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What is the Declaration of Independence (Claims and structure)
It starts with an introduction saying why the colonies are separating from Great Britain. Then there is a preamble saying stuff about unalienable rights and how a government can only exist with the consent of the governed. Next there is a list of grievances against King George III. Then there is a Reproach to British people and in it the colonists regard them as “enemies in war, in peace friends”. And then finally there is a conclusion saying that the colonies are now free from Britain and also includes a pledge from the signers to support the Declaration with their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor”.
Quartering Act
This made it so that British soldiers could just stay in your home without your permission and made it so that you would have to provide them with a place to sleep and food.
Battle of Yorktown
This was the final major war on land of the Revolutionary War.
Common Sense
This was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that argued for the American colonies independence from Britain.
Sons of Liberty
The sons of Liberty were a group of Patriots that took part in protests against Britain.
Unalienable rights
These are fundamental rights that can not be taken away. Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
What factors helped Patriots win the war
The factors that helped Patriots win the war was their strong leadership, French aid, and strategic advantages.
Battle of Trenton
This is when the Continental Army did a surprise attack on Hessian mercenaries and is how the Continental Army got crucial supplies and cannons.
Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable acts were a series of four laws meant to punish Massachusetts and the colonists for the Boston Tea Party.
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party is when a bunch of colonists dressed like Native Americans dumped tea into the Boston Harbor saying that “The Boston Harbors a tea party tonight!”
Boycott
This is when a group of people decide to stop using something until something changes.
What did African-Americans hope Independence would bring for them?
They hoped it would bring them equal rights and the end of slavery.
Battle of Saratoga
General Gates and the Continental Army defeated British General Burgoyne troops. The victory was a turning point in the war that increased American morale and convinced France to support the Patriots.
1st Continental Congress actions
They were to issue a boycott of British goods through the Articles of Association, declare that colonists had the same rights as Englishmen, and also petition the king with their grievances.
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre occurred March 5th 1770 when British soldiers shot into the crowd and killed five people and injured six others after being insulted and having snowballs thrown at them.
Blockade
This is when the British blocked all exit and entry from the colonist ports.
Treaty of Paris results
The Treaty of Paris 1763 officially ended the 7 years war and made France give a lot of land to Britain.
Treason
This is the crime of betraying one's country.
2nd Continental Congress actions
They were creating the Continental Army under George Washington, issuing the Declaration of Independence, and drafting the Articles of Confederation.
Tea Act
The tea taxes when Parliament removed all of the other taxes and stuff except for tea just to show that they have the right to tax the colonists.
Quebec Act
This was a British law that extended the territory of Quebec and granted religious freedom for Roman Catholics.
Battle of Bunker Hill
This is a war that took place on Breed’s Hill. The colonists were on top of the hill and the British were at the bottom of the hill and charged the colonists 3 times. The colonists defended themselves the first 2 times but had to retreat the 3rd time because they ran out of ammo. The British took the hill and over 1000 red coats died. About 400 Colonists died.
Thomas Paine
He was a revolutionary author and philosopher who wrote the pamphlet Common Sense which persuaded colonists to support independence from Britain.
Battles of Lexington and Concord
This was the first time the two militaries fought and it also started the Revolutionary War.
Stamp Act
The stamp Act was the first ever direct tax from Britain to the colonists in order to pay for the seven years war.