Period 3 1754- 1800 AP US History
se the excerpt from the Declaration of Independence to answer the question. Which of the following lines from the Declaration of Independence would a loyalist disagree with MOST STRONGLY?
"whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it"
How did British officials try to ease frontier tensions?
A 1768 treaty opened lands in western Virginia and Kentucky to white settlement. Another treaty did the same in western Pennsylvania and New York.
Somerset Decision
A 1772 ruling by Britain's Lord Chief Justice in the case of James Somerset that set him free and essentially declared slavery illegal in England, though not in British colonies
militia
A group of civilians trained to fight in emergencies
How were economic issues important in the creation of the Constitution?
A large federal government had been necessary to relieve the United States of war debts and reestablish American credit, as well as allowing it to successfully emerge from the economic crisis in which the country found itself after the war. These concerns affected the drafting of the Constitution; at the convention, the Framers attempted to balance federal and state power.
What two main points does Paine make in the pamphlet?
A monarchy is a bad form of government; the time is right to declare independence.
interest
A sum paid or charged for the use of money or for borrowing money
About how many tribes participated in Pontiac's Rebellion?
About 14 tribes participated
How many Loyalists fought in their own militias?
About 19,000 Loyalists fought in their own militias.
How many British fought at the start of the war?
About 8,000 British soldiers fought at the start of the war.
How did each side in the ratification debate present its opinions to the public?
Advocates, who called themselves Federalists, published the Federalist Papers. Those who opposed the Constitution as written, or the Antifederalists, made speeches and published articles in newspapers, among other responses.
What cities did the British still hold after Yorktown?
After Yorktown, the British still held New York, Charleston, and Savannah.
Republican Motherhood/Cult of Domesticity
After industrialization occurred women became the moral leaders in the home and educators of children. Men were responsible for economic and political affairs.
Report on Manufactures
Alexander Hamilton's last major report to Congress presenting a blueprint for the American economy
France's Native American Allies
Algonquin, Caughnawaga Mohawk, Huron-Petun, Illinois, Lenape, Menominee, Mississauga, Ojibwa, Ottawa, Potawatomi, Shawnee, Sioux, Wabanaki Confederacy (Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, Abenaki, and Penobscot), Winnebago, Wyandot
How did the non-importation movement further demonstrate the unified front being built among the colonies?
Although this set of resolutions was adopted just by merchants of New York, merchants, businesses and consumers across the colonies formed similar agreements and adopted non-importation. This widespread boycott of British goods reflected the emergent unity of the colonies.
How did Washington thwart the British plans at Yorktown?
American and French ships blocked river access before British reinforcements could get there.
Iroquois Confederacy
An alliance of five northeastern Amerindian peoples (after 1722 six) that made decisions on military and diplomatic issues through a council of representatives. Allied first with the Dutch and later with the English, it dominated W. New England.
What caused Shays Rebellion?
Anger at economic hardships in part due to taxes in Massachusetts, particularly on poor white farmers
Whom did Washington recruit as volunteer numbers declined over the course of the war?
As volunteer numbers declined, Washington recruited recently indentured servants, impoverished transients, and criminals trading jail time for military service.
What battle soon followed after the battles of Lexington and Concord? Under whose leadership?
Battle of Bunker Hill under the leadership of William Prescott
What leading Patriots opposed slavery?
Benjamin Franklin and John Adams had spoken out against slavery.
What problems arose when defining the powers of the executive branch?
Besides defining the powers and limitations of the executive branch, George Washington's presidency brought up many other issues, including the title of the president of the United States, where the president should live and work, and how formal the office should be.
How does Henry's statement compare to Wheatley's poem? How would Henry's and Wheatley's viewpoints have diverged?
Both compare the colonies' struggle for liberty to a condition of slavery. Each specifically references the metaphorical chains imposed on the colonies by Britain. However, Wheatley extends the comparison to her own condition of servitude and connects the rightness of the colonies' struggle for liberty with that of enslaved Africans' desire for freedom. Henry focuses only on the struggles of the colonies, and in no way suggests that the fight for freedom extends to enslaved Africans.
Which of the following do the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party have in common?
Both demonstrated mounting frustration with British authority.
Why did the geography of the war shift after 1777?
Britain changed its strategy. They began using the Navy to harass the coast while sending troops to attack the southern states and calling on Native American allies to attack frontier settlements.
What did Britain gain under the terms of peace?
Britain gained control of India and enlarged its presence on the coast of Africa and in the Caribbean. Britain gained Spanish Florida as well as French holdings in Canada and the Mississippi River Valley. Britain now controlled the continent east of the Mississippi River.
Which statement best compares British and American forces during the war?
Britain had more skilled soldiers and experienced leadership, but American forces knew the land better.
Which immediate effect did the French and Indian War have on North America?
Britain secured control of lands from the Atlantic Coast to the Mississippi River, excluding French Canada and Spanish Florida.
What action did Britain take in 1768 to shore up its authority in Boston?
Britain sent troops to Boston.
Which event most directly led to Cornwallis's being trapped at Yorktown and compelled to surrender?
Britain's failure to take control of the southern states.
How did the French and Indian War impact the political reputations of each group?
Britain, its colonies, and their Native Americans allies won the French and Indian War as well as the Seven Years' War in Europe. As a result, France gave up its claims to the lands between Appalachia and the Mississippi River as well as to Louisiana, which passed to Spain. With French influence largely expelled from the continent, Native Americans in the East now had to deal mainly with British and colonial officials. Britain, for its part, set aside a vast amount of land for Native Americans and promised to restrict white settlement. The colonies, however, were not entirely on board with that idea. As one war ended, shifting relationships stoked new tensions.
Salutary Neglect
British colonial policy during the reigns of George I and George II. Relaxed supervision of internal colonial affairs by royal bureacrats contributed significantly to the rise of American self government
How did the British treat the slaves who had fought with them?
British treatment of former slaves varied, from returning them to their earlier "owners," to allowing former slaves to travel with them to other British territories and settle there, free.
How were Washington's treatment of the French Revolution and his decision to send emissaries to negotiate foreign treaties important precedents?
By issuing a statement about the French Revolution and sending emissaries, Washington defined the president's role as concerned with foreign policy and diplomacy. By involving himself and the office of the presidency in these issues, he set a precedent for future presidents.
What were the three major outcomes of the Seven Years' War for North America?
Canada became a British country, the Acadians moved down to Louisiana, and England became the world's preeminent empire.
Britain's Native American Allies
Catawba, Cherokee, Iroquois Confederacy (Seneca, Cayuga, Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Tuscarora)
Who were citizen soldiers?
Citizen soldiers were farmers and townspeople who took up arms to build their communities. Many were Minute Men.
Why were civilian losses so high in South Carolina?
Civilian losses in South Carolina were high because many small battles were fought across the countryside rather than in pitched battles involving only regular armies.
How did the colonies respond to the Currency Act and the Sugar Act?
Colonial merchants and artisans joined a non -importation movement, refusing to buy or use goods manufactured in Britain.
What was the New York Stamp Act Riot?
Colonists across classes paraded around the city with torches and effigies of the lieutenant governor, and they destroyed property. Similar riots took place in other cities.
What powers did Congress have under the Articles?
Congress had the power to raise money through taxes, but only if all states agreed to the tax.
Delegates at the Constitutional Convention were ultimately able to compromise by adopting the
Connecticut Plan
What did the British decide to do after Cowpens?
Cornwallis decided that the British could not hold all of South Carolina and resolved to take Virginia. In May 1781, he moved his troops to Yorktown where he dug in.
Why did Cornwallis choose to hold up in Yorktown?
Cornwallis thought the British could control the York River and have easy access to supplies and reinforcements.
Which group focused their opposition efforts to boycotts of British goods with the production of homespun yarn and cloth?
Daughters of Liberty
What role did Sam Adams and John Hancock play in the night's events?
Dawes roused the two men, who then went to Concord to organize the militia.
Which of the following BEST explains why the differences between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans became further entrenched during the French Revolution?
Democratic Republicans supported intervention on the side of the revolutionaries
What was "republican motherhood"?
During the revolution, ideas about the role of women shifted. Though still largely confined to the private sphere, women also were seen as the teachers of the next generation of citizens and leaders in the nation. They were expected not just to nurture and raise their children but to instruct them in republicanism, patriotism, and other ideals of the new nation.
What role did alliances play in the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in Europe?
England and Prussia signed a mutual defense agreement. France and Austria responded by doing the same. The two blocks of countries then declared war on each other.
Proclamation Line of 1763
England issued this to limit westward expansion to separate Indians and colonists. Colonists couldn't settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. Issued by King George III
In what ways did the Enlightenment influence the American Revolution?
Enlightenment thinkers emphasized rational ways of looking at the natural world as well as human society within that world. Their ideas, in turn, encouraged people in Europe and in North America to challenge traditional institutions of authority and structures of government. Resentful of tightening British controls, many colonial leaders—themselves Enlightenment thinkers—seized on ideas like natural rights and liberties, popular sovereignty, representative democracy, and the social contract to support their protests and advance independence.
How did religious ideas contribute to the rise of revolutionary fervor in the 1700s?
Evangelical preachers encouraged a sort of populism that questioned traditional authorities.
Battle of Fort Necessity (1754)
Farmington Pennsylvania, colonial militiamen defended against French soldiers and Native American warriors July 3-4
Summarize the beliefs of the two partie
Federalists believed in a strong central government while Democratic-Republicans believed in giving more power to state governments.
What were the reasons Shays Rebellion failed?
Fewer people turned up than planned, making the logistics of the rebellion a challenge.
Where did battles take place in 1775? Who won those battles?
Fort Ticonderoga, Quebec, and Montreal in the Northwest; The colonies won two of the battles.
What name is the Seven Years' War known by in North America?
French and Indian War
What happened at Fort Necessity?
French forces and their Native American allies forced Washington to surrender.
XYZ Affair (1797)
French foreign minister Talleyrand sent agents ("X, Y, and Z") to demand an exorbitant bribe from the Americans before negotiating with them
Who were the Acadians? How did they influence culture in New Orleans and Louisiana?
French settlers driven out of Acadia—or Nova Scotia—by the British during the French and Indian War. They resettled in French Louisiana. There, they gave rise to the Cajun culture of New Orleans and Louisiana.
Whom did the Second Continental Congress appoint to command the Continental Army? When did he take command of the colonial militias?
George Washington took command on July 2, 1775.
Why did Georgia not send delegates to the First Continental Congress?
Georgia was fighting Creek Indians and needed Britain's support. They could not risk alienating the British.
What islands did Britain capture in the Caribbean? Why do you think France agreed to ceded, or surrender, its lands in North American for two of these islands at the end of the war?
Grenada, the Grenadines, Tobago, Dominica, St. Vincent, Martinique, and Guadeloupe from France; the islands were valuable to France because of the sugar trade, and they could no longer secure lands in North America against the British.
What were the goals of Hamilton's economic plan?
Hamilton wanted to reestablish American credit with lenders abroad, to create income to support the federal government, and to mitigate the current economic crisis and encourage American business operations.
What strategy did Washington advise to confront the better trained, better armed British army?
He advised fighting a defensive war and avoiding a general action. He aimed not to win decisive victories but to prevent decisive losses. He tried to have his troops use nontraditional tactics to avoid capture of defeat.
