APUSH Chapter 7 Flashcards

Key Figures and Events

• John Hancock: Wealthy president of the Continental Congress, recognized as the "King of the Smugglers."
• George Grenville: British minister instrumental in passing the Stamp Act, igniting opposition in the colonies.
• Crispus Attucks: Alleged African American leader among radical protesters, killed during the Boston Massacre.

Legislation and Acts

• Stamp Act: 1765 legislation that mandated taxes on printed materials, leading to colonial protests and eventual repeal.
• Townshend Acts: Taxes imposed on various goods, particularly tea, leading to colonial unrest and British troop presence in Boston.
• Intolerable Acts: Harsh British measures in response to the Boston Tea Party, including the Boston Port Act and restrictions on colonial activities.

Resistance Movements

• Sons and Daughters of Liberty: Organizations enforcing nonimportation agreements through sometimes coercive means; pivotal in mobilizing public opposition.
• Nonimportation Policies: Key colonial resistance measures against British goods, fostering revolutionary spirit among citizens.
• Committees of Correspondence: Networks created by Samuel Adams for communication and coordination of resistance across the colonies.

Social and Political Developments

• First Continental Congress: Assembly led by John Adams that issued a Declaration of Rights and initiated a boycott of British goods.
• The Association: Organized by the First Continental Congress to unify efforts in boycotting British products.
• Virtual Representation: British theory that asserted Parliament represented all British subjects, including colonists who did not elect representatives.

Military Dynamics

• Minute Men: Colonial militias capable of rapid mobilization, instrumental in the initial conflicts like Lexington and Concord.
• Hessians: German mercenaries hired by King George III to fight against American revolutionaries.
• Baron von Steuben: Military officer who trained American troops, transforming them into a professional fighting force.

Economic Context

• Mercantilism: Economic theory emphasizing strict control over colonial trade to benefit the mother country, restricting colonial manufacturing and trade freedom.
• Admiralty Court: British courts lacking juries; defendants presumed guilty until proven innocent, causing resentment among colonists.

Key Events Leading to Revolution

• Boston Tea Party: Protest against British monopoly by disguised individuals dumping tea into Boston Harbor; led to the Intolerable Acts.
• Battle of Lexington and Concord: First military engagements of the American Revolution, sparked by British attempts to seize supplies.
• Quebec Act: Extended Catholic jurisdiction and a non-jury judicial system, alarming colonists and fueling resistance.

Socio-political Ramifications

• Colonial Independence: Growing sense of self-governance and distance from Britain fostered a desire for independence prior to the revolution.
• British Concerns: Aside from American rebellion, Britain feared potential revolts in Ireland and conflicts with France.
• Military Advantages: Britain had significant resources including foreign troops, wealth, and a powerful navy, contrasted with the colonies’ home-field advantage and self-sufficiency.

Economic Challenges During War

• Continental Paper Money: Currency printed by Congress which lost value significantly due to overproduction and lack of backing.
• Inflation Crisis: Reluctance to tax Americans for war efforts led to economic instability and skyrocketing inflation.