APUSH - Period 3

Patrick Henry

"Give me liberty or give me death" a leader of the American Revolution and a famous orator who spoke out against British rule of the American colonies (1736-1799)

National Bank

(1791-1811) Hamilton's big idea; fiercely opposed by Jefferson and Democratic-Rep. The bank would regulate money and draw investors; showed that the constitution could be construed in many a way. a bank chartered, or licensed, by the national government.

Townshend Duty Act

(Part of Townshend Acts) Indirect taxes on many everyday purchases like lead, paper, paint, glass, and tea

New York Restraining Act

(Part of Townshend Acts) Suspended the NY Colonial Assembly when it did not agree to quartering act (civilians must house soldiers in their homes) passed by Parliament

Undeclared Naval War

(Quasi-War) an undeclared war fought mostly at sea between the United States and French Republic from 1798 to 1800; caused by the seizing of American ships trading with Britain by France which required the rebirth of the United States Navy to protect the expanding American merchant shipping

Treaty of Amity and Commerce

- Benjamin Franklin's first meeting with French King Louis XVI during negotiations for the treaty. - In the treaty, the French government recognized the United States as an independent nation, and also created a trade agreement between the two nations.

The Committee of Five

- Congress appointed a committee of five delegates to write a suitable declaration of independence. - Serving on the committee were Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman. - The entire committee was instructed to write the Declaration, however, most of the actual drafting was created by Jefferson.

Deborah Sampson

- Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man (she called herself Robert Shirtliffe), and was wounded twice in battle. - She managed to serve for three years without being detected, until she suffered what was called a "brain fever". - According to legend, when George Washington was informed as to Sampson's service, he simply gave her an honorable discharge and sufficient funds to return home. - She was later given a soldier's pension.

The American Crisis

- Early British victories made many colonists despair. - Thomas Paine tried to boost the morale of the new nation in his pamphlet. - "THESE are the times that try men's souls."

Stamp Act Controversy: What was the most significant cause of the controversy? What was the most significant effect of the controversy? The main source of resentment among colonists was:

- spread of verbal protests from historical leaders - The Stamp Act was eventually repealed - the fact that they were being taxes without representation

List three reasons the Albany Plan, aka "Join or Die," failed.

1) Each colony feared losing taxation powers 2) Each colony feared losing territory 3) Feared losing commerce both to other colonies and British Parliament

List three major ways England's war for empire impacted the colonies in North America.

1) unchallenged supremacy (better than others) 2) dominant naval power and no longer threat of attacks 3)change in how British and colonists viewed each other

2nd Continental Congress

1)Sent the "Olive Branch Petition" 2)Created a continental army with George Washington as the leader. 3)Agreed to write a formal letter declaring their independence from England. Approved the creation of a Continental Army and the Declaration of Independence.

List 4 important provisions of the Treaty of Paris, 1783.

1. Americans will pay all the debts to British 2. Americans can fish off the coast of Canada 3. Mississippi river would act as western boundary 4. Britain had to acknowledge that America was its own country

List 4 important reasons why the British lost the war.

1. Couldn't access war zones 2. Alliance between France and America 3. Saratoga loss 4. Couldn't capture Washington and win war at New York

Effects of the British defeat at Saratoga

1. Enlistments in the Continental Army rose 2. American morale increased 3. Most importantly, with the Americans proving that they could defeat a regular British army, the French were convinced to support the Americans with financial and military aid

Causes of American Independence movement

1. Mercantilism 2. Enlightenment Ideas 3. Restrictive Laws passed by British 4. Great Awakening 5. Population Explosion and experiences of colonial self-rule 6. French and Indian War

Declaration of Independence Made up of 5 parts

1. The Preamble which explains the purpose of the document 2. Declaration of Natural Rightswhich is taken almost directly from Locke (Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness) 3. List of Grievanceswhich list the colonists' complaints against Britain 4. Resolution of Independence which declares that the colonies are free from Britain 5. Signers declared that they, as representatives of the colonies approved the document

List 3 reasons why the end of French and Indian War was an important turning point in U.S. history

1. The colonies declared independence 2. New constitution was formed with a federal government 3. New nation was founded

Declatory Act

1766: , after parliament repealed the Stamp Act, the prime minister passed this act that confirmed parliamentary authority over the colonies "in all cases whatsoever", but the Americans paid little attention to this.