How did George Washington ask the women to use the money they raised?
He asked women to buy fabric and sew shirts for the soldiers.
Why did Pontiac tell a gathering of Native Americans that they needed to "exterminate from our lands this nation which seeks only to destroy us"?
He believed that Native Americans had to drive out the British to regain control of their traditional lands and restore their powers.
What did Washington think of the effect of his tour of the nation?
He believed that he had helped to build goodwill and support for the nation and his administration.
What act of treason, or crime against his government, did Arnold commit? What happened?
He came up with a plan to betray West Point, but his plan was discovered. Arnold escaped before capture and served in the British army the rest of the war.
How did Isaac Newton contribute to the Scientific Revolution?
He published the Principia, in which he describes the laws of the universe by reason of simple mathematical principles.
How does Governor Franklin refer to the prospect of war with Britain?
He refers to the potential outbreak of conflict as a civil war, not as a revolution.
What role did King George III of Britain play in the war?
He took power in 1760 and wanted peace.
What factors might have contributed to Arnold's decision to betray the revolutionary cause?
He was embittered when he felt others less deserving were promoted ahead him and when Horatio Gates received the credit for the Battle of Saratoga, which he helped lead. He married a Loyalist woman, and he had large debts to pay.
What case does Henry build for organizing and arming a colonial militia? Why does he say that the colonies must prepare to fight?
Henry explains that they can only judge the future intentions of Britain by their experiences of the past. To this end, he cites the evidence of Britain's own policies and actions against the colonies, including how the British have ignored colonial petitions, how they have made preparations for war, how they have sent fleets and armies to the colonies. For this reason, Henry argues that there can be no hope of peace for they are already at war, and they must prepare to fight that war.
What does Henry suggest that colonists are doing in the first paragraph of the excerpt?
Henry suggests that colonial leaders who remain focused on the pursuit of peace are blinding themselves to the realities of the situation.
What does this passage suggest about the differences between the American and British armies?
His description of the Continental Army encamped, waiting for the British, and starving, suggests that the colonial/American forces were less organized and had fewer provisions.
How do you predict the colonists might respond to Grenville's argument?
I don't think the colonists would agree. I think they would consider the funding of the war to be Britain's responsibility.
Which author do you find more convincing? Why?
I think Nash is more convincing because he cites specific individuals and their experiences to support his ideas. Wood makes an interesting argument, but this excerpt doesn't provide many details to support and clarify his ideas.
What was the British practice of impressment?
Impressment refers to seizing colonists and forcing them to serve in the British navy. British naval officers could impress sailors from merchant ships and ports whenever they needed them.
Study Maps 5-1 and 5-2 on pages 132 and 133 of By the People. What difference do you see from the start to the end of the French and Indian War?
In the first map, the French and the British appear to claim and occupy relatively small areas of land. Few towns and settlements, including forts, are shown. In the second map, Britain has gained territory in North America and reserved a vast amount for Native Americans. Many more towns are shown, and the Proclamation Line suggests a limit to British settlement.
What were the costs and benefits of independence?
Independence allowed for the creation of a new republic. However, it came at a cost for many groups, including Native Americans, who lost territory and were subject to brutal violence; women, who did not gain full independence; and slaves, who were left with an uncertain future. Benefits included the creation of a democratic republic with new institutions.
How was Mary Wollstonecraft's work significant in post-Revolutionary America?
It argued that women were the equals of men, promoting equal rights for women.
Why did colonists oppose and organize against the Stamp Act?
It caused economic hardship by raising the costs for consumers and businesses.
Why was the lack of strong central power in the Articles of Confederation a problem?
It created conditions in which each state was like its own nation, with issues arising such as common currency, the payment of war debts, pensions for soldiers, and trade between states. This led to a financial crisis.
Use the excerpt from the Constitution of the United States to answer the question. How does this excerpt demonstrate the way the victory in the Revolutionary War impacted the status of slavery?
It demonstrates that slavery was codified into the U.S. Constitution.
Why is it significant that 40 percent of runaway slaves were female?
It demonstrates that women desired freedom just as much as men did.
What status did Republican Motherhood deny women?
It denied them full citizenship, including the right to vote.
What was the significance of holding the Constitutional Convention in the exact same location where the Declaration of Independence was signed?
It gave attendees and observers the sense that there was continuity between these two events.
Why was it important for the small states to have voting by state and not population at the convention?
It gave the small states more power than they would otherwise have had at the convention.
How large did the crowd of colonists outside the Boston Customs House become?
It grew to 300 or 400 people.
Which of the following was significant about the 1st Rhode Island Regiment?
It included black companies.
How did the Treaty of Paris affect Native Americans?
It negated previous treaties they had with the British regarding land.
What did the Tea Act do, and why?
It permitted the British East India Company to ship tea to the colonies without paying traditional duties. This would make Company tea cheaper than smuggled tea. British officials hoped it would help the company recover financially. The company was the most important in the British empire and could not be allowed to fail. It gave a monopoly to the British East India Company on the trade in tea.
What did the Currency Act do? Why do you think Parliament passed this law?
It prohibited colonies from issuing their own currency to pay public or private debts. Britain needed the colonies to pay for British goods and to pay taxes with currency that had value.
Where did the rebellion take place?
It took place in the Ohio Country, Illinois Country, and the Great Lakes region.
Why did Britain attack the island of Goree?
It was a French stronghold. It hurt the French and gave Britain a valuable link in the Atlantic slave trade.
In what other way did recruitment of slaves help the British?
It weakened the economy of the colonies, later, states.
Why did Jefferson believe that Hamilton's economic ideas were a threat to democracy?
Jefferson felt democracy was best protected by those who owned and worked the land.
French and Indian War
Known in Europe as the Seven Years' War and in French Canada as the War of Conquest, this war fought in North America between 1754 and 1763 ended in French defeat.
What hardships did Loyalists in the states face?
Loyalists faced physical abuse, ostracism, disenfranchisement, confiscation of property, imprisonment, banishment, and even death.
How did many American colonists' perspective on Native Americans shift after the French and Indian War? Why do you think this was?
Many colonists stopped distinguishing among different Native American tribes and began to view them as one race. This likely happened because they no longer needed to form alliances and trade relations with Native Americans. Rather, Native Americans became more of an obstacle to the goals of many white settlers who wanted more land.
In which way did the practices of many Patriot leaders most clearly conflict with their stated principles?
Many supported and defended slavery.
Why did Britain and its colonial and Native American allies win the war?
Midway through the war, Britain gained a new war minister who was determined to drive France from North America. He persuaded the king and Parliament to invest more resources in the war, particularly in North America. Pitt won greater cooperation from British colonists and Native Americans, and they pressed their advantage with more troops by attacking major French settlements along the St. Lawrence River.
Who led American rebel forces in the South? Who led the British forces?
Nathanael Greene and Daniel Morgan led American rebel forces in the South. Lord Cornwallis and Banastre Tarleton led the British forces in the South.
How did Native Americans and Africans contribute to the Patriot cause?
Native Americans fought on both sides of the war. Many allied with the British to stop the westward expansion of white American settlers. Others, including several Iroquois tribes, fought with the states. Free and enslaved blacks, too, were divided in their loyalties. Many seized on the opportunity to flee the states and joined the British forces. Others enlisted in the Continental Army.
What happened in October 1765?
Nine colonies sent delegates to the Stamp Act Congress. The Congress issued a Declaration of Rights and Grievances, asserting that Parliament did not have the right to tax the colonies and petitioning for Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act and the Sugar Act.
Why did the British soldiers start firing?
No one heard the commander order them to fire, and it's uncertain why they did. The firing began after someone threw something that knocked down one of the soldiers.
In what way was the American Revolution a civil war?
Not all people supported the war. About 20 percent of the colonial population were Loyalists who fought for the British. Many more were probably passive Loyalists.
How did the Alien and Sedition Acts lead to greater party divide?
Not only did these acts constitute strong use of federal power, which Democratic-Republicans opposed, but the Alien and Sedition Acts also actively harmed Democratic-Republicans such as printers. Furthermore, Democratic-Republican opinions about these acts became so strong that Thomas Jefferson and James Madison spoke out against them with the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, which sharply divided the parties.
Use the excerpt from Thomas Paine's Common Sense to answer the question. How does Paine's argument support the case for colonial independence from Britain?
Paine asserts that an absolute monarchy is incompatible with the rule of law.
How did Parliament respond?
Parliament did repeal the Stamp Act but also issued the Declaratory Act, asserting Parliament's right to tax and regulate the colonies, and the Regulatory Act, restricting trade in sugar to benefit British and Caribbean merchants.
Stamp Act of 1765
Placed a tax on almost all printed materials in the colonies
To which of the following did the Paxton Boys most likely object?
Proclamation Line of 1763
What action did Quakers take against slavery in the colonies?
Quakers required their members to free their slaves or to allow their slaves to buy their freedom.
In early 1778, what state offered slaves freedom in exchange for enlistment?
Rhode Island
How did the Second Continental Congress come to issue the Declaration of Independence?
Richard Henry Lee made a motion to declare independence from Britain on June 7, and John Adams seconded the motion. The Congress then debated the resolution and agreed to vote on it on July 1. In the meantime, they appointed the Committee of Five to draft a declaration of independence in case the Congress did vote to approve independence.
What led to slave uprisings in the Carolinas in 1775 and 1776 as the American Revolution began?
Rumors that the British would help free the slaves or end slavery led to the uprisings.
What did rural colonists feel that colonists along the coast had that they didn't?
Rural colonists felt that colonists on the coast had more representation in colonial government and were better protected, especially from attacks by Native Americans.
Why did Mary Ludwig Hays become known as Molly Pitcher? What did she do?
She became known as Molly Pitcher because she was a camp follower, the wife of a soldier, who carried water on the battlefield. When her husband was wounded at the Battle of Monmouth in 1778, she reportedly took his position loading a cannon.
What role did Native Americans play in the French and Indian War?
Some fought as allies of the British and some as allies of the French.
Where did Loyalists go after the war?
Some stayed, but many were forced into exile and went to England, Florida, or the Caribbean. Perhaps half went to Canada, which was still controlled by Britain.
Which immediate effect did the American Revolution have on enslaved blacks?
Some who fought in the army gained their freedom.
What did Spain gain from the war?
Spain gained French New Orleans and French Louisiana west of the Mississippi River.
What other nations joined the French alliance?
Sweden and Saxony joined the French alliance.
How was the Annapolis Convention an example of a failure in the Articles of Confederation?
The Annapolis Convention met to discuss navigation rights stemming from a boundary dispute between Maryland and Virginia. Because there was no strong federal power to resolve this dispute, it was unclear which state controlled the navigation rights.
How was the Articles of Confederation both a success and failure?
The Articles of Confederation succeeded in uniting 13 states to the point where they could wage war together. It allowed them to create an army, for example, and gave them some power to work on projects that involved more than one state. However, the Articles were a failure in that they could not hold the nation together. One example of this is the financial crisis at the end of the war, in which the lack of a common financial system led to an economic crisis.
Study Map 5-1 on page 132 in By the People. Trace the sequence of battles from the Battle of Fort Necessity in 1754 to the Battle of Montreal in 1760. How would you explain the British victory in the war based on the map?
