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French and Indian War
(1754–1763) - The North American part of the worldwide Seven Years'
War. Fought between Britain and France, their colonies, and their
Native American allies.
Duties
Government taxes on specific products – often on imported products.
Declaration of
Independence
The document adopted on July 4. 1776, by the Second Continental
Congress. Primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, it explained why the
colonies revolted against Britain.
Cherokee War
(1759-1761) - War in the Carolinas where Colonists and British military
fought the Cherokee Indians during the greater French and Indian War.
Boycott
A form of protest where one party refuses to buy goods from another.
Militia
Volunteer troops used as a supplement to the armed forces.
Parliament
The legislative body of the English government whose function is to
represent the people, make laws, and oversee the government via
hearings and inquiries
Writs of Assistance
Search warrants used by British colonial officials in the 1700’s to find
smuggled goods upon which taxes had not been paid.
Patriot
An American colonist who supported the American Revolution against
Britain. The British called them rebels.
Salutary Neglect
The 17th and 18th century British policy of not strictly enforcing
mercantilism laws meant to keep British colonies obedient to England
Sons of Liberty
Groups of American colonists organized to protest British taxes
including the Stamp Act.
Loyalist
An American colonist who sided with the British during the American
Revolution. Also known as Tories.
Embargo
An official ban on trade.
Continental Army
The army of the American colonies formed by the Second Continental
Congress on July 15, 1775 and placed under the command of George
Washington.
Guerilla Warfare
An irregular war carried on by independent soldiers (soldiers not
officially members of an armed force).