American Revolution and Early American History

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing key events, battles, documents, and figures of the American Revolution and the early founding of the United States.

Proclamation of 1763

A rule stating that colonists could not settle west of the Appalachian mountains to avoid war with Indigenous people.

Stamp Act

A tax placed on materials that prompted protests from colonists.

Boston Massacre

An incident where British soldiers killed 5 colonists after a confrontation, leading to a bigger divide.

Boston Tea Party

An event where colonists dumped British tea into Boston harbor to protest taxation.

Intolerable Acts

Punishments imposed by the British people on Massachusetts after the Boston Tea Party.

First Continental Congress

A meeting where 12 colonies produced a response to the Intolerable Acts and British policies.

Lexington & Concord

Battles between colonial militia and British troops that served as the first battle of the Revolution.

Second Continental Congress

The body that managed war efforts and created the Continental Army.

George Washington

Commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Common Sense

A pamphlet arguing that the colonies should become independent.

Declaration of Independence

A document that declared the colonies independent.

Battle of Saratoga

A major American victory and turning point that helped convince France to support the U.S.

French Alliance

Formal alliance where France joined with the U.S. to provide troops, money, weapons, and naval support.

Valley Forge

A winter camp where Washington's army suffered but became trained and disciplined.

Battle of York Town

An American/French victory where Cornwallis surrendered, effectively ending major fighting.

Treaty of Paris

Agreement that officially ended the American Revolution and in which Britain recognized U.S. independence.

Loyalists

Colonists who remained loyal to Great Britain.

Articles of Confederation

America's first national government, which was weak and held most of its power within the states.

E Pluribus Unum

A Latin phrase meaning 'out of many, one,' representing the idea of separate states joining together as one nation.

Shays' Rebellion

An uprising by Massachusetts farmers that exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Slavery & Revolution

The historical context where Revolutionary ideas about liberty and equality highlighted the contradiction of slavery, though slavery continued.