The British did not do well early in the war along the colonial frontier in the Ohio River Valley. They appear to have won by taking the war to the French and attacking major French cities and settlements. The seizure of Quebec and Montreal secured British victory.
How did the British position change in 1776?
The British under Sir William Howe landed an army of 32,000, including 8,000 Hessians, or German mercenaries, in New York.
Which European power had the most Native American allies?
The French had a greater number of Native Americans allies. I think this is because the British were a greater threat to Native American ways of life and survival. They took up more land and had already engaged in several deadly wars against Native Americans.
How did the French view Washington and the Virginia militiamen in western Pennsylvania?
The French viewed Washington as trespassing on their territory.
How did British authorities respond to the Boston Massacre?
The Royal Governor pulled the troops out of Boston.
Who were the Sons of Liberty?
The Sons of Liberty was a secret organization that sent delegates to all the colonies to start an underground resistance to the tax.
Why do you think opposition to the Stamp Act united colonists across class lines?
The Stamp Act united colonists because it affected everyone by taxing paper used for legal and commercial documents.
What were the Townshend Duties?
The Townshend Duties were taxes on lead, paper, paint, and tea, imposed by Charles Townshend through the Revenue Act of 1767.
How were the Virginia, New Jersey, and Connecticut plans different?
The Virginia Plan proposed proportional representation; the New Jersey Plan proposed a fixed number of representatives per state; and the Connecticut Plan proposed a bicameral Congress, with one chamber elected proportionally and the other consisting of two senators from each state.
What does the broadsheet tell you about the events of the Boston Massacre?
The artwork and text of the broadsheet suggest that British soldiers fired deliberately on peacefully demonstrating colonists, without cause, with the intention of causing harm. It reports that six were wounded and two died.
Why were they wrong?
The colonists objected to any laws and taxes passed without their consent and resented the British monopoly on tea.
What does the declaration say about previous attempts to redress these grievances?
The declaration says that the colonies have tried several times to peacefully settle grievances by petitioning in the king, but that their efforts have been met with further injury or acts of oppression.
What effect did the delay of a quorum have on the character of the negotiations?
The delay meant that the radicals were able to gather and discuss early.
Why was the electoral tie between Jefferson and Burr problematic?
The electoral tie was problematic because candidates did not run officially on a single ticket as president and vice president. Instead, they ran for president, and the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes became vice president. When the election of 1800 ended in a tie, it was unclear who should become president, particularly as it then went to Congress to decide, and Congress had a Federalist majority. (Jefferson and Burr were Democratic-Republicans.)
Why were farmers in western Pennsylvania upset with the tax on whiskey?
The farmers in western Pennsylvania felt it was easier and more profitable to sell whiskey made from corn than the raw corn itself. The tax cut deeply into this profitability.
Which of the following positions would Alexander Hamilton—but NOT Thomas Jefferson—have agreed with?
The federal government must have tax laws enforced by a centralized agency
Bank of the United States
The first federal bank, chartered in 1781, issued currency for the country and stabilized the economy.
What did the first line of the draft treaty state?
The first line of the draft treaty stated that the British king recognizes the United States as free, sovereign, and independent.
Where did the abolition movement begin in the United States?
The first states to fully abolish slavery were Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
What ruling did the judge issue in the Somerset case?
The judge ruled that, because Parliament had never officially legalized slavery, Somerset could not be held and returned to slavery in the colonies.
How did the British monarch intend to prevent more conflict in the North American colonies? What does he suggest about prior dealings between British colonists and Native Americans?
The king restricted white colonists from settling lands reserved for Native Americans. Those lands made up a large swath of territory west of Appalachia. The king also barred private individuals from making land purchases from Native Americans to avoid potential sources of confusion and conflict. He suggested that prior land purchases and negotiations had resulted in fraud and abuse and had treated Native Americans unjustly.
What is the purpose of the last paragraph? What two main tasks does it accomplish?
The last paragraph makes clear that the colonies are ending their relationship with Britain. First, they are declaring their independence. Second, they are forming their own nation.
Why was the timing of the publication of Common Sense well suited to rallying public opinion in the colonies?
The pamphlet came out the same day that King George III declared the colonies to be in rebellion.
How did the ratification debate shape American politics?
The ratification debate shaped American politics by sowing the seeds of partisan politics. Issues that arose during ratification of the Constitution, such as the size and power of the federal government, would become issues that defined the first major political parties, the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. This also led to the tradition of a two-party political system.
In what conflict did Prince Hall find inspiration?
The revolution in Haiti inspired Prince Hall.
What do these grievances suggest about life in the colonies at the time?
The total list portrays a dismal picture of life in the colonies at the time. It suggests that the colonists are not only surrounded by conflict but have lost any control over their economic and political activities.
Why did conflict continue despite these treaties?
The treaties did not open enough land to white settlement to satisfy the settlers.
What were the major outcomes of the Congress?
They agreed to ban British imports, starting in December 1774, and to ban exports to Britain, starting in September 1775. They agreed to an immediate boycott of the consumption of tea from the British East India Company. They agreed to meet against in May 1775 if conditions did not improve.
What outcome of the war did the combatant nations share?
They all had a great deal of debt.
Study the image on page 141. What other methods did colonists use to resist taxes? What is the significance of the Liberty Tree?
They might tar and feather a tax collector or force him to drink boiling tea. The Liberty Tree symbolized freedom.
How did the committees of correspondence in Massachusetts respond to the Tea Act of 1773?
They organized the Boston Tea Party and wrote letters explaining their actions to the other colonies.
What did many Loyalists do?
They organized their own militias. In South Carolina, more than 1,000 organized to fight the rebels.
Why do you think the Coercive Acts were so intolerable?
They placed too many restrictions on colonists by revoking the Massachusetts Charter, requiring them to quarter British troops, closing their port, exempting British authorities from prosecution for crimes, and even giving control of frontier lands to Quebec authorities.
What was one change that the other delegates made to Jefferson's original draft?
They removed lines critical of the slave trade.
What did the Paxton Boys resolve to do?
They resolved to drive Native Americans off the lands that they wanted to settle.
How can you tell that the Mennonites and the German Baptists are pacifists?
They say that they can't help with anything that hurt people. They say that they are not at liberty to take up arms against the colonies' enemies.
How did committees of correspondence promote the Patriot cause?
They spread information and propaganda.
What task had Paul Revere and a small group of unemployed artisans undertaken?
They undertook to watch the movement of British troops in and around Boston.
How did the Native Americans attempt to protect this land?
They united to create an American Indian confederation that would fight against white settlers attempting to claim the land.
What do the signatories of the declaration ask the British monarch to do?
They want offensive policies and laws described as grievances to be repealed and ended. They want the government to recognize and honor their rights as listed.
Why do you think the colonial militia wanted to build fortifications outside of Boston?
They wanted to defend their position and prevent the British from leaving Boston and marching on the countryside.
Why did the British attack and take control of Philadelphia? In what goal did they fail?
They wanted to divide the colonies, or states, and their forces. They also wanted to capture the leaders in the Second Continental Congress. They failed at this goal because members of Congress escaped before the British troops got there.
What did women in Fishing Creek, South Carolina, do? How did this support the Continental Army? What does this suggest about the effect of the war on women left at home?
They went from farm to farm to see if the owner had gone off to fight. If so, they brought in the harvest. Not only did this work keep the farms going and local people fed but also provided provisions for the troops. This shows that many women had to take over at farms and other businesses, doing work that had been done by male members of their families.
Why did the leaders of the new states decide not to create a stronger central government? What circumstances do you think contributed to this perspective?
They were distrustful of a strong centralized government. The colonies were in the process of throwing off the rule of one powerful central government. They probably didn't want to replace it with another one.
Which seemingly new responsibility did the idea of "republican motherhood" place on women?
They were expected to instruct their children in civic virtue.
What is significant about the phrase "Enemies in War, in Peace Friends"? Why do you think the Congress included that line?
This line suggests that the colonies are the enemies of Britain only so long as Britain insists on trying to force its rule on the colonies. The suggestion is that Britain is at fault, and as soon as Britain stops acting like an enemy, then they can all be friends—this time as equals.
Republican Motherhood
This position advocated for better education for women, without granting them the rights accorded to white men. However, the education of women did improve as private academies arose (though their standards varied.)
Declaration on the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms
This was a document that defended the right of the colonies to take up arms against the oppression of Parliament.
Why was it important for the British to capture Georgia and the Carolinas?
This would have made it difficult for the colonists to resist the British under the banner of united colonies.
How did the practice of impressment by the British impact the colonies?
Those who lived in port cities, along the Atlantic Coast, were especially vulnerable. The practice had caused riots in port cities for decades.
Which of Hamilton's five points proved most contentious?
Though all were in some sense contentious, the most contentious was the proposal to have the federal government assume state debts (because this challenged the relationship between the federal government and the state governments, enforcing Hamilton's vision of the United States) and the creation of a centralized bank.
What issues with the Constitution proved problematic in ratifying the document on a state level?
Various issues arose in different states, from the fear of curtailing individual liberties to the lack of a Bill of Rights attached to the original Constitution.
Based on the reading, how would you define vigilantes?
Vigilantes are people who act outside of the law.
Where did Washington and his men attack the French?
Washington attacked the French at Jumonville Glen.
Jumonville Glen
Washington attacked the French, started war, where the battle of fort necessity took place
Why was Jay's Treaty considered a failure?
While Jay's treaty did gain compensation for recent British attacks on trading, it did not end the ban on trading between France and the United States.
What was the ultimate outcome of land ownership in the Ohio River Valley?
White settlers came anyway, and more than 1,500 of them, as well as many Native Americans, died. Eventually, the settlers claimed the land.
Wood and Nash are both writing about the American Revolution, but they focus on different evidence, different events, and—most of all—different people. How might the different focus change one's conclusions about the Revolution itself?
Wood focuses mainly on revolutionary leaders such as George Washington, while Nash draws attention to the many lesser known individuals who contributed to the revolution. Among these were enslaved Africans and Native Americans as well as rural farmers, urban artisans, and women. The focus on the founders is narrower and brings to light more notable changes than does the focus on a broad variety of groups, many of whom might not have enjoyed a great degree of change in the years after the revolution. The social, economic, and political status of many marginalized groups did not markedly change for decades and longer.
Who was Neolin?
a Delaware visionary who preached resistance to the British and called on Native Americans to return to their traditional ways of life
Committee of Secret Correspondence
a committee formed by the Second Continental Congress in November 1775 to garner international support for the colonies in their war with Britain
Committee of Five
a committee of five delegates—John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman—appointed by the Second Continental Congress to draft the Declaration of Independence
separation of powers
a core aspect of the Constitution by which different parts of the new national government would have their authority limited by other parts
republic
a government having a chief of state who is not a monarch and who, in modern times, is usually a president
Minute Men
a group of men pledged to take up arms against the British at a minute's notice.
