Chapter 4 - The American Revolution, 1754-1783

patriots

American colonists who supported the war for independence

loyalists

Americans who supported Britain and opposed the war for independence

letters of marque

a license issued by Congress to private ship owners, authorising them to attack British merchant ships

non important agreement

a pledge by merchants not to buy imported goods from a particular source

writ of assistance

a search warrant that enabled customs officers to enter any location to look for evidence of smuggling

customs duty

a tax on imports and exports

manumission

a term referring to the voluntary freeing of enslaved persons

minutemen

companies of soldiers who were ready to fight on a moment's notice

emancipation

or freedom of enslavement, became an issue during the Revolution

committee of correspondence

organized in each colony to communicate with and unify the colonies

inflation

refers to the loss of the value of money that causes higher prices

republic

the form of government known as a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , power resides in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote

guerrilla warfare

the technique of fighting by using small bands of warriors and tactics such as ambushes