Empire Strikes Back
This war left Britain dominant in eastern North America—and deeply in debt.
What is the French and Indian War?
This 1765 law taxed printed materials in the colonies.
What is the Stamp Act?
This movement emphasized reason, natural rights, and questioning traditional authority.
What is the Enlightenment?
Fighting began at these two Massachusetts towns in April 1775.
What are Lexington and Concord?
This Virginian became commander of the Continental Army.
Who is George Washington?
After defeat on Long Island in August 1776, Washington saved the Continental Army by secretly evacuating his troops to this position across the East River.
What is Manhattan/New York City?
Britain emerged in 1763 after nine years of conflict in North America with this major economic problem.
What is war debt?
Colonists argued that Parliament should not tax them without this.
What is actual representation?
This philosopher argued for natural rights and government based upon consent.
Who is John Locke?
American representatives sent this last major attempt at reconciliation to George III in 1775.
What is the Olive Branch Petition?
This surprise victory on December 26, 1776 revived American morale.
What is the Battle of Trenton?
Five colonists were killed in this March 1770 confrontation with British soldiers.
What is the Boston Massacre?
Britain tried to limit colonial settlement beyond this geographic barrier after 1763.
What are the Appalachian Mountains?
Destruction of East India Company tea in Boston Harbor on December 16, 1773 became known by this name.
What is the Boston Tea Party?
This religious movement emphasized personal conversion and challenged established religious authority.
What is the Great Awakening?
Thomas Paine attacked monarchy and argued for independence in this pamphlet published in 1776.
What is Common Sense?
This American victory in upstate New York convinced France to enter a formal alliance with the United States.
What is the Battle of Saratoga?
Britain responded to the Boston Tea Party with these punitive laws meant to punish resistance in New England.
What are the Coercive/Intolerable Acts?
Britain's new territory, military costs, and war debt after 1763 encouraged Parliament to do this to the colonies.
What is impose new taxes/implement tighter imperial control?
Put these in order: Boston Massacre, Stamp Act, Intolerable Acts, Boston Tea Party.
What is Stamp Act → Boston Massacre → Boston Tea Party → Intolerable Acts?
This Virginian drew heavily on Enlightenment ideas about natural rights when drafting the Declaration of Independence.
Who is Thomas Jefferson?
This political authority acted on behalf of the Thirteen Colonies/States in Philadelphia.
What is the Continental Congress?
This 1781 battle during the Southern Campaign was a costly British tactical victory that weakened Cornwallis's army.
What is the Battle of Guilford Courthouse?
This Virginian used skirmishers and retreating militia to help set a trap at the Battle of Cowpens in 1781.
Who is Daniel Morgan?
British victory in the French and Indian War removed France as a major threat but produced this new conflict between Britain and its colonists.
What is the Imperial Crisis?
Stamp Act → resistance → British response → more resistance illustrates this process.
What is the cycle of escalation?
According to the Declaration, government receives its legitimate authority from this source.
What is the consent of the governed?
Rejected reconciliation, Paine's pamphlets, and escalating conflict helped make this once-radical choice acceptable by 1776.
What is independence?
This 1781 surrender resulted when American and French forces trapped Cornwallis in Virginia with French naval support.
What is Siege of Yorktown?
At Valley Forge, this Prussian officer helped turn the Continental Army into a more disciplined fighting force.
Who is Baron von Steuben?