Green Mountain Boys
a militia that formed in Vermont in 1770 and fought in the Revolutionary War, led by Patriot Ethan Allen
delegate
a person acting for another, such as a representative to a convention or conference
Deist
a person who advocates natural religion, emphasizing morality
pacifist
a person who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable
land ordinance
a policy setting up a standardized system of land purchase
New Jersey Plan
a proposal of the New Jersey delegation to the Constitutional Convention by which both houses of Congress would be elected by states, with equal-size delegations for every state
Continental Army
a regular fighting force organized by the Second Continental Congress and raised from all of the colonies
delegate
a representative to a convention or conference
Use the excerpt from James Madison's Vices of the Political System of the U. States, 1787 to answer the question. Madison cites the "Treaties of Georgia with the Indians" as an example of
a state flouting federal power
cease- fire
a suspension of active hostilities
Electoral College
a system in which each state selects presidential electors according to the number of its senators and representatives in Congress by whatever method it prefers, and these electors then select the president.
federalism
a system of government in which power is clearly divided between state governments and the national—or federal—government
Articles of Confederation
a written document setting up the loose confederation of states that made up the first national government of the United States from 1781 to 1788
Which of the following did the Treaty of Paris of 1783 accomplish? Select all that apply.
affirmed the independence of the United States provided for an exchange of prisoners of war restored Florida to Spanish control
Who was James Somerset?
an American slave who had been taken to Britain and befriended free blacks and whites—and then escaped
Use the excerpt from The Virginia Plan of Government from the Constitutional Convention to answer the question. Over the course of the Constitutional Congress, the proposal in the excerpt changed to allow for
an executive who held office for four years and who could run for more than one term in office.
Whiskey Rebellion
armed uprising in 1794 by farmers in western Pennsylvania who attempted to prevent the collection of the excise tax on whiskey
Where did Daniel Morgan decide to make a stand against the British in South Carolina?
at a pasture known as Cowpens
How did the Scientific Revolution inspire other Enlightenment thinking?
by encouraging people to challenge traditionally held assumptions and to ask questions
How does republicanism reflect Enlightenment principles?
by granting the people the power to decide how and by whom they will be governed
Use the excerpt from Washington's letter to Gouverneur Morris to answer the question. Washington is concerned that the British might make a decisive blow on the Continental Army by
capturing Charlestown
The Declaration of Independence and Common Sense agreed on the principle that
colonies had a right to separate from a tyrannical government
In which way were women most likely to contribute to the war effort in the field?
cooking and tending the wounded
Use the excerpt from Federalist, no. 84 to answer the question. The excerpt suggests that having a bill of rights would be dangerous because it would
create assumptions about government power not identified in the constitution.
Members of the Constitutional Convention largely agreed on the
creation of a judicial branch
After the American Revolution, the United States faced the immediate challenge of
deciding what to do about Loyalists
Use the excerpt from Federalist, no. 10 to answer the question. In Federalist, no. 10, Madison insists that factions should be avoided because they
detract from the public good.
commerical
engaged in commerce
ratification
formal confirmation or sanction
Seven Years' War (French and Indian War)
fought in Europe from 1756 to 1763, proved even more significant in its colonial reach—extending not only into North America but also throughout the Caribbean and into Africa and Asia.
French and Indian War (Seven Years' War)
fought in North America from 1754 to 1763. Britain and France. These, and other nations, had been competing for power and wealth for centuries.
Which British practice increased anger among colonists in Boston and other port cities?
impressment
Use the excerpt from the Constitutional Debate of August 22, 1787 to answer the question. According to Mr. Elsworth, slavery will not be a problem for future generations because he
insists that the growing free population will provide the necessary labor.
Use the excerpt from the Constitutional Debate of August 22, 1787 to answer the question. According to Mr. Pinkney, the ownership of slaves in the southern states is tolerable because slavery
is common throughout the world
Rhode Island differed from other states holding conventions regarding the Constitution's ratification in that
it did not hold a convention
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
legislation passed by Congress under the Articles of Confederation that provided for public schools and the sale of government land and prohibited slavery in the Northwest Territories
Age of Enlightenment/Reason
major intellectual movement occurring in Europe beginning in the 1600s that led many to look more to scientific advances and the role of human reason in understanding the world than religion
First Continental Congress
meeting of delegates from most of the colonies held in Philadelphia in 1774 in response to British efforts to tax the colonies
Assembling the First Rhode Island Regiment was a significant development in the war because
most free and enslaved blacks supported the British
Use the Petition from the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery to answer the question. The petition draws a connection between the abolition of slavery and the
motives behind the Revolutionary War.
commander-in-chief
one who holds the supreme command of an armed force
Antifederalists
opponents of the Constitution; those who argued against its ratification
Daughters of Liberty
organized as a women's response to the Sons of Liberty, the Daughters opposed British measures, avoided British taxed tea, spun their own yarn, and wove their own cloth to avoid purchasing British goods
Where did most battles from 1780 onward appear to have taken place?
outside of New England and the Mid-Atlantic, in Southern States, including western Florida, as well as in the Mississippi River Valley
Which of the following groups was MOST harmed by U.S. independence from Great Britain?
poor farmers
election of 1800
presidential election resulting in an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, highlighted the problems with the Electoral College.
Currency Act of 1764
prohibited the colonies from issuing their own paper money as legal tender for public or private debts to Britain
proportional representation
proportional representation
agrarian
related to the cultivation of land
Declaratory Act of 1764
repealed the Stamp Act of 1765 but said that Parliament could legislate for the colonies in "all cases Whatsoever"
The Constitutional Convention presented the draft Constitution as a(n) ____ to the Articles of Confederation.
replacement
What issues dominated the discussion at the 1787 Constitutional Convention?
representation (particularly proportional representation), the power of the executive, and federal power over commerce
delegates
representatives
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
resolutions written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison that criticized the Alien and Sedition Acts and asserted the rights of states to declare federal law null and void within a state
Pontiac's Rebellion was precipitated by a
sense of loss among those native groups that had supported the French.
debt
something, typically money, that is owed or due
How did Committees of Correspondence MOST LIKELY help rally the colonies on the eve of the Revolutionary War?
spreading word about the Coercion Acts and the Battles of Lexington and Concord
Alexander Hamilton disagreed with Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton's recommendation that the country build a(n)
strong economy controlled federally
Use the excerpt from the Declaration of Independence to answer the question. Which of the following Enlightenment principles is MOST CLEARLY reflected in this excerpt?
support for the social contract
Federalists
supports of the Constitution; those who favored its ratification
excise tax
taxes made on the purchase of specific goods
tariffs
taxes on imports and exports
On what points did the delegates to the Congress agree?
that Parliament had no right to tax the colonies without their consent; that they opposed Britain's treatment of Boston
Which of the following did the American Revolution most clearly demonstrate?
that a popular revolution could establish a democratic form of government
What does Locke say about reason?
that it is the natural law that should govern human action
Federalist Papers
the 85 newspaper articles written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to support the Constitution
Washington saw the Native Americans as a threat not only because of their conflicts with white settlers but also because
the British viewed them as a tool for reigniting war.
Who appears to have won most of the major battles shown on the map?
the Continental Army
What other political revolutions did Enlightenment ideas help inspire in the years following the American Revolution?
the French Revolution; the Saint Domingue Revolution; attempted revolutions in Germany, Italy, Poland, and Scandinavia; revolution in Venezuela and the establishment of republics in Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia
Emancipation
the act of setting free
constitution
the basic beliefs and laws of a nation, state, or social group that establish the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it
Use the excerpt from Patrick Henry's Speech to the Second Virginia Convention to answer the question. This speech suggests that the American identity emerged as a consequence of the Revolution and was MOST CLEARLY rooted in a commitment to
the cause of liberty
Use the excerpt from the Expedition to Ohio, 1754 to answer the question. Which of the following causes of the French and Indian War does this passage MOST DIRECTLY support?
the dispute over the limits of colonial territory
Which event led most directly to the British surrender at Yorktown?
the failed invasion of southern states by the British
Bill of Rights
the first 10 amendments to the Constitution passed by Congress in 1789 and ratified by the states in 1791
Virginia Plan
the first proposal put forward at the Constitutional Convention, which included two houses of Congress, both elected by proportional representation, and a national executive and judiciary
Which of the following was the primary point of contention between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans?
the ideal size and reach of the federal government
Taking a position on the French Revolution was difficult for Washington because
the president's role in foreign policy had not yet been specifically defined.
Which Enlightenment idea did the Declaration of Independence and Common Sense advance?
the right of the people to reject unjust government
Which circumstances MOST DIRECTLY contributed to the tensions that erupted in the Boston Massacre?
the stationing of British troops in Boston to shore up British rule
The Constitutional Convention created the Electoral College
to balance the views of those who wanted the elite to vote with those who wanted more of the population to vote.
Washington's Grand Tours were primarily intended to
unite the nation behind their president and Constitution
Guerilla War
warfare without front lines and with irregular forces operating in the midst of, and often hidden or protected by, civilian populations
camp followers
women who traveled with the Continental Army during the American Revolution providing support to the troops
Why did the colonists protest?
After the French and Indian War, Britain had huge war debts. Efforts to get the colonies to pay what Parliament considered their fair share failed, and so Parliament imposed a series of taxes that angered many elements of colonial society. At the same time, Britain was war weary and did not want to agitate Native Americans on the frontier lands. British laws, like the Proclamation Line of 1763, restricting settlement further angered some colonists. As tensions increased and the colonists became fiercer in their opposition, British authorities tightened their control, giving the colonies more reason to protest.
Powder Alarm
American name for the attempt by General Gage and the English Army to remove arms and ammunition from the hands of American Colonists
Do you think the British government had the right to ask the colonists to help pay? Why or why not?
Answers may vary, but a positive response may note that the government did have the right to ask colonists to pay because they were British subjects, subject to the government's laws and taxes, and the war had been fought partly in their defense. A negative response may note that the British government shouldn't have expected the colonists to pay because Britain, not the colonies, made the decision to go to war against France. The war was fought to defend Britain's national interests more than it was to protect or help the colonies.
How might the First Great Awakening be considered revolutionary—especially by established authorities?
Authorities considered the evangelists of the First Great Awakening to be enemies of the established Church as well as "disturbers of the peace." Revivalists and preachers challenged traditional, hierarchical institutions of religious authority, which seemed revolutionary in advocating for change and a new approach to faith.
Who negotiated for peace on behalf of the United States?
Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams negotiated for peace.
Where did battles take place in 1776? Who won those battles?
Boston, New York, and Moore's Creek Bridge in New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Southeast; Again, the colonies won two of those battles.
How do both the Declaration of Rights and Grievances and the Virginia Stamp Act Resolution reflect the sentiment of "no taxation without representation"?
Both resolutions emphasize that taxes should not be imposed on the colonies except by the colonists themselves or by representatives selected by the colonists.
Delegates of the First Continental Congress resolved to
Boycott British tea and other goods
Why did the British fight the French in North America?
Britain and France had struggled for a century and more to gain the upper hand in a global competition for power. Part of that conflict involved the struggle for more land and more wealth. Both wanted to dominate North America and control trade with the continent, and both had large territories that touched each other, separated only by rival Native American people. Conflicts over succession in Europe easily spilled over in frontier battles and then war in their colonies.
Treaty of Paris, 1763
Britain gained control of North America east of the Mississippi River. This included many formerly French settlements, particularly in Canada. There, Britain promised to honor French fishing rights and to grant French Catholics the freedom to practice their religious beliefs. Shortly after the conclusion of that treaty, King George III of Britain also issued a proclamation that would have a significant impact on the region.
What were the limits of Enlightenment ideas about liberty and equality in the colonies? Cite evidence from the reading to support your response.
