APUSH: Ch. 4-6 Study Guide

Who were the Sons of Liberty?

But despite Britain repealing the law, many Americans realized this fight was not over. Foreseeing more conflict in the future, several prominent Americans organized the Sons of Liberty, a group created to organize future colonial resistance to British policies.

What was the result of the Battle of Guilford?

Surprisingly, and despite the retreat, the Americans lost fewer men in the battle than the British—who lost one quarter of their forces. The high casualties of the British victory at Guilford Courthouse was so high that one British politician remarked, "Another such victory would ruin the British Army!" Greene retreated into the backwoods with his army intact, while Cornwallis and his badly bruised British troops headed north into Virginia.

What happened after Dawes and Revere made it to Lexington?

After Dawes and Revere made it to Lexington and met with Adams and Hancock, the group determined that because of the size of the British force, 700 troops, that their real aim could not be to arrest Adams and Hancock because that was an unnecessarily large force for that task. They correctly guessed that the true intention of the march was to seize the arms at Concord. Revere and Dawes were ordered to continue their ride and warn the residents of Concord to move the militia's supplies.

How did the Battle of Yorktown begin?

After a short campaign in Virginia, Cornwallis was ordered to march to the coastal town of Yorktown to await resupply from New York. But while Cornwallis' Virginia campaign had taken place, Greene had stayed in the Carolinas and began to reassert Continental control, undoing three years of work by the British in the South.

What did the British do after finishing the search of Concord?

After finishing the search of Concord, the British began the long march back to Boston. It was already the afternoon of the 19 th and the British troops had now marched approximately 20 miles and been up for a day and a half with no sleep. Making it worse, approximately 2,000 colonial militiamen from the surrounding area, known for their ability to get ready in a minute's notice, had begun to assemble along the road back to Boston. For the next several hours, colonial "minutemen" battled the British, shooting at them from behind rock walls, trees, barns, and shrubbery, before running off into the woods. Each time, the British would stop their march and organize detachments to futilely chase after the colonists in the brush. This scene repeated itself over and over for the rest of the day and into the evening. After marching 40 miles over a 24-hour period and suffering over 270 casualties from the colonial counterattack, the British finally limped back into Boston.

What did the British do after the Massachusetts Government Act was passed?

After the Massachusetts Government Act was passed—dissolving local governments—the British also began seizing colonial militia supplies that had been under the control of the local militias and the Massachusetts legislature.

What happened after Washington surrendered to the French?

After the battle, Washington was presented with a surrender treaty. But because the treaty was written in French, he couldn't read it. Embarrassed at his lack of a formal education, Washington refused to admit that he couldn't understand the treaty and signed it anyways. In the treaty, Washington admitted to personally assassinating Jumonville.

What happened after the loss at Cowpens?

After the loss at Cowpens, Cornwallis resolved to destroy Nathanael Greene's army, the other Continental army in the South. Like Morgan before him, Greene also ran. In an effort to catch up, Cornwallis ordered his wagons burned so his army could march faster. In March, Cornwallis finally caught up to Greene at Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina.

What did Britain do anticipating more trouble from the Townshend Acts?

After the violent colonial response to the Stamp Act, Britain anticipated more trouble when the Townshend Acts were passed. Therefore, they sent troops to the colonies, including four regiments to Boston, the site of the most violent protests against the Stamp Act.

What happened after one of Washington's allies killed Jumonville?

Afterwards, Washington retreated with his men to his hastily constructed Fort Necessity, a few miles away, to await a French counterattack. One of the French soldiers at Jumonville Glen had managed to escape during the battle and ran barefoot back to Fort Duquesne—a distance of 50 miles—to alert the French of the English presence. The commander of the French at Fort Duquesne happened to be Joseph Jumonville's brother and swore revenge for the murder of his sibling.

What was the initial reaction to the Stamp Act?

American colonial reaction to the Stamp Act was quick and, in some cases, vicious. Colonists in Boston first hung an effigy of the tax collector. Then, the colonists tore down the office that was to be used for collecting the tax, brought the wood to the tax collector's house, and started a bonfire. They also brought the effigy to his house, beheaded it, and threw it into the fire. The colonists then threw stones at British officials who tried to stop the mob and followed that up by looting the tax collector's house.

What was the end of the American Revolution?

Although the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolution would not be signed for two more years, the Battle of Yorktown was the last engagement of the Revolution. The British, in seven years of fighting, had failed to subdue the rebels and created more enemies than friends as the war had dragged on. Worse, their three-year campaign in the South had resulted in no permanent gains. While the British still controlled New York City, British political leaders realized the futility of continued fighting. Upon hearing of the surrender at Yorktown, the British Prime Minister was claimed to have said "Oh God, it's all over."

What was a favorable balance of trade?

Another main tenet of mercantilism was that each country wanted to have a favorable balance of trade, meaning that the value of a nation's exports should exceed the value of its imports. Under this idea, the home nation would accumulate more and more capital because of this favorable imbalance of trade with its colonies.

How many Americans were hurt/killed in the Revolution?

Approximately 50,000 Americans had been killed or wounded in the fight for independence.

What was the reason for the Albany Congress?

As English settlements expanded westward from the Atlantic coast and French settlements expanded south from Canada into the Ohio River Valley, settlers from the two nations began to run into one another on the frontier. In 1754, delegates from seven English colonies met in Albany, New York to discuss possible strategies for defending the frontier against the French.

What happened as Morgan had moved through western South Carolina?

As Morgan had moved through western South Carolina—gathering supplies and rousing the local militias—Lord Cornwallis wanted to march into North Carolina, but did not want to leave Morgan in his rear. Cornwallis finally ordered Colonel Tarleton to ride west with his cavalry and eliminate the threat.

What was the result of St Leger's failure and Howe's selfishness?

As a result of St. Leger's failure and Howe's selfishness, Burgoyne inadvertently found himself alone in the woods of northern New York. While he did have with him over 200 supply wagons carrying 84 tons of supplies, the Americans had made his campaign difficult. Fighting him at several points as he worked his way south, American snipers picked off British officers in the dense woods of Northern New York at every opportunity they could.

How did the colonists respond to the Navigation Acts?

As a result of the Navigation Acts, some colonists began to smuggle, either purchasing foreign goods illegally, selling their own goods to foreigners illegally, or sneaking British goods in to avoid paying the taxes that were due.

What was the result of the Great Awakening?

As a result of this movement, known as the Great Awakening, many churches in America fractured. Established congregations, called Old Lights, lost members as those influenced by these revivals formed new denominations, called New Lights.

What was the Battle of Jumonville Glen?

As the French approached, Washington was informed by his Native allies of the party coming out to confront him. At night, Washington scouted out the French position and formulated a plan to attack at dawn—while most of the French soldiers were still sleeping. In the subsequent skirmish, known at the Battle of Jumonville Glen, Washington's troops killed or captured most of the French.

What was the major effect of the Great Awakening?

As the Great Awakening spread egalitarian thoughts and ideas through America, many colonists began to lose respect for churches with established leadership hierarchies. Preaching that God created all men equal, this movement furthered the sense in America that social classes were not as important as people in the Old World had traditionally believed. Eventually, this change in culture permeated political thinking as well and many American colonists began to question governmental hierarchies, like the European monarchies.

What happened as the Lexington militia was disbanding?

As the Lexington militia was disbanding, someone fired a shot. No one knows for sure where it came from, or who fired it, but the British—who had been ordered not to fire—immediately reacted by firing a volley into the colonial militia. Eight Americans were killed.

