5.4 The War Begins

blockaded

to stop all traffic into and out of a place

In response to the Olive Branch Petition, King George declared the colonies to be ____.

traitors

traitor

a person who betrays his or her country

The Green Mountain Boys captured ____ that helped the Continental Army drive the British out of Boston.

cannons

To finance the colonial army, the Second Continental Congress decided to ____.

print paper money

mercenaries

soldiers who are paid to fight for a country that is not their own

Some ____ feared a revolution would cost them their property.

Loyalists

Which colonists most wanted to make peace with Britain?

Loyalists typically owned land and held government positions; they remained loyal in an effort to keep their powers and properties.

At the Second Continental Congress, a moderate group from the ____ Colonies did not support independence.

Middle

The ____ won the Battle of Bunker Hill, but at a great cost.

British

What advantages did the British hold early in the war?

(1) The British navy blockaded American ports. (2) The British used mercenaries.

In what ways did the Second Continental Congress act like a government?

(1) They prepared for war, despite that some delegates wanted to make peace with Britain. (2) They formed the Continental Army and made George Washington its commander. (3) They printed paper money to pay for war expenses.

What happened at the Battle of Bunker Hill?

10000 Americans surrounded Boston, with 6500 British camped inside. The colonial troops held off the first two attacks from the British then ran out of ammunition. The British won the third attack and battle.

How did Britain respond to the Olive Branch Petition?

20000 British soldiers were sent to the colonies.

How did African Americans and Native Americans feel about the war?

Enslaved African Americans sided with the British, hoping to win freedom. Native Americans feared losing their land to the colonists and also sided with the British.

How did George Washington run the British out of Boston?

In 1775, he moved the cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to high ground overlooking the city. The British could no longer defend themselves.

What was the Olive Branch Petition?

Sent by the Second Continental Congress to the King, it stated that colonists were the King's loyal subjects. It also stated the colonists were ready and willing to fight for independence.

How did colonists feel about the war for independence?

Some colonists were in favor of independence, while others had loyalties to England.

Which colonists most wanted to fight for independence?

The Patriots, who had been most affected by the new tax laws, were most willing; they included farmers, workers and merchants.

Why were the Americans unable to take Canada?

The attacks on Quebec failed due to wintry weather, sickness and hunger.

What was significant about the Battle at Fort Ticonderoga?

The colonists' victory provided them with much-needed weaponry, including cannons.

How were early battles in the American Revolution significant to the colonists?

They showed the willingness of the colonists to fight for independence, and the experiences showed they were capable of beating the British.