Events That Sparked Revolutionary Ideals
How did the Intolerable Acts (1774) escalate tensions between Britain and the colonies?
The Intolerable Acts (also called the Coercive Acts) were punitive laws passed to punish Boston for the Tea Party. They included closing the Boston Harbor, restricting town meetings, and allowing British officials to be tried in England. These laws united the colonies in opposition and led to the First Continental Congress.
What Enlightenment ideas are reflected in the Preamble?
How did Benjamin Franklin contribute to the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence?
He got zapped by lightning (jk Franklin helped edit the Declaration and used his diplomatic skills to secure France’s support for the Revolution)
Which signer had the largest and most famous signature on the Declaration?
John Hancock
What was the impact of the battles of Lexington and Concord (1775) on the colonial push for independence?
These battles marked the first military engagements of the Revolutionary War. British troops attempted to seize colonial weapons, but local militias resisted. The battles proved that armed conflict was inevitable and pushed many colonists toward supporting full independence.
What are the three unalienable rights listed in the Declaration of Independence?
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
What role did Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense play in inspiring the Declaration of Independence?
Common Sense argued for complete independence from Britain in plain, persuasive language, swaying many colonists and leaders to support the cause.
What famous symbol of American freedom was rung to announce the public reading of the Declaration?
The Liberty Bell
How did King George III’s response to colonial petitions influence the decision to seek independence?
Colonial leaders sent petitions, such as the Olive Branch Petition, seeking a peaceful resolution. However, King George III rejected these efforts and declared the colonies in rebellion—his refusal to negotiate convinced many colonists that independence was the only option.
How does the Declaration of Independence describe the King’s use of power?
It describes him as a tyrant who repeatedly violated the rights of the colonists and ignored their appeals for fair treatment.
Who were some of the women involved in the independence movement, and what contributions did they make?
Women like Abigail Adams advocated for women's rights and independence through letters, while figures like Mercy Otis Warren wrote political propaganda supporting the cause.
Which city served as the meeting place for the Second Continental Congress, where the Declaration of Independence was signed?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
What role did the Sons of Liberty play in resisting British rule?
The Sons of Liberty was a secret organization that protested British policies through demonstrations, propaganda, and sometimes violent actions. They organized the Stamp Act protests, the Boston Tea Party, and harassed British officials to push for colonial rights.
What does the final section of the Declaration of Independence state?
It declares that the colonies are now free and independent states, no longer under British rule.
How did John Hancock’s role as President of the Continental Congress impact the signing of the Declaration?
As President of the Congress, John Hancock was the first to sign the Declaration, famously signing his name in large, bold letters.
Which colony was the last to vote in favor of independence?
New York