The War for Independence Flashcards

Flashcards covering key events, documents, battles, and figures from the American War for Independence based on lecture notes.

According to the principles of mercantilism, how do governments gain power?

By restricting trade and exporting more goods than they import.

What requirements were set by the Navigation Acts regarding trading vessels and their crews?

Goods had to be shipped in colonial or British ships, and vessels had to be operated by crews that were at least 3/4 English or colonial.

How did King Charles II punish Massachusetts in 1684 for illegal trade and smuggling?

He revoked the corporate charter of Massachusetts after Puritan leaders claimed they did not need Parliament's permission to operate.

What was the economic policy known as 'salutary neglect'?

An arrangement where England loosened trade restrictions on the colonies in return for economic loyalty and the continued flow of raw materials to Britain.

Which region was disputed between Britain and France, leading directly to the French and Indian War?

The Ohio River Valley.

Who led the colonial forces at Fort Necessity, ultimately losing the battle but sparking the French and Indian War?

George Washington.

Based on these boundary maps, how did territorial control in North America change between 1754 and 1763?

France ceded its territory, with Great Britain gaining Canada and land east of the Mississippi River, while Spain acquired Louisiana.

What measures were included in the Sugar Act of 1764 introduced by Prime Minister George Grenville?

It halved the duty on foreign-made molasses, placed taxes on certain imports, and strengthened law enforcement against smuggling.

What political cartoon was published to urge colonial unity against common threats during the era of conflict?

The 'JOIN, or DIE.' cartoon depicting a snake severed into political segments.

Which items required an official British stamp under the Stamp Act of 1765?

Legal documents, playing cards, pamphlets, and newspapers.

Who was a key organizer of the Sons of Liberty who protested the Stamp Act by harassing stamp agents?

Samuel Adams.

What items were taxed by the Townshend Acts, and how were these taxes collected?

Glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea; they were indirect taxes collected at ports rather than paid directly by consumers.

Who was Crispus Attucks?

A colonist killed during the Boston Massacre, recognized as the first of three who died on the scene.

What event took place on December 16, 1773, to protest the Tea Act?

The Boston Tea Party, where colonial rebels dumped 18,000 pounds of tea into Boston Harbor.

What were the key consequences imposed on Boston by the Intolerable Acts?

The closing of Boston Harbor, the Quartering Act allowing soldiers to be housed in private buildings, and the imposition of martial law.

What main points were outlined in the First Continental Congress's Declaration of Rights and Grievances?

That Parliament could not impose taxes on colonies, colonies should manage their own affairs, and colonists would fight back if Britain used force.

Which three riders were dispatched on April 18th, 1775, to warn that British Regulars were coming?

Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott.

What happened when British troops confronted minutemen on the village green at Lexington on April 19, 1775?

An unknown shot was fired, leading British troops to retaliate, killing 8 minutemen and injuring 10.

What key actions were taken by the Second Continental Congress in May 1775?

They established the Continental Army, appointed George Washington as its leader, authorized printing money to pay troops, and created a foreign affairs committee.

Where was the Battle of Bunker Hill actually fought on June 17, 1775?

Breed's Hill.

How did King George III react to the Olive Branch Petition sent by the Second Continental Congress?

He rejected the petition, formally declared the colonies to be in rebellion, and ordered a naval blockade along the American coast.

What arguments were made by Thomas Paine in his famous pamphlet 'Common Sense'?

He attacked King George III, stated that monarchies were bad and government was a 'necessary evil', and urged the colonies to form an independent republic.

Which political thinker's concepts of 'natural rights' heavily influenced Thomas Jefferson's drafting of the Declaration of Independence?

John Locke.

What were the key details and outcome of George Washington's surprise attack at Trenton on Christmas night 1776?

Washington led 2,400 men across the Delaware River and surprised Hessian troops at 8 am, resulting in 30 Hessians killed, 918 captured, and 6 cannons seized.

Why was the American victory at Saratoga in October 1777 considered a turning point in the war?

It led to France formally recognizing American independence and signing an official military alliance in February 1778.

What severe hardships did the Continental Army face at Valley Forge during the winter camp?

Bitter cold, exposure, and frostbite, leading to the deaths of over 2,000 out of 10,000 soldiers.

How did Friedrich Von Steuben assist the Continental Army at Valley Forge?

He trained soldiers to stand at attention, execute field maneuvers, fire and reload quickly, and effectively wield bayonets.

What specific contributions did Marquis de Lafayette make to the American war effort?

He joined Washington at Valley Forge, successfully lobbied for French military reinforcements, and led a military command in Virginia.

What happened during the Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina?

American troops led by General Morgan fought back against pursuing British forces, leading to a British defeat with over 800 British soldiers killed.

How did American and French forces secure General Cornwallis's surrender at the Battle of Yorktown?

Combined forces trapped Cornwallis on the peninsula, blocked Chesapeake Bay, and subjected his troops to constant bombardment for 3 weeks until his surrender on October 17, 1781.

What boundaries were set for the new nation in the Treaty of Paris in September 1783?

From the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River, and from the Canadian border to the Florida border.