July 4, 1776
birthday of America
revolution
sudden, radical, or complete change It also means the overthrow of a ruler or government
George Washington
commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War
Thomas Jefferson
main writer of the Declaration of Independence
ratify
to approve
Republic
government where citizens elect representatives to make the laws
John Adams
obnoxious and disliked by many of the other delegates of the Continental Congress, although it appears that without him independence would not have been declared
John Locke
influenced American colonists by coming up with the idea of natural rights
Jamestown, Virginia
first permanent English Settlement in North America and it was established in 1607
The Mayflower Compact
set up a direct democracy in Plymouth
King George III
final authority of the colonies prior to the Declaration of Independence and he was the British Monarch during the period of history that is known as the American Revolution
Magna Carta
listed the rights that only applied to the British Nobles (wealthy people) and this document also limited King John's power in England when he signed it
Direct Democracy
the laws are made directly by the citizens
Tyranny
abuse of power
Militia/Minutemen
local volunteer soldiers who fought usually just to defend their own local community, colony, or state
English Bill of Rights
the rights of all English citizens Mary and William had to accept this document before they took power
Ancient Romans
influenced American Colonists by showing them that representatives make laws in a Republican form of Government
Ancient Greeks/Athenians
influenced American Colonists by showing them that the citizens make the laws in a Direct Democracy
Montesquieu
influenced American colonists by showing them that the government should be divided into three branches - the legislative, executive, and judicial
Crispus Attucks
was killed at the Boston Massacre
Hessians
paid german soldiers who fought on the side of the british
Lexington and Concord
first battles of the Revolutionary War
Dissenter
does not agree with social or common views
French and Indian War
broke out in 1754 because British colonists were moving west
Thomas Paine
Wrote Common Sense
John Hancock
has the biggest and boldest signature on the Declaration of Independence, first to sign
Boston Massacre
Five unarmed American colonists were killed at the event known as the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770
Separation of powers
is the division of government among legislative, executive, and judicial branches
Patriotism
is the feeling or expression of love for one's country
Southern Colonies
Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland
debate
talk about or argue
boycott
means to refuse to buy or use
Tories/Loyalists
did not want independence from britain
Treaty of Paris
document that officially ended the American Revolution in 1783
Patriots
people that wanted independence from britain
Middle Colonies
Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York
New England Colonies
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire
Indentured servants
agreed to work for a certain amount of time in exchange for passage, food, shelter and clothing
Paul Revere
engraving of the Boston Massacre as a form of propaganda to help unify the colonies
Continental Army
were the paid army that George Washington was the commander of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
the city in which both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written
Redcoats
British soldiers
The Anti-Slavery Clause
had to be taken out of the Declaration of Independence because not all members of Congress agreed on it
The Declaration of Independence
Signed in 1776 by US revolutionaries; it declared the United States as a free state.
What took place on March 5, 1770
The Boston Massacre
duty
tax