Yorktown

1781; last battle of the revolution; Benedict Arnold, Cornwallis and Washington; colonists won because British were surrounded and they surrendered

Great Compromise

1787; agreement providing a dual system of congressional representation. This compromise was between the large and small states of the colonies. The Great Compromise resolved that there would be representation by population in the House of Representatives, and equal representation would exist in the Senate. Each state, regardless of size, would have 2 senators. All tax bills and revenues would originate in the House. This compromise combined the needs of both large and small states and formed a fair and sensible resolution to their problems.

Alexander Hamilton

1789-1795; First Secretary of the Treasury. He advocated creation of a national bank, assumption of state debts by the federal government, and a tariff system to pay off the national debt.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

1794 battle in which federal troops defeated the Miami Confederacy of Native Americans. The U.S. Army defeated the Native Americans under Shawnee Chief Blue Jacket and ended Native American hopes of keeping their land that lay north of the Ohio River

John Locke

17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings and who asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property.

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. The turning point of the American Revolution. France decided to help the Americans.

Committees of Correspondence

A communications network set up to keep groups that opposed British policies in touch with one another. • James Otis- founder • By 1774, all 13 colonies had committees, and those committees were instrumental in providing the framework for the First Continental Congress.

The Association

A document produced by the Continental Congress in 1775 that called for a complete boycott of British goods. This included non-importation, non-exportation and non-consumption. It was the closest approach to a written constitution yet from the colonies. It was hoped to bring back the days before Parliamentary taxation. Those who violated The Association in America were tarred and feathered

Strict Construction

A judicial philosophy that looks to the "letter of the law" when interpreting the Constitution or a particular statute. way of interpreting the Constitution that allows the federal government to take only those actions the Constitution specifically says it can take

John Adams

America's first Vice-President and second President. Sponsor of the American Revolution in Massachusetts, and wrote the Massachusetts guarantee that freedom of press "ought not to be restrained."

Benedict Arnold

American General who was labeled a traitor when he assisted the British in a failed attempt to take the American fort at West Point.

Thomas Paine

American Revolutionary leader and pamphleteer (born in England) who supported the American colonist's fight for independence and supported the French Revolution (1737-1809)

Samuel Adams

American Revolutionary leader and patriot, Founder of the Sons of Liberty and one of the most vocal patriots for independence; signed the Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson

American statesman, and member of two Continental Congresses, chairman of the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence, the Declaration's main author and one of its signers, and the third president of the United States.

Mercantilism

An economic policy under which nations sought to increase their wealth and power by obtaining large amounts of gold and silver and by selling more goods than they bought. an economic system (Europe in 18th C) to increase a nation's wealth by government regulation of all of the nation's commercial interests

Lexington and Concord

April 8, 1775: Gage leads 700 soldiers to confiscate colonial weapons and arrest Adam, and Hancock; April 19, 1775: 70 armed militia face British at Lexington (shot heard around the world); British retreat to Boston, suffer nearly 300 casualties along the way (concord). the first battle of the American Revolution (April 19, 1775)

Elastic Clause

Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which allows Congress to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out the powers of the Constitution.

George Grenville

Became prime minister of Britain in 1763 he persuaded the Parliament to pass a law allowing smugglers to be sent to vice-admiralty courts which were run by British officers and had no jury. He did this to end smuggling.

Explain how the following Colonial Era events influenced the creation of new state constitutions: John Locke and other Enlightenment thinkers theorize on the relationship between man and government:

Believed that the government should protect people's rights

Weaknesses Britain Colonists

Britain - Distance from homeland - Troops unfamiliar with terrain - Weak military leaders - No common cause to rally army or British people Colonists - Many soldiers untrained and uneducated in military tactics - Shortages of food and ammunition - No central government to enforce wartime laws - Inferior navy

Strengths Britain Colonists

Britain - Well-trained and equipped army - Strong central government with a strong economy - Support of Loyalists and some Native Americans Colonists - Familiarity of territory - Capable leadership of Washington and other generals - A common cause—fighting for independence

Explain the significance of the territorial changes from 1754 to 1763.

