American Study mid-term review Unit 2

Stamp Act Congress

('No taxation without representation'- James Otis, sons of liberty). Boycott of English goods.

French and Indian War

(AKA "7 years war"). British and colonists fought against French and Indians.

Natural Rights

(Life Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness) described by John Locke, which also affected Thomas Jefferson while writing the Declaration of Independence and Thomas Paine, Common Sense.

What were the war's major turning points

- The Lexington and Concord Battle (the first turning point)(Americans won.) - Battle of Saratoga (French became allies with Americans.) - Battle of Yorktown (Americans won, under Washington)

What were the impacts of the American Revolution on women, native Americans, African-Americans

- Women: not any immediate gain in political or legal power. Took charge of family, farms and businesses during the war.After the war, although they still didn't have any rights, they were awakened by the ideas of independence and human rights. - African Americans: antislavery in the North (Abigail Adams), but also laws limiting their legal rights and political power. - Native Americans: spread idea of liberty. Congress used "all men are created equal"(Jefferson), to justify the revolution.But they treated Native Americans in a way totally contradicting with the equality ideas behind the independence.

To what extent was the American Revolution a "Revolution"

: (wasn't something that happened quickly, it took time to progress) America became a true-meaning independent country. - Americans are not controlled by England. - A new radical change in a society, in a place. - is the basis of other things to happen.

Battle of Saratoga

American major victory. • Turning point of the war. • France became the first foreign allay of the USA. • The first time US was recognized as an independent power globally.

What were the military strategies and problems for both the Americans and the British

Americans did not have as many military supplies as the British and they used the strategy of outlasting British. British had ample military supplies and they wanted to eliminate American militaries quickly and directly. But their way of direct mass attacks made them easy targets of American soldiers.Also, Britain had economic difficulties after the French and Indian War.

What battle, if any, can be considered the turning point of the war

Battle of Saratoga

Tea Act

Britain wanted to tax on tea to Americans.

Boston Massacre

British attempt to put down the resistance of Townshend Acts, 5 people died. Samuel Adams exaggerated this as a "massacre" in order to gain public attention against British oppression.

Salutary neglect

British colonial policy during the early 1700s. Not control the government, but control the economy.

Stamp Act

British taxed on printed objects to colonists, to pay the cost of keeping their troops in America

Battle of Bunker Hill

British victory against Americans, but it was really hard for them to win so they understood that America was not as powerless as they thought.

Describe the importance of Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence.

Common Sense addressed to the colonists and encouraged them to believe that they have the right to be independent, call for the spirit Declaration of Independence addressed to Britain and declared the independence of the colonies. they were both important as they were the key documents in American independence. Because it was necessary to convince both the colonists and British that independence was inevitable.

Battle of Trenton

December 1776 • Americans won. • Washington's strategy: On Christmas Day, Washington's army quietly crossed the Delaware River and attacked the British troops surprisingly

Boston Tea Party

Destroys tea by throwing it into Boston Harbor. Protests to the Tea Act

Triangular Trade

English colonies(rum,gun power)-South America( sugar, molasse)-Africa (slave, pepper, gold)

First Continental Congress

Established to plan an united response to new developments. Members hoped to resolve colonies' problems, like crisis, using their wide range of viewpoints. Colonists wanted to have a voice in the British parliament. It can be considered as the first steps of independence. Colonies planned a united respond to the English acts.

Lexington and Concord

First shots of revolutionary war. British army searching for military supplies. First war that Americans were encouraged.

Why was it possible to gain European allies

It was possible to gain French allies because British was the common enemy for both the colonists and France.

how important were European allies to the war's successful conclusion

Its very important because without their help America could not win the war. Americans didn't have money nor armforce to fight against the British

Abigail Adams

John Adam's wife. Educated. Raised questions to her husband and the issue of slavery. Federalist.

Battle of Yorktown

Last war of the independent revolution. won by Americans under Washington's command.

Common Sense: by Thomas Paine.

Main idea: encourage American people to have a direct and violent separation from Britain. Critical analysis: was influenced by John Locke, aimed to make people aware of the British oppression

Declaration of Independence: by Thomas Jefferson.

Main idea: to declare that the colonists want their independence and persuade the British that the colonists have the right to choose their government. Critical analysis: people had natural rights that they weren't receiving. The only way was to ask for independence. influenced by John Locke's enlightenment idea

Loyalist

People that are loyal to British and are willing to work for British.

Evolving role of women:

Since most of the men went to the war, women start to take over the job that men use to have at home. Some of the women even went to the war to help.

George Washington

The first president of United States. Federalist who believes in little international interaction.He was a national hero, the leader of the American army during the Independence War. Sets the example of 2-term presidency. No favor in political parties. Appointed Jefferson and Hamilton as his secretaries "Declaration of Neutrality" & "Farewell Address"

Eliza Lucas

The founding mother. Good at business, female leadership. "new woman". Initiated the trade of Indigo as a cash crop in South Carolina.

Cornwallis

The leader of British army. Lost in the war of Yorktown. Washington's victory.

Treaty of Paris (1763)

The treaty was made after the 7 years war. Spain gave up Florida. Britain was weakened on both military and economy. The colonists cannot expand over Appalachian mountain

Where colonists justified in resisting British policies after the French and Indian War

They were justified because although the colonists fought next to British, after the war, British closed the west of the Appalachian Mountains to them, instead of rewarding them. Also, British put really heavy taxes and interfered with the colonies' economy.

Was the American War for independence inevitable

Yes. Because America was so far away from its mother country, people of America and people of Britain developed different values. Britain imposed a lot of taxes which were intolerable to Americans.There were a lot of examples of British oppression on the colonies , which limited colonies' economic freedom and independency: -Proclamation of 1763 -Stamp Act -Declaratory Act -Boston Massacre

Mercantilism

a country should try to get and keep as much bullion, gold and silver as possible, through trade.

Common Sense

a pamphlet supporting the colony's independence from Britain.

The Enlightenment

an 18th century European movement that emphasized science and reason as keys to improving society-John Locke. It had a huge impact on the ideas behind the American revolution.

Thomas Jefferson

anti-federalist who wrote the declaration of independence.

Declaratory Act

assert/approve ty over the colony. British has the right to rule everything.

Thomas Paine

author of Common Sense.He was influenced by John Locke's ideas of natural rights.

Boycott

avoid buying foreign products.Colonists' response to the heavy British taxes.

Quartering Act

colonists have to provide house and food for British troops.

Proclamation of 1763

forbade colonists from expanding west of Appalachian Mountains. Colonists felt threatened and oppressed.

Middle Passage

slave passage in triangular trade.From Africa to America

Dec. of Independence

the document declaring the colony's independence from Britain. (Thomas Jefferson)

Treaty of Paris (1783)

the result of Independence war between Britain and America. Britain admitted America's independence; border set between US and British Canada; Britain withdraw remaining troops ; pledges not to persecute American Loyalists, remain their lands and properties; Florida returned to Spain.