Colonial ideas about liberty and equality did not necessarily extend to everyone, such as Native Americans and free and enslaved blacks. Though Madison, in the years after the revolution, would allude to the spread of democratically inspired revolutions in other nations, he overlooked the one closest to home, in Saint Domingue, where enslaved blacks fought off French colonial rule.
Why did the presence of British troops in Boston worsen tensions?
Colonists not only resented the presence of a standing army, which made them feel besieged, but also were angered that off-duty soldiers could work in the city. This increased competition for jobs and drove down wages.
Where did the Seven Years' War begin? Explain.
Conflict began in North America in 1754 with the skirmish between Washington's forces and the French and their Native American allies in Pennsylvania. A formal declaration of war in Europe did not come until 1756.
What was really the immediate purpose of the Congress?
Congress existed to ensure that the states won the American Revolution.
How did the Congress find money to fund the army?
Congress funded the army with foreign loans.
How did the Americans secure the surrender of Cornwallis?
Cornwallis dug in at Yorktown, between Continental armies to the north and the south. French allies of the Patriots blockaded the river to prevent Yorktown from receiving supplies. Meanwhile, Washington's army and an army led by the French Count de Rochambeau marched from the north and laid siege to Yorktown. The siege last two weeks before Cornwallis surrendered.
How might Britain have benefited from debates over slavery in the colonies?
Divisions over slavery would have made it more difficult for the colonies to unite in opposition against Britain. An anti-slavery position might also have encouraged Native Americans and free and enslaved Africans to support British forces in the event of a conflict.
What factors affected American attitudes toward the French Revolution?
Factors affecting American attitudes included France's support in the American Revolution, their own recent experience fighting, anti-British sentiments, the Citizen Genet affair, and Democratic-Republican societies.
How many Native American settlements were there in the Ohio region in the 1780s?
Five Native American groups had town sites: the Delaware, Miami, Mingo, Shawnee, and Wyandot.
Why do you think the incident became known as a "massacre"?
Five people were killed by British shots. Colonists described the killing as unprovoked and likely referred to the deaths as a massacre to stir up colonial anger against the British, to rally colonists, and to portray the British themselves as unjust and violent.
What forts did Pontiac's forces seize early on? How?
Fort Miamis, Fort Ouiatenon, Fort Michilimackinac, and many old French posts; The British seemed to have been caught off guard and ill prepared to defend against the rebellion.
How did the Battle of Saratoga make France—and by extension, Spain—more amenable to an alliance with the United States? How did an alliance with these two nations change the course of the war?
Franklin led a delegation to France in 1776. Many of the French liked Franklin and were sympathetic to the American cause. They wanted to support the rebels, in part to secure their own power, in part to embarrass the British, and in part to regain more access to trade in North America. The Spanish, too, considered Britain a rival and were happy to help. However, neither wanted to engage troops and fight the British directly. Once the colonies had declared their independence, signaling their resolve, the French took Franklin more seriously and began sending supplies. Then, the performance of the Continental Army at Saratoga showed the French that the Patriots could win. After this, in February 1778, Franklin's diplomacy secured a full alliance between the United States and France. France recognized the nationhood of the United States, and soon after, declared war on Britain. The following year, Spain did the same. The entry of Spain and France changed the nature of the war from less of a civil war to more of a global war. Britain had to fight and expend its resources on more than one front, including at sea in the English Channel, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. Spain attacked British forts in the Mississippi River Valley while France provided needed reinforcements to the Continental Army in the East. Both nations also provided the Continental Army with important provisions to sustain its troops.
Why did the French and Indian North American War begin?
Frontier skirmishes over the Ohio River Valley. Britain and France both had interests in the valley. Britain based its claims in large part on two treaties with Native Americans: the 1744 Treaty of Lancaster with the Iroquois Confederacy and the 1748 Treaty of Logstown with the Shawnee, Delaware, and Wyandot. However, as British settlement increased and pushed farther west, the French, who had their own arrangements in the region, began erecting a string of forts to defend their interests. Some Native Americans held firm to their ties with Britain; others remained allied to or switched their allegiance to the French.
How did victory in the war impact the different groups living in the new United States?
Groups who had fought with the British were marginalized. This was particularly true of Native American tribes. The U.S. government took their land from them on behalf of white settlers, despite the formation of the Indian confederation. The lives of some former slaves improved, though some returned to the lives they had known before. Women received better educations than they previously had, but they were held to new standards of behavior as dictated by Republican Motherhood.
Hamilton's economic plan.
Hamilton's economic plan was meant to establish the United States as a worthy creditor while reestablishing the country's financial footing to help it emerge from its current economic crisis. The five points of his plan were having the federal government assume state debts; paying off federal debts; an excise tax on whiskey; the creation of a national bank; and the institution of tariffs.
How was the work of Nicolaus Copernicus revolutionary?
He challenged centuries old ideas about how the universe worked when he proposed that the Earth revolves around the sun. He used new methods and evidence to demonstrate his conclusions.
What announcement did Virginia's British Governor Lord Dunmore make in 1775? What effect did this have?
He declared any indentured servants and enslaved blacks willing to take up arms against the Patriots to be free. As many as 1,000 slaves joined the British army. They built forts, tended the wounded, carried supplies, and fought.
What proclamation did the king make in October 1763?
He declared that there would be no British settlement west of the crest of the Appalachian Mountains and that Native American rights to those lands would be protected forever. He further proclaimed that any white settlers already living in those lands should leave.
What strategy did Jeffrey Amherst use to weaken the rebellion?
He encouraged the distribution of smallpox-infected blankets to Native Americans.
Why did Washington hesitate to recruit free or enslaved blacks for the Continental Army? What changed his mind?
He feared arming free and enslaved blacks and igniting a slave revolt. By the winter of 1777-1778, things were not going well for the Continentals, so Washington decided to accept black recruits. He needed to enlarge his fighting force.
Why did General Gage send British troops to Concord on the night of April 18, 1775?
He intended, under the cover of night, to seize colonial arms stored there.
What did William Pitt do to change the course of war in 1757?
He invested more money in the war effort in North America. He was determined to expel the French from North America.
Why did Pontiac decide to make peace?
He learned that the French would not help him.
What power did Locke say the people had? Paraphrase his statement.
He said that the people always had the power to challenge and even remove their lawmakers.
What does Franklin think the consequences will be if opposition to British rule does not stop?
He says that it will lead to anarchy, misery, and horrors.
Why was James Madison's contribution to the Constitution unexpected?
He was relatively young and held no special office
Why do you think the king felt it necessary to issue this proclamation?
He was worried that, because France had ceded its claim to these lands, British colonists would perceive the lands as open to settlement. Many colonists were eager to push west and settle more land. This would bring them into conflict with Native Americans living on those lands.
Based on what you have read from Patrick Henry, how will Britain's King George III respond?
He will ignore the petition. He will not respond.
What did William Manning warn of in his pamphlet The Key of Liberty?
He worried that the few leaders at the head of the government were in a position to exercise their own tyranny.
Why do we celebrate the day that the Declaration of Independence was signed as opposed to other notable dates of the revolutionary era?
I think the Declaration of Independence—more than the first shots of the war or the final shots or even the peace treaty—symbolizes what the war was about, or at least, what many people wanted to make the war about. Individual battles and surrenders focus on the hostilities of the war, and even the peace treaty focuses more on specific gains. The Declaration of Independence, however, focuses on the ideas that helped drive American opposition to British policies and the onset of the war, ideas that helped unite the colonies behind the war effort and influenced the formation of the first government and constitution of the new nation. Those ideas, too, have shaped ongoing changes in the nation since its birth. For that reason, the signing of the Declaration of Independence was not just the birth of the nation but the realization of the idea of a nation founded on something more important than royal authority, military might, or wealth.
Do you think they were right to do so? Why or why not?
I think the committees might have gone too far and behaved in a way similar to the very authorities whom they wanted to unseat or reform.
Positive law refers to laws written by people and their governing institutions, such as a legislative body. Predict what effect this statement might have had in the Thirteen Colonies. Who might have supported the decision? Who would have opposed it?
I think the statement would have caused trouble and division in the colonies because some people, like Quakers and others opposed to slavery, as well as enslaved people themselves, would have supported the statement. Others, like most colonists in areas that depended on enslaved labor, would have opposed it.
Why do you think Patriot groups took such harsh measures against Loyalists?
I think they wanted to ensure that the colonies were united in their opposition and they wanted to drive out anyone who might undermine their causes or betray them to the British. Colonial leaders themselves might have been accused of treason by British officials, so they could not chance having Loyalists in their midst as conflict became more likely.
Why do you think Washington and the Continental Army retreated from New York to New Jersey and then to Pennsylvania?
I think they were outnumbered, and Washington did not want to risk capture or a major defeat.
What do you think the colonists will do in response to the Coercive Acts?
I think they will organize to oppose them, as they did with other acts, through the Sons of Liberty, Daughters of Liberty, and Committees of Correspondence.
What happened at the Battle of Cowpens? Why was this battle important?
In January 1781, American troops defeated and captured a large number of British soldiers in a South Carolina pasture. This battle broke British occupation of the South Carolina countryside, though the British still held Charleston.
What conclusion can you draw about the Patriots' treatment of Loyalists? What about the example set by Arnold?
In some ways, the Patriots behaved much like the British government from which they separated. They did not tolerate opposition within their ranks, and many behaved violently toward those suspected of supporting the British. Arnold shows that there were those among the Patriots who might have turned against the revolution as time went on, embittered or discouraged for personal reasons or even disillusioned with the war for independence itself.
What impact did the proclamation have on the British colonies?
It slowed white settlement in western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and what would become Kentucky. It also angered many colonists, particularly farmers and land speculators.
Read the excerpt from a letter from George Washington to Gouverneur Morris on May 8, 1779. What does this letter say about the shift in hostilities during the American Revolution?
It suggests that British forces had left New York and many were heading south. The letter suggests that the British already had partial control of Georgia and were most likely to attack Charleston. This would cost the Patriots Georgia because they would have to focus their defense on South Carolina.
Why do these words matter "that as Free and Independent States"?
It suggests that sovereignty rests in the states, not in a central national government.
Regulator Movement
It was a movement during the 1760's by western North Carolinians, mainly Scots-Irish, that resented the way that the Eastern part of the state dominated political affairs. They believed that the tax money was being unevenly distributed. Many of its members joined the American Revolutionists.
Why was it essential to include a list of grievances?
It was important to build on the previous paragraph and make clear that the colonies were oppressed to the point that they had no other choice but to defend themselves and to declare independence.
How did the U.S. Revolution ultimately affect enslaved Africans, Native Americans, and women?
It was not as beneficial to slaves as some had hoped it would be; still, revolutionary ideals may have been instrumental in later abolitionist movements. Native Americans were worse off under the new government, as the tribes had largely sided with the British during the war, and settlers were continuously expanding westward into Native American territory. Women's situations improved in that education was encouraged under the principles of Republic Motherhood, but otherwise did not change dramatically.
Why did Madison call for the Constitutional Convention?
Madison believes that the Articles of Confederation must be replaced because sovereignty must be held by the national government.
Quasi- War
Many Americans called for war. Without a formal declaration, the United States engaged in the Quasi-War with France, in which the United States repealed treaties and instituted a trade embargo.