Britain gained Spanish Florida and French Canada, virtually erasing French control in North America

Admiralty Courts

British courts originally established to try cases involving smuggling or violations of the Navigation Acts which the British government sometimes used to try American criminals in the colonies. Trials in Admiralty Courts were heard by judges without a jury.

Virtual Representation

British governmental theory that Parliament spoke for all British subjects, including Americans, even if they did not vote for its members

Identify the major causes and effects of the Stamp Act controversy. Caused by: Effects of:

Caused by: Britain wanting to raise money to support British military in the colonies Effects of: Protest, boycott, Stamp Act Congress, sons and daughters of liberty

"necessary and proper"

Clause allows Congress "To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the [enumerated] Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof."

Boston Port Act

Closed the Port at Boston Harbor until the tea was paid for.

What was the most significant weakness of the AOC? Explain your reasoning.

Congress could not collect taxes so they had to rely on the states to vote for taxes which they needed to pay for their war debts and other things.

Direct Taxes vs Indirect Taxes

Direct (Ex. Stamp Act) -taxes added to price of good at time of purchase -obvious to consumer that they were paying extra for tax levy Indirect (Ex. Sugar Act) - Taxes included in price of product or service - consumer didn't realize as readily that he was paying tax

What was the chief reason for colonial discontent?

Dramatic change in Britains colonial policy because they collected taxes and enforced trade laws

Citizen Genet

Edmond Genet contributed to polarization of the new nation by creating his American Foreign Legion in the south, which was directed to attack Spanish garrisons in New Orleans and St. Augustine. French minister to the US, broke rules of diplomacy by appealing directly to Americans. French diplomat who in 1793 tried to draw the United States into the war between France and England (1763-1834)

Radical Whigs

Eighteenth-century British political commentators who agitated against political corruption and emphasized the threat to liberty posed by arbitrary power. Their writings shaped American political thought and made colonists especially alert to encroachments on their rights.

Republican Motherhood

Expectation that women would instill Republican values in children and be active in families; helped increase education for women. The idea that American women had a special responsibility to cultivate "civic virtue" in their children

Quebec Act

Extended boundaries of Quebec and granted equal rights to Catholics and recognized legality Catholic Church in the territory; colonists feared this meant that a pope would soon oversee the colonies. Signed in 1774, intended to reorganize the way these British territories were governed

Explain how the following Colonial Era events influenced the creation of new state constitutions: House of Burgesses:

First representative government

Quartering Act

Forced the citizens of Massachusetts to house and feed British soldiers in their homes.

Franco-American Alliance

France agreed to send troops fearing that the Americans would sign the British agreement allowing them to have limited autonomy. French entered the war against England, which escalated to the Caribbean and colonies in India.

If the United States bought Louisiana from France in 1803, why does this 1763 map show Louisiana as Spanish territory?

France ceded all territory east of the Mississippi to the British Empire. The rest of Louisiana passed into Spanish hands after the Treaty of Paris in 1763. From that year until the beginning of the 19th century, the vast territory became part of the Spanish Empire. In 1800, Napoleonic France acquired Louisiana back from Spain through the Treaty of San Ildefonso, until it was sold to the US in 1808.

General Rochambeau

Frenchman who arrived in New York with 5,000 French soldiers to join Washington in war and headed for Yorktown together. French general who helped Americans and George Washington win the Battle of Yorktown.

Which one came closer, racial or gender equality?

