sentiment for independence and resistance against British rule.

Second Continental Congress

A meeting that began in May 1775 in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, where some delegates pushed for independence.

Olive Branch Petition

A last-ditch effort by the Second Continental Congress in July 1775 to prevent war with Great Britain by appealing to King George III.

Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense'

Published in January 1776, it argued that a continent should not be ruled by an island and sold half a million copies by the end of the Revolution.

Lee Resolution

Passed on July 2, it declared the colonies' right to be free and independent states.

Declaration Committee

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Ben Franklin, Ben Livingston, and Roger Sherman.

Four parts of the Declaration of Independence

The preamble, the introduction stating the rights of man, the indictment of King George III, and the actual declaration (Lee Resolution).

British advantages in the Revolutionary War

They had the greatest army and empire, resources, and were well-trained.

American advantages in the Revolutionary War

Familiar land, passion for the cause, and the strategy of survival rather than outright victory.

Guerilla warfare

A military strategy used by the colonists involving hit-and-run tactics and surprise attacks.

Role of African-Americans in the Revolutionary War

They fought for both sides and also worked as cooks.

Battle of Saratoga

It was the first major victory for America against the British in October 1777.

Battle of Yorktown

The Americans surrounded British General Cornwallis, leading to a decisive American victory.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

It officially ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized the independence of the United States.

General Lafayette

A French aid to George Washington during the Revolutionary War.

Henry Knox

He served as chief of artillery in all of George Washington's campaigns.

Benedict Arnold

A major general in the Continental Army who defected to the British in 1780.

Valley Forge

A winter camp where American troops endured harsh conditions and demonstrated resilience.

John Paul Jones

He is known as the 'Father of the American Navy' for his service in the Continental Navy.

Financial strategy of the Continental Congress

They printed 'Continental Dollars,' borrowed money, and sold government bonds, leading to significant debt.

General Charles Cornwallis

A British Army officer known for his role in the Revolutionary War and later as Governor-General of India.

French Alliance

The French supported the American cause, delaying the end of the war until favorable conditions with England were met.

Years of the War

1775-1783

Patriots/Rebels

the revolutionaries that were NOT LOYAL to the British government

Loyalists/Tories

LOYAL to the British government

Hessians (Mercenaries)

German government that were hired to fight with the British

British Weaknesses and Strength - Strategy

British advantages: They had the greatest army and empire, resources, and were well-trained.

American S & W - Strategy

American advantages: Familiar land, passion for the cause, and the strategy of survival rather than outright victory.

What was left out of the Declaration?

Jefferson wrote in eliminating slavery
Didn't think the Declaration would pass with the elimination cause the 13 colonies don't agree on it (not sure the South will stay with them)
"Slavery is dying… so what's the point in sabotaging this when it's gonna die anyway…" basically
The elimination is a risk
But then it lasted for 100 year years cause of the cotton machine thingy (cotton engine) and it highered production

Horatio Gates

Fought against the British and won the Battle of Saratoga.

John Burgoyne

British general defeated by the Americans at the Battle of Saratoga.

General William Howe

Commander in chief of the British army who failed to adequately prepare his forces leading to the British loss at Saratoga.

Colonel Barry St. Leger

British officer who drove Americans out of Canada and led secret missions against the colonies.

First Phase of the War: New England (1775–1776)

Included the Battle of Bunker Hill (“Fire when you see the whites of their eyes!”) where Americans held strong and a failed invasion of Quebec.

Second Phase of the War: Mid-Atlantic (1776–1778)

British won New York but showed major flaws; Americans’ victory at Saratoga led to an alliance with France.

Final Phase of the War: The South (1778–1781)

British wrongly assumed Loyalist support in the South; campaigns failed and ended with defeat at Yorktown.

Battle of Bunker Hill (1775)

Early major battle showing American determination; British technically won but suffered heavy losses.

Battle of New York (1776)

British victory that forced Washington’s retreat from New York City.

Battle of Trenton (1776)

Washington crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night to surprise and defeat Hessian troops

Battle of Saratoga (October 1777)

Major American victory at the Hudson River that convinced France to ally with the colonies.

Battle of Yorktown (October 1781)

Final major battle of the Revolution; Cornwallis trapped by Washington and French forces

Nathaniel Greene

Continental Army general who led Southern campaigns that forced Cornwallis toward Yorktown.

Nathan Hale

Continental Army spy captured and executed by the British; said “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Treaty that officially ended the American Revolution and recognized the United States as an independent nation.