Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the Stamp Act?
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?
Who were the Sons of Liberty?
A radical political organization for colonial independence
What did the Declaratory Act confirm?
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?
What did the Townshend Acts tax?
What was the Boston Massacre?
What was the Boston Massacre?
What were the Committees of Correspondence?
What were the Committees of Correspondence?
What was the purpose of the Boston Tea Party?
What was the purpose of the Boston Tea Party?
What were the Intolerable Acts?
What were the Intolerable Acts?
What did the Quebec Act establish?
What did the Quebec Act establish?
What was the outcome of the First Continental Congress?
What was the outcome of the First Continental Congress?
Who was Patrick Henry?
Who was Patrick Henry?
What was John Adams' role in the push for colonial independence?
What was John Adams' role in the push for colonial independence?
What were Minutemen?
What were Minutemen?
What significant event happened in Lexington?
What significant event happened in Lexington?
What did Concord symbolize?
What did Concord symbolize?
Who were Loyalists?
Who were Loyalists?
Who were Patriots?
Who were Patriots?
What did the Second Continental Congress do?
What did the Second Continental Congress do?
What was the Continental Army?
What was the Continental Army?
What is 'Common Sense'?
What is 'Common Sense'?
Who was Thomas Paine?
Who was Thomas Paine?
What role did Thomas Jefferson play during the American Revolution?
What role did Thomas Jefferson play during the American Revolution?
What significant contributions did Ben Franklin make?
What significant contributions did Ben Franklin make?
What was the Treaty of Paris?
What was the Treaty of Paris?
What does the Declaration of Independence signify?
What does the Declaration of Independence signify?
What was the Franco-American Alliance?
What was the Franco-American Alliance?
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
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.