What advantages did the American army have?

As the revolution entered its second year of fighting, the newly-assembled American army had several advantages aiding its cause. First, they were fighting on their home ground, which allowed them to swell their ranks just prior to battles by using the support of local militias. They were also fighting for an inspiring cause—rather than money like most British-allied soldiers—and were therefore willing to withstand terrible conditions for long periods of time during the war. The American colonies were also far away from Britain (by the standards of the 18 th century), which caused numerous communication problems for the British that helped the Americans in many key moments. During the war, the Americans could also choose to fight defensively because as long as the fighting continued, the revolution and the dream of independence stayed alive.

What happened to the colonists over time?

As the years passed, each successive generation of colonists found itself with less and less of a connection to England. While the first generation of settlers were born in England, subsequent generations had never lived in England and knew little of it. By 1700, there were 250,000 English colonists in North America, but by 1775, the year the American Revolution began, there were 2.5 million—many with no attachment to England other than their ancestors from generations ago.

What did the Continental soldiers face at Valley Forge?

At Valley Forge, the Continental soldiers would suffer through unimaginable horrors. Making camp in late December, Washington ordered huts to be constructed, but they weren't finished until the end of January and his men had to sleep outside in the interim. When completed, the huts did finally provide shelter, but they also helped disease spread. Heated by fires, the huts became filled with smoke causing various respiratory ailments. Additionally, the ground inside the huts became filled human waste. Many men, too sick to get out of bed, simply soiled themselves and the waste mixed with the mud base of the huts, helping to cause a typhoid outbreak. Each 14'x16' hut also housed 12 men and the close proximity of the soldiers helped diseases spread quickly.

What was Franklin's role regarding the Plan of Union?

Benjamin Franklin, one of the main authors and proponents of the plan, created a political cartoon supporting it, encouraging the colonies to "Join, or die."

What did the British do after the French and Indian War?

Britain emerged from the French and Indian War with a serious problem regarding its debt. While prior to the war, their annual budget had been £8 million per year, following the war, their debt was costing the British government £5 million per year in interest payments alone. Because the citizens of Britain were already heavily taxed, and in some cases already rioting against taxation themselves—much in the same way the Americans would in the decade to come—the British leadership decided to close their budget shortfalls by imposing new taxes on the American colonies.

What was the Boston Tea Party?

British law allowed ships to stay at port for 20 days before they were required to unload their cargo and pay all necessary duties. On the night of the 19 th day of the British tea ships being docked in Boston Harbor, December 16, 1773, the citizens of Boston met at the Old South Meeting House, to discuss their next move. There, they learned that the governor intended to use military force to displace the colonists guarding the ships and forcibly bring the tea onshore the next morning. Seeing no further recourse, several dozen colonists left the meeting, went down to the harbor and threw 342 cases of British tea into the water in an event that became known as the Boston Tea Party.

What happened once British regiments arrived in Lexington?

British regiments arrived in Lexington at sunrise on the morning of April 19 th. There, 700 British troops met approximately 70 Lexington militiamen. Prior to their arrival, the American commander in charge of the militia, Captain John Parker, prophetically said, "Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to have a war, let it begin here." However, when he saw his men were outnumbered 10 to 1, Parker's bravery wavered and he ordered his men to disperse.

What did Britain do after appealing the Stamp Act?

By March 1766, with no British officials in America willing to enforce the law, Britain repealed the Stamp Act. Attempting to save face and re-assert their right to govern the colonies, Parliament replaced the Stamp Act with the Declaratory Act, which stated that Parliament retained power over the colonies "in all cases whatsoever."

What had happened to Burgoyne's plan by late August?

By late August, Burgoyne's plan had become bogged down in difficulties. St. Leger had been defeated by a combined force of Americans and Natives in western New York, while Howe had decided to abandon the plan altogether. Not wanting Burgoyne to get credit for winning a decisive campaign against the Americans, Howe—who was supposed to sail up the Hudson to help Burgoyne—instead loaded his army onto ships and sailed for Philadelphia. Howe believed that if he could capture the American capital, a typical tactic of European wars, he could win the war himself and gain the ensuing credit.

How did the British soldiers cause the most trouble?

Causing most of the trouble, however, was the fact that many British soldiers, who were poorly paid, began hiring themselves out as dock workers at the harbor when they were not on duty. Many local dockworkers in Boston felt the British soldiers were "stealing" their jobs and tensions began to rise. Fistfights between drunken colonists and British soldiers, especially in the dark streets of Boston when the pubs were closing, became a common occurrence.

What did Gates do?

Despite nearly a 2-to-1 advantage in troops over the British, Gates foolishly placed all of his untested militia units on his flank. As the British approached, the redcoats fired a single volley before ordering a bayonet charge. Many of Gates' militia forces ran from the field in terror without firing a single shot. Those who did fire, did so in a panic and missed their targets. Then, they promptly dropped their guns and joined the retreat. Gates' flank collapsed and his army was overrun. Gates himself abandoned his men and ran from the field of battle—providing a stark contrast to Washington, who had personally organized and led repeated retreats in the North. Gates rode north as fast as he could, not stopping until he had reached Charlotte, North Carolina, 60 miles from the field of battle. He lost 2,000 of his 4,000 men, while the British commander, Lord Cornwallis, had only lost 300 out of 2,100.

What positives came from Valley Forge?

Despite the harshness of the winter at Valley Forge, there were some positives to come out of it. First, a Prussian military captain, Friedrich von Steuben, took the opportunity to give the army its first real military training. He showed the army how to execute military maneuvers, fire their weapons more effectively, and devised a uniform field manual for the army. In addition to von Steuben's efforts, the survivors of Valley Forge, having gone through such a horrible ordeal, were now more committed to victory than ever before.

What contributed to salutary neglect?

Despite this economic control, the English monarchy had little interest in the day-to-day governance of their North American colonies in these early years. Because the early colonies were set-up either as private commercial ventures, or as havens to get rid of religious malcontents, England mostly ignored them.

How did the troops in the colonies make the colonists feel?

During that time, the British had one troop in Boston for every four citizens and the colonists felt an oppressive military presence as British soldiers camped in the town square, Boston Commons. Walking by, the citizens of Boston witnessed the brutal discipline and whippings that were common in the British army and Bostonian women were subjected to many unwelcome remarks from the British soldiers. Boston "neck," the thin strip of land connecting the city with the rest of Massachusetts was also closed—sealing off the city—and all travelers in and out of Boston were subjected to invasive searches.

How did the First Great Awakening begin?

During the 1730's and 1740's, a series of religious revivals swept through England's North American colonies. Originally started by Jonathan Edwards, a Congregationalist minister from Massachusetts, they were continued by George Whitfield, an Anglican preacher from England, and then copied by ministers all throughout the colonies.

What was the Quebec Act?

During the same session of Parliament, Britain passed the Quebec Act. Worried about the loyalty of French settlers still living in Canada, the Quebec Act granted those settlers religious freedom and placed much of the Great Lakes region under control of the Quebec government.

How did England enforce mercantilism?

England enforced mercantilism in its empire through the Navigation Acts, a series of laws governing English trade beginning in 1651. The Navigation Acts required that all ships trading in English North America be built either in England or in America and its crew was required to be 75 percent English. Goods from America could only be traded to England or another English colony and all other nations were forbidden from trading in the English colonies. Finally, the English created a list of items—called enumerated goods—that American colonists were forbidden to trade because they directly competed with English products.