Gender equality as women could do a majority of the things men could

Assumption

Hamilton's policy of having the federal government pay the financial obligations of the states

Roger Sherman

He helped draft the Great Compromise that determined how states would be represented in Congress. American Revolutionary leader and signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution (1721-1793)

Defend or refute the following statement: 1763 was an important watershed year. List three pieces of evidence to support your view: Name one piece of evidence to support the opposing view:

Important year bc it was the beginning of conflicting views between colonies and Britain as importance/power. 1. Prohibited settlement west of Appalachians 2. Colonies viewed themselves highly in military power 3. Britain viewed colony's military as weak - Not the 1st time the colonies have defended Britain

Proclamation of 1763

In an attempt to stop Indian uprisings against the colonies, a proclamation from the British government was made which forbade British colonists from settling west of the Appalacian Mountains, and which required any settlers already living west of the mountains to move back east.

"Millions for defense not a cent for tribute"

In front of City Hall, another painting featured a woman with an American eagle. Over her head were the words "Millions for defense, not a cent for tribute." The next year, Pinckney was the vice-presidential candidate for the Federalist Party, in hopes that he would draw southern votes.

Explain how the following Colonial Era events influenced the creation of new state constitutions: Roger Williams Founds Rhode Island:

Inspired the idea of religious freedom

Why is the Battle of Saratoga the turning point of the war?

It damaged Britain's military allowing other countries to want to attack Britain as well

What was the most significant accomplishment of the AOC? Explain your reasoning.

It won the war and negotiated favorable terms with Britain

Revolution of 1800

Jefferson's view of his election to presidency. Jefferson claimed that the election of 1800 represented a return to what he considered the original spirit of the Revolution. Jefferson's goals for his revolution were to restore the republican experiment, check the growth of government power, and to halt the decay of virtue that had set in under Federalist rule. Jefferson's election changed the direction of the government from Federalist to Democratic- Republican, so it was called a "revolution."

life, liberty, and property

Locke argued that all humans are born with what natural rights

Richard Henry Lee

Member of the Second Continental Congress who urged Congress to support independence; signer of the Declaration of Independence. leader of the American Revolution who proposed the resolution calling for independence of the American colonies (1732-1794)

1st Continental Congress

On September 1774, delegates from 12 colonies gathered in Philadelphia. After debating, the delegates passed a resolution backing Mass. in its struggle. Decided to boycott all British goods and to stop exporting goods to Britain until the Intolerance Act was canceled.

Sons of Liberty

Opposed the Stamp Act • Protests (could be violent), harassing tax collectors • Brains behind Boston Tea Party • Founding Members- • Samuel Adams • Patrick Henry- "Give me liberty or give me death!"

Sugar Act

Passed by Parliament upon the urging of Prime Minister George Grenville in hopes to gain popularity in Britain. Increased tax duties colonists had to pay on goods such as coffee, sugar, textiles, indigo, and wine.

Purposes of the Intolerable Acts

Passed in response to the Boston Tea Party by Parliament in 1774. Officially called the "Coercive Acts", but they were nicknamed the "Intolerable Acts" in the colonies. They were designed to punish the colony of Massachusetts until the tea destroyed in the Boston Tea Party was paid for

John Hancock

Patriot leader and president of the Second Continental Congress; first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Funding at par

Payment of debts, such as government bonds, at face value. In 1790, Alexander Hamilton proposed that the federal government pay its Revolutionary war debts in full in order to bolster the nation's credit.

Townshend Acts repealed, 1770

People living in the American colonies greatly reduced the amount of items they purchased from British merchants because of the Townshend duties. • Therefore, British merchants pushed to have the taxes repealed, and they were in 1770. • The British, however, maintained the tax on tea, which would have repercussions leading to the Boston Tea Party

Implied Powers

Powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.

Lord North

Prime Minister of England from 1770 to 1782. Although he repealed the Townshend Acts, he generally went along with King George III's repressive policies towards the colonies even though he personally considered them wrong. He hoped for an early peace during the Revolutionary War and resigned after Cornwallis' surrender in 1781.

Shay's Rebellion

Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out. A 1787 rebellion in which ex-Revolutionary War soldiers attempted to prevent foreclosures of farms as a result of high interest rates and taxes

Farewell Address

Referred to as Washington's Farewell Address. Its main points included: assuming leadership in the Western Hemisphere, developing its own trade, and not entering into permanent alliances with foreign nations, especially with Europe. 1796 speech by Washington urging US to maintain neutrality and avoid permanent alliances with European nations

Review the Enlightenment ideas located on the last page of your Period 2 Term Review, "Part 4 Looking Ahead." List the most three most significant ideas that influenced our founding fathers as they resisted new imperial policies.

