APUSH ch. 5

Boston Massacre

British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists who were teasing and taunting them. Five colonists were killed. The colonists blamed the British and the Sons of Liberty and used this incident as an excuse to promote the Revolution.

Richard Henry Lee

During the Second Continental Congress he declared "These United Colonies are... free and independent states..."

Peter Zenger

Journalist who questioned the policies of the governor of New York in the 1700's. He was jailed; he sued, and this court case was the basis for our freedom of speech and press. He was found not guilty.

Crispus Attucks

Killed in Boston Massacre, black laborer, only African-American person killed in Boston Massacre

King George III

Last king that ruled over American colonies. Reigned for 60 years. Lost colonies in American Revolution.

Tea Act

Law passed by parliament allowing the British East India Company to sell its low-cost tea directly to the colonies - undermining colonial tea merchants; led to the Boston Tea Party - demonstration (1773) by citizens of Boston who (disguised as Indians) raided three British ships in Boston harbor and dumped hundreds of chests of tea into the harbor

Townshend Act

Laws passed in 1767 that taxed goods such as glass, paper, paint, lead, and tea

Olive Branch Resolution

On July 8, 1775, the colonies made a final offer of peace to Britain, agreeing to be loyal to the British government if it addressed their grievances (repealed the Coercive Acts, ended the taxation without representation policies). It was rejected by Parliament, which in December 1775 passed the American Prohibitory Act forbidding all further trade with the colonies.

Committees of Correspondence

Organized by patriot leader Samuel Adams, was a system of communication between patriot leaders in New England and throughout the colonies. They provided the organization necessary to unite the colonies in opposition to Parliament. The committees sent delegates to the First Continental Congress.

Thomas Paine

Revolutionary leader who wrote the pamphlet Common Sense (1776) arguing for American independence from Britain. In England he published The Rights of Man

Quartering Act

Was an act enforced by the British on their North American colonies. It required colonist to provide adequate housing and basic necessities like food to the troops.

Yorktown

Washington traps Cornwallis in the Chesapeake Bay with the help of the French fleet. American victory and British surrenders war.

Abigail Adams

Wife of John Adams. During the Revolutionary War, she wrote letters to her husband describing life on the homefront. She urged her husband to remember America's women in the new government he was helping to create.

Stamp Act

a law past by the British Parliament in 1765 requiring colonists to pay tax on newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, and even playing cards

James Otis

a young lawyer in Boston, argued that colonists should not be taxed by Parliament because they could not vote for members of Parliament. "no taxation without colonist representation"

Declaratory Acts

act passed in 1766 just after the stamp act. Stated the parliament could legislate for the colonies in all cases

Treaty of Paris

agreement signed by British and American leaders that stated the United States of America was a free and independent country. Ended seven years war.

Declaration of Rights and Grievances

at first continental congress, it promised obedience to the King, but denied parliaments right to tax the colonies.

Boston Tea Party

demonstration (1773) by citizens of Boston who (disguised as Indians) raided three British ships in Boston harbor and dumped hundreds of chests of tea into the harbor

Lexington and Concord

first "battles"; meant to get suppies from militia, but shots exchanged between minutemen and the british as the british continued to concord; Americans ambushed british, killing 300

Intolerable Acts

in response to Boston Tea Party, 4 acts passed in 1774, Port of Boston closed, reduced power of assemblies in colonies, permitted royal officers to be tried elsewhere, provided for quartering of troop's in barns and empty houses

Patrick Henry

outspoken member of House of Burgesses; inspired colonial patriotism with "give me liberty or give me death" speech

Samuel Adams

played a key role in the defense of colonial rights. He had been a leader of the Sons of Liberty and suggested the formation of the Committees of Correspondence. Adams was crucial in spreading the principle of colonial rights throughout New England and is credited with provoking the Boston Tea Party.

James Madison

the "father of the constitution," wrote much of the federalist papers, organized the Democratic Republican with Thomas Paine

Mercy Otis Warren

the head of patriot women during the revolution; produced many writings questioning the declining republican values in post-revolutionary America; blamed the "constant state of war", relaxation of government, sudden fluctuation in money, and new foreign intercourse for the chaos of the 1780s

Sugar Act

(1764) British deeply in debt partly to French & Indian War. English Parliament placed a tariff on sugar, coffee, wines, and molasses. Forbade importation of rum. Colonists avoided the tax by smuggling and by bribing tax collectors.

Stamp Act Congress

1765- roup of colonists who protested the Stamp Act, saying that Parliament couldn't tax without colonist' consent

John Adams

A Federalist who was Vice President under Washington in 1789, and later became President by three votes in 1796. Known for his quarrel with France, and was involved in the xyz Affair, Quais War, and the Convention of 1800. Later though he was also known for his belated push for peace w/ France in 1800. Regarding his personality he was a "respectful irritation".

Saratoga

A battle that took place in New York where the Continental Army defeated the British. It proved to be the turning point of the war. This battle ultimately had France to openly support the colonies with military forces in addition to the supplies and money already being sent. Turning point in war.

Sons of Liberty

A radical political organization for colonial independence which formed in 1765 after the passage of the Stamp Act. They incited riots and burned the customs houses where the stamped British paper was kept. After the repeal of the Stamp Act, many of the local chapters formed the Committees of Correspondence which continued to promote opposition to British policies towards the colonies. The Sons leaders included Samuel Adams and Paul Revere.

Daughters of Liberty

An organization formed by women prior to the American Revolution They got together to protest treatment of the colonies by their British Rulers. They also had a large influence during the war, although not as large an influence as the sons of liberty. For example, in the countryside, while Patriots supported the non-importation movements of 1765, and 1769, the Daughters of Liberty continued to support American resistance. They helped end the Stamp Act in 1766. In 1774, the patriot women helped influence a decision made by the Continental Congress to boycott all British goods.