How did the French and Indian War begin?

Eventually, the increased contact between British colonial traders and French fur traders in the Ohio River Valley resulted in open conflict. Both groups claimed the region as their own and whoever gained control of the area would have control of the lucrative fur trade.

What did Washington decide to do facing the end of the revolution?

Facing the end of the revolution, Washington decided on one last, desperate gamble. He decided, against the advice of several of his own officers, to take his ragtag group of 5,000 soldiers and launch an attack on the British the day after Christmas. He ordered his troops—many of whom had no coats or shoes—to cross the icy Delaware River into New Jersey in the middle of the night, march 10 miles in a driving storm of hail and freezing rain and attack a group of well-disciplined Hessians at Trenton. Washington's own code word for the attack, "Victory, or death," may have revealed his own lack of confidence in the plan.

Who did urban colonists favor?

Finally, some urban colonists remained loyal to Britain because they were merchants who relied on British trade to earn a living, or had jobs working for the royal colonial governments.

What laws were a part of the Coercive Acts (the first two)?

First, the Boston Port Bill closed Boston Harbor until the colonists agreed to pay for the tea they had destroyed. As Boston was so dependent on trade, and on the harbor for that trade, this law crippled the local economy. Second, the Justice Act was passed. It said that any British soldier who killed a colonist in the act of suppressing a riot could be tried for that crime in Britain—where it was inferred the soldier would be found not guilty. The threat behind this act was so thinly veiled that George Washington went so far as to call it "The Murder Act."

What was the Albany Congress plan in regards to the Iroquois?

First, the delegates attempted to get the Iroquois to abandon their neutrality and join with the British against the French. This idea failed.

What were the colonists like following the passage of the Coercive Acts?

Following passage of the Coercive Acts, many people in Boston, not wanting to live under British martial law, left the city. At the same time, many colonists still loyal to the King fled into the city from surrounding areas to live under the protection of British troops. The British, while maintaining a heavy presence within the city itself, did not occupy the countryside. Many colonial leaders, including notorious rabble rouser Sam Adams and the notable smuggler John Hancock, took up residence outside the city.

What was the Tea Act?

Following the Boston Massacre, a relative peace descended over the colonies for the next three years. However, in 1773, the Tea Act was passed, setting in motion a series of events which would lead the American colonies to war.

What happened following the Battle of Jumonville Glen?

Following the battle, Washington attempted to interrogate the French officer in charge, Joseph Jumonville. However, during the interrogation, one of Washington's Native allies walked up to Jumonville with a hatchet, split open the man's skull, pulled out his brains, and mashed them together in his hands.

What were the immediate effects of the French and Indian War?

Following the conclusion of the war, the French were ousted from North America and Great Britain gained control of Canada and all the land east of the Mississippi. To control their new territory, the British placed 10,000 troops on the frontier to build and occupy a series of forts. The presence of a standing army so close to home unsettled the colonists, who saw this new army as an oppressive force stationed in their backyard.

What happened following the disaster at Camden?

Following the disaster at Camden, Gates was relieved of command and people stopped talking about him replacing Washington. Command of the southern army fell to Nathanael Greene and his second in command, Daniel Morgan. Another American, Francis Marion, known as the "Swamp Fox" for his propensity to hide in the Carolina swamps, began guerilla actions against the British in the Carolina countryside.

What did the British do following the events at Lexington?

Following the events at Lexington, the British continued their march to Concord. The leader of the Concord militia, knowing his force of 250 men could not defend the town, decided to leave Concord to the British. He marched his men to the North Bridge about one mile north of town, crossed it, and took up a position on a hill overlooking Concord. The British sent men to guard the roads entering town, including the North Bridge, while Concord was searched for weapons. Having had several hours warning, the colonists had already hidden most of the weapons they had stockpiled in Concord. Still, the British did find some leftover munitions and burned them.

What happened with the Natives following the expulsion of the French from North America?

Following the expulsion of the French from North America after the French and Indian War, Natives on the frontier became disillusioned with British rule. With the French gone, the British stopped providing gifts to the Natives—traditionally exchanged at the beginning of each trading session—because they felt they no longer needed to bribe the Natives now that there was no competition for their allegiance. The British also restricted the amount of ammunition and gunpowder that could be sold to the Natives believing the Natives might use it to start a rebellion.

What did Congress do following the fall of Charleston?

Following the fall of Charleston, the Continental Congress sent the "hero" of Saratoga, Horatio Gates, to the South with a new army to confront the British. In the months after Saratoga, many had begun to talk about Gates replacing the relatively unsuccessful George Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Gates marched his army hard, weakening his men, and finally met the British at Camden, South Carolina in August 1780.

How were the Americans more likely to win?

For this final reason, the Americans could lose almost every battle and still not lose the war. Additionally, the longer the revolution continued, the more likely the British were to alienate the American populace and turn more colonists toward the patriot cause, while losing support for the war back in Britain. The Americans were also more mobile than the British because the American army lacked wagons full of clothes, tents, weapons, and artillery. That mobility greatly contributed to Britain's failure to ever deliver a final, fatal blow to the American army and meant that the war dragged on years longer than most had anticipated.

What was the Battle of Guilford Courthouse?

Greene enacted a similar strategy to the one Morgan had used at Cowpens, placing militia in his first and second lines with Continental Regulars backing them up in the third line. However, this time, when the British broke through the lines of militia, the regulars also retreated and conceded the field of battle to the British.

What is Arnold's legacy?

Growing increasingly bitter towards the patriot cause, Arnold eventually decided to switch sides. Later in the war, he attempted to sell the British the American fort at West Point and as a result, instead of being considered one of America's greatest heroes for winning one of the decisive battles of the revolution, Arnold is now considered one of the nation's greatest traitors.

What happened to Arnold after the Battle of Saratoga?

However, for Arnold, the victory at Saratoga was bittersweet. In addition to being permanently crippled by the musket ball to his leg, Arnold became bankrupt because Congress refused to reimburse him for the money he had spent to supply his own troops—a problem made worse by the fact that Arnold's wife had died and he had three young children to take care of himself. His contribution to the tide-changing battle at Saratoga was also ignored, as Gates once again took credit for the victory.

What was the Sugar Act?

In 1764, the British passed the Sugar Act. Oddly enough, the law was an attempt to raise more revenue by lowering the tax on sugar. Because the previous tax on sugar, under the Molasses Act, had placed a relatively high tax on sugar, many colonists had begun purchasing smuggled sugar to avoid the tax altogether.

What was the Stamp Act?

In 1765, the British attempted to raise more revenue from the colonies by passing the Stamp Act. Under this law, certain items would be required to have a government revenue stamp. The act included taxes on newspapers, pamphlets, marriage licenses, land transfers, dice, and playing cards—a wide variety of goods that managed to affect most American colonists. The tax was also a direct tax—one paid directly to the British government—instead of an indirect tax, like the ones on trade that the colonists usually didn't notice.

What did the British do in 1777?

In 1777, the British came up with a new plan. Believing the rebellious New England colonies could be more easily defeated once divided from the rest of the colonies, the British decided to capture the Hudson River Valley in eastern New York and cut New England off from the middle and southern colonies.

How did the Southern Campaign begin?

In 1778, the British once again changed strategy, now deciding to capture the American south. They reasoned that there were more Loyalists in the South and that it would be easier to pacify. Once the British regained control of the South, they believed they could use it as a base to attack the North.

What was Common Sense? What did it do?