Religious toleration, natural rights of man, and life, liberty, and property

Of the following, whose contribution was most significant to the emerging American identity? Charles Townshend, John Dickenson, James Otis, Samuel Adams, Lord North, Crispus Attucks Defend your answer with 3 specific pieces of evidence.

Samuel Adams (the person,not the beer) was the most significant as he was the leader of Massachusetts and arguably the leader of the Revolution. 1. While a delegate of the Continental Congress, he pushed for the complete independence of America from the British. 2. Led the resistance against Britain's unfair tax laws 3. Helped organize the Boston Tea Party incident.

Explain how close the new nation came to ending slavery.

Slavery was ended in the north but continued in other areas as slave owners said it helped their economy

The major laws considered "intolerable"

The British government attempted to restore order in Boston through martial law Ex. Boston Port Act and Quartering Act

Compare the British View to the Colonial View and explain why these opposing views are significant to the development of the United States.

The British had a low opinion of their military abilities but the colonial we're proud of their record in the wars. After the war America didn't face threat of attacks. Both sides had a low opinion of the other's military forces. Britain's low opinion allowed the colonists to have an advantage against them during the Revolution

Impressment

The British practice of taking American sailors from American ships and forcing them into the British navy; a factor in the War of 1812.

Explain the limitations of the repeal [of the Townshend Acts] in restoring positive relations between England and its '13 colonies' in North America.

The colonies could prosper economically. But the trust had been broken between the colonies and Britain.

Nullification

The doctrine that a state can declare null and void a federal law that, in the state's opinion, violates the Constitution. A state's refusal to recognize an act of Congress that it considers unconstitutional

Boston Massacre

The first bloodshed of the American Revolution (1770), as British guards at the Boston Customs House opened fire on a crowd killing five Americans

Compact Theory

The idea advanced by Rousseau, Locke, and Jefferson, that government is created by voluntary agreement among the people involved and that revolution is justified if government breaks the compact by exceeding its authority.

Townshend Acts

The laws of 1767 that extended Britain's economic and legal control over the colonies

Stamp Act

The purpose of the law was to pay for the high cost of managing and protecting the colonies, as well as the war debt from the French and Indian War. Placed tax on "everyday" transactions.

What was the most significant impact of the Treaty of Paris, 1763 (aka the Peace of Paris)? Explain your reasoning.

The treaty of Paris ended the French and Indian war between great British and France and France gave up all territories in mainland North America ending it threat to British colonies

Townshend Acts (1767)

They were a series of laws that replaced the Stamp Act. While the acts also taxed the colonists without their consent, they were indirect taxes. Ex. New York Restraining Act and Townshend Duty Act

Explain how the Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) were both an effect of colonial actions and a cause of colonial action.

They were an effect of the boycotts and Boston Tea Party. They caused more revolting and dissidence

Were the Sons of Liberty justified in the Boston Tea Party? Defend your answer with three pieces of evidence.

They were justified 1. A boycott had not helped, colonists had to take more drastic action. 2. It was not an act of violence 3. They had to make a statement or they would continue to be walked over

American Revolution

This political revolution began with the Declaration of Independence in 1776 where American colonists sought to balance the power between government and the people and protect the rights of citizens in a democracy.

Common Sense

Thomas Paine ➢ Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776 ➢ Convinced many, including George Washington, that only independence could ensure colonial rights ➢ Many of Paine's arguments were not new; however it was Paine's ability to express them in clear and concise language which made them more popular ➢ More than a half million copies of the pamphlet were distributed (the colonies had only a few million inhabitants in 1776).

Proclamation Line of 1763. What was the purpose of this line?

To keep colonists from settling there to better develop the colonies in concentration. Also, to prevent colonists from moving west to try and prevent more hostility from American Indians

Besides the beginning and the end of this war, what else marks an important turning point to nationhood?

