American Revolution Quiz Review

What happened at the Battles of Lexington and Concord

A 1775 conflict between colonial minutemen & British soldiers attempting to take the colonists' large store of arms; began the Revolutionary War, British governor Thomas Gage sent troops to Concord to stop the colonists who were loading arms. The next day, on April 19, 1775, the first shots were fired in Lexington, starting the war. The battles resulted in a British retreat to Boston.

What is a loyalist?

A person who supported the British during the American Revolution

What is a patriot?

A person who supported the colonists during the American Revolution, a colonist who wanted to break free from Britain's rule

Who was Paul Revere?

American silversmith remembered for his midnight ride (celebrated in a poem by Longfellow) to warn the colonists in Lexington and Concord that British troops were coming (1735-1818)

What was the role of Patrick Henry in the American Revolution?

An American orator and member of the Virginia House of Burgesses who gave speeches against the British government and its policies urging the colonies to fight for independence. In connection with a petition to declare a "state of defense" in Virginia in 1775, he gave his most famous speech which ends with the words, "Give me liberty or give me death." He was instrumental in causing the Bill of Rights to be adopted as part of the U.S. Constitution.

What was the Continental Army?

Army formed in 1775 by the Second Continental Congress and led by General George Washington

What was the role of George Washington in the American Revolution?

Commander of the Continental Army. He had led troops (rather unsuccessfully) during the French and Indian War, and had surrendered Fort Necessity to the French. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and was much more successful in this second command.

What is tyranny?

Cruel and oppressive government or rule

Who was Mum Bett (Elizabeth Freeman)?

Enslaved African who sued for her freedom in Massachusetts in 1781.

What was the role of Thomas Jefferson in the American Revolution?

He was a delegate from Virginia at the Second Continental Congress and wrote the Declaration of Independence.

What was the role of King George III in the American Revolution?

He was the king of England from 1760 to 1820, exercised a greater hand in the government of the American colonies than had many of his predecessors. Colonists were torn between loyalty to the king and resistance to acts carried out in his name. After he refused to change, the colonists came to see him as a tyrant.

What happened at the Battle of Yorktown?

Last major battle of the Revolutionary War. Cornwallis and his troops were trapped in the Chesapeake Bay by the French fleet. He was sandwiched between the French navy and the American army. He surrendered October 19, 1781.

Who were the minutemen?

Member of a militia during the American Revolution who could be ready to fight in a minute.

What happened to farmers during the Revolution? What was their stance?

Most small landowners did not think the war would impact them. Their status was not affected by the outcome of the war.

Does the Declaration of Independence discuss slavery?

Not really. An entire passage about slavery was edited out of the draft and all that remains is "domestic insurrections among us."

What was the role of Thomas Paine in the American Revolution?

Patriot and writer whose pamphlet Common Sense, published in 1776, convinced many Americans that it was time to declare independence from Britain. He also wrote The American Crisis to urge colonists to join the fight against the British.

What were the causes of the American Revolution?

Proclamation of 1763, Intolerable Acts, Stamp Act, Lack of Representation in Parliament, and British economic policies following the French & Indian War.

What was the First Continental Congress?

September 1774, delegates from twelve colonies sent representatives to Philadelphia to discuss a response to the Intolerable Acts

What happened to loyalists after the war?

Some moved to England and Canada. Others had their property taken away and rewarded to Revolutionary heroes.

What was the role of Native Americans in the Revolution?

Some supported British because the colonists used biological warfare against the Natives and did not respect the treaty connected to the Proclamation of 1763. Most tribes tried to remain neutralists. A few tribes supported the Patriots.

What happened at the Battle of Saratoga?

The battle which was the turning point of the Revolution because after the colonists won this major victory, the French decided to support us with money, troops, ships, etc.

What are unalienable rights?

These rights are fundamental or natural rights guaranteed to people naturally instead of by the law. They include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness., rights that cannot be given up, taken away or transferred.

What were the strengths of the British?

They had a strong well-trained army and navy along with a strong central government with food, ammunition and the support of colonial loyalists and Native Americans.

What was the Second Continental Congress?

They organized the Continental Army, called on the colonies to send troops, selected George Washington to lead the army, and appointed the comittee to draft the Declaration of Independence.

What was the Treaty of Paris of 1783

This treaty ended the Revolutionary War, recognized the independence of the American colonies, and granted the colonies the territory from the southern border of Canada to the northern border of Florida, and from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River. Signed in 1783.

Why did enslaved African Americans participate in the Revolution?

Were offered freedom (emancipation) by both the British and the Continental Army if they participated in the American Revolution. Washington originally did not allow them to fight to avoid arming blacks.

What is an ally?

a country that agrees to help another country achieve a common goal, ie. American Revolution - French were allies.

What is a neutralist?

one who did not take sides during the American Revolutionary War

What is the role of Spain and France in the Revolution?

supported the colonist's war for independence; were allies of the colonists

What is a boycott?

to refuse to buy items from a particular country. The colonists upheld a __________against British goods.