In January 1776, a pamphlet was published that pushed more colonists towards the cause for independence. Written by Thomas Paine, Common Sense explained in plain and incendiary language why the colonists should declare their independence. Calling the King of England "a royal brute," Common Sense sold over 500,000 copies to a colonial population of 2.5 million and, comparative to the size of the population, remains the most widely sold book in American history. The colonists, who had a high rate of literacy stemming from their Bible-reading forefathers, bought in to Paine's reasoning and Congress followed suit in July by proclaiming American independence.

What was the effect of the Enlightenment on the colonies?

In addition to the impact of religious leaders in the Great Awakening, political philosophers were challenging traditional political thinking. The Enlightenment period in England introduced many new ideas to the world.

What happened after the battles in MA?

In May 1775, less than three weeks after the battles in Massachusetts, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia for the second time in just nine months. This time, the Congress got to work organizing an effort to fight the British. They formed the Continental Army, authorized money to be printed for purchasing military supplies, and organized a committee on international affairs to search for foreign military alliances.

What did the British do in October of the Battle of Saratoga?

In October, the British made their final push against the American lines, and were again repulsed. However, the Americans made no effort to counterattack and finish off the British once and for all. Colonel Arnold, who had been ordered to his tent as a result of yet another argument with Gates, was furious. Disobeying orders, he rode out to the battlefield and—expressing "great agitation and wrath," according to reports of the battle—led the counterattack. Riding out in front of his men, he victoriously led the Americans across the field. In the charge, he was shot in the leg and somehow had multiple musket balls hit and go through his coat without hitting his body. After the battle, Arnold refused to allow his shattered leg to be amputated, and instead ordered the round removed.

What did the committees do in addition to promoting the boycott?

In addition to promoting the boycott, the committees attempted to shame merchants into not trading British goods by publicly publishing their names if they did. Some groups even attacked merchants who continued to trade with the British. Merchants who did not observe the boycott were subjected to intimidation, being ostracized from the community, or even being tarred and feathered. One colonial cartoon of the era depicted a man caught trading British tea having a pot of boiling tea forced into his mouth and poured down his throat.

Did the colonists have their own militias? Explain.

In addition to representative government, the English colonies in America also formed their own militias to help defend their colonies from other European colonists—like the French and the Spanish—as well as from Native Americans and against slave revolts. Many American colonists owned guns, had some informal military training, and got used to the idea of defending themselves.

How did the Battles of New York begin?

In early 1776, the British abandoned Boston and reorganized their forces—with a sizeable reinforcement—in Canada. Then in July, they returned to the American colonies and began to land forces in New York with an armada of 400 ships, the largest British fleet assembled until D-Day in World War II. Over the next several weeks, the British engaged Washington in a series of battles. While Washington started the campaign with approximately 19,000 troops compared to a British force of approximately 25,000 troops, the average British soldier had six times as much combat experience as a colonial recruit and that experience would prove to be the difference in the campaign.

Who was Christopher Seider?

In late February 1770, tensions rose to a fever pitch when a 12-year-old colonist named Christopher Seider was shot dead by a British customs official during a raucous protest outside the officials' home. Following the shooting, the British official was convicted of murder, but was subsequently granted a royal pardon and given a new job by the crown.

What was the colonist response to the Townshend Acts?

In response to the Townshend Acts, the colonists decided to boycott the taxed goods. Many colonists began drinking smuggled Dutch tea, switched to drinking coffee, or began growing their own herbal teas.

How did the Battle of Yorktown end?

In late September, a massive combined army of American and French troops surrounded Cornwallis at Yorktown. Cornwallis had been promised by his commander in New York that reinforcements would arrive in a week, so he hunkered down and waited for their help. In the meantime, Washington bombarded Yorktown with increasing intensity as the American and French forces slowly tightened their lines around the town. Several weeks passed and the promised British reinforcements didn't arrive. Finally, on October 18, 1781, having suffered through three weeks of continuous shelling, Cornwallis finally gave up and surrendered his army to Washington. The British resupply and reinforcement ships arrived in Virginia five days later, but the battle was already over.

What did the colonies do in response to the Coercive Acts?

In response to the Coercive Acts, 12 of the 13 colonies (Georgia was absent) met in Philadelphia in September 1774 to discuss an appropriate reaction. Called the First Continental Congress, they decided to begin boycotting all British goods until the Coercive Acts were repealed.

What were the Coercive Acts?

In response to this massive destruction of private property, the British put Boston under martial law and passed the Coercive Acts—which were called the Intolerable Acts in America. The Coercive Acts were a series of four laws intended to punish the colonies and prevent any future acts of rebellion.

How did England respond to smuggling?

In response, England established vice-admiralty courts to prosecute smugglers. These courts had jurisdiction over the whole of England's possessions, meaning that American smugglers were sometimes tried in Canada, or even England. The trials were presided over by crown-appointed judges rather than juries, and in some cases, the judges were given five percent of the confiscated cargo if they returned a guilty verdict.

What did colonial leaders in MA do after the British began seizing colonial militia supplies?

In response, and believing that some sort of a military conflict was inevitable, colonial leaders in Massachusetts began secretly stockpiling weapons in hidden locations to avoid their seizure by the British. When word reached the British that the colonists had begun storing weapons in Concord, a small town 16 miles west of Boston, the British decided to seize the arsenal.

What were the colonists like early on?

In the early years of the English settlement of North America, most colonists still considered themselves to be English citizens. There was a notable lack of inter-colonial unity, and in some cases, outright disdain for each other. Because the colonies had been settled for a variety of reasons and the motivations of the original colonists were so disparate, the English colonists of North America often felt they had little in common with those in other colonies besides their English heritage.

Who won the Battle of Bunker Hill?

In the end, the Battle of Bunker Hill was called a victory by both sides. For the British, they took the hill and showed the colonists their resolve by making three bloody and determined charges to take the ground. For the colonists, they had stood up to a professional army and more than held their own. The Americans only retreated when they ran out of ammunition, something no one could fault them for, and had caused 1,000 British casualties while only losing 400 men.

How did the first confrontation of the French and Indian War begin?

In the spring of 1754, the governor of Virginia ordered a 23-year-old colonial militiaman, George Washington, to march out to the frontier and build a fort where the Alleghany, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers converge—where the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is located today. As Washington neared the area, the French, who had already built a fort—Fort Duquesne—at the location, were alerted to Washington's presence by some of their Native allies. The French then sent a group of soldiers to stop Washington.

What was salutary neglect?

In this vacuum of power—called salutary neglect—the English colonies, for the most part, governed themselves. Every English North American colony had some form of self-government and, in America, without an aristocracy or caste system—as was prevalent in Europe—the settlers were forced to elect their own leaders. And while wealth and education were still important status symbols, America became more of a meritocracy and class system than European nations of the time.

What was the outcome of the Southern campaign initially?

Initially, the Southern campaign was a rousing success. The British were able to capture the two largest southern ports, starting with Savannah in December 1778. After reinforcing their position, expanding further into Georgia, and fighting off an American attempt to retake the city, the British began an attempt to capture Charleston, the other main southern port. After laying siege to the city for several months, the British accepted the American surrender in May 1780.

Who was John Locke?