United states declared independence in 1776

Explain how the fighting between British troops and colonists illustrated the cultural conflict that had evolved.

While organizing mostly from Britain, colonists formed their own culture and government and economy. As with every different culture, there will be conflict and war. The economic trade between the two was the only mutual relation the countries had between one another, and when the British tried to impose economic restraints, the colonies severed all relations.

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. John Adam's wife, she appealed to her husband to protect the rights of women

Explain how close the new nation came to gender equality.

Women worked as nurses, cooks, and actively participated in battle. Also ran family farms and businesses maintaining the economy.

loose construction

a broad interpretation of the Constitution, meaning that Congress has powers beyond those specifically given in the Constitution. belief that the government can do anything that the constitution does not prohibit

Direct Representation

a system of choosing delegates to a representative assembly in which citizens vote directly for the delegates who will represent them

Excise Tax

a tax on the production, sale, or consumption of goods produced within a country. Consumer tax on a specific kind of merchandise, such as tobacco.

Pinckney's Treaty

agreement between the united states and spain that changed floridas border and made it easier for american ships to use the port of new Orleans

Explain how Committees of Correspondence and intercolonial committees sharpened the divisions between Britain and the colonies in the early 1770's.

allowed the colonists to communicate about the injustices caused by Britain and solidify their views

The Social Contract

an implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits. A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.

Explain how the American Revolution was essentially a Civil War.

citizens of the colonies were split among themselves when fighting against Britain and people creating war

Cornwallis

commander of the British forces in the American War of Independence who was defeated at Yorktown

Land Ordinance of 1785

congress established a policy for surveying and selling western lands. provided for setting aside one section of land in each township for public education.

Declaration of Rights and Grievances

created by delegates from nine colonies, set forth view of British power in colonies. Parliament didn't have right to tax colonists without their legislative consent and demanded repeal of Stamp and Sugar Acts

What was the most significant act of this Congress? Defend your answer.

decision to boycott all British imports as it was the first economic backlash towards the British

Boston Tea Party

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

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

for the large territory lying between the Great Lakes in the Ohio River, Congress passed an ordinance (law) that set the rules for creating new states. The newwest ordinance granted limited self government to the developing territory and prohibited slavery in the region

Explain how the following Colonial Era events influenced the creation of new state constitutions: The First Great Awakening:

helped people think for themselves

Explain the role of religion in colonial resistance to the new imperial policies of 1774.

how the colonies believed that they had certain rights given by God when he created the universe and would not allow those to be take away.

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

What was the most powerful argument by Thomas Paine for independence? Explain your reasoning.

probably his publication of Common Sense in 1776. This book made an extraordinary sell of about 120,000 copies. He argued with many examples of why it wasn't meant for Britain to control colonial England.

In what way does the Gaspee incident illustrate the overall turning point of 1763?

showing the tension between the colonies and Britain and the revolutionary mindset that started in 1763

Navigation Acts/Laws

that monopolized trade with the colonies which effectively forced colonists to accept low prices for products, and pay high prices for manufactured goods. In the 1660's England restricted colonial trade, saying Americans couldn't trade with other countries. The colonies were only allowed to trade with England.

Talleyrand

the French foreign minister, whom which three American dipolmats seek to reach an agreement with, they are stopped by the French X, Y, and Z dipolmats and are asked for a bribe to speak with Talleyrand. Causes XYZ affair. French representative at the Congress of Vienna and limited the demands of other countries upon the French.

As a result of the Treaty of Paris...

the United States not only gained independence, but also gained substantial geographic territory.

What was the most significant accomplishment of the Second Continental Congress? Defend your answer.

the creation of the declaration of independence bc it started the revolutionary war.

What was the chief reason for colonial discontent just prior to the first shots?

the excessive constraints on political and economic freedom implemented by the British

What was a common motivation for African Americans and American Indians fighting in the Revolution?

they were promised freedom by British if they helped them

Summarize the purpose of the First Continental Congress.

to respond to what the delegates viewed as Britain's alarming threats to their liberties

Matthew Lyon

was the first person to be put to trial for violating the acts on charges of criticizing Federalist president John Adams and disagreeing with Adams' decision to go to war against France. Lyon was sentenced to four months in jail and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and court costs. While in jail, Lyon won election to the Sixth Congress. In the election of 1800 Matthew Lyon cast the deciding vote for Jefferson after the election went to the House of Representatives because of an electoral tie.

