People and Leaders
This Virginian became commander of the Continental Army and later the first President of the United States
George Washington
After which war did Britain begin charging the American colonies more taxes and enforcing trade rules more strictly?
The French and Indian War (also called the Seven Years' War)
The British believed Parliament had the right to make laws for the colonies. The colonists disagreed and wanted people they elected to make their laws. What is this idea called?
Representative government (or "no taxation without representation" principle)
Name one place where the Continental Army stayed during a harsh winter and trained to become stronger.
(Hint: VF)
Valley Forge
This document, written in 1776, explained why the colonies wanted independence. What is it called?
Declaration of Independence
This Virginian wrote the Declaration of Independence and is known for the phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Thomas Jefferson
Colonists protested a tax on printed papers, newspapers, and legal documents with a famous act name. What was that act called?
The Stamp Act
A search warrant allowing British officials to search homes and businesses in the colonies was called a "____ of assistance." Fill in the blank.
Writs of assistance
Which turning point battle convinced France to help the American colonists?
Saratoga (Battle of Saratoga)
After independence, leaders met to create a plan for the new government called the Articles of _____. (Fill in the blank).
Confederation
He wrote the pamphlet "Common Sense" urging colonists to break away from Britain.
Thomas Paine
Colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor to protest a tax on tea. What is the name of this event?
The Boston Tea Party
Describe one way British policy changed after the French and Indian War that upset colonists (one short sentence).
*Answers May Vary
Example: Britain started charging more taxes (like the Stamp Act) to pay war debts and kept soldiers in the colonies, which upset colonists.
The final major battle where the British surrendered to the Americans is called the Battle of _____. Fill in the blank.
Yorktown (Battle of Yorktown)
The Treaty that officially ended the Revolutionary War and recognized the United States as an independent country is called the Treaty of _____ (fill in the blank).
Paris
This Boston leader organized resistance against British policies and helped lead the Sons of Liberty.
Samuel Adams
Britain passed harsh laws to punish Massachusetts after the tea protest. Colonists called these laws the "____ Acts." Fill in the blank.
Intolerable Acts (also called Coercive Acts)
Using one event from the era, explain (in one or two sentences) how British views of authority differed from colonists' views about who should make decisions.
*Answers May Vary
Example: British view — Parliament could make laws for the colonies; Colonial view — only their own elected assemblies should make decisions affecting them.
In one sentence, explain why the Battle of Saratoga or Valley Forge was important to the colonists' success (choose one).
*Answers May Vary
Example: Saratoga convinced France to join the war; Valley Forge helped train and strengthen Washington's army. (Accept one clear explanation.)
Name one result of the Treaty of Paris besides independence (for example, a change in land or boundaries).
*Answers May Vary
Example: The United States gained recognition as an independent nation and Britain agreed to withdraw troops; boundaries were set roughly to the Mississippi River.
Name two colonial leaders from the list who later served as diplomats or negotiators for the new nation (List: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson).
Franklin and John Adams
OR
Franklin and Jefferson
Explain in one or two sentences why many colonists disliked "taxation without representation."
*Answers Will Vary
Example answer: Because the colonists had no representatives in Parliament, so they were being taxed by a government in which they had no voice.
Give one example of how colonial experience with self-government made colonists feel ready to govern themselves (one short sentence).
*Answers Will Vary
One example: Many colonies already elected assemblies and ran local affairs, so colonists felt capable of self-rule.
Describe in one or two sentences how help from France changed the course of the war for the colonists.
*Answers May Vary
Example: France provided ships, soldiers, money, and supplies which helped the Americans defeat the British.
Describe how the Declaration of Independence used the idea that people have rights and that governments must respect those rights (one or two sentences).
*Answers May Vary
Example: The Declaration says people have natural rights (like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) and that governments must protect those rights; if a government fails, people can change or remove it.