John Locke, also a prominent Enlightenment figure, built upon this idea and identified three natural rights, rights that every man is born with and that cannot be violated or surrendered in the social contract. Locke argued that these rights were life, liberty, and property. Where Locke differed from other philosophers of his day was in his arguments regarding the consent of the governed. Locke argued that all men, in entering the social contract described by Hobbes, gave their consent to be governed and that if a government was not upholding the social contract, or was violating man's natural rights, that man could remove his consent to be governed. This differed dramatically from what most Europeans at the time accepted as the divine right of kings. Locke also argued that it was man's obligation to remove his consent from the government if the social contract or his natural rights were violated. This thinking legitimized revolution against a monarchy and created the arguments later used by Americans to declare themselves independent from Britain.

Did American colonists own their own land?

Many American colonists also owned their own land, leading to a feeling of independence that was missing among the landless European peasants of the same era. In America, it became common for the colonists to believe that every man controlled his own financial destiny.

What was the deal with religion in the colonies?

Many English colonies in America also offered some degree of religious freedom which was absent in England under Anglican rule. Additionally, many colonists feared a return to English control which would once again restrict religious freedom.

Who did the general population favor?

Modern scholarship estimates that about 40 percent of the population supported the revolution, 20 percent remained loyal to Britain and the rest were neutral. At the time, colonial patriots estimated the ratio of support, opposition, and neutrality to be 1/3 for, 1/3 against, and 1/3 neutral.

What happened after Colonel Tarleton was ordered to eliminate the threat?

Morgan ran for two weeks, forcing Tarleton to chase him at a rapid pace. Tarleton gave his men only a few hours of sleep per night and often skipped stops for food or water. In January 1781, Morgan reached Cowpens, an area known for cattle grazing that rose uphill. There, he stopped running and decided to make a stand. Morgan chose to get what he could out of his militia, taking the unorthodox approach of placing them across his front line. He knew they wouldn't stand and fight for long, so he asked them to fire two volleys before retreating.

What was the Plan of Union?

Next, the delegates created the Plan of Union, also known as the Albany Plan. This plan would unite the colonies' defenses under one governmental body which would be given the power to tax the colonies to raise revenue for that purpose. Although passed by the Albany Congress, the Plan of Union was ultimately rejected by the individual colonies who were not willing to accept the taxes proposed by the Congress.

What happened after Seider was killed?

On March 5, 1770, only days after Seider was killed, another series of bloody fights erupted at the docks over jobs. That evening, a crowd gathered outside the Customs House in Boston and began harassing the lone British sentry. Soon enough, more colonists arrived, as well as a detachment of nearby British troops. As tensions rose, and insults turned into hurled snowballs, sticks, and rocks, a British troop fired into the crowd. The rest of the British troops followed suit and when the smoke cleared, five colonists lay dead in the street. Later dubbed the Boston Massacre, the incident became infamous in American history.

Who were the Daughters of Liberty?

One group, the Daughters of Liberty, was formed to help with the boycotts. In addition to abstaining from British tea, the Daughters of Liberty made homespun clothes to avoid buying British textiles. Public spinning bees were held as the colonists made their own clothes during public gatherings as an open act of patriotic defiance against British taxation.

Who were Paul Revere and William Dawes, and what did they do on the night of April 18, 1775?

On the night of April 18 th , 1775, colonial patriots Paul Revere and William Dawes were ordered to leave Boston and head to nearby Lexington to warn Adams and Hancock that the British were about to head in that direction and most likely intended on arresting the pair. Revere was rowed across the Charles River to Charleston and then rode by horseback to Lexington, while Dawes made the more dangerous ride through Boston Neck, which was guarded by British troops.

What disadvantages did the Americans face?

On the other hand, the Americans had numerous disadvantages to overcome. While they were more mobile, the lack of food, clothing, and tents caused high rates of disease, malnutrition, and desertion in the American army. The lack of adequate weapons and artillery put the American army at a severe tactical disadvantage, as did the lack of experience of most American officers—especially in contrast to the vast experience of the British officers. The Americans had no navy to speak of, instead relying on privateers, while the British navy was the largest in the world. The British army at the time was also comprised of about 45,000 soldiers and sailors, including thousands of German troops—called Hessians. Combined, they were the largest army in the world at that time. Finally, both the British and Hessian troops were exceptionally well disciplined and experienced, especially in contrast to the shocking lack of discipline and experience in the Continental Army.

What happened to Dawes and Revere on their way to Concord at about 1:30am?

On their way to Concord, at about 1:30 a.m., Dawes and Revere ran into a local man, Dr. Samuel Prescott, who was returning home from his fiancé's house at the late hour. There, while speaking, the three men were surprised by a British patrol riding out in front of the main body of British troops. Revere was arrested, while Dawes and Prescott made a run for it. They both escaped, but Dawes was thrown from his horse during the escape and forced to walk back to Boston. Prescott was the only one who actually finished the "midnight ride" to Concord, but because of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, written 85 years later, most Americans today only know of Revere's contribution that night.

What did the British do shortly after the Sugar Act, and how did they assert more control?

Over the next few years, the British also attempted to bring in more money by adding more items to the list of taxed goods, including wood, hats, furs, felt, and iron. They also began to assert more control over the colonies in general. One example was an effort to both discourage and catch smugglers—which the British did by enacting writs of assistance. These blanket search warrants allowed the British to search colonists, as well as their ships, warehouses, and homes, if there was a suspicion of smuggling.

What happened in the years following the Seven Years War?

Over the next three years, the English made three more attempts to take back the Ohio River Valley, one each year from 1755-1757. Each attempt failed. Finally, William Pitt, a British politician, took over the war effort for the English. Pitt convinced the American colonists to pay for the war effort in North America and encouraged them to recruit local volunteers to fight the battles. In 1759 and 1760, British forces were able to capture the French forts at Quebec and Montreal and the fighting in North America ended.

What did Pontiac's Rebellion begin?

Over the next year, Natives on the frontier captured nearly a dozen English forts—many by surprise. One of the more interesting stories is the attack on Fort Michilimackinac, set on the northern tip of Michigan's lower peninsula. Natives there staged a game of lacrosse outside the fort which the English soldiers were invited to watch. During the game, the ball was thrown through the fort's open gates. However, the game was just a ruse to take the fort. As the Natives ran into the fort under the pretense of getting their ball, they were handed weapons by the Native women who had been watching the game with the weapons concealed under blankets on their laps. In just minutes, the fort fell as the Natives massacred the English settlers and soldiers inside the fort.

Overall, what was the major effect of the French and Indian War?

Overall, the French and Indian War would prove to be a turning point in relations between the English colonies and their mother country.

What was the most important effect of the French and Indian War?

Perhaps the most important effect of the French and Indian War was the debt Britain incurred as a result. Following the war, Britain was forced to spend over 60 percent of its annual budget just to pay the interest on that debt. The people of England were already heavily taxed, making it impossible to raise revenue through further taxes on them. In the following years, Britain would decide to raise more revenue through direct taxation of the colonists, something fairly rare in the years before the war.

What was the result of Pontiac's Rebellion?

Pontiac's Rebellion was eventually suppressed, but had several important effects. In response to the conflict, the British took steps to prevent future clashes on the frontier by creating the Proclamation Line of 1763—which banned further colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. While this line did help prevent conflicts with the Natives, it upset colonists who had already settled in the now banned region and were now there illegally.

What led Pontiac and his allies to seek to wipe out the English?