How did the outcome of the French and Indian War affect Native Americans such as the Creek, Cherokee, and Iroquois?
Many Native Americans had relied on the competition between Britain, France, and Spain to negotiate favorable trade and settlement terms. With only the British left in the eastern half of North America, the Native Americans lost a valuable source of leverage. Their support and cooperation were not as valuable as they had been. The British stopped giving the Iroquois gifts of ammunition as "rent" for use of their land, which hurt Native Americans' ability to hunt and fight.
What was Alexander Hamilton's role in the election of 1800?
Many considered Hamilton the cornerstone of the Federalist party. Congress, which was deciding between four presidential candidates (but mainly between the two Democratic-Republican frontrunners), had a Federalist majority and looked to Hamilton for advice. Hamilton's endorsement of Jefferson led to Congress's election of the third president.
Why was slavery such a contentious issue at the Constitutional Convention?
Many members of the Convention owned slaves. Some of these members felt uncomfortable with the conflict between their ideals and their actions. Furthermore, for some members, slavery was an issue of personal property, which they did not consider a governmental issue.
How did women support the Patriots in the American Revolution?
Many raised money or made clothing to support the Continental Army. Others followed the army and worked cooking, laundering clothes, and tending the wounded as well as watering cannon. Still others worked as messengers and spies, and some even disguised themselves as men to fight.
How did Martin characterize his own journey toward support of the revolutionary cause?
Martin describes how he was born at a time when the colonies had begun to stir with discontent and opposition to British policies like the Stamp Act. He heard some of the Patriot sentiment floating about but did not really take part in it. When the threat of war became clearer, in 1774, he resolved not to become involved and risk his life. He describes working in the fields, farming, and hearing the alarm bells raised in April 1775. That winter, he listened more carefully to the talk of the conflict between Britain and the colonies and began to get more of a sense of the colonies as their own country, one that he wanted to defend.
Which states struggled or failed to ratify the Constitution?
Massachusetts struggled to ratify the Constitution, but eventually did. New Hampshire's convention adjourned without taking action. Rhode Island did not even call a convention, and, along with North Carolina, was one of the last states to ratify the Constitution. Maryland called for 28 amendments. South Carolina also voted for a significant amendment regarding states' rights. Virginia and New York were also divided.
explain how Mayhew's words reflect the ideas of Enlightenment thinkers. How might his argument be used to support the case for American independence?Common tyrants, and public oppressors, are not entitled to obedience from their subjects, by virtue of any thing here laid down by the inspired apostle. . . . For, please to observe, that if the end of all civil government, be the good of society; if this be the thing that is aimed at in constituting civil rulers; and if the motive and argument for submission to government, be taken from the apparent usefulness of civil authority ; it follows, that when no such good end can be answered by submission, there remains no argument or motive to enforce it ; and if instead of this good end's being brought about by submission, a contrary end is brought about, and the ruin and misery of society effected by it, here is a plain and positive reason against submission in all such cases, should they ever happen. And therefore, in such cases, a regard to the public welfare, ought to make us withhold from our rulers, that obedience and subjection which it would, otherwise, be our duty to render to them.
Mayhew iterates Enlightenment ideas about popular sovereignty and consent of the governed. He suggests that government exists to serve the good of the people, and if it fails to do so, people have the right to resist and replace that government. Colonists might use his argument to justify separating from the British government if they deemed it unjust or tyrannical.
How many men served in the Continental Army over the course of the war? How many served at any given time?
Over the course of the war, 200,000 to 350,000 men served in the Continental Army. Not more than 25,000 served at any given time.
How did cultural divisions in Pennsylvania shape relations with Native Americans?
Pacifist Quakers, who had founded the colony, settled largely along the coast. They sought to maintain peaceful relations with Native Americans. However, rural settlers along the frontier tended to be Scots-Irish and German immigrants who wanted to settle more land. They did not share the Quakers' pacifism and were willing to use force to win control of the land.
What grievances against Britain does the declaration identify?
Parliament has claimed the right to impose and enforce taxes on the colonies; has appointed bodies with unconstitutional powers; has granted British military courts jurisdiction over the colonies; has kept standing armies in the colonies in times of peace; has made colonial judges subject to payment by the Crown; has enabled British officials to send colonists accused of treason and other high crimes to Britain for trial; has enacted cruel and unconstitutional punitive laws against Boston, including the closure of Boston's ports; and has dissolved colonial assemblies unjustly.
What orders did Parliament give General Gage following the passage of the Intolerable Acts?
Parliament ordered him to station British troops in Boston, to allow no trade in Boston, and to restore order in the colonies at all costs.
What goals did Parliament have with these laws?
Parliament wanted to raise funds to pay off the war debt; to assert Parliamentary authority over the colonies; to stop smuggling in the colonies; and to control mobs rioting in colonial cities.
In which of the following states did the institution of slavery become MORE entrenched after the Revolutionary War?
South Carolina
What did Regulators in South Carolina do? What about Regulators in North Carolina?
South Carolina Regulators attacked gangs of outlaws that stole from farmers; North Carolina Regulators protested corruption among sheriffs and court officials, particularly those who forced settlers to pay illegally high taxes and legal fees. They rallied colonists to close the courts and attack officials.
What exchange did Spain make at the end of the war? Why?
Spain exchanged Spanish Florida for the return of Havana, Cuba, and Manila in the Philippines. These islands were likely more valuable to Spain and easier for Spain to defend and hold.
Why do you think Spain entered the war on the side of France?
Spain wanted to protect its interests in the Caribbean against British encroachment.
Why was a Bill of Rights necessary for the Constitution's ratification?
States such as Virginia demanded it before they would ratify the Constitution.
Which states were able to ratify the Constitution without significant issues?
States that ratified the Constitution with relative ease included Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Georgia.
Which issues were most divisive in the ratification debate?
States' rights were extremely divisive (the question of the balance of power between state and federal governments), as was the inclusion of a Bill of Rights.
Coercive Acts, which the colonies soon dubbed the "Intolerable" Acts:
The Administration of Justice Act protected British officials from prosecution for criminal offenses. The Boston Port Act closed the port of Boston until the city had paid for the dumped tea—and the taxes on the tea. The Massachusetts Government Act revoked the Massachusetts Charter of 1691, barred colonists from attending town meetings and made the governor's council an appointed body. The Quartering Act required colonists to quarter, or house, British soldiers in their homes, businesses, and other properties, as needed. Parliament passed a fifth act, the Quebec Act, shortly after. Though not one of the original Coercive Acts, colonists considered the law giving control of frontier lands to the province of Quebec to be one of the Intolerable Acts.
How was the Articles of Confederation both a success and failure?
The Articles of Confederation was successful in establishing a union among the 13 states in order to wage war, and it made some progress in terms of establishing territorial boundaries and social precedents. However, it was a failure economically, particularly when it came to trade and taxes.
When was the Articles of Confederation written? When did it go into effect and why?
The Articles of Confederation was written in 1777, but it didn't go into effect until 1781, when Maryland, the last of the thirteen states, ratified it.
Who were the Augusta Boys?
The Augusta Boys were Virginia vigilantes who attacked Cherokees in the region.
Why did war spread to the Indian subcontinent?
The British East India Company and the French Compagnie des Indes each controlled parts of the subcontinent. They both had trade interests there.
What advantage did the British forces have over the Continental Army? What about the Continentals?
The British navy controlled the seas, and their regular soldiers were highly disciplined. The Continental Army had greater numbers, initially, and were effective guerilla fighters with knowledge of the land.
What happened at Fort Duquesne in 1755?
The British sent another force under Major General Edward Braddock and Washington to attack the French fort. The French defeated the British force, killing Braddock and sending Washington on retreat.
What happened at the Battle of Saratoga? Why was this battle a turning point?
The British tried to break through a Continental force led by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. Both sides suffered heavy losses, but neither won a decisive victory and neither gave ground. Still, Continental forces had prevented the British army from reaching their winter quarters and had captured nearly 6,000 British soldiers. It kept British forces divided and demonstrated that the Americans had a viable fighting force that could withstand the British.
What were France, Britain, and Spain seeking to accomplish during the Seven Years' war?
The British wanted to have more territory to expand; the French wanted to protect their trade in fur; the Spanish wanted to protect their sugar islands.
What were most of the Native American Chippewa's viewpoint on the war?
The Chippewa tell Henry that they consider the French king their father, and that the enemies of the French are their enemies. Thus, they fought the British as enemies of the French.
Use the excerpt from Patrick Henry's Speech to the Second Virginia Convention to answer the question. Which of the following can one conclude about the comparative strength of the Continental Army compared with the British forces from this statement?
The Continental Army had fewer resources.
How did the Continental Army drive the British out of Boston?
The Continental Army seized guns from Fort Ticonderoga, which they assembled on Dorchester Heights on March 1 and used to bombard the British in the city until they evacuated on March 17.
What Native American nation switched alliances in 1758? Why?
The Delaware switched allegiances when their leader, Teedyuscung, grew distrustful of the French. The British promised to restrict further white settlement west of the Alleghenies.
Identify the major combatants of the French and Indian War. What were their goals?
The French wanted to defend their territorial claims to the Ohio River Valley to protect the fur trade. The British wanted to defend their territorial claims to support further expansion. Each wanted to gain more power and wealth at the expense of the other. Spain, too, hoped to protect its foothold in Spanish Florida and its access to its sugar plantations in the Caribbean, particularly against the British. Native American nations had competing goals. Some allied with the French to defend their trade interests and to prevent further British expansion. Others allied with the British to protect their trade relations, to fight rival groups, and to win favorable terms of their own with regards to settlement.
How did the Massachusetts legislature contribute to Shays Rebellion?
The Massachusetts legislature contributed to the rebellion in two ways: first, by passing the tax laws; second, by refusing the farmers' petition and placing blame for the farmers' economic situations on the farmers themselves.
The text refers to Conestoga Indiantown as "a Delaware village" attacked by the Paxton Boys. What happened there?
The Paxton Boys attacked the village, killed six people, and burned the town. They then killed the 14 survivors who took refuge in Lancaster.
Which "Intolerable" Act represented a British response to the violence along the frontier? Did the Coercive Acts unite rural and urban colonists against Britain?
The Quebec Act assigned oversight of the lands north and west of the Ohio River—lands coveted by white settlers—to the authorities of British-controlled Quebec. This removed any power from colonial officials along the frontier. The Coercive Acts also included a law that closed the port of Boston until the price of the dumped tea (and the tax on the tea) had been paid and required Bostonians to quarter British troops. The laws hurt both rural and urban colonists and united them in their anger and opposition to British authority and to laws passed by Parliament without their consent.
The Tea Act kept the Townshend tax on tea in place in the colonies. Why did British officials think the colonists would still tolerate the law and the tax?
The Tea Act made it less costly for the British East India Company to ship tea to the colonies, so even though the tax remained, the overall cost of tea would go down.
What elements of "The bloody massacre perpetrated in King-Street Boston on March 5th, 1770, by a party of the 29th Regt." make it an effective piece of propaganda? Why?
