American Revolution Overview and Alliances

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary goal of Native Americans during the initial conflicts of the French and Indian War?

To protect their land from encroachment (correct)

To ally with whichever side offered the most trade goods

To gain independence from British rule

To join the British in their expansion westward

What was a major reason the French established better relationships with Native Americans compared to the British?

They offered land in exchange for alliances

They provided military support to Native American tribes

They distributed weapons to Native Americans

They traded goods with them and avoided encroachment on their land (correct)

Which event marked the beginning of the conflict between Britain and France that progressed into the French and Indian War?

The signing of the Treaty of Paris

The passage of the Stamp Act

A small altercation involving George Washington (correct)

The Albany Plan of Union meeting

What was the main problem encountered with the Albany Plan introduced by Benjamin Franklin?

The colonies were not willing to cooperate on defense Signup and view all the answers

How did the Proclamation of 1763 affect relations between colonists and the British Crown?

It angered colonists who felt restricted from settling westward Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable consequence of the French and Indian War for England?

England became financially strained and increased taxation Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Sugar Act enacted in 1764?

To lower taxes on molasses to reduce smuggling Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the Stamp Act of 1765 angered the colonists the most?

It was a tax on all printed paper goods Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense?

To argue for democracy and independence Signup and view all the answers

Which resolution did Richard Henry of Virginia introduce?

A resolution calling the colonies free and independent states Signup and view all the answers

Who authored the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson Signup and view all the answers

What significant event occurred on July 2, 1776?

Richard Henry's resolution was passed Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Battle of Saratoga?

The first major American victory of the Revolutionary War Signup and view all the answers

What condition did the Continental Army experience at Valley Forge?

Severe shortages of food, clothing, and supplies Signup and view all the answers

Who helped train the troops at Valley Forge?

Baron von Steuben Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the victory at Saratoga in 1778?

It encouraged France to openly support the Patriots Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary demand of the colonists summarized by Samuel Adams?

No taxation without representation Signup and view all the answers

What event was sparked by a minor dispute between a soldier and Bostonians?

The Boston Massacre Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the boycotts against the Stamp Act in March 1766?

The Stamp Act was repealed Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main consequences of the Tea Act passed in 1773?

It gave a monopoly on tea to the British East India Company Signup and view all the answers

What did the Intolerable Acts result in regarding Boston Harbor?

It was closed until colonists reimbursed for the tea Signup and view all the answers

Which organization did women form to promote homemade goods during the protest movement?

The Daughters of Liberty Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the Townshend Acts passed in 1767?

Tax on ALL imported goods, including tea Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first victim of the Boston Massacre?

Crispus Attucks Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason colonists sent representatives to the First Continental Congress?

To figure out how to respond to British policies Signup and view all the answers

What was the main outcome of the Second Continental Congress in 1775?

Creation of the Continental Army Signup and view all the answers

What did the Olive Branch Petition signify about the colonists' intentions in 1775?

They were seeking a peaceful resolution while retaining loyalty to the king Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant effect of the Intolerable Acts on the colonies?

They united the colonies against British rule Signup and view all the answers

How did the colonists respond to British troops being sent to Boston after King George ignored their petitions?

They established the Continental Army to resist Signup and view all the answers

What strategic command was given to Colonel Prescott during the Battle of Bunker Hill?

To wait until the British were in range before firing Signup and view all the answers

What was a critical factor that led to the British victory at the Battle of Bunker Hill?

Colonists were outnumbered and ran out of ammunition Signup and view all the answers

What was one major consequence of King George rejecting the Olive Branch Petition?

The hiring of additional troops to fight the colonists Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The American Revolution: Testing the Boundaries

Colonists expanded westward, encountering Native Americans and challenging French land claims.
Most new cities were built on rivers for access to trade, transportation, and resources.

The Alliance

British and French sought alliances with Native Americans.
The French established a stronger relationship by offering trade goods and respecting their land.
Native Americans sought to protect their land and aligned with the side that seemed least threatening.

The Albany Plan

Colonial representatives met in Albany to discuss defense strategies.
Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan, advocating for a unified government, militia, and funding.
Colonies resisted giving up their power, preventing a unified effort.

The French and Indian War

Britain and France clashed over the Ohio River Valley, escalating into a major conflict.
The war began in the colonies and spread to Europe.
A mix of British troops and Native Americans were involved, including George Washington.
The Seven Years' War (1756-1763) resulted in an English victory.

Proclamation of 1763

King George III prohibited settlers from living west of the Appalachian Mountains to reduce conflict with Native Americans.
The proclamation was largely ignored.
Colonists resented the King's authority.

The Road to Revolution

The French and Indian War left England with significant debt.
England stationed a standing army in the colonies to protect them.
The need to fund the army led to increased taxation on the colonies.

The Sugar Act

Passed in 1764, it lowered taxes on molasses, aiming to reduce smuggling.
Increased customs searches fueled colonial resentment, as they felt their rights were violated.

The Stamp Act

Enacted in 1765, it imposed a tax on all printed materials, including legal documents.
This was the first direct tax on individual colonists.
Colonists strongly protested the Stamp Act through boycotts and demonstrations.
The boycotts were successful, and Parliament repealed the act in March 1766.

