Causes of Revolution
What did “no taxation without representation” mean?
Colonists believed they should not be taxed by a government in which they had no voice.
Who commanded the Continental Army?
George Washington.
Which battles are considered the first major battles of the American Revolution?
Lexington and Concord.
What was the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
To announce independence from Great Britain and explain why the colonies believed independence was necessary.
Name one physical feature that can affect human movement.
A river, mountain, forest, bay, plain, road, or harbor.
Why did Britain tax the colonies after the French and Indian War?
Britain wanted money to help pay war debts and protect its empire.
Who drafted most of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson.
What happened at Saratoga?
American forces defeated a major British army in New York.
Name one natural right listed in the Declaration.
Life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness.
Why were coastal cities important during the Revolution?
They supported shipping, trade, communication, and movement.
What was one effect of the Stamp Act?
Colonists protested, organized boycotts, and argued that Parliament should not tax them without representation.
Who helped secure French support for the American cause?
Benjamin Franklin.
Why was Saratoga a turning point?
The victory encouraged France to openly support the American cause.
What is tyranny?
The cruel or unfair use of power.
What is a physical barrier?
A natural feature that makes movement difficult.
How did the Boston Tea Party increase conflict?
Colonists protested British taxation by dumping tea into Boston Harbor, and Britain responded with the Intolerable Acts.
Why was Benedict Arnold remembered as a traitor?
He secretly planned to help the British gain control of West Point.
What happened at Yorktown?
American and French forces surrounded the British army, and General Cornwallis surrendered.
Why did the Declaration include a list of complaints?
The complaints provided evidence that the British government had abused its power.
How did geography help the colonists at Lexington and Concord?
Colonists knew the local roads, fields, stone walls, and paths, which helped them attack British troops during the retreat.
Explain how disagreements about government power led to the American Revolution.
Britain believed Parliament and the king had authority over the colonies, while many colonists believed government should represent them and protect their rights. These disagreements led to protests, punishments, and war.
Compare the influence of George Washington and King George III.
George Washington led the Continental Army and supported independence, while King George III defended British control of the colonies.
Explain how land and water worked together to help the Americans win at Yorktown.
American and French forces surrounded the British by land, while French ships blocked the Chesapeake Bay and prevented British supplies or rescue.
Explain the connection between natural rights and government.
People have natural rights, and government should protect those rights. When government repeatedly abuses its power, people may believe change is necessary.
Explain how the ideas of natural rights connect to the Revolution’s legacy.
The Declaration’s ideas about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness became important ideals that influenced later efforts to expand freedom and equality.