Untitled Flashcard Set

Age of Revolution

Called this because colonies around the world fought for liberty and independence.

Britain’s view of colonists after Seven Years’ War

Saw colonists as needing to help pay war debts through taxes.

Virtual representation

Parliament claimed all British subjects were represented, even without colonial representatives.

Other issues angering colonists

Standing armies in colonies, limits on westward expansion, and new taxes.

Sugar Act resentment

Colonists upset it lowered duty but enforced stricter trade regulations.

Stamp Act change in policy

First direct internal tax placed on colonists.

Items taxed by Stamp Act

Legal documents, newspapers, playing cards, and other paper goods.

Why Stamp Act angered colonists

Taxed them without representation.

Colonists’ self-view vs British view

Colonists saw themselves as loyal Englishmen; Britain saw them as subordinates.

Patrick Henry and Virginia Resolves

Declared only colonial assemblies could tax colonists.

Stamp Act Congress actions

Merchants agreed to boycott British goods.

Why no revolution yet

Colonists still hoped for compromise and loyalty to Britain.

Liberty as a rallying cry

Used in protests, speeches, and resistance against Britain.

Sam Adams’ Committee of Correspondence

Coordinated communication and resistance among colonies.

Sons of Liberty actions

Organized protests and intimidated tax collectors.

Outcome of Stamp Act

Repealed; Parliament issued Declaratory Act asserting authority.

South Carolina Regulators

Wanted more courts and local government; were backcountry farmers.

North Carolina Regulators

Opposed corrupt officials; defeated at Battle of Alamance; were small farmers.

Elite reluctance to challenge Britain

Feared chaos and loss of their own power.

Purpose of Townshend Acts

Taxed imports like glass, lead, paint, and tea.

Colonial reaction

Boycotts and protests.

Daughters of Liberty

Women who made homespun goods to resist British imports.

Events of Boston Massacre

British soldiers fired into a crowd, killing five colonists.

Crispus Attucks

First casualty, a man of African and Native descent.

Paul Revere’s engraving

Propaganda showing British as aggressors.

Collapse of boycott

Merchants wanted trade to resume.

Agreement reached

Britain repealed most duties but kept tea tax.

East India Company tea

Allowed to sell cheap tea, undercutting colonial merchants.

Boston Tea Party events

Colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor in protest.

Why passed and what they did

Punished Massachusetts; closed Boston Harbor, restricted town meetings, quartered troops.

Quebec Act complaints

Extended Canada into Ohio Valley; recognized Catholicism.

Suffolk Resolves

Called for boycotts and resistance.

Reason for Continental Congress

To coordinate colonial response to British acts.

Patrick Henry’s famous words

“Give me liberty, or give me death!”

Continental Association

Called for complete boycott of British goods.

Committees of Safety

Enforced boycotts and organized local resistance.

John Locke’s natural rights

Life, liberty, and property; government by consent.

Start of Revolutionary War

Lexington and Concord, April 1775.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Proved colonists could stand against British regulars.

Three main actions of Second Continental Congress

Raised an army, printed money, appointed George Washington.

Britain’s response

Declared colonies in rebellion.

Opposition to independence

Some feared economic ruin and stronger British retaliation.

Elites favoring independence

Massachusetts and Virginia elites led the push.

Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation

Offered freedom to enslaved who fought for Britain, angering Southern leaders.

New York & Pennsylvania opposition

Many feared disruption to trade and diverse loyalties.

Thomas Paine’s background

English immigrant and radical writer.

Message of Common Sense

Called monarchy corrupt and urged independence.

Paine’s style

Wrote in plain language for common people.

Success of Common Sense

Widely read and pushed public opinion toward independence.

July 2 and July 4

Congress voted for independence July 2; adopted Declaration July 4.

Removed clause

Criticized slavery, deleted to gain Southern support.

Importance of preamble

Declared universal rights and principles of freedom.

Jefferson’s justification

Britain violated natural rights; colonies had right to break away.

Pursuit of happiness

Tied personal freedom to the democratic process.

American exceptionalism

Belief America was unique in defending liberty.

Workshop of liberty

America would be an example of freedom for the world.

Jefferson’s hope

Inspire oppressed peoples worldwide.

Global influence

Inspired revolutions in Europe, Latin America, and beyond.

British advantages

Large army, navy, and resources.

American advantages

Fighting at home, motivated cause, foreign allies.

Black soldiers in Continental Army

Thousands fought for hope of freedom.

Enslaved men in British army

Promised freedom if they served Britain.

Soldiers going home

Many left due to short enlistments and poor conditions.

Trenton and Princeton

Surprise victories boosted morale.

Washington before crossing Delaware

Inspired men with words and bold leadership.

Why British lost at Saratoga

Poor planning and surrounded by Americans.

Impact of victory at Saratoga

Brought France into war as ally.

Valley Forge

Harsh winter; training and unity built under Washington.

Impact of Saratoga globally

Led France, Spain, and Netherlands to fight Britain.

Role in defeat of Britain

Stretched British forces worldwide.

Westward movement of colonists

Many leaders speculated in western lands.

Native alliances

Chose sides based on survival and promises.

Native preference for Britain

Britain limited colonial westward expansion.

Joseph and Mary Brant

Mohawk leaders who supported the British.

War’s impact on Natives

Brought destruction regardless of side chosen.

Southern social tensions

Britain hoped to exploit enslaved population and loyalists.

Low point in 1780

Major defeats, loss of morale, desertions.

Yorktown victory

Washington trapped Cornwallis with French help.

Marquis de Lafayette

French noble who aided American cause.

Battle of Yorktown outcome

Cornwallis surrendered in October 1781.

Treaty of Paris concluded

1783.

American negotiators

Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay.

Treaty agreements

U.S. independence, land to Mississippi River; loyalists’ rights protected.

British colonies not joining fight

Canada, Caribbean islands, and some others stayed loyal.