Pontiac—an Ottawa chief—and his followers became upset, viewing the lack of gifts as an insult. The Natives also believed the restriction of gunpowder and arms was a sign that the British were trying to disarm them prior to attacking them. Additionally, the lack of muskets made beaver hunting more difficult for the Natives which meant they had fewer furs to trade. Finally, while the French had never developed large colonies in North America, the Natives knew of the large English settlements on the Atlantic coast and some English settlers had already begun to move west of the Appalachians. Disgruntled by their prospects with the British on the frontier, Pontiac and his allies sought to wipe the English out.

What did Burgoyne do receiving the letter?

Receiving the letter, Burgoyne decided to delay his attack and wait for Clinton to arrive. However, after three weeks, it became obvious that Clinton was not going to make it. And in the interim, Burgoyne and his men had just burned through three more weeks of supplies and food. Down to half-rations and growing weaker by the day, Burgoyne knew that if he was going to get his army to Albany, they would have to do it themselves.

What did Burgoyne attempt to do recognizing the problem?

Recognizing the problem, Burgoyne attempted to displace the Americans from the heights when he finally arrived. However, his first attack failed. With winter getting closer and stranded in the woods without reinforcements, Burgoyne decided he would have to organize a second attack and try to push past the Americans again. However, before that attack could occur, he received a letter from British General Henry Clinton, who had remained in New York City when Howe took his army to Philadelphia. Clinton informed Burgoyne that he was going to make a push up the Hudson and attempt to rescue Burgoyne.

How and where did the Great Awakening spread?

Sermons at these revivals were given in an emotional manner that praised the glory of salvation while detailing the horrors of damnation. There was little focus on traditional rituals and, instead, an intense focus on each individual's relationship with God. These revivals were held from New England all the way to Georgia, contained members of different social classes, and were held in both rural and urban areas.

How did the colonists react to the Stamp Act in regards to Hutchinson?

Several days later, another mob showed up at Thomas Hutchinson's house—the lieutenant governor of Massachusetts—as he, his wife, and two daughters were sitting down to dinner. The mob invaded the house, ransacked it, smashed and stole his furnishings, and looted the house of its silver and other valuables. They also destroyed a manuscript on the history of Massachusetts that Hutchinson had been working on for most of his adult life.

What happened after Revere headed to Charleston and Dawes went through Boston Neck?

Several hours later, the British embarked by boat across the Charles River and began their march towards Lexington. The lanterns hung from the Old North Church, spreading the famous "one if by land, two if by sea" message, was not a signal to Revere—as is commonly thought—but was instead a message from Revere to various other riders in Charleston. These riders then spread the word to other towns that the British were headed into the countryside.

How many of Washington's soldiers died at Valley Forge?

Severely malnourished and inadequately clothed—some soldiers even went through the winter barefoot—2,000 of Washington's 10,000 soldiers at Valley Forge died. In addition to exposure and starvation, outbreaks of typhoid, dysentery, smallpox, and pneumonia killed many.

What was the Stamp Act Congress?

Shortly before the Stamp Act was set to officially go into effect, nine colonies sent delegates to a general congress which became known as the Stamp Act Congress. In this meeting, the colonies detailed the negative economic impact they believed the Stamp Act would have. They also passed a Declaration of Rights and Grievances which argued that as Englishmen they had a right to representation and, because Britain would not give them that representation, Parliament did not have the right to tax them.

What was the Battle of Waxhaws?

Shortly thereafter, the remaining American units in the South were defeated in the Battle of Waxhaws. In the fight, the British had been led by Colonel Banastre Tarleton, who was later accused of killing and wounding 300 Americans after they had surrendered.

Who did the West support?

Similarly, many in the West had mixed loyalties. On the one hand, Westerners were dependent on British military protection from Native attacks, but they also preferred a life free from government interference. Some of them had also been kicked off their land by the Proclamation of 1763 a decade earlier.

Who did slave-owning Americans favor?

Slave-owning Americans in the South generally favored loyalty to Britain early in the conflict because they needed the British military to help them prevent and put down slave rebellions. However, some British officials proclaimed that any slaves who fought for the crown would be freed and, later in the war, a British general proclaimed that the slaves of any American who supported the rebellion would be freed. These proclamations scared some southerners and infuriated others.

How did the colonies help under mercantilism?

So, just as colonies helped imperialistic nations "win" the zero-sum game over the world's resources, they also provided a way to create a favorable balance of trade as colonies could be used as a supply of natural resources as well as a market for selling the home nation's goods abroad.

What happened after the Boston Massacre?

Soon after, as a result of the colonial boycotts and tension over the Boston Massacre, the Townshend Acts were repealed, all except the tax on tea—which was kept in place so the British could once again save face. In total, the British crown raised £295 of revenue from the Acts at an enforcement cost of £170,000 and the colonists had proved once again they would not accept taxation without representation.

What was mercantilism?

Starting in the 16 th century, many European nations began to base their foreign policy on the economic beliefs of mercantilism. Under mercantilist theory, the resources of the world were finite. This created a zero-sum game in which whatever one nation won, another lost. Because there was such strong competition between European nations at this time, each nation sought to create as many colonies as quickly as possible in order to gain control over the most amount of land and resources. This practice would—under mercantilist theory—not only strengthen the mother nation, but weaken the power of competing nations.

What were the colonists like in the 1760's?

Still, despite these new changes in the relationship between Britain and their American colonies, the American colonists in the 1760's were relatively happy. They enjoyed the highest standard of living in the world and, compared to people living in Britain, were two times more likely to live to adulthood, an average of two inches taller, 20 percent richer, and paid one fourth the taxes.

What is the American Revolution sometimes called and why?

Still, the American Revolution is sometimes called America's First Civil War. Many colonists, despite all that had happened, remained loyal to Great Britain, and many others had mixed loyalties.

What was the importance of tea in the colonies?

Tea had become an important cultural component in the daily lives of the colonists and the British tax on tea became especially contentious. In colonial homes, it was often common for an entire room of the house to be dedicated as the tea room, and families would spend large sums of money on ornate sets of china for tea rituals. Often, a family's tea pot, cups, strainer, sugar tongs, and bowls would be put on display on a special table or a special shelf. Drinking tea was also an important cultural ritual, as the colonists routinely socialized over the drink.

What did the American camp experience while Burgoyne waited for Clinton?

The American camp, meanwhile, was experiencing a mix of good and bad news. Men had continued to join their ranks in the three weeks after the first battle and the American army was stronger than ever. They were also able to resupply and make preparations for another British attack. However, the American leadership was falling apart. General Horatio Gates, who commanded the American troops, had taken full credit for the American success at the first battle in his report to Congress, despite nearly every other American account crediting Gates' subordinate, Colonel Benedict Arnold, for the victory. Colonel Arnold took exception to this, wanting his portion of the credit, and in a heated argument with Gates was relieved of command.

What did the colonists think about the Quebec Act?

The American colonists were upset with the act for two reasons. First, as the colonists were primarily Protestant, they denounced the law as promoting "Papism." Second, they were upset that the Great Lakes region, much of which had been part of eastern colonies' original charters, was now not under their control. Even though the Quebec Act was unrelated to the Coercive Acts, the colonists did not see the distinction and considered the law to part of the same series of oppressive laws.

What were the Americans feeling in late 1776?

The American people, in addition to the soldiers of the Continental Army, were giving up on the revolution in late 1776. Many citizens of New Jersey proclaimed loyalty to King George and Congress abandoned Philadelphia. The Continental dollar became worthless as people's faith in the currency, and the government it represented, disappeared. To make matter worse, two-thirds of Washington's 5,000 remaining troops were due to go home at the end of December when their enlistments expired. Few had any intention of continuing on with this losing cause. In less than a week, Washington's army would be reduced to just 1,500 soldiers.

