American History Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What was the Stamp Act?

A declaration of independence

An act that incited riots against British policies

A law passed in 1765 requiring stamped paper for legal documents (correct)

A treaty ending the Revolutionary War

Who were the Sons of Liberty?

A radical political organization for colonial independence

What did the Declaratory Act confirm?

The authority of the American colonies over British laws

The repeal of the Stamp Act

Parliamentary authority over the colonies in all cases (correct)

The right of colonies to self-govern

What did the Townshend Acts tax?

Goods such as glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea Signup and view all the answers

What was the Boston Massacre?

A confrontation where British soldiers killed five colonists Signup and view all the answers

What were the Committees of Correspondence?

Committees that informed colonists about British measures Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Boston Tea Party?

To protest the Tea Act of 1773 Signup and view all the answers

What were the Intolerable Acts?

Acts passed to reduce colonial assemblies' powers Signup and view all the answers

What did the Quebec Act establish?

A government for Canada with religious freedom for French Catholics Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the First Continental Congress?

Established the Continental Association and endorsed the Suffolk Resolves Signup and view all the answers

Who was Patrick Henry?

An American orator who urged colonies to fight for independence Signup and view all the answers

What was John Adams' role in the push for colonial independence?

Massachusetts attorney who urged for independence and helped draft the Declaration of Independence Signup and view all the answers

What were Minutemen?

Colonial militia ready to fight at a moment's notice Signup and view all the answers

What significant event happened in Lexington?

The first shot of the American Revolution was fired Signup and view all the answers

What did Concord symbolize?

The first victory for the colonists over the British Signup and view all the answers

Who were Loyalists?

Colonists who remained loyal to Britain Signup and view all the answers

Who were Patriots?

Colonists who favored independence from Britain Signup and view all the answers

What did the Second Continental Congress do?

Organized the Continental Army and selected George Washington as its leader Signup and view all the answers

What was the Continental Army?

Army formed in 1775 by the Second Continental Congress Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Common Sense'?

A pamphlet advocating for American independence Signup and view all the answers

Who was Thomas Paine?

Revolutionary leader who wrote 'Common Sense' Signup and view all the answers

What role did Thomas Jefferson play during the American Revolution?

Nominated Washington as commander and co-wrote the Declaration of Independence Signup and view all the answers

What significant contributions did Ben Franklin make?

Secured French alliance and negotiated Treaty of Paris Signup and view all the answers

What was the Treaty of Paris?

Agreement that recognized the independence of the United States Signup and view all the answers

What does the Declaration of Independence signify?

Proclamation asserting the colonies' independence from Great Britain Signup and view all the answers

What was the Franco-American Alliance?

Agreement by France to support the American cause in the Revolution Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Stamp Act and Reaction

Enacted in 1765 to generate revenue from American colonies by imposing a tax on stamped paper for various legal and commercial documents.
Sparked widespread resistance leading to the formation of opposing groups like the Sons of Liberty.

Sons of Liberty

Established in 1765 as a radical group advocating for colonial independence.
Engaged in protests, including the destruction of customs houses.
Key leaders included Samuel Adams and Paul Revere, evolving into Committees of Correspondence after the Stamp Act's repeal.

Declaratory Act

Passed in 1766 after the repeal of the Stamp Act, asserting British parliamentary authority "in all cases whatsoever" over colonies, largely ignored by Americans.

Townshend Acts

Legislation established in 1767 that imposed taxes on imported goods such as glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea, sparking further colonial dissent.

Boston Massacre

Occurred on March 5, 1770, when British soldiers opened fire on a crowd of colonists, resulting in five deaths.
Represented a pivotal moment igniting anti-British sentiment.

Committees of Correspondence

Networks created in the pre-Revolutionary period to share information across colonies regarding British legislation and actions.

Boston Tea Party

A significant protest against the 1773 Tea Act, where colonists, disguised as Native Americans, dumped British tea into Boston Harbor on December 16, 1773.

Intolerable Acts

Four punitive measures enacted in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party, including the closure of Boston Port and reduction of colonial legislative power.

Quebec Act

Established a new governance structure for Canada in 1774 and granted religious freedom to Catholics, extending Quebec’s territory to the Ohio and Missouri Rivers.

First Continental Congress

Convened in 1774 to address the Coercive Acts, endorsing the Suffolk Resolves and crafting the Declaration of Rights and Grievances.

Key Figures

Patrick Henry: Orator known for urging independence with his famous phrase "Give me liberty or give me death," served as Governor of Virginia.
John Adams: Massachusetts lawyer and advocate for colonial rights, participated in drafting the Declaration of Independence and served as the second U.S. President.

Minutemen

Local militia units authorized by the Committee of Safety, ready to respond swiftly to threats, formed largely in Massachusetts.

Battles of Lexington and Concord

Marked the start of the American Revolutionary War in April 1775, with militia confronting British troops, leading to the first shots of rebellion.

Loyalists vs. Patriots

Loyalists remained loyal to the British Crown, while Patriots supported independence, creating deep divisions in colonial society.

Second Continental Congress

Formed in 1775, responsible for organizing the Colonial Army, appointing George Washington as commander, and initiating the drafting of the Declaration of Independence.

Continental Army

Established in 1775, led by General George Washington, tasked with fighting against British forces.

Common Sense

Pamphlet published by Thomas Paine in January 1776 advocating for independence from Britain, widely circulated and influential.

Thomas Jefferson

Key figure from Virginia, co-authored the Declaration of Independence and played a pivotal role in articulating colonial grievances.

Ben Franklin

A prominent statesman and diplomat who helped secure the French Alliance in 1778 and negotiated the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War.

Treaty of Paris

The agreement formalized in 1783 recognized the United States as an independent nation, concluding the Revolutionary War.

Declaration of Independence

Adopted on July 4, 1776, it proclaimed the colonies' independence from Great Britain, central to American political ideology.

Franco-American Alliance

Agreement forged with France to provide military support to the American colonies, underscoring international dimensions of the struggle for independence.

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Test your knowledge of critical events and organizations from American history with these flashcards. Focus on key concepts such as the Stamp Act and the Sons of Liberty, essential for understanding the path to independence.