Colonies vs. Great Britain: The American Revolutionary War

Flashcards covering the causes, major figures, battles, and outcomes of the American Revolutionary War from the Stamp Act to the Treaty of Paris.

What was the Stamp Act, and what types of items did it tax?

It was a tax on paper goods that required colonists to purchase special stamped paper items which cost more, including newspapers, pamphlets, and playing cards.

Who led the Sons of Liberty, and who was the wealthy merchant who funded the group?

Sam Adams was the leader of the Sons of Liberty, and John Hancock was the wealthy merchant who funded them.

What were the three important responses organized by the Sons of Liberty against the Stamp Act?

1. Threaten all Stamp Collectors (very effective)
2. Organize a meeting of reps from the colonies
3. Boycott of British Goods

What were the Townshend Acts, and why did Britain believe colonists would not protest them as strongly?

They raised prices on imported goods such as glass, paint, and tea. Britain hoped colonists would not make a big deal because the tax was not as obvious since there was no visible stamp.

How did colonists, especially women, maintain the success of boycotts against British goods?

Women made homespuns (homemade clothes worn with pride to show patriotism), shared homemade tea recipes made from nature, and people made do without certain items or bought smuggled goods.

What occurred during the Boston Massacre, and how many colonists died?

A violent mob threw things at British troops who had been sent to enforce taxes and catch smugglers; British soldiers fired into the crowd, killing 5 colonists.

What system did colonists organize after the Boston Massacre to warn each other about British actions?

They organized committees of correspondence.

What caused the Boston Tea Party, and what action did the colonists take?

Angered by British interference and the Tea Act, merchants disguised as Indians dumped $18,000$ pounds of British tea into Boston Harbor.

What measures were imposed by Great Britain under the Intolerable Acts?

They shut down Boston Harbor, enacted the Quartering Act forcing colonists to house British troops, appointed Thomas Gage as the new governor of Massachusetts, and placed Boston under martial law.

When did the 1st Continental Congress meet, and what key decisions were made?

In September 1774, $56$ delegates met in Philadelphia, agreed that Britain went too far with the Intolerable Acts, decided colonies should run themselves, and began secretly organizing militias and storing weapons.

What were Minutemen?

Civilian soldiers ready at a minute's notice.

Why did British leader Thomas Gage send his troops to Concord and Lexington?

To seize weapons assembled in Concord and to arrest Sam Adams and John Hancock in Lexington.

Which three individuals spread the warning that 'The British are Coming!' before the battles of Lexington and Concord?

Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Dr. Samuel Prescott.

What happened at the Battle of Lexington?

$70$ minutemen waited in a tense standoff with British troops until someone fired the 'shot heard around the world'; lasting only $15$ minutes, $8$ colonists were killed and no British died.

What was the outcome of the confrontation at Concord?

The weapons were gone and thousands of colonists were waiting; the British were forced to retreat to Boston, and over $100$ British soldiers were killed on the march back.

What four major actions did the Second Continental Congress decide to take?

1. Create a national army (Continental Army)
2. Appoint George Washington as the leader of the Continental Army
3. Deal with other countries (France)
4. Print their own money

Where was the Battle of Bunker Hill actually fought, and why did the British ultimately succeed in breaking through?

It was fought on Breed's Hill; the British charged the hill three separate times and succeeded only because the Continental Army suffered a lack of supplies.

What were the casualty numbers and common themes from the Battle of Bunker Hill?

There were $450$ colonial casualties and over $1000$ British casualties. The recurring themes were that the Colonial Army struggled with supplies and needed help, while the British Army was overconfident and underestimated the colonists.

How did Patriot forces force the British army to evacuate Boston after Bunker Hill?

Armies led by Ethan Allen (Green Mountain Boys) and Benedict Arnold captured British weapons and cannons at Fort Ticonderoga, and Patriots threatened to destroy Boston with cannons if the British did not leave.

What was the Olive Branch Petition?

A letter written by the colonists to King George III asking for peace as a last-ditch attempt to avoid war, which King George III rejected.

What two primary arguments were made in Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense?

1. It was our God-given destiny to be free.
2. We would rule ourselves better than Great Britain.

What are the three sections of the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson?

1st Section: American beliefs 2nd Section: Why we are mad at Great Britain 3rd Section: Actual Declaration

What proportion of the population were Patriots, and why did Loyalists oppose independence?

A little over $\frac{1}{2}$ were Patriots. Loyalists favored Great Britain due to financial benefits/ties, doubt that colonists could rule better, work connections with England, and fear of British military might.

What were the key strengths and weaknesses of the Continental Army?

Strengths: Knew the land, Washington was an effective and smart leader, and fought for a cause (freedom). Weaknesses: Ineffective government, lack of supplies, small and inexperienced army, and no navy.

What were the key strengths and weaknesses of the British Army?

Strengths: World's strongest army, strong and wealthy government, unlimited supplies and money, and Loyalist support in America. Weaknesses: Generals lacked urgency and understanding, war fatigue (too far from home, too long), and did not understand the land or guerrilla fighting.

What happened during the New York campaign in 1776?

General William Howe and Admiral Richard Howe brought $32,000$ men (including German Hessians) to New York; Washington's untrained force of $23,000$ lost every battle, dwindling to just $8,000$ troops by October.

What occurred at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton?

At Trenton, Washington led a surprise Christmas morning attack capturing almost $1000$ hungover Hessians. At Princeton, Washington won another victory over $1200$ British soldiers.

What hardships did the Continental Army face at Valley Forge, and what did General Howe do in Philadelphia?

During the winter of 1776–77 at Valley Forge, horrible conditions killed $2,000$ soldiers. Meanwhile, British General Howe captured the American capital of Philadelphia and chose to host a huge party rather than pursue Washington.

What caused General John Burgoyne's plan to fail at Saratoga?

His direct route was blocked by timber, his army carried too many useless supplies (booze, clothes, etc.), General Howe did not leave Philadelphia to meet him, and General Horatio Gates wore down his troops with hit-and-run attacks.

Why is the Battle of Saratoga considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War?

It boosted American confidence, caused the British to shift their strategy to the South, and convinced the French that America could win, prompting France to openly supply troops, supplies, and navy.

How did Friedrich von Steuben and the Marquis de Lafayette assist the Continental Army?

Friedrich von Steuben (a Prussian General) trained Washington's army in European-style warfare, while the Marquis de Lafayette (a French military leader) was critical in securing French governmental and military support.

What was the British strategy in the South under General George Cornwallis, and what was his initial success?

Cornwallis planned to win battles in the South and then move North to help capture Washington. He won early battles at Charles Town and Camden, controlling all of Georgia and South Carolina by 1780.

How did General Nathaniel Greene counter Cornwallis in the Carolinas?

He constantly harassed Cornwallis using guerrilla warfare; outnumbered American troops won at Cowpens, and at Guilford Courthouse they inflicted heavy casualties (killing or capturing over $\frac{1}{4}$ of Cornwallis' men), forcing Cornwallis to flee to Virginia.

How was General Cornwallis defeated at the Battle of Yorktown?

Cornwallis camped on a Virginia peninsula waiting for reinforcements, but the French Navy defeated the British Navy; Washington, Lafayette, and von Steuben trapped him on land while the French fleet blocked sea exits, forcing Cornwallis to surrender on October 17, 1781.

What were the primary outcomes of the Treaty of Paris and the Revolutionary War?

The Treaty of Paris officially ended the war, recognized American independence, and granted America all lands east of the Mississippi River, inspiring democratic revolutions across Europe while leaving unresolved issues regarding slavery, self-governance, and Native Americans.