Second Continental Congress- May 10, 1775, to March 2, 1789

• Congress' focus changed from forcing Britain to repeal the Intolerable Acts to fighting a war against the British Army • Some more radical delegates pushed for independence from Britain; moderates pushed for reconciliation • John Adams suggested that each colony create its own government, a continental army be formed, and the colonies declare independence • Congress created the Continental Army, appointed George Washington commander, and printed paper currency. Eventually they produced the Declaration of Independence

The Hessians

• Hessians were mercenaries primarily from the Hesse-Cassel region in Germany hired by King George III to fight the colonial rebels • King George, of German descent himself, hired more than 30,000 Hessians to fight in various battles • Some Hessians found the colonies to their liking, switched sides, and remained in the United States at the end of the war

The treason of Benedict Arnold - Possible solution

• However, through correspondence with Major John Andre of the British Army, he found a possible solution. • He agreed to betray the American fort at West Point to the British for a large amount of money. • The British would get a major U.S. fort, and Arnold would get the money he wanted. • He would also get a commission as an officer in the British Army. • However, things didn't turn out the way Arnold expected. • Major John Andre of the British Army met with Arnold, and Arnold gave him the plans to the fort at West Point. • After the meeting, Andre found that the only way he could get back to the British lines was to get through the American lines, which he tried to do in civilian clothes rather than military uniform. • Andre was stopped by an American patrol, which found the plans for the fort in his boot. Since Andre was in civilian clothes rather than military dress, he was tried as a spy rather than treated as a prisoner of war. He was sentenced to die by hanging. • Arnold was able to escape to the British lines. He was only paid £ 6000 of the £20,000 he had been promised, but he did receive a commission as a brigadier general in the British Army and also fought the American army on several occasions. He died in England in 1801.

Washington appointed General of the Continental Army

• Many, including Continental Congress president John Hancock, desired to be commander of the Continental Army. • Other delegates, led by John Adams, sought to appoint George Washington to the post. • Washington was selected for two main reasons: 1. His prior military experience during the French and Indian War 2. He was from Virginia, and it seemed necessary to include Virginia in the military operations around the city of Boston

Stamp Act Congress

• October, 1765 with the goal of convincing Britain to repeal the Stamp Act. • The Congress issued a Declaration of Rights and Grievances which included: • 1. Only the colonial assemblies had a right to tax the colonies. • 2. Trial by jury was a right, and the use of Admiralty Courts was abusive. • 3. Colonists possessed all the rights of Englishmen. • 4. Without voting rights, Parliament could NOT represent the colonists. • First time the colonists banded together for a specific purpose

The treason of Benedict Arnold

• One incident that shook American morale in the Revolutionary War was the treason of Benedict Arnold in 1780. • Arnold was relieved of command by Gates during the Battle of Bemis Heights. • His treason was not so much for revenge but for monetary gain. - He was in a substantial amount of debt because of his wife's extravagant spending habits.

Battle of Saratoga, (NY)

• Patriots greatest victory • Turning Point • Colonies held the high ground around the Hudson River. They were able to use cannon on the top a ridge and a wall at the bottom to defeat the British • France decides to help Patriots (Benjamin Franklin had rallied their support)

First Continental Congress

• Purpose: Convince Parliament to repeal the Intolerable Acts • The Congress did not intend to declare independence from Britain. • The delegates believed that they were entitled to the same rights as all Englishmen and that the Intolerable Acts and other laws violated those rights. • Signed non-importation agreements boycotting British goods. • In addition, they pledged to meet again in 1775 if the Intolerable Acts were not repealed.

