American Revolution Key Terms

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Questions and Answers

What is the relationship between mercantilism, the Navigation Laws, and British efforts to create an administrative structure for their empire after 1696?

Mercantilism, the Navigation Laws, and the British efforts to create an administrative structure for their empire after 1696 were all interconnected. Mercantilism was the economic theory that guided British policy during this period, emphasizing the importance of accumulating wealth and maintaining a favorable balance of trade. The Navigation Laws were a series of acts passed by the British Parliament to regulate trade with the colonies and ensure that British ships carried the majority of goods. The British government also sought to create a more effective administrative structure for its empire, with appointed governors and other officials playing a greater role in governing the colonies.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the British and the colonists, respectively, as the American Revolutionary War began?

The British had a number of advantages at the start of the Revolutionary War, including a well-trained and experienced army, a strong navy, and a vast amount of resources.

However, they also faced several disadvantages:

The war was being fought far from Britain, making it difficult to maintain supply lines and troop morale.
The colonists were fighting on their own terrain, which they knew well.
The colonists had a strong motivation to fight for their independence.

The colonists, on the other hand, had several advantages, including a strong motivation to fight for their independence, a knowledge of their terrain, and the support of foreign powers such as France and Spain. However, they also faced several disadvantages, including a lack of military training and experience, a lack of resources, and a divided population.

Explain the following quote: "Insurrection of thought usually precedes insurrection of deed." What does this mean? In what ways is this generalization an accurate description of the coming of the American Revolutionary War?

The quote "Insurrection of thought usually precedes insurrection of deed" means that a change in people's thinking and beliefs often comes before a change in action. It is saying that people must first be convinced of the need for change before they will be willing to take action. In the context of the American Revolution, this quote implies that the colonists first began to question British authority and the legitimacy of British rule before they were willing to fight for independence. This shift in thinking was driven by a number of factors, including enlightenment ideals, the growing sense of colonial identity, and the resentment of British policies such as the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts. The colonists began to believe that they were entitled to self-government and freedom from British rule, and this belief eventually led them to take up arms in defense of their rights. This generalization is an accurate description of the coming of the American Revolution because it captures the gradual shift in thinking that led to the outbreak of war. The colonists did not immediately rise up in rebellion against British rule. Rather, they first began to question British authority and the legitimacy of British rule, and then they began to organize protests and demonstrations to voice their grievances. This gradual shift in thinking ultimately led to the colonists' decision to declare independence from Britain and fight for their freedom.

Which of the following is NOT a key term/concept from the American Pageant Chapter 7 Study Guide?

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Flashcards

Republicanism

A political ideology advocating for a government based on the consent of the governed.

Radical Whigs

Political faction that criticized corruption and supported civil liberties during the late 18th century.