Continental Congress
What British laws caused the First Continental Congress to meet in 1774
The Intolerable Acts
On what date was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
Who warned the colonists that the British were marching to Lexington and Concord?
Paul Revere
What were the first battles of the Revolutionary War?
Lexington and Concord
Name one event that moved the colonies from protest toward independence.
1. Intolerable (Coercive) Acts
2. Continental Congress
3. Lexington & Concord
4. Olive Branch Petition
5. Declaration of Independence
What did the First Continental Congress agree to stop doing with Great Britain?
Trade with Great Britain
What did the Declaration announce?
Independence from Great Britain
Who wrote most of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
What battle is known as the last major battle of the war?
Yorktown
Name one reason the Americans won the Revolutionary War.
1. Help from Europe
2. George Washington's leadership
3. Home turf advantage
4. Patriot determination and Spirit
What army did the Second Continental Congress create?
The Continental Army
Name one unalienable right listed in the Declaration.
1. Life
2. Liberty
3. pursuit of Happiness
Who served as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army?
George Washington
Which British general surrendered at Yorktown?
Cornwallis
Name one example of foreign help during the war.
1. France sent troops, money, ships
2. Spain gave money & men (Gov. of Louisiana)
3. Spain declared war on Britain spreading their military thin
4. Dutch provided loans
5. Lafayette brought men to fight from France
6. German Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben helped train Washington's army at Valley Forge
What document was the colonies’ final attempt to avoid war with Britain?
The Olive Branch Petition
What was the first national constitution called?
The Articles of Confederation
Who trained Washington’s soldiers at Valley Forge?
Baron von Steuben
What was one advantage Britain had at the beginning of the war?
A trained professional army
Why was the Declaration of Independence important?
It declared the colonies free and independent
What committee did Congress appoint in 1776?
A committee to write the Declaration of Independence
Why did many Americans want a weak national government under the Articles?
They feared a strong central government could become tyrannical
Which American diplomat helped gain French support?
Benjamin Franklin
What did privateers do during the war?
Attacked and/or captured British ships and supplies
What evidence could you use in a paragraph about American victory?
Yorktown, French alliances, Help from Europe, George Washington's leadership, Events at Valley Forge, privateers, militia, women's efforts, and allowing African Americans to fight