American Revolution Past Paper PDF

3.1 What problems did the Seven Years War/French & Indian War cause for Great Britain? The biggest problem for England was the debt,The colonists didnt belive they should pay for the aftermath of the war. What were the fundamental beliefs of the Real...

3.1 What problems did the Seven Years War/French & Indian War cause for Great Britain? The biggest problem for England was the debt,The colonists didnt belive they should pay for the aftermath of the war. What were the fundamental beliefs of the Real Whigs? What were the Real Whigs’ warnings? Beliefs: Powerful government was dangerous, Governments headed by monarchs were dangerous, and standing armies were dangerous. Warnings: a corrupt government might destroy adequate representation, a corrupt government might impose unjust taxes, or replace jury trials with arbitrary proceedings What was the significance of the Stamp Act? It was the first internal direct tax on the colonies. From the colonists’ perspective, what were the problems with the Stamp Act? Revenue measure of a broad scope, stamps had to be paid for in sterling(british currency rather than colonial currency), violators could be tried in british courts, and colonial tradition of self imposed taxation. What was the significance of Parliament’s Declaratory Act? Tax and pass laws “in all cases whatsoever” 3.2 How did the Townshend Duties differ from the Navigation Acts? They were levied on items imported into the colonies from Great Britain (instead of foreign countries) & they were designed to raise money to pay the salaries of royal officials in the colonies What were the provisions of the Coercive Acts (aka: Intolerable Acts)? it forbade any exports to foreign ports or provinces. 3.3 What tasks did the delegates to the Continental Congress face as they gathered in Philadelphia beginning in September 1774? 1) Define their grievances against Great Britain 2) Develop a plan for resistance  3) make military preparations for a possible attack against Boston 4) Decide what their relationship with England would be What were Congress’ two primary accomplishments? 1) Drafted the Articles of Association (served as an agreement to boycott british goods) 2) Establish 2nd continental congress & set meeting 3) Why was what happened at Lexington in April 1775 significant? “The shot heard around the world” was the start of the American Revolution. The American colonists were beginning a struggle. What was the significance of the American Prohibitory Act? Essentially declared war on King Geroge III colonies. How did Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense lay the groundwork for the American Revolution? Suggested the colonists should establish a republic, a government of the people, by the people and for the people. ** It was an important pamphlet because it opened public debate over the issue of independence and moved the American colonists more towards independence. 3.4 Explain why, for the colonists, the military situation was more important than forming a government in 1776. Because one disastrous battle could end the entire bid for independence. Compare and contrast the strategic strengths and weaknesses of the British government and American colonists at the onset of the American Revolution. British Strengths: well trained troops, A huge government, and atlantic logistics British weaknesses: conventional military methods would not work, the colonists commitment to independence Colonists weaknesses: lack of money, lack of proper uniforms, lack of military experience, and lack of support What did the British assume about the fight against the colonists at the beginning of the war? 1) Conducting a police action against unruly mobs 2) The British soldiers would overwhelm the colonial soldiers 3) A clear cut military victory would automatically cause the colonists to be loyal again Why did France join the American colonists in their struggle against the British? The victory of the colonists at Saratoga had King Louis XVI realize the English colonists were a formidable and a serious force. 3.5 What was the result of the Treaty (Peace) of Paris for: It confirmed the existence of the USA and independence for the colonists.  Explain the three points of significance of the American Revolution as discussed in lecture. 1) Americans began to expand geographically 2) Manifested Destiny 3) expanded their vision of the world (began trading with india and china) and created the USA 3.6 Explain the five major problems discussed in lecture that the United States faced in the immediate aftermath of the American Revolution. Post war inflation, soldiers were owed money, lack of unity, states printing their own money, & disagreements about land ownership. Whether or not they contained a formal bill of rights, most state constitutions guaranteed citizens what four fundamental rights? Freedom of religion, freedom of the press, the right to a fair trial, and the right to consent of taxation What powers did the Articles of Confederation grant the federal government (Congress)? - Declare war & make peace - Make treaties - Settle disputes between states - Borrow and print money - Ask the states for money for defense and wellfare. What were the provisions of the Articles of Confederation in relation to the states? - Each state had one vote - Each state was sovereign, independent and free - Any powers that the Articles did not give Congress belonged to the states Why was the government of the young United States under the Articles of Confederation weak? - No power to impose taxes - No power to enforce its authorities Explain why Shays’ Rebellion helped Congress realize that it needed to reform the Articles of Confederation. After the farmers advocated for lower taxes, It caused the upper classes in the young United States to question what might happen next. They questioned if the Articles of Confederation was strong enough for the new government. How did Native Americans respond when Congress opened the Northwest Territory to settlement by white settlers? Why? They were furious because they weren't invited to Paris to negotiate the Peace of Paris and had no say in that Great Britain gave away their territory. 3.7 Summarize the debate over representation in Congress as embodied in the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, and the Great Compromise.  the Virginia Plan: Proposed the creation of a system of mutual checks & balances so that the various branches of the government could keep an eye on one another The New Jersey plan: smaller states proposed that the congress would consist of only 1 house and each state would have an equal vote in it. Also proposed that the government would have the power to levy taxes. The Great Compromise: offered a two house legislature with proportional representation, and equal representation in the senate. Explain the essential structure of the U.S. government created under the Constitution. explains how the government is set up and defines the three branches of government Contrast the positions of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists concerning the U.S. Constitution. The Federalists argued for a stronger national government and the Anti-Federalists defended a vision of America rooted in powerful states.