Intro
Name the first english settlement in the New World
Jamestown
Who were the Sons of Liberty?
A group of men run by Sam Adams to react to how Britain was treating the colonists with all the new taxes and considering if they should revolt and start their own country.
Who was Benedict Arnold?
He was a successful Colonel in the US militia, who eventually was embarrassed and removed from his command by General Washington. This led to Arnold turning on the US and joining forces with he British. He became known as the major American traitor of the revolution.
Explain the Delaware crossing and its impact on the war.
General Washington crossed the Delaware in the middle of Christmas Eve night and surprised the British, marking a huge victory for the colonists, and allowing them time to regroup over the winter.
Explain who Molly Patchers are?
Women who worked the revolution as support, usually as a water gatherer during a battle, but in several cases needed up taking over the cannon and becoming part of the battle.
Name the first democracy in modern history.
The Unites States
What was the Boston Massacre?
A group of British soldiers hanging out at the Old State House, in Boston were surrounded by angry Americans who threw things at the soldiers. The British troops fired on the Americans and the first American casualty is considered to have happened that day to Crispus Attucks.
What is Democracy as a form of government?
Where people in a country get to vote for the leadership in the country. Ours is currently a representative democracy, because we don't vote on every single law, we elect people who make most of the decisions and we get to vote on those people to represent us. We have three major parts to the Federal government: The President (Executive Branch), the Senate and House of Representatives (Congressional Branch), and the Supreme Court (Judicial Branch).
What did Cornwallis find when he woke up on Christmas Day?
That the Americans had left their camp in the middle of the night and left them to wait for winter to pass.
What was the Culper Ring
A group of spies in NYC, who helped turn the tide of the war with many important pieces of information sent directly to General Washington.
Which future US president had part of his hand chopped off by a British soldier for being disrespectful after he was captured?
Andrew Jackson
What was the Tea Act?
The Tea Act placed a big tax on tea, and then it said nobody was allowed to buy tea from anyone except the Brotosh East India Company. Putting out of business lot of American businesses.
Who were the Hessians?
German mercenaries hired by Britain to fight against the colonists.
Who is the Marquis de Lafayette?
A young French nobleman who was interested in the idea of self-leadership. So he came over on his own dime and supported the Americans in their was against the British. He was instrumental in giving money, leadership and eventually talking the French into joining the war.
What is West Point?
An important fort in NY that was fought over when Benedict Arnold turned, and eventually needed up being the current Army military college.
What was the Fresh Indian War called in Europe?
The 7 Years War
What did the lights in the Old North Church have to do with the revolution?
Two lights were up in the steeple side by side. If one was lit, it told the riders of the Sons of Liberty that the Red Coats were coming by land, and two meant they were coming by sea. This allowed riders from all over Boston to see it, get in their horses and ride to many different locations to warn the militias the British were coming and how.
When Britain won NYC back from the colonists by General Howe, why was this important?
New York was one of the larges treading ports and the second largest city in the colonies. They were able to claim a major victory and hold the NYC harbor hostage.
Who does the current United States Army Rangers trace their heritage to from the Revolutionary War?
Daniel Morgan and his band of men who had the first unit that required you to pass a test to join known as Morgan's Rangers.
What role did the Frontier play in the revolution?
Not as many battles were fought on the Frontier, but the ones that were fought, ended up with the French and Indians becoming involved and helping the Americans fight off the British.
Why did the British think they could tax the colonists?
Because they sent troops over to protect them as British citizens during the 7 Years War from the Native Americans. So it cost them money to fight the war and the Crown through ALL British citizens should pay taxes to help rebuild after the war.
What was the Second Continental Congress, and why was it important?
In the Pennsylvania State House, a group of men who represented each of the 13 colonies in the New World, met to select a leader of the revolution, plan the way to tell Britain they planned to leave, and how they were going to pay for the revolution.
Why do we celebrate July 4th as our Independence Day?
It is the day the Continental Congress accepted the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, as the document that separated us from Britain.
Why was Friedrich von Steuben so important to the turning of the Revolutionary War?
He was German soldier who brought his money and years of experience to train the Americans over the winter into a much better fighting army.
Who was John Paul Jones?
A ships captain who killed two men before he was allowed to enter the Navy during the war as he had mad sailing skills. He eventually went on to captain two navy ships in huge US battles that won and took down the huge British Navy. He went on to the Russian Army after the Revolutionary War.