The artwork shows British troops firing on unarmed colonists, who are shown fleeing, fallen, and wounded. The fallen colonists are shown bleeding from their wounds. The British soldiers appear to be firing deliberately, on the command of their leader. The text beneath reads like a poem, making it engaging and memorable. It involves incendiary language that portrays the colonists as guiltless and the British soldiers as cruel. The text refers to the British as savage, as villains, and as barbarians. Revere also identifies the fallen colonists, making the report more personal. They are portrayed as martyrs. The title itself—"the bloody massacre"—is intended to illicit an emotionally charged response.
How did colonists respond when the governor refused to send the ships and their tea back to Britain?
The colonists organized the Boston Tea Party, in which they dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor.
explain why each type of committee was organized and what purposes they served.
The committees of inspection were organized after the First Continental Congress to help ensure that colonies enforced the boycott of British trade. They investigated and reported on violations of the ban. The committees of safety served as local executive bodies that began to take the place of other colonial government. One of their tasks became raising and supplying a Continental Army.
How the French and Indian War created the conditions that led colonists to seek independence.
The conflict removed the French as an impediment to English-speaking western expansion. The conflict elevated George Washington to a position of relative importance in the colonies. The conflict came with huge debts that the British expected the colonists to help pay down.
How does the declaration speak to multiple audiences at the same time? Why?
The declaration speaks not only to the British king as well as other members of the British government but also to colonists across the Thirteen Colonies and to the world. It is a justification of the colonies' independence made to Britain to explain their reasons for this course of action but also made to the rest of the colonies to rally support and inspire patriotism and to the world to garner aid in their effort.
How does this declaration reflect a) growing unity in purpose among the colonies and b) mounting opposition to British rule?
The declaration, written, approved, and signed by delegates from all colonies except Georgia, shows that the colonies have developed a unified structure in which to discuss and plan unified courses of action against the British. The articulation of their rights and the grievances against the British government, their demands for redress, and their protest action make clear that they have moved beyond disorganized, localized actions and are mounting a joint opposition effort.
Was it possible to avoid war between the colonies and Great Britain?
The distance from London to New York City is more than 3,400 miles across open seas. The first colonists to leave England for North America did so to exercise a certain amount of freedom and autonomy. Over the coming decades, mired in its own wars in Europe, England (later Britain) exercised lax enforcement of its laws in the colonies, even on shipping. Colonial government developed alongside distinct colonial economies and cultures. War might not have been inevitable. But by the time Britain started trying to reel in and modernize its colonies in North America, the colonists had already grown accustomed to a certain amount of independence. These two interests, those of the colonists and of the empire, were going to collide, though this collision didn't have to cause a war.
When and where did the first committee of correspondence form? For what purpose?
The first committee formed in New York, following passage of the Sugar Act in 1764, to guard the colonies against harmful Parliamentary acts and to organize opposition to those acts.
explore the ways Enlightenment thinkers used the written word to transform the world they lived in. In what ways was this successful? In what ways did words prove insufficient?
The ideas of the Enlightenment, as expressed in words like limited government, popular sovereignty, consent of the governed, representative democracy, republicanism, liberty, natural rights and natural laws, helped inspire many colonists to question, object to, and then resist British policies and officials. This resistance became the revolutionary movement for independence. Similarly, the ideas of the First Great Awakening encouraged a questioning of traditional authorities and a focus on individualism. Evangelists also helped engender a new sense of community and Americanism that led many colonists to distinguish themselves as people separate from Britain and British government. These ideas were also spread through words—spoken words in sermons, shared through revivals, as well as printed words in the publications of ministers like George Whitefield and Jonathan Mayhew. Taken together, these words were successful in uniting many American colonists behind new ways of thinking about government and bringing them together to pursue shared goals—namely, opposition to British rule. The answer should note, however, that such words proved insufficient in actually reforming government or achieving desired change under the umbrella of British rule. Rather, independence was achieved not just through rhetoric but also through action, including war.
Why was the Bill of Rights instrumental to the new U.S. government?
The inclusion of the Bill of Rights calmed the Antifederalists, who had opposed the ratification of the Constitution on the grounds that it did not include one. It further appeased them by granting all non-enumerated powers to state governments.
How did the ratification debate contribute to the formation of political parties?
The issue of states' rights and the consequences associated with the creation of a large federal government created the Federalist and Antifederalist groups, which later became the first political parties: the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans.
Why was the Whiskey Rebellion so dangerous for the United States?
The new nation was still fragile, and many had not supported the federal overtones of the Constitution. The same people protesting the whiskey excise tax were of a similar demographic to those who had not supported a strong federal government. If their rebellion had spread, others who also felt strongly about what they saw as government overreach may have joined them to overthrow the government.
Use the excerpt from the Articles of Confederation to answer the question. Which of the following BEST summarizes the intent of Articles II and III of the Articles of Confederation?
The newly independent states wanted to protect their sovereignty.
When and where did the next committee of correspondence form? What did that committee's Suffolk Resolves state?
The next committee formed in Boston, in 1772. The Suffolk Resolves declared that colonists should have the same rights as people in Britain, and identified the colonies' grievances against custom racketeering, illegal search, and unjust taxation.
What Enlightenment principle proposed by John Locke do the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence invoke? What specific right does the declaration assume?
The preamble invokes John Locke's ideas about natural rights and natural laws. The Declaration assumes the right of the governed to dissolve or reject an unjust government.
Why was Washington interested in the Ohio region?
The region was dominated by Native Americans, and Washington wanted to make it safe for white settlement.
Summarize the provisions of the Resolutions of Merchants
The resolutions bar colonial ships from transporting British goods to the colonies and colonial merchants from selling British goods until the Stamp Act is repealed.
How do the Declaration of Rights and Grievances and the Virginia Stamp Act Resolution reflect Enlightenment principles?
The resolutions invoke Enlightenment ideals about natural (or inherent) rights and liberties as well as consent of the governed.
Do you think the American Revolution and the independence of the United States could have happened without the printing press? Why or why not?
The revolution and independence may not have happened, at least not when they did, without the technology of the printing press to help spread information, ideas, and propaganda. The printed words and images of the Patriots helped rally many colonists to their cause. The press was integral to being able to print large numbers of tracts like Common Sense, as well as other materials, including letters and articles in local newspapers, to reach many people across the colonies.
How did the American revolution affect women, Native Americans, and African Americans?
The revolution imposed hardships on everyone in the colonies. Many on the home front endured rationing and scarcity, when they weren't caught in the conflict, which often affected homes, communities, and cities. Civilian losses were especially high in the southern states where the war was fought more as a guerilla war. The war offered opportunities for some but did not have a lasting impact on the status of marginalized groups. Women, blacks, and Native Americans still lacked political power and had fewer, if any, rights relative to white men in the new nation. Native Americans, whether they fought for or against the United States, did not gain any notable advantage. Still, the revolution and its ideals did inspire many to pursue more rights and freedoms and to seek a greater civic, social, and economic role in the nation.
Why did the revolution matter? What did the revolution accomplish?
The revolution resulted in the formation of an entirely new nation, one that would grow from the Atlantic to the Pacific and even beyond. That nation would later become a significant economic, political, cultural, and military power in the world. At the start, the institutions and ideas of the revolution served as the catalyst for similar movements in other regions and have continued to inspire democratic reforms through the present. The revolution and its founding documents built on a foundation of ideas that continue to be relevant. The nation failed to uphold many of those principles in its inception and on other occasions, but their documentation and the ongoing discourse about their meaning has driven reform efforts in the United States and abroad that have led to notable economic, political, and social changes over time. The revolution held out those great promises but also came at great cost. The success of American colonists would have more immediate consequence in removing barrier to white settlement, which would prove devastating for Native Americans. It also ensured the continuation of slavery and the slave trade for a time.
How did the American Revolution affect ideas about slavery?
The revolution's principles about liberty and equality and the Patriots' accusations of the British government enslaving the colonies raised questions about the colonies' (and later states') own practice of enslaving African workers. The British seized on the idea to criticize the Patriots and to stir up opposition to the states. Quakers, in particular, took up and spread anti-slavery sentiment.
Why do you think Paul Revere's ride became such an important part of American identity?
The ride showed what would have been considered an act of heroism among Patriots and the key event that enabled the colonists to rally and meet the British. This event is symbolic of the patriotism and resolve of the American revolutionaries. Without the warning spread by Revere and the other riders, the revolution might not have happened, or might not have played out as it did. It reflects a core moment in the nation's founding and reflects many values cherished and promoted as part of American culture—bravery, dedication, patriotism, and even individualism, as it shows what the actions of a few individuals could accomplish.
What effect did that Somerset ruling have on Britain?
The ruling essentially ended slavery in England.
How do you think the ruling might have affected relations between Britain and the colonies?
The ruling probably worsened relations between many colonists and Britain. Many slave-holding colonists might have feared that it would encourage their enslaved workers to run away and flee to England—or somewhere else without laws permitting slavery. Many might have considered it another overreach into colonial affairs, too.
How is the second paragraph of the declaration structured? Why do you think that is?
The second paragraph builds an argument to explain the right of the colonies to declare independence and form their own nation. The delegates, as the nominal leaders of the revolution, had to make clear why their actions were right and just in order to obtain the support of the colonists and other nations. They had to be on the right side of the split with Britain.
Why do you think the trade and practice endured?
The slave trade endured because several colonies depended on enslaved labor and the slave trade was profitable.
What are the limits of this historical source? What bias does it show?
The source is inaccurate in its account of the people injured and killed—five died and three were wounded. The account also is decidedly one sided. It does not include details about how the colonists came to be in the square, why the soldiers had assembled, or why the soldiers fired their weapons. It does not explain that the colonists were throwing snowballs and chunks of ice, and otherwise heckling and taunting the soldiers. The information provides only a colonial perspective on events, and one that largely omits the colonists' role in what happened.
How might Common Sense be interpreted as a call for independence?
The statement accuses the British King and Parliament of working together to oppress the colonies, and asserts the right of the colonies, in turn, not only to question the British government but also to reject its usurpation of power.
Pontiac promised Native Americans, "Ye could live as ye did live before knowing them—before those whom ye call your brothers had come upon your lands." How did this statement rally Native Americans to attack British forts in the Ohio country?
The statement encouraged the Native Americans to drive the British off the land.
How did the French and Indian War change the map of North America?
The war resulted in expanded British and Spanish territory at the expense of France.
What clue does the word coercive give you to understanding Parliament's intent and colonists' anger about the laws?
The word coercive means to coerce, or force, someone to a certain course of action, usually under threat of retaliation or punishment of some sort. The use of coercion eliminated any doubt in the minds of the colonists that they could have equal standing as British subjects and would be granted representation and consent.
Reread the primary source excerpt above. What words and phrases tell you that the quote comes from a pro-British perspective? How might colonists respond?
The words "the mob in Boston, to sow violence" cast the protestors in an unfavorable light. Colonists might respond that they were justified in using violence in face of what they considered a harmful law imposed by a tyrannical government.
Why were some colonial delegates resistant to the idea of independence?
Their economies were largely based on British trade
Why were the British discouraged by their victory at Breed's Hill, known as the Battle of Bunker Hill?
Their victory came at a great cost, with 226 British soldiers dead and 828 wounded. The British won, but they suffered greater losses than did the colonists.
What are the main grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence?