Treaty of Alliance

• Signed by France and the United States in 1778 • In the treaty, the U.S. and France pledged to become allies against Great Britain • France entered the treaty because they wanted revenge for their loss against Britain in the French and Indian War and wanted to regain their status as the most powerful nation in Europe • One major effect of the treaty was that the American Revolution was no longer a fight between the British and colonies, but now was a "world war" involving the two major superpowers, Britain and France

Treaty of Paris 1783

• Signed in 1783 • America is now officially an independent nation. • Mississippi River would be western border of new nation • British supposed to remove all troops from the United States.

Valley Forge

• The Marquis de Lafayette from France and Prussian Baron von Stueben helped to hold the remaining troops together through training and discipline. • This training and Washington influencing soldiers to remain with the Army will be very helpful in the remain portion of the war and help the Colonies eventually win.

Early Years of the War

• The early war effort goes poorly for the Americans as they lose several key battles. • In 1777, George Washington and the Continental Army take up winter quarters at Valley Forge (PA). • Nearly 2,500 troops die from exposure to the cold and food shortages.

Impact of Treaty of Paris 1783

• The right to freedom • Slavery abolished in the North • Women earn respect but not legal rights • Native Americans lost more land to settlers

Battle of Yorktown, VA

• Washington marches south to Yorktown, Virginia. • He planned to trap Cornwallis and British army. • Needed French fleet to arrive to keep them from evacuating by sea. • Fleet had to arrive at the right time...and they did. • Trapped by land and sea, Cornwallis surrendered his army of 8,000. • War comes to a close on October 19, 1781.

Battle of Trenton

• Washington stages a surprise attack against Britain and Hessians on Christmas Day 1776. • Victory for the Patriots • Washington uses different techniques in battles; fights in winter months, at night, and on holidays

Support for the War

• Women, Native Americans and African Americans all support the war effort. • Women followed the Army. They served as nurses, cooks, etc. Also served as spies! • Some Native Americans served in the Militias during the war • Estimated around 5000 African Americans served in the Army. They hoped if the Colonies gained their independence it would lead to their own freedom and rights. Unfortunately this never happened.

Olive Branch Petition

• Written at the Second Continental Congress in July, 1775, the Olive Branch Petition was a final attempt by the colonists to end the fighting between the colonists and the British. • Moderates in the Congress, led by John Dickenson, wrote that the purpose of the petition was to "stop the future effusion of blood", and implored the king to agree to a cease fire until the disagreements between colonies and mother country could be settled. • King George III rejected the petition, called the colonists rebels, and ordered a naval blockade of the east coast.

Marquis de Lafayette

•Presented himself to Congress asking for a "commission of the highest rank" but as with all foreigners he had to volunteer with no pay • Became one of Washington's closest friends • Toward the end of the war he was put in charge of the defense of Virginia and he played a key role in the war's final Battle at Yorktown •Later Lafayette participated in the French Revolution, but was branded a traitor for supporting the monarchy and imprisoned for five years

Social Contract theory

❖ Derived from John Locke's writing, "Two Treatises of Government" ❖The idea that the government and the people are in a contract together, each with their own obligations ❖ Locke stated that government had an obligation to protect people from harm, and guarantee their inalienable rights of life, liberty, and property ❖ People had an obligation to obey the government ❖ According to Locke, whenever government became destructive of the aims for which it was created, the people could abolish or alter that government

Colonists prepared for combat

➢ In several Massachusetts towns people had begun to stockpile weapons and train openly for combat ➢Minutemen ➢ General Thomas Gage, British military governor of Massachusetts, learned of colonial military preparations, and ordered British troops to Lexington and Concord to seize weapons

Causes of the Boston Tea Party

➢In 1773, the British Government passed the Tea Act, which gave the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales by allowing them to sell tea at a lower price than their competitors ➢ The theory was that the colonists would accept the tax more readily if they were able to get tea from the East India Company at a lower price. ➢After it became known that the tea would not be removed from Boston Harbor, 50 members of the Sons of Liberty, led by Samuel Adams, dressed up like Mohawk Indians and boarded the ships, removing 342 chests of tea and throwing it overboard into the Harbor. ➢More than 10,000 pounds sterling worth of tea were destroyed.