American Revolution Unit Study Guide

Great Britain

Defeated France in the French and Indian War, leading to massive war debts.

Salutary Neglect

A long-standing policy of loosely enforcing trade laws and allowing colonies to govern themselves.

Proclamation of 1763

Issued by King George III to prevent conflict between colonists and Native Americans, prohibiting westward settlement.

Stamp Act (1765)

A direct tax on printed materials, leading to colonial anger over lack of representation in Parliament.

Intolerable Acts (1774)

Passed by Parliament to punish Boston for the Boston Tea Party, closing the harbor and restricting local government.

Albany Plan of Union

Proposed by Benjamin Franklin to unite the colonies for mutual defense during the French and Indian War.

Sons of Liberty

Organized resistance against British policies through protests, boycotts, and direct action like the Boston Tea Party.

Daughters of Liberty

Women who supported economic resistance by weaving cloth and manufacturing goods to avoid British imports.

Committees of Correspondence

Secret networks formed for intercolonial communication about British actions.

Edenton Tea Party

A group of 51 women in North Carolina who pledged to boycott British tea and goods.

Patrick Henry

Famous for the line 'Give me liberty, or give me death!' urging military readiness.

Loyalists (Tories)

Colonists who opposed independence and supported loyalty to King George III.

Olive Branch Petition (1775)

A last effort by the Continental Congress to resolve conflicts peacefully, rejected by King George III.

Common Sense (1776)

Thomas Paine's pamphlet arguing against British rule and advocating for a republic.

Declaration of Independence (1776)

Document asserting inalienable rights and the social contract theory regarding government authority.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Modeled the Declaration of Sentiments on the Declaration of Independence to advocate for women's rights.

Frederick Douglass

Critiqued American freedom in his speech 'What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?'

Martin Luther King Jr.

Referenced the Declaration of Independence in his 'I Have a Dream' speech as a guarantee of equal rights.