VA and US History: Revolution

Treaty of Paris

peace treaty signed in 1783 that ended the Revolutionary War and affirmed American independence

Guerilla warfare

nontraditional combat methods

Revolution

forcible overthrow of a government in favor of a new system or change

Patriot

A colonist who favored independence instead of the crown

Loyalist

Colonist who remained loyal to Britain during the Revolutionary War

Siege

A military tactic in which an enemy is surrounded and all supplies are cut off in an attempt to force a surrender

Redcoats

British soldiers loyal to the king

Mercenary

Professional soldier who is paid to fight in a foreign army

Boycott

When a group collectively refuses to buy a good or service as a protest

Blockade

Military tactic in which a navy prevents vessels from entering or leaving its enemy’s ports

Tariff

A tax on imported goods

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting freedoms guaranteed to citizens by the government

Boston massacre

incident on March 5, 1770, in which British soldiers killed five colonists in Boston

Battle of Lexington and Concord

the battle where first shots are fired to the Revolutionary War

Declaration of Independence

Document drawn up by the Second Continental Congress, and approved in 1776, that announced American independence and explained the reasons for it

Thomas Paine

Supporter of the Revolution and the author of Common Sense

John Locke

English philosopher known as an enlightenment thinker; supported limited government