How were the Americans able to delay Burgoyne?

The Americans were also able to delay Burgoyne by setting up log booms—large barriers in the river intended to impede passage—and by cutting down trees and throwing them in the river and across key roadways. At one point, Burgoyne was only moving an average of one mile per day—much slower than he had anticipated—and began to run low on supplies, particularly food. After several weeks, and now stuck firmly in the deep woods of northern New York, he came to the conclusion that his only choice was to continue pushing south and try to fight his way to Albany before winter set in.

What did the Americans use their extra time from their delay tactics to do?

The Americans, meanwhile, used the extra time earned from their delay tactics to their advantage. The American army grew in size and strength each day as local militias were organized and fortifications were built. The British delays also allowed the Americans to carefully choose where to make a stand. About 10 miles south of the town of Saratoga, they located a large bluff overlooking the Hudson River and the main road that ran alongside it. From such a position, the American artillery could lay waste to Burgoyne when he marched past.

Was was the major effect of the Battle of Cowpens?

The Battle of Cowpens was a psychological turning point in the war. In the face of repeated and devastating defeats in the South, Morgan had managed a stunning victory against the British. Furthermore, the British lost approximately 1,000 troops at the battle, compared to about 150 for the Americans. Deep in the South, far away from England and their main colonial base in New York City, the British would struggle to replace their losses.

What happened during the Battle of Bunker Hill?

The British assaulted the hill, but were pushed back by the colonists. The British then reorganized, and once again attempted to take the hill, but were being pushed back a second time. On the third try, the British finally took the hill, but only because many of the colonists had run out of ammunition. Once the fighting became close-quarters combat, many of the colonists dropped their guns and ran because their weapons, which were essentially farmer's muskets, lacked the bayonet with which the British guns were equipped.

Who took New York in the Battles of New York? What did things look like for the Continental Army?

The British quickly pushed Washington out of New York and, over the next few weeks, chased him through the entire state of New Jersey into Pennsylvania. After repeated defeats in the campaign, the morale, and size, of the Continental Army was ruined. By December, through capture, casualty, and desertion, only 5,000 troops remained. Washington had, through considerable skill and courage in his retreats, kept the Continental Army together, but just barely. To make matters worse, what remained of his army was about to go home.

What problems did the British face on their way to Lexington?

The British, who had begun to organize their march around 9 p.m. on the evening of the 18 th, took about five hours to move all of their troops across the Charles River and disembarked from their boats in waist-high water. Thus, they began their march to Lexington at approximately 2 a.m. in soaking wet uniforms having been up since sunrise the day before.

Who was put in charge of the Continental Army and why?

The Congress also decided to put George Washington in charge of the newly-formed army. Despite his failures in the French and Indian War, Washington had several advantages in being chosen. He was well-known, respected, and had some military experience. He was also from Virginia, which was important since most of the important revolutionary events up until that point had occurred in Massachusetts and the Congress wanted to expand the revolutionary spirit to the South. Washington also wanted the job and looked the part. He was over six feet tall in an era when the average height was around 5' 5" and wore a military uniform—one that his wife Martha had sewn for him—to each day of the Congress' meetings, hoping they would pick him for the job.

What notable thing did the Second Continental Congress not do?

The Congress was, however, notable for their inaction on one issue. They decided not to declare independence from Britain. At that point, the Revolution was still in its infancy and many delegates to the Second Continental Congress were hesitant to go against the popular will of the people, most of whom were still loyal to Britain.

What happened when the Continental Army arrived at Trenton?

The Continental Army arrived at Trenton just after daybreak on the 26 th. Luckily, they caught many of the Hessians still asleep. After a short battle, 1,000 Hessians surrendered to the Americans. The commander of the garrison, Colonel Rall, was killed in the battle. Rall had been given a note warning him of Americans on the road to Trenton during the night, but not being able to read English, he simply stuck the note in his coat pocket where it was found on his body the next morning.

What did the Tea Act do?

The Tea Act effectively lowered the price of British tea in the colonies, while maintaining the tax originally imposed by the Townshend Acts. Much like the previous Sugar Act, the British hoped that by lowering the price of British tea, the colonists would once again begin to drink it because it would be cheaper than the smuggled Dutch tea available in most of the colonies.

What was the Seven Years War?

The attack at Jumonville Glen and subsequent Battle at Fort Necessity started the French and Indian War. Called the Seven Years' War in Europe, it is considered by many historians to be the first "world" war.

Who was British General John Burgoyne?

The author of this plan, British General John Burgoyne, would lead one part of a three-pronged attack to capture the river. Burgoyne would march south from Canada with his army, while British Colonel Barry St. Leger would march from western New York towards the Hudson. Finally, British General William Howe would form the third detachment, leading his troops north, up the Hudson River from New York City.

How did the Battle of Cowpens unfold?

The battle unfolded just as Morgan had hoped. His militia fired twice, broke ranks, and ran. Overconfident, Tarleton ordered his men to charge into the gap and over the crest of the hill. However, what the British found as they came over the top were Morgan's well-disciplined Continentals. These regulars fired a devastating volley into the British charge, stopping them in their tracks. The Continentals then ordered a charge of their own into the confused British ranks. Many of the British troops dropped their weapons and surrendered, while the rest ran from the field. Although Tarleton himself was able to escape, his units suffered an 86 percent casualty rate in the battle.

What did the colonial militiamen overlooking the town do when they saw smoke rising?

The colonial militiamen overlooking the town, seeing smoke rise from the trees above their homes, mistakenly believed the British were burning Concord. Intent on defending their homes, which were actually under no real danger, they decided to march back over the North Bridge and confront the British. A small skirmish erupted near the bridge as the Americans fired their first shots of the Revolution.

What were the colonists told to do at the Battle of Bunker Hill?

The colonials, moments before the battle commenced, were reportedly and famously told, "Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes." This was a reminder to the troops to wait until the last moment to fire, when their aim would be surest to hit the target. The Americans had only a few rounds per man and needed to make each shot count.

What were the colonists' early relationship with Britain?

The colonies were also solidly dependent on Mother England for military protection from the Natives, the Spanish, and the French, and dependent on England for the trade on which the colonies survived. From the establishment of Jamestown in 1607 until the 1760's, the colonists would have never seriously considered independence from England.

What impact did the French and Indian War have of the colonists' view of the British?

The colonists' view of the British had also changed as a result of the war. Living many years without having direct contact with the British, many Americans were shocked with what they saw during the war. Americans who served alongside the British in the war were often mistreated and disregarded by British officers as second-class citizens. This included colonial military leaders like George Washington, who was repeatedly denied a commission in the British army. The colonists also saw the British army, the most formidable army in the world at this time, lose several battles to the French and their Native allies.

How did the colonists view the Tea Act?

The colonists, who surmised that the Tea Act was intended to get Americans to accept Britain's right to tax them by making British tea cheaper than its smuggled counterparts, did not intend to allow this to happen.

Describe the beginning of the Battle of Cowpens?

The combination of Green, Morgan, and Marion proved difficult for the British to handle, as none of them tended to fight traditionally. While Marion conducted hit-and-run strikes against the British and was futilely chased by Tarleton, both Greene and Morgan simply ran from the British. The British chased the Continentals deeper and deeper into the Carolina backcountry and further and further away from British supply lines.

What were the Townshend Acts?

