Chapter 5 - The American Revolution - Key Terms

Declaration of Independence

Adopted July 2, 1776, approved July 4, 1776 by the Second Continental Congress; written by Thomas Jefferson. "All men are created equal". Eloquently expressed the Lockean contract with government, and natural rights, the crimes of the British crown; borrowed heavily from individual colonial "declarations." The colonies were the United States of America.

Articles of Confederation

Adopted November 1777, ratified 1781. Continental Congress would be the director of war efforts, while its powers over the states would be limited, leading to its ineffectiveness.

Battle of Saratoga

After British officer John Burgoyne withdrew his forces after fighting New England militiamen in Vermont, Horatio Gates surrounded him; Burgoyne surrendered to the Americans on October 17, 1777. HELPED GAIN FRANCE'S SUPPORT FOR THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

Lord Cornwallis

Appointed as British commander in the South; faced defeats by Greene 1780-1781; surrendered at Yorktown October 17, 1781.

Yorktown

Washington , Rochambeau, Lafayette, and de Grasse caught Lord Cornwallis between land and sea and, after a few failed efforts at resistance, he surrendered four years to the day (October 17, 1781) after Saratoga.

George Washington

Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, appointed unanimously by the Continental Congress in the spring of 1775. Virginian planter-aristocrat who had commanded British forces during the French & Indian War. Incredible military leader despite having to handle serious problems.

John Locke

Contract theory gave natural rights of life, liberty, and property to people, protected by government. Influenced Declaration of Independence with Enlightenment thought.

Benedict Arnold

Launched a threat of Quebec in late 1775 and early 1776, joined later by Richard Montgomery (who died in the conflict). Later, became a traitor and helped the British cause - West Point attack.

Joseph and Mary Brant

Brother and sister of mohwak tribe, supported the british throughout Revolution.

William Howe

British general responsible for the failures and blunders of the British army during the second phase of the revolution. Left Burgoyne to fight alone in the North, and allowed the Patriots to get away often, as with Valley Forge, but mostly didn't understand the seriousness of the war. Replaced by Henry Clinton.

Shays' Rebellion

Debtors and rebellious farmers rallied behind a former Continental Army captain in Massachusetts demanding paper money, tax relief, a moratorium on debts, a move of the state capital from Boston further inland, and an end to debtor imprisonment. Tried to prevent forcefully collecting of debts and the selling of confiscated property. Put down by Massachusetts militiamen in January 1787. Revealed the INEFFECTIVENESS OF THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION.

Thomas Jefferson

Delegate from Virginia who wrote the Declaration of Independence (at 33 years old) with the help of John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. Later, 3rd U.S. President.

Second Continental Congress

Delegation of representatives from the American colonies (except Georgia, who didn't send delegates until the next autumn). Agreed to support the war, but not its purpose. One side wanted complete independence, the other wanted reconciliation with Britain (most wanted some middle ground).

Thomas Paine

English immigrant to American and revolutionary propagandist who authored Common Sense, The Crisis (written during his enlistment in Washington's army at New Jersey, wanted to stir up support for the cause), The Rights of Man, and The Age of Reason (a deist-themed attack on Christianity).

Hessians

German mercenaries employed by the British, camped at outposts in New Jersey at Trenton, by the Delaware River.

Iroquois Confederacy

Had declared themselves neutral in 1776, but half the groups eventually supported the British, while two others of the six supported the Americans and one was split. The British-supporting groups helped Burgoyne in his failed campaigns. Continued to dissolve following the aftermath of the French and Indian War.

Common Sense

Pamphlet published January 1776 by Thomas Paine that called for complete separation from Britain; "An island (England) is no more fit to rule a continent (America), than a satellite is to rule the sun." Sold 100,000+ copies its first few months.

Loyalists/Tories

People who had either opposed the war for independence from the beginning or had been willing to support it as long as it did not conflict with their basic loyalty to the crown.

Nathaniel Greene

Quaker and former Rhode Island blacksmith; appointed commander of the Continental Army in the South by Washington after Gates recalled; inflicted heavy losses (although surrendered) at Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina, March 15, 1781.

Valley Forge

The Continental Army suffered the winter of 1776 her after Washington's forces cross the Delaware River Christmas 1776 and attack the Hessians at Trenton.

Olive Branch Petition

The last reconciliatory request to George III; followed by "Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms" (July 6, 1775). British government rejected the former, and imposed the "Prohibitory Act" and a naval blockade.