The American Revolution - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key people, events, and documents from the notes on Chapter 5: The American Revolution.

Olive Branch Petition

1775 Continental Congress appeal to Britain seeking reconciliation; its rejection pushed colonists toward independence and preceded the Declaration of Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms.

Common Sense

Pamphlet by Thomas Paine advocating independence and republican government, presenting revolutionary ideas in plain language.

Declaration of Causes and Necessity of Taking up Arms

Document explaining why the colonies continued to resist Britain and fight for their rights.

Patriots

Colonists who supported independence and were eager to fight for it.

Loyalists (Tories)

Colonists loyal to the British Crown who opposed the push for independence.

Continental Congress

Representative body that directed the war effort and produced key wartime documents during the American Revolution.

Iroquois Confederacy

Alliance of six Native Nations in the Northeast; initially supported Britain, later had mixed positions during the war and influenced campaigns such as Burgoyne’s.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Ended the American Revolutionary War; recognized American independence and established U.S. borders and territorial gains.

Shays’ Rebellion

1786–87 uprising by Western Massachusetts farmers protesting debt and taxes, highlighting weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Land Ordinance of 1784

Jefferson's proposal to divide western territory into ten self-governing districts with eventual admission to Congress.

Land Ordinance of 1785

System for surveying and selling western lands to fund the national government.

Northwest Ordinance

1787 law creating the Northwest Territory, establishing governance and a path to statehood for new western states.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. constitution; created a weak central government with limited powers, leading to difficulties in governance and interstate relations.

Battle of Bunker Hill

1775 early battle near Boston; costly for both sides but demonstrated American resolve and taught the British caution.

Battle of Saratoga

1777 turning point of the war; American victory that secured a crucial French alliance and support.

General Howe

British General whose leadership in the second phase of the war was criticized, including abandoning a strategic plan to Albany.

General Burgoyne

British General whose Canadian to Albany campaign failed at Saratoga; exemplified strategic blunders in the northern campaign.

Homespun

Independence-era term for homemade clothing and goods, symbolizing self-reliance and American patriotism.

French Alliance

France’s formal alliance with the United States after Saratoga, providing crucial military aid and supplies.

Pursuit of Happiness

Natural right listed in the Declaration of Independence, alongside life and liberty.

Declaration of Independence

Document proclaiming American independence from Britain and listing grievances against King George III.