The Shot Heard Round the World

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, people, and events from the lecture notes on the American Revolution and 'The Shot Heard Round the World'.

Continental Congress

A political assembly created to act as a unified voice for the colonies, consisting of 55 delegates from 12 colonies (except Georgia) who gathered in Philadelphia to express resistance against new British taxes.

Patriots

American colonists or anyone against the King who urged resistance or the repeal of British taxes.

Loyalists

Also referred to as Tories, colonists who remained loyal to King George and wished to remain part of Great Britain.

Minutemen

American Patriot militia members ready to fight at a moment's notice; 70 Minutemen fought British troops at Lexington.

Battles of Lexington and Concord

The opening battles of the American Revolution that occurred after 700 British troops marched from Boston to capture weapons and arrest Sam Adams and John Hancock.

Shot Heard Round the World

The term used to describe the initial fighting at Lexington and Concord that marked the beginning of the American Revolution.

Thomas Jefferson

The individual assigned to draft the Declaration of Independence to declare independence from Great Britain.

Thomas Paine

The author who published the pamphlet Common Sense.

Common Sense

A pamphlet published by Thomas Paine written in simple prose for everyday people, explaining why the colonies should break away from Great Britain.