No Taxation Without Representation

Samuel Adams articulated colonial opposition with the phrase "No Taxation Without Representation."
The Sons of Liberty, a secret society, organized protests and boycotts, sometimes resorting to violence.
The Daughters of Liberty encouraged Americans to use homemade goods to support the boycott.
Many saw these actions as treason.

The Townshend Acts

Parliament implemented taxes on all imported goods, including tea, to raise funds for British troops in America.
The colonists considered these taxes imposed without their consent.

The Boston Massacre

In 1768, British troops arrived in Boston, not to assist the colonists but to enforce British policies.
On March 5, 1770, a dispute between a soldier and Bostonians escalated into a confrontation.
A mob formed, pelting soldiers with snowballs and stones.
Five Boston citizens were killed when soldiers panicked and fired.
Crispus Attucks, the first victim, represented the diverse ethnic makeup of colonial opposition.

The Boston Tea Party

Parliament repealed most of the Townshend Acts, except for the tax on tea.
The Tea Act gave the British East India Company a monopoly on tea in the colonies.
On December 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty, disguised as Native Americans, dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbour.
This act of defiance angered King George, who sought to punish Massachusetts.

The Intolerable Acts

King George III chose to assert control over the colonies.
Parliament passed the Coercive Acts, called the Intolerable Acts in the colonies, due to their harsh measures:
- Boston Harbor was closed until colonists paid for the tea.
- Most town meetings were banned.
- Massachusetts government was placed under royal control.
- Royal officials were exempt from colonial courts.
- The Quartering Act forced colonists to house British soldiers.
- Land claimed by colonists was given to Quebec.
The Intolerable Acts backfired, fueling colonial anger and resistance.

First Continental Congress

In September 1774, representatives from all 13 colonies gathered in Philadelphia to respond to British policies.
They debated whether to oppose British policy or seek reconciliation.
They decided to escalate boycotts and sent a petition to the King, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, asserting colonial rights.
Though hoping for peace, they prepared for a potential conflict.
King George sent more troops to Boston.

Lexington and Concord

British troops were sent to Boston, sparking tensions.
On April 18-19, 1775, British troops marched towards Concord, prompting a colonial response.
Spies alerted Minutemen, local militia ready at a moment's notice.
In the resulting confrontation, both sides were told to hold fire unless fired upon.
The first shot, known as the "Shot Heard Round the World," marked the beginning of the war.
British troops were initially successful in Lexington but suffered casualties in Concord and retreated to Boston.

Second Continental Congress

Following King George's continued intransigence, the colonies sent representatives to Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress.
They established a unified government, post offices, treaties with Native Americans, and a Continental Army under George Washington.
This marked a significant step towards self-governance.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Massachusetts militia fortified Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill.
On June 17, 1775, over 2,000 British troops advanced on the fortified positions.
The colonists, low on ammunition, were advised to wait until they could see "the whites of their eyes" before firing.
The colonists drove back the British twice but were eventually forced to retreat.

Olive Branch Petition

On July 5, 1775, the Second Continental Congress sent King George the Olive Branch Petition, a final plea for peace.
The colonists desired to remain part of England if their rights were protected.
King George rejected the petition and hired 30,000 Hessian troops to fight alongside the British.

Common Sense

In January 1776, Thomas Paine anonymously published Common Sense, a pamphlet advocating for democracy and independence.
Paine blamed King George for the ongoing conflict.
Paine's ideas were radical, as most countries were ruled by monarchs.
Common Sense sold widely, swaying public opinion towards independence.

Declaration of Independence

On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee proposed a resolution declaring the colonies free and independent states.
A committee, including Ben Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, was tasked with drafting the declaration.
Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence in two weeks.
On July 2, 1776, Congress passed the resolution, with John Adams calling it a pivotal historical moment.
On July 4, 1776, the delegates formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, marking the birth of the United States.

Summer 1776

Over 30,000 British troops arrived in New York City, outnumbering the Patriots.
The Patriots were forced to retreat from New York and New Jersey, seeking refuge in Pennsylvania across the Delaware River.
Morale among the Patriots was low.

Crossing the Delaware

On Christmas Day, 1776, Washington and his troops secretly crossed the Delaware River, surprising and defeating British forces.
The victory boosted morale across the colonies.

Battle of Saratoga

In the spring of 1777, the British planned to capture Philadelphia and cut off American communication lines by advancing from Montreal and New York City.
The British troops in New York City focused on Philadelphia, leaving the Montreal forces without reinforcements.
American forces under General Horatio Gates defeated the British at Saratoga, New York, marking a key victory for the Revolutionary War.

Valley Forge

During the winter of 1777, the Continental Army was camped at Valley Forge, enduring harsh conditions and a lack of supplies.
Approximately one-quarter of the troops died before spring.

Help from Overseas

Baron von Steuben, a Prussian officer, helped train troops at Valley Forge using new strategies.
In 1778, following the victory at Saratoga and Benjamin Franklin's diplomatic efforts, France openly declared support for the Patriots.

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Test your knowledge on the pivotal moments of the American Revolution, including westward expansion, the formation of alliances, and key colonial strategies. Explore the relationships formed between colonists and Native Americans, and the implications of the Albany Plan. Dive into the complexities of the French and Indian War and its impact on the colonies.