Chapter 8 The New World's First Republic

Paul Revere

A Massachusetts patriot rode from Boston to warn the colonists at Lexington that the British were coming.

Bill of Rights

A list of rights or freedoms that the Constitutions gives to Americans. These are the first 10 amendments of the Constitution.

Boston Massacre

A snowball fight led to the death of 5 colonists.

Boston Tea Party

About 50 colonists dressed like Indians and dumped crates of tea into the Boston Harbor to protest the tax on tea.

John Adams

America's first Vice President.

Minutemen

Certain men that were called this because it was said that they could be ready to fight at a minute's notice.

The Battle of Bunker Hill

Colonists ran out of gunpowder and the British secured the first victory here.

Executive branch (President)

Enforces the laws, consists of the President, Vice President, and Executive Assistance including the Cabinet. Located in the White House.

Patrick Henry

Famous saying was, "Give me liberty or give me death!"

Hessians

German Soldiers that were hired by the king to fight against the Americans.

Benjamin Banneker

Helped to plan Washington D.C. and was the first black American to write a scientific book.

Farewell Address

In this speech, Washington thanked the American people and urged them to be responsible citizens.

Judicial branch (Supreme Court)

Interprets the laws, consists of the Supreme Court (with its 9 justices) and the lower federal courts (11 circuit courts and 90 district courts).

Battle of Saratoga

Known as the turning point of the war for Independence.

Legislative branch (Congress)

Makes the laws, consists of 2 houses. Senate and House of Representatives. Congress meets at the Capitol

New York

Our nation's first capital.

Patriots

People who wanted America to be free from Britain's rule.

Stamp Act

Required that documents purchased by the colonists have special stamps affixed to them, proving a tax had been paid.

Nathan Hale

The American patriot that said, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

King George III

The King of England during the American War for Independence.

Betsy Ross

The Lady who is said to have stitched the first United States flag.

Treaty of Paris

The agreement signed by England giving the colonies their freedom.

Constitution

The document that is the plan for government that the United States still follows today.

John Hancock

The first to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Mayflower Compact

The first written agreement of self-government in America.

Northwest Territory

The land that extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River and the land that extends form Florida to Canada.

Benjamin Franklin

The man who suggested beginning each meeting of the Constitutional Convention with prayer.

James Madison

The man who was given credit for doing the most work at the Constitutional Convention.

Washington D.C.

The present day capital.

John Paul Jones

This American patriot said, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Battle of Bunker Hill

This battle in Boston was the first major battle of the war.

Ethan Allen

This man and the Green Mountain Boys secured Fort Ticonderoga.

George Rogers Clark

This man secured American control of the Northwest frontier by taking forts and controlling the Ohio River.

Valley Forge

Washington and his men spent a harsh winter battling hunger and cold temperatures here.

Yorktown

Washington's victory here led to the surrender of Cornwallis and the entire British army.

No power to tax, leader, court system, or power to settle disputes.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Lexington

Where the first shots were fired.

George Washington

a 21 year old Virginian with a reputation for being both brave and wise.

James Armistead

a black slave who served the colonial army as a spy