The next year, in 1767, Britain made another attempt to raise revenue from the colonists. This law was named the Townshend Acts and placed taxes on paper, paint, lead, glass, and tea.

What was the result of the Navigation Acts?

The result of these restrictions was that England created a monopoly on trade in the colonies. Because the colonists could only sell their goods to other Englishmen, they often lost out on money that could have been gained by selling their goods for higher prices on the open market to other nations. Further, because the colonists could only buy their goods from other Englishmen, they were sometimes forced to pay a higher price, or buy inferior goods, than if they were allowed freedom of choice. The English also charged taxes on many of these goods inflating the cost even more. All three of these factors hurt the American economy.

What happened to Washington's army as they crossed the river to Trenton?

The river crossing itself was so difficult that two entire detachments—representing over half his force—could not complete it, leaving Washington with only 2,400 men to attack Trenton. In the march to Trenton, the weather conditions became so dire that two colonial soldiers simply fell to the side of the road and died.

What was the significance of the American victory at Trenton?

The significance of the American victory at Trenton is hard to overstate. While capturing 1,000 troops certainly did not turn the numerical tide of the war, 3,500 of Washington's men—who were prepared to leave the army in one week when their enlistments expired—instead decided to re-enlist for another year. Washington's gamble had paid off; he had saved the revolution for the time being.

What were the effects of the writs of assistance?

These actions upset the colonists, especially as they had lived for so many years relatively independent from British rule during the period of salutary neglect. Many colonists also saw searches under the writs of assistance as a violation of their rights and, after the American Revolution, these violations would directly lead to the creation of the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

What laws were a part of the Coercive Acts (the last two)?

Third, the Quartering Act allowed the British to quarter their troops in colonial houses and buildings so they would not have to continue camping on Boston Common. Finally, the Massachusetts Government Act disbanded the Massachusetts legislature, thereby ending representative government in the colony. This law also banned town meetings in Massachusetts, prohibiting the colonists from free assembly.

What did the colonists think of the British after the French and Indian War?

This convinced some Americans that the British army was not invincible. Finally, the colonists did not like the way the British officers treated their own enlisted men. In the British army, known for its strict discipline, soldiers who broke the rules were routinely beaten as punishment. This behavior abhorred the colonists who volunteered to serve in their local militias and usually elected their officers. Colonial soldiers—living in the much more egalitarian America—would have never subjected themselves to such treatment and witnessing it firsthand showed the colonists how far they had grown from British social class norms.

Who was Thomas Hobbes?

Thomas Hobbes, a prominent Enlightenment theorist, argued that in man's natural state, humans lived a depraved existence where everyone pursued their own self-interest, even if it harmed others. Eventually, man chose to live among other men, but to do so, he agreed to a common set of rules and governance called the social contract.

What was the result of the Proclamation Line of 1763?

To enforce the Proclamation, British troops roamed the territory and burned down the houses of Americans illegally settled in the region. The Proclamation also upset colonists east of the line who had helped pay for the French and Indian War and some who had even served in the British army during the war because those colonists were now unable to enjoy the spoils of their victory.

What were the Committees of Observation?

To enforce this boycott, the colonists created Committees of Observation, sometimes known as the Committees of Safety. The official function of these committees was to oversee the implementation of the boycott. However, the committees often took on a more active role, even becoming de facto governments in some colonies.

What did Washington do because of the conditions at Valley Forge?

Washington made repeated pleas to local citizens and the Congress for help, but was ignored by both. He even sent wagons into the countryside to scrounge up food from the local citizens, but they returned empty as the locals refused to provide food for the army. Congress simply disregarded Washington's letters as his troops continued to suffer.

What Washington do upon hearing the news that Cornwallis had moved to Yorktown?

Washington, upon hearing the news that Cornwallis had moved to Yorktown, discussed with his officers what to do next. Washington felt that he should attack New York City and retake it from the British. However, with some prodding from the French, he instead decided to march his army south to confront Cornwallis. To help keep the main British force in New York City from moving south to aid Cornwallis, Washington sent out fake dispatches which convinced the British he was about to attack New York. And, while Washington marched south, the French navy gained control of the Chesapeake Bay, blocking Cornwallis by water.

What was the response of the colonists to the Tea Act?

When ships full of British tea arrived in Boston, American patriots assigned 25 men to guard the ships and prevent them from unloading their cargo. The ships' owners, realizing the colonists would never allow the tea to be unloaded, requested permission to return to England. However, Thomas Hutchinson—who had since been promoted to governor of Massachusetts—remembered the violence the colonists had shown towards him and his family during the Stamp Act protests and dug in his heels by refusing to allow the ships to leave.

How did the Battle for Philadelphia begin?

While Arnold, Gates, and Burgoyne fought in the woods of upstate New York, Washington marched to Philadelphia to try and stop Howe from capturing the city. Washington failed, both in defending the city and, several weeks later, in attempting to recapture the city. With winter approaching, Howe and the British would enjoy warm colonial homes and regular meals, while Washington and the Continentals would retreat to an area just outside Philadelphia called Valley Forge.

What happened when the French arrived at Fort Necessity?

When the French arrived at Fort Necessity, they found that Washington had given them the advantage. Fort Necessity was built in a valley, allowing the French and their Native allies to scout the area from the surrounding heights ahead of their attack. Washington had also failed to clear the woods surrounding the fort, allowing the French to sneak up close to the fort and snipe at the British from behind trees. When the battle began, it was raining, and the trenches Washington had ordered his men to dig outside the fort filled with water. With their gunpowder rendered useless and completely surrounded, Washington's men broke into the fort's stockade and began drinking the company's supply of rum. Washington, having little choice, surrendered.

What was the Treaty of Paris?

When the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, America was officially given independence from Great Britain and granted all of the land east of the Mississippi, south of Canada, and north of Florida. The British agreed to abandon their forts on the frontier, while the Americans agreed to repay their prewar debt to Britain, and restore the property of those Americans who had remained loyal to Britain during the war. Nearly 100,000 Loyalists, fearing retribution, simply left the new country—many heading to Canada.

What was the Battle of Bunker Hill?

While Washington and the Congress were in Philadelphia, the second confrontation of the revolution occurred, again in Massachusetts. Following the battles at Lexington and Concord, around 20,000 colonists gathered around Boston to keep the British penned inside the city. In mid-June, colonial leaders decided to fortify the hills north of Boston which could then be used to direct artillery fire into the city. The British immediately realized what the Americans were up to and organized an attack the day after the colonists occupied the hill.

What was the purpose of the Sugar Act?

While smuggled goods cost more due to the added risk of the smugglers getting caught, the taxes under the Molasses Act were so high that it was still cheaper to buy smuggled sugar—rather than legally imported British sugar—prior to 1764. However, by lowering the tax under the Sugar Act, British authorities predicted more colonists would revert to purchasing legally imported sugar and pay the now lower tax, therefore bringing in more revenue for the crown.

Was the Albany Congress a failure?

While the Albany Congress did not ultimately succeed in either of its main goals, it cannot be considered a total failure. It was the first instance, one of many in the coming years, in which colonies from various regions of the Americas came together to discuss common problems and common solutions, something that would have been unthinkable in the early years of England's American colonization.

Who won the Battle of Saratoga?

Within a week, the remnants of Burgoyne's army had surrendered and the American victory would go on to change the course of the entire war. Shortly after the battle, the French—impressed by the American's ability to defeat the British—signed the Franco-American alliance. The agreement provided the Americans with French troops and French naval support, as well as much needed supplies, weapons, and cash.