History Test - American Revolution

Causes of the American Revolution

Causes include: French and Indian War debt, end of Salutary Neglect, British taxation (Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Acts), lack of colonial representation, Republicanism, and desire for self-government. Question of inevitability: combination of economic, political, and ideological factors.

French and Indian War (1754–1763)

Conflict between Britain and France over North American territory. British victory increased debt, leading to taxation of colonies and rising tensions.

Sugar Act (1764)

Law passed by Britain to enforce customs duties on sugar and molasses; violations tried in Admiralty courts, guilty until proven innocent.

Quartering Act (1765)

Required colonies to provide food and housing for British troops stationed in America.

Stamp Act (1765)

Required colonists to use stamped paper for legal documents; aimed to raise revenue for defense. Violators faced Admiralty courts without trial by jury.

"No taxation without representation"

Colonists argued legislation by Parliament was acceptable, but taxation without colonial representation was unjust.

Stamp Act Congress (1765)

27 delegates from 9 colonies met in New York City to protest the Stamp Act, issued Declaration of Rights and Grievances, requested repeal. Early step toward intercolonial unity.

Declaratory Act (1766)

Passed after Stamp Act repeal; asserted Parliament's authority to tax and legislate for the colonies in all cases whatsoever.

Townshend Acts (1767)

Import taxes on glass, white lead, paper, paint, and tea. British troops sent to enforce, increasing colonial resentment.

Committees of Correspondence (1772–1773)

Formed by Samuel Adams and other leaders to maintain intercolonial communication and coordinate resistance. Spread to nearly all colonies by 1773.

Boston Tea Party & Intolerable Acts (1773–1774)

Colonists protested tea taxes by dumping tea into Boston Harbor. British punished Massachusetts with Coercive/Intolerable Acts: closed Boston Harbor, increased British troops, enforced tea payments.

First Continental Congress (1774)

12 colonies (no Georgia) sent 55 delegates to Philadelphia to respond to Intolerable Acts. Created Declaration of Rights and The Continental Association (boycott of British goods).

Second Continental Congress (May 10, 1775)

De facto national government; created Continental Army, appointed George Washington as commander, issued Olive Branch Petition.

Olive Branch Petition (July 8, 1775)

Attempted to restore harmony with Britain; King George III rejected it and ordered a naval blockade.

Common Sense (January 1776)

Published by Thomas Paine; argued for complete independence from Britain, rallied colonial support.

American vs British Advantages and Disadvantages

Americans: fighting for a cause, local knowledge, guerrilla tactics; lacked navy, professional army, supplies, and had mixed support. British: professional army, strongest navy, hired German troops, many resources; disadvantages: 3,000 miles from America, unfamiliar terrain, lack of support in England.

Lexington and Concord (April 1775)

American victory. British mission to seize colonial gunpowder and arrest leaders. Casualties: British 19 officers & 250 soldiers; Americans ≤90. Leaders: Americans—Barrett, Buttrick, Robinson; British—Smith, Pitcairn, Percy. Significance: Showed colonists could resist British forces.

Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775)

British victory after 3 assaults. Casualties: Americans 140 killed, 300+ wounded; British 226 killed, 828 wounded. Leaders: Americans—Prescott, Putnam, Warren. Significance: Showed Americans could stand up to British, boosted morale.

Fort Ticonderoga (May 10, 1775)

British victory under Burgoyne; Americans: ~3,000 troops. Casualties: 18 Americans, 5 British. Significance: Captured without a shot; setback for Americans.

Quebec (December 31, 1775)

British victory; American invasion of Canada failed. Casualties: Americans ~500, British ~20. Leaders: Americans—Montgomery, Arnold; British—Carleton, Maclean. Significance: Secured British dominance, fueled revolutionary sentiment.

Fort Washington (November 16, 1776)

British/Hessian victory; secured Manhattan Island. Americans: ~3,000 troops, 53–59 killed, 96–100+ wounded, 2,818–2,838 captured. British/Hessians: ~8,000 troops, 78–86 killed, ~374 wounded. Leaders: Americans—Magaw, Greene, Washington; British—Howe; Hessians—von Knyphausen. Significance: Ended Continental Army presence in NYC, forced Washington’s retreat.

Long Island (August 27, 1776)

British victory; Americans escaped across East River. Casualties: Americans ~1,000, British ~400. Leaders: Americans—Washington; British—Howe. Significance: Preserved Continental Army to continue war.

Trenton (December 26, 1776)

American victory; surprise attack on Hessians after crossing Delaware River. Casualties: Americans 5 wounded, Hessians 900 captured, 100+ killed/wounded. Leaders: Americans—Washington; Hessians—Rall. Significance: Boosted morale, encouraged re-enlistments.

Princeton (January 3, 1777)

American victory; winter attack. Casualties: Americans 25–44 killed; British 50–100 killed. Leaders: Americans—Washington; British—Mawhood. Significance: Boosted morale, encouraged re-enlistments.

Marquis de Lafayette

French aristocrat who became a major general in the Continental Army at 19; helped secure crucial French aid for the colonies.

Articles of Confederation (1781)

First written constitution adopted by the colonies; established a weak central government with limited powers.

Continental Paper Money

Shortage of metallic money forced Continental Congress to print paper money, which quickly depreciated; states also printed their own currency.

Valley Forge (Winter 1777–1778)

American soldiers endured severe hardship; went without food for 3 days. Baron von Steuben trained and drilled the Continental Army, greatly improving discipline and effectiveness. Lord Dunmore formed Ethiopian Regiment by promising freedom to enslaved Africans who joined British forces.

Bennington (August 16, 1777)

American victory. Casualties: Americans ~30 killed, 40 wounded; British/Hessians ~200 killed, 700 wounded. Leaders: Americans—Stark, Warner; British—Baum, Breymann. Significance: Boosted morale, gained supplies, weakened British army.

Brandywine Creek (September 11, 1777)

British victory; captured Philadelphia. Casualties: Americans ~1,300; British ~600. British advantage: heavy fog. Significance: Strategic and symbolic blow.

Freeman’s Farm (September 19, 1777)

American victory. Casualties: Americans 360; British/Germans 600. Significance: Demonstrated Americans could defend themselves; began British decline before Saratoga surrender.

Saratoga (September 17, 1777)

American victory; Burgoyne surrendered. Troops: Americans 15,000–17,000; British/Allies 7,000–7,500. Leaders: Americans—Arnold, Gates, Morgan, Lincoln, Riedesel; British—Burgoyne. Significance: Turning point; secured French support; first large British surrender.

Monmouth (June 28, 1778)

American tactical victory. Leaders: Lee (initial), Washington (regrouped). Significance: Showed Continental Army could fight British in open battle; British retreated.

Cowpens (January 17, 1781)

American victory; Daniel Morgan used double envelopment. Casualties: Americans 149; British 850. Leaders: Americans—Morgan; British—Tarleton. Significance: Tactical brilliance, boosted morale, crippled British, set up Yorktown.

Guilford Courthouse (March 15, 1781)

British tactical victory; heavy British casualties weakened army. Casualties: Americans 79 killed, 185 wounded, 1,000+ missing/captured; British ~28% casualties. Leaders: Americans—Greene; British—Cornwallis. Significance: Hurt British more than helped; led to Yorktown.

Yorktown (September 28 – October 19, 1781)

American victory; French naval blockade trapped Cornwallis, Washington and Rochambeau besieged army. Casualties: Americans 88; British 142–309. Leaders: Americans/French—Washington, Rochambeau, de Grasse, Lafayette, Knox, von Steuben; British—Cornwallis. Significance: Final major battle; led to American independence and peace negotiations.