There are several key grievances listed, such as the stationing and quartering of British troops in the colonies; the dissolution of colonial legislatures; making colonial judges dependent on the Crown; making the military independent of and superior to civil authority and protecting British soldiers from criminal prosecution; closing ports and blocking foreign trade; imposing taxes on the colonies without their consent; impressing sailors; denying citizens a trial by jury and sending accused colonists to Britain for trial; revoking charters; and attacking towns, destroying property, and injuring colonists as well as transporting more troops, including mercenaries, to the colonies to try to enforce British rule.
Alien and Sedition Acts
These consist of four laws passed by the Federalist Congress and signed by President Adams in 1798: the Naturalization Act, which increased the waiting period for an immigrant to become a citizen from 5 to 14 years; the Alien Act, which empowered the president to arrest and deport dangerous aliens; the Alien Enemy Act, which allowed for the arrest and deportation of citizens of countries at was with the US; and the Sedition Act, which made it illegal to publish defamatory statements about the federal government or its officials. The first 3 were enacted in response to the XYZ Affair, and were aimed at French and Irish immigrants, who were considered subversives. The Sedition Act was an attempt to stifle Democratic-Republican opposition, although only 25 people were ever arrested, and only 10 convicted, under the law. The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, which initiated the concept of "nullification" of federal laws were written in response to the Acts.
What was the purpose of the Preamble, specifically with regards to its audience?
These words were aimed mainly at colonists to inspire them to support independence and join the fight.
What question did conservatives like John Dickinson and radicals like John Adams debate? Why do you think they all agreed to issue the Olive Branch Petition?
They agreed to make one last effort at peace, to settle the doubts of those opposed to the war or independence.
What did the states agree to do under the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation?
They agreed to work together for certain limited common purposes.
What argument did Grenville and other officials make?
They argued that Britain had funded the war, and the war had protected the colonists more than it had people in Britain.
What do the authors of the petition ask of the Massachusetts Assembly? What reasons do they cite?
They ask the assembly to give them and others like them relief, meaning release from slavery. They cite the principles of justice and equity invoked by the legislature. They also note that the colonies themselves have decried what they describe as Britain's attempts to enslave them.
How did British officials seek to address the nation's heavy debt?
They asked the British colonies in North America to pay what officials in London thought was a fair share of the costs of the war.
During the American Revolution, what did Esther De Berdt Reed and Sarah Franklin Bache ask women to do? What does this suggest about women's roles during the war?
They asked women to give up all "luxuries" so they could instead help fund the Continental Army. The women raised $300,000. This suggests that women played an important supporting role for the army, raising money and providing provisions and supplies.
What aspects of slavery did members of the Constitutional Convention discuss?
They discussed whether they should be counted toward determining representation in Congress.
What did colonists do when a British shipment of tea arrived in Boston in November 1773?
They forced the ship to Griffin's Wharf, controlled by colonists. They threatened to tar and feather customs workers, who fled. They refused to let the tea be unloaded.
Why could the rebels not afford to lose South Carolina?
They had already lost Georgia, and if they lost another southern state, it would be hard to justify fighting the revolution on behalf of the United States.
Why were the colonists prepared to meet the British at the Battles of Lexington and Concord?
They had feared and prepared for British efforts to seize their arms.
What commitments had the British made to the Delaware and the Iroquois in 1758 and why?
They had promised to bar white settlement west of the Alleghenies to win their help in the French and the Indian War.
How did the committees of correspondence unite the colonies?
They handled correspondence among the colonies, served as propaganda bureaus, and took on some governing duties as tensions mounted, including responsibility for arming colonial militias.
Why did several Native American tribes surrender to the British in 1764?
They lacked ammunition, and without the French, they could not obtain more.
What do the delegates do with the last line? What effect do you think this line would have on their fellow colonists?
They make the declaration personal. They are staking their lives, everything that they have, on the revolution. I think that would inspire other colonists to do the same.
How did British relations with Native Americans change after the French and Indian War?
They stopped negotiating and providing gifts of ammunition.
What do they suggest they will do instead of taking up arms?
They suggest that they will provide help to anyone who needs it and that they will pray.
What early success did the Native Americans have?
They took Fort Sandusky.
What did women do as camp followers?
They traveled with the army. They carried water to the battlefield, fed and helped the troops, nursed the wounded, and sometimes even fought in battles.
What effect did the Battles at Lexington and Concord have?
They turned back the British and rallied colonial support for the Patriots. They signaled the start of warfare.
Why do you think the British assembled a large fighting force in Canada?
They wanted to retake early losses to the Patriots and to attack them from the north, boxing the Continental Army between British forces.
What problem were the French and British trying to solve through the Seven Years' war?
They were fighting to become the dominant colonial power in the world.
What does the declaration say that the colonies will do to win a redress of these grievances?
They will enter into a non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation agreement.
What early success did Britain have?
They won an early victory in Acadia, now Nova Scotia.
Olive Branch Petition
This document reaffirmed the union between the colonies and Britain, shifted the blame for hostilities to Parliament and the king's officials, and appealed to the monarch to negotiate peace with the colonies.
In what ways were the motives and goals of the British Empire, British colonists, and Native Americans achieved? In what ways did the goals of these groups diverge? How?
Three groups succeeded in the shared goal of expelling French rule from the eastern half of the continent and defending against further French and Spanish encroachment on their lands. The British and their colonial and Native American allies had secured control of the Atlantic seaboard and adjoining frontier lands. However, after the war, Britain wanted to maintain peace with Native Americans, who wanted lands west of Appalachia protected from further white settlement. However, this goal diverged sharply from many British American colonists who believed themselves entitled to settle and develop the vast wilderness gained by Britain during the war.
How did the Treaty of Greenville help to end major hostilities between American Indians and whites in the future states of Ohio and Indiana?
Washington felt that the settlers were recklessly entering new territories and causing conflict needlessly.
What did Washington believe was the primary cause of the conflict between Native Americans and white settlers on the frontier?
Washington felt that the settlers were recklessly entering new territories and causing conflict needlessly.
What praise and hope for the new nation does Washington express in the Circular Letter of Farewell? What warning does he offer?
Washington lauds the achievement of the states and their new nation in arising not from ignorance and superstition but from the use of reason, from concern for the social welfare, from the work of knowledge and wisdom. He holds out great hope for what the combined states can accomplish, in their union, should they continue in the manner in which they started. However, he warns about the possibility of failure. Specifically, he warns the states not to fall into disunion, not to let their unity—in their confederation—collapse, not open themselves back to being the prey of foreign powers. He advises that their strength is in their union and suggests that the period following the war (not the war itself) will be the chief trial of their endeavor. Can they build a lasting government and legacy? Washington seems to ask. He notes even that the whole world is watching to see what will become of the new nation and government forged with such promising roots.
What was significant about the crossing of the Delaware and the Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776?
Washington led a surprise attack of 2,400 troops against a much larger force of Hessians holding Trenton. They captured many of the Hessians, and some even joined the Continental Army. The victory was an important blow to the British and helped the Continentals regain control of southern New Jersey. It probably provided a needed morale booster to the Continental Army, too.
Why did the French let Washington and his troops go?
Washington took responsibility for the skirmish at Jumonville. He signed a document stating that he had attacked the French during a time of peace.
Washington's troops spent about six months encamped at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania in 1777-1778. Why? How did they make use of that time?
Washington's troops camped at Valley Forge for six months because of winter weather conditions. They spent the time training and preparing.
Why did some of his white friends in Britain petition for a writ of habeas corpus to have him brought back to Britain?
When Somerset was caught and put on a ship back to the Americas, his friends petitioned for the writ to require that Somerset be brought back to Britain to appear before a judge to determine whether he could be forced back into slavery.
electoral college
a system in which each state selects presidential electors according to the number of its senators and representatives in Congress by whatever method it prefers, and these electors then select the president
Treaty of Greenville
a treaty agreed to in 1795 in which Native Americans in the Northwest Territory were forced to cede the land that is most of the present states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin to the United States
Pinckney's Treaty
a treaty with Spain that set the border between the United States and Spanish Florida
three- fifths clause
another compromise from the Constitutional Convention by which slaves—though the term was never used—would be counted as three-fifths of a person for purposes of establishing a state's representation under the proportional representation plan
The military event that ignited hostilities and directly led to the French and Indian War was the
attack on French at Jumonville Glen
Use the excerpt from The Treaty of Paris of 1763 to answer the question. The city of New Orleans is inaccurately described as an "island" in the excerpt, likely so as to
ensure it would stay out of British hands.
Democratic-Republicans
favored a strict interpretation of the Constitution that emphasized states' rights. ex: Thomas Jefferson
The creation of the Bank of the United States created a stronger division between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans because the
financial center would be in the North, while Democratic- Republicans represented southern interests
Use the letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams to answer the question. The letter from Abigail Adams relates to the concept of Republican Motherhood because she encourages her husband to support
measures giving greater rights to women than Republican Motherhood advocated.
Connecticut Plan/Great Compromise
plan proposed for creating a national bicameral legislature in which all states would be equally represented in the Senate and proportionally represented in the House
why the British attacked and expelled the Acadians and where the Acadians went following expulsion.
the Acadians, originally French colonists, had settled the region around the Bay of Fundy in 1604, but had developed largely independently of France and the rest of New France. Surrounded by British Nova Scotia, after 1713, the French Acadians were largely tolerated and left alone. However, as hostilities between the French and British increased in 1755, the British worried about the Acadian presence, as Acadia included about 270 militiamen. When the Acadians refused to swear an oath of loyalty to Britain, British leaders planned to expel the Acadians and seize their property. Many Acadians fled into the wilderness or to other parts of New France, but more than 10,000 were deported. The British shipped some Acadians to other British colonies or to France and French holdings in the Caribbean. Many traveled on their own to French Louisiana to resettle.
What two points does this statement make? How might these two positions have made Quakers more inclined to ally with Britain in opposition to the revolution?
the Quakers are opposed to any business of war and that any person who refuses to release his or her slaves will be discharged, or removed, from the Society of Friends. The excerpt demonstrates two significant points of division between Quakers and Patriots of the American Revolution—first, an unwillingness to fight a war of rebellion, and second, an opposition to the continuance of slavery, practiced or supported by many citizens in the new states. These two points of division made it more likely for Quakers to ally with Britain in hopes of ending the conflict and ending slavery.
Articles of Capitulation
the agreement signed by American, British, and French military commanders on October 19, 1781, providing for the surrender of the British forces at Yorktown
What rights does the declaration claim for colonists in the Thirteen Colonies?
the right to life, liberty, and property; all the rights, privileges, and immunities of other English subjects; the right to participate and be represented in their legislature; the right to the common law of England, including the right to be tried by one's peers; the right to peaceably assemble and petition the monarch for a redress of grievances; the right to a separation of powers in government; and the right to be free from a standing army in times of peace.
Committee of Secret Correspondence
to communicate with colonial sympathizers in Britain and to open negotiations for aid or alliance with other countries, such as France.
Why did the Paxton Boys march on Philadelphia in 1764?
to find other Native Americans who might have taken refuge there
Washington took an active role in uniting the states around the new government by
traveling through them.
Use the excerpt from Washington's farewell speech to answer the question. The excerpt reflects George Washington's attempts made throughout his presidency to
unite a country under a federal government for greater stability
Use the letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams to answer the question. In her letter, Abigail Adams is encouraging her husband to promote
women's suffrage