French and Indian War
Who was responsible for elevating British interest in the French and Indian War?
Prime Minister William Pitt
Why did Parliament raise taxes on the colonists and how did the colonists respond?
The British government raised taxes because of the amount of debt Britain accrued as a result of the war, But the colonists responded, “No taxation without representation!” They rioted, petitioned the king and Parliament, and boycotted British goods.
Explain the Battle of Lexington and Concord?
British General Thomas Gage sent troops to seize arms in Concord. The Minutemen faced the redcoats at the town of Lexington. Fighting broke out with the “shot heard round the world” and the Minutemen retreated . The redcoats continued on to Concord, but the arms had been moved, so they returned to Boston. On the way back, they were harassed by the Minutemen who fired from the trees.
What was the first country to sign a treaty with America and which American was responsible for helping this to happen?
Benjamin Franklin worked to convince France to ally with America.
Which two cousins from Massachusetts were very influential during the Revolutionary Period?
Samuel Adams and John Adams
What larger European conflict did the French and Indian War become a part of?
The Seven Years War
Why did the Boston Massacre occur?
Bostonians, in response to the Townshend Acts, began to heckle the soldiers outside the Boston customs house and then began to throw various items until one soldier was hit in the head. He fired into the crowd and the other soldiers did the same, killing five men altogether.
Explain the Battle of Bunker Hill, including its naming.
Patriots took Breed’s Hill and held off two waves of British attacks, only retreating during the third attack after running out of ammunition. Though the British won the battle, they lost more than 1,000 troops, severely weakening them. This battle was named the Battle of Bunker Hill since the colonists were originally going to hold Bunker Hill.
What did the Treaty of Paris (1783-following the American Revolution) do?
The British recognized the United States as an independent nation, giving all territory east of the Mississippi (excluding Canada).
Which American general betrayed the United States by planning to turn over West Point?
Benedict Arnold
What did the Treaty of Paris (1763-following the French and Indian War) do?
It ended French power in North America. Britain gained Canada and all land east of the Mississippi River.
What is Common Sense and who wrote it?
A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in which he said that colonists owed no loyalty to George III or to Britain and concluded that it was time to part ways with Britain.
What is important about the Battle of Saratoga?
British General John Burgoyne was beaten at the village of Saratoga, which was a major turning point in the war. Most importantly, it convinced France to become an ally of the United States.
What did the First Continental Congress accomplish?
They agreed to support Massachusetts by boycotting all British goods. They also agreed to form militias in the colonies and meet again the following year.
Who was famous for saying, "Give me liberty or give me death!"
Patrick Henry
How did the French and Indian War start?
It began when Lieutenant Colonel George Washington tried and failed to overtake the French fort Duquesne.
What did the Tea Act of 1773 do?
The British East India Company was losing money. To help them, Parliament passed the Tea Act of 1773 which allowed them to sell tea directly to the colonists while also getting a rebate on tea taxes, making their tea cheaper altogether.
Explain the significance of the Battle of Yorktown and what happened during the surrender of the British.
General Cornwallis was defeated after retreating to Yorktown peninsula. Washington trapped him by land and besieged his position and the French navy blocked the Chesapeake Bay, forcing Cornwallis to surrender. During the surrender, Cornwallis chose not to appear, claiming illness, and his second offered up the sword. During this, the British army band played the tune “The World Turned Upside Down.”
What was the Albany Plan of Union?
It attempted to create one general government for the colonies.
Who convinced several thousand trained soldiers from France to help the American cause?
The Marquis de Lafayette
Why was the Ohio River important to the French?
It linked the Great Lakes region to the Mississippi region, and it was full of the wildlife needed for the fur trade.
What three things did the Intolerable Acts do?
They closed the port of Boston, forbade Mass. colonists from holding town meetings, and introduced a Quartering Act which forced colonists to house soldiers in their homes.
Explain the Battle of Trenton.
On Christmas night, Washington and his troops secretly crossed the Delaware River into New Jersey and attacked Trenton and defeated the Hessian mercenaries stationed there.
What three important people drafted the Declaration of Independence and what were the main arguments of the Declaration?
Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams stressed the importance of natural rights and that it was the role of the government to protect those rights. If a government fails to uphold their end, the people have a right to replace that government. They provided a list of grievances the colonies had against King George III as evidence for the government’s failures.
Who trained the Continental Army at Valley Forge?
Friedrich von Steuben