Declaration of Independence I: To Tom Paine

What were the Coercive Acts meant to accomplish?

Force Boston to reimburse Britain for the destroyed tea.

What nickname did Americans give the Coercive Acts?

The Intolerable Acts.

What was the purpose of the Boston Port Act?

To shut down Boston Harbor until the tea was paid for.

Why did many colonies think the Boston Port Act was reasonable at first?

They thought paying for the destroyed tea was fair.

Which act turned colonial anger into unity?

The Massachusetts Government Act.

What did the Massachusetts Government Act do?

It abolished the colonial charter and imposed a military governor.

Why was the Massachusetts Government Act seen as the breaking point?

It showed Parliament could erase any colony's government.

How did other colonies react to the Intolerable Acts?

They united with Massachusetts.

What major gathering met to respond to the Intolerable Acts?

The First Continental Congress.

What document did the First Continental Congress send to Britain?

The Suffolk Resolves.

What did the Suffolk Resolves demand?

The repeal of the Coercive/Intolerable Acts.

What stance did the Suffolk Resolves take on allegiance to Britain?

Colonists owed no loyalty while the Intolerable Acts remained.

What should happen to tax money according to the Suffolk Resolves?

Taxes should be withheld from Britain until repeal.

What did the Resolves advise Massachusetts to create?

A provisional government separate from the royal one.

What military suggestion appeared in the Suffolk Resolves?

Colonies should prepare their militias.

What was the Continental Association?

A colony-wide boycott of British goods.

How was the Continental Association enforced?

Through local committees using social pressure.

What effect did these committees have on neutral colonists?

They made neutrality difficult.

Why did General Gage send troops toward Concord?

He believed militia leaders and gunpowder were stored there.

Who warned the Massachusetts militia about the British advance?

Paul Revere.

Who were the Minutemen?

Local Massachusetts militia who could mobilize rapidly.

What happened at Lexington Green?

The first shots of the Revolution.

Why did the British rout the militia at Lexington?

British troops were professional soldiers.

What tactic did Americans use against the British on the road back to Boston?

Guerrilla-style hit-and-run attacks.

What were British casualties at Lexington & Concord?

About 273 killed, wounded, or missing.

Why were American casualty numbers hard to determine?

They were informal militias with limited records.

What strategic military target did Americans seize?

Fort Ticonderoga.

Who led the capture of Fort Ticonderoga?

Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys.

Why was Fort Ticonderoga important?

It held a large supply of cannon.