Topic 3.2: The French and Indian War (1754-1763)
What were the causes of the French and Indian War (1754-1763)?
The causes of the French and Indian War were the British encroachment on French territory in the Ohio River Valley (e.g., Fort Duquesne in Western Pennsylvania was invaded by the French after George Washington said that Brit would advance). George Washington led his soldiers and native allies to retake it, which the French retook.
What effect did the French and Indian War have on British finances? How did the colonists react?
It depleted British finances, leading to increased taxation in the colonies. This angered the colonists as they cried it was without taxation, but Britain argued they had virtual representation in parliament.
What was the 1st Continental Congress? Did they call for independence?
The 1st Continental Congress met in 1774 after all the tax laws were passed (specifically in response to the Intolerable Acts). Delegates met to discuss the legislative tyranny and came to a common agreement to resist tyranny, but NOT revolt.
Did they call for independence? NOT YET (they wanted to reconcile)
What was the Patriot Cause?
The Patriot Cause hoped to establish independence from Britain. Supported by the Continental Congress and encouraged by Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
What effect did these new ideals of liberty and natural rights have on the institution of slavery (increase or decrease support)?
There was a shift toward larger sentiments against Slavery. Many northern states banned slavery, and the Continental Congress banned the importation of slaves. This sentiment was not supported in the South however, as the slaves were important in sustaining the Southern economy
What was the Albany Congress?
The Albany Congress was where Colonial delegates came to discuss frontier defense, trade, and expansion, also inviting an Iroquois League delegate(though not included).
Ben Franklin proposed the Albany Plan of Union to have a council of reps to decide on these matters, which continued efforts of self-determination (though rejected)
Following the implementation of more taxes in the colonies, the British enforced many acts that placed taxes on certain products.
List all the Acts in order leading up to the Boston Massacre?
Quartering Act of 1765:
- The Quartering Act allowed British soldiers to occupy American colonists' homes
Sugar Act
- The Sugar Act placed taxes on sugar, luxuries, and molasses (also known as molasses act)
Stamp Act (1765)
- The Stamp Act required all printed materials to be produced on stamped paper purchased from Britain. This direct tax led to widespread protests and the slogan “No taxation without representation.”
Declaratory Act
- The Declaratory Act of 1766 asserted that the British Parliament had full authority to make laws binding the American colonies “in all cases whatsoever.”
Townshend Acts (1767)
- The Townshend Acts were a series of duties on imported goods such as glass, paint, paper, and tea. These acts were designed to assert British authority but provoked further colonial outrage and resistance
Tea Act
- The Tea Act required exclusive rights of tea selling to the British East India Company, angering colonists who smuggled Dutch tea
What was the Declaration of Rights? Was it accepted by the King and Parliament?
The Declaration of Rights confirmed Loyalty to Crown, but disputed Parliament's right to tax (in addition, the Articles of Association wanted colonies to stop importing goods if the Coercive acts not repealed.)
It was NOT accepted
What were Lexington and Concord, and why was it known as "the shot heard round the world"?
The phrase "the shot heard round the world" refers to the first shot fired at the battles of Lexington and Concord, which marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War and symbolized the start of a struggle for independence.
What was Federalism?
Federalism was the opening of State and National governments to increase influence
What was the Treaty of Paris of 1763?
The Treaty of Paris of 1763 gave lands to the Spanish, gave the Ohio River Valley and Spanish, and Florida to Britain
Who were the Sons/Daughters of Liberty?
The Sons and Daughters of Liberty were secretive Patriot groups in the American colonies who resisted British taxation and policies, with men organizing protests and women supporting boycotts and home production.
What was Common Sense by Thomas Paine? How did it further the cause for independence?
In Thomas Paine's Common Sense, he argued that it was common sense that the colonists should fight for independence, as Britain was encroaching on colonial rights. He used everyday language, biblical examples, enlightenment ideologies, and targeted the peasantry and the educated, respectively
It shifted the colonial viewpoint post-1st Continential Congress and encouraged revolutionary ideas
Who was the leader of the Continental Army?
George Washington!!
How did the roles of women change as more men left to fight in the Revolutionary War? What did this mean for women's autonomy?
The Role of Women expanded during the war as their husbands left. Now, women did domestic duties AND supported agriculture. This led to an expansion of their autonomy
What was the Effect of the French and Indian War?
The Effects of the French American War provided access to the Ohio River Valley for the colonists, leading to a desire for colonists to expand westward into Native American Territory. This led to conflicts with the Natives
What was the Boston Massacre?
The Boston Massacre was a deadly confrontation on March 5, 1770, in which British soldiers fired into a crowd of American colonists, killing five and escalating tensions that led to the American Revolution.
What was the Olive Branch Petition? How did Britain respond?
After Lexington and Concord, the Olive Branch Petition was sent to the British Parliament as one last reconciliation attempt
Britain rejected the Petition and declared the colonies in rebellion. This led to a formal proposal for independence at the 2nd Continental Congress
What was the Battle of Saratoga, and how was it a turning point for the war?
What was the significance of the Battle of Yorktown?
The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point of the war because the US victory secured French Aid in the war (Later, Spain and Holland also joined the conflict against Britain)
The Battle of Yorktown was the final battle/victory for the Americans, leading to the British surrender
What was the ideology of Republican Motherhood?
This ideology believed wives and mothers were crucial to teaching the next generation, instilling patriotism, and creating a strong America
What was the Proclamation Act of 1763? And what rebellion caused this act to be instilled?
The Proclamation Line of 1763 established a boundary line along the Appalachian Mountains and prevented colonial movement past the line. Additionally, it was expensive which meant higher taxation policies
The immediate cause of the Proclamation Act of 1763 was Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763–1764), which was a coordinated uprising of Native American tribes, led by Ottawa chief Pontiac, against British control in the Ohio Country.
How did the colonists respond to the Boston Massacre? How did Britain respond?
The colonists responded with the Boston Tea Party, where the Sons of Liberty dumped tea into Boston Harbor
Britain responded with the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts. It included Parliament closing the Boston Harbor, passing another Quartering Act, and reducing Massachusetts' legislature’s power
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence, and what was it?
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, taking inspiration from Enlightenment Ideas like Natural Rights(all people held natural rights from birth) and the Social Contract(the government was in a social contract with the people)
What was the Treaty of Paris of 1783?
The Treaty of Paris 1783 was a peace treaty signed by all parties, ending the war. Britain also agreed to recognize America as a country
How did the American Revolution change the way the US was viewed on a world stage? What other revolutions did the American Revolution inspire?
No one expected the US to win, and they did, AND created a foundational democracy based on Enlightenment Ideals!
This inspired the later French Revolution, Haitian Revolution, and Latin American Revolutions.