Imperial Crisis and Resistance to Britain 1763-1776

Thomas Hutchinson

British official, Massachusetts governor, order tea ships to not to clear harbor. House pillaged and burned by colonists.

Republicanism

Idea from American colonists that a just society one in which all citizens willingly subordinated their private, selfish interests in the common good.

Lexington and Concord

Initiated American revolution. Concord and Lexington were American victories.

Enlightenment

Intellectual thriving period in America in the 18th century. Influenced scientific revolution.

Samuel Adams

Leader of Sons and Daughters of Liberty, suggested formation of Committees of Correspondence, was crucial is spreading colonial rights throughout New England, and provoked Boston Tea Party.

"Give me liberty or give me death!"

March 23, 1775: Sir. Patrick Henry who delivered the speech that primarily sought the freedom of the state he governed.

Boston Massacre

March 5, 1770, British troops fire at patriot mob rioting against British taxes. 5 were killed.

Baron von Steuben

Organizational genius who turned raw colonial recruits into tough military soldiers.

Committees of Correspondence

Organized by Samuel Adams, communicated patriot leaders in New England throughout the colonies, provided the organization necessary to unite the colonies against Parliament, the committees sent delegates to the First Continental Congress.

Declaratory Act

Passed in 1766, stated that Parliament could legislate for the colonies in all cases.

John Locke

Philosopher that believed all people have a right to life, liberty, and property; stated the government is "created by the people for the people".

writs of assistance

Search warants issued by British government. They allowed officials to search houses and ships for smuggling goods.

Militia

The "buckskin" colonial soldiers whose military success did nothing to alter British officers' contempt.

"Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania"

The 12 letters were widely read and were important in uniting colonists against Townshend Acts.

Stamp Act Congress

The Congress was formed to protest the newly passed Stamp Act in 1765.

"shot heard round the world"

The first shot that started the battle of Lexington.

Autonomy

The right or condition of self-government, especially in a particular sphere.

Paul Revere

This man alerted the colonists that the British were coming to Lexington and Concord by taking a midnight horse to spread the word and to prepare colonists.

John Adams

This man attended the First Continental Congress, signed Declaration of Independence, and with the party of the Treaty of Paris.

Benjamin Franklin

This man connected the colonies to Britain, opposed to unnecessary unfair taxation; strong influence on Albany Plan.

George Grenville

This man passed Sugar and Stamp Act; appointed by King George III as the Prime Minister.

Thomas Paine

This man published Common Sense, an argument that urged America to become independent.

King George III

This man rejected Olive Branch Petition (now seen as a tyrant)

John Dickinson

This man was one of the extreme ends of the Second Continental Congress. Hoped for a quick reconciliation with Great Britain.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

This man's political philosophy influenced the French Revolution and the development of modern political and educational thought.

Common Sense

This was published by Thomas Paine in 1776, in which argued that the colonists should free themselves from British rule and establish an independent government based on Enlightenment ideals.

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"

Charley Townshend

"Champagne Charley" (great speeches while drunk). Passed Townshend Acts 1767, which was tax on glass, white lead, paper, and tea.

John Hancock

"King of Smugglers", Patriot leader and president of the Second Continental Congress; First person to sign Declaration of Independence.

Patrick Henry

"Virginia Resolves" were his resolutions for the colonies on taxes. No taxing unless by the Virginia House.

Crispus Attucks

"mulatto"- One of the Colonials involved in the Boston Massacre and when shooting started, he was the first to die.

Commonwealthmen

(Radical Whigs) "feared government control"

Sugar Act

1764, tax on imports (sugar, coffee, wine, and other colonial imports) effects; price of good went up, James Otis said "No taxation without representation"

Quartering Act

1765, required certain colonies to provide food and quarters for British troops.

Stamp Act

1765, tax on official documents. Colonial anger resulted with Son's and Daughter's of Liberty

Sons and Daughters of Liberty

1765: Samuel Adams terrorizes stamp tax collectors; boycotted English goods; 1766: Parliament repeals.

Townshend Acts

1767, collected revenues from colonists by placing duties on glass, while lead, paper, paint, and tea.

Boston Tea Party

1773, Bostonians (dressed as Indians) smashed 342 chests of salty tea and dumped it into the harbor.

Intolerable Acts

1774, also the Coercive Acts, meant to punish colonists for Boston Tea Party

First Continental Congress

1774, protest Intolerable Acts, voted for boycott of British imports, sent petition to King George III.

Quebec Act

1774, setting procedures of governance in the Province of Quebec and used to punish 13 colonies for Boston Tea Party

Second Continental Congress

1775, asked for repealition of Coercive Acts, cease-fire in Boston, King George III rejected petition.

Battle of Bunker Hill

3000 British troops attacked American fortifications.

Mercantilism

A concept of economic life; increase the nation's wealth by extracting wealth from foreign countries, the would's wealth is finite.

Thomas Jefferson

A member of Continental Congress, wrote Declaration of Independence.

Richard Henry Lee

A member of Second Continental Congress who urged Congress to support independence; signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Patriots

A person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies and dictators.

taxation without representation

A situation in which a government imposes taxes on its citizens, without citizens consenting. This is one of the trigger events that caused the American Revolution.

Virtual Representation

All English subjects are represented in Parliament, including those not allowed to vote.