American Revolutionary War Study Guide

 

England established and attempted to maintain control over the colonies.  England imposed its political and economic control over the colonies in different ways.

 

Economic Relationships	Political Relationships
*England imposed strict control over trade	*Colonists had to obey English laws that were enforced by governors
*England taxed the colonies after the French and Indian War	*Colonial governors were appointed by the king or by the proprietor
*Colonies traded raw materials for goods	*Colonial legislatures made laws for each colony and were monitored by colonial governors.

 

Causes of the American Revolution

 

England’s Reasons for Control	England’s Reasons for Taxation	Sources of Colonial Dissatisfaction
*England desired to remain a world power.	*To help finance (pay for) the French and Indian War.	*Colonies had no representation in Parliament.
*England imposed taxes, such as the Stamp Act, to raise necessary revenue (money) to pay the cost of the French and Indian War.	*To help with the maintaining of English troops in the colonies.	*Some colonists resented power of colonial governors.
		*England wanted strict control over colonial legislatures.
		*The Proclamation of 1763 hampered the western movement of settlers.

 

Ideas of John Locke

* People have natural rights to life, liberty, and personal property.

* Government is created to protect the rights of people and has only the limited and specific powers the people consent to give it. 

 

Philosophies in the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence proclaimed independence from England on July 4, 1776. 

* People have “certain unalienable rights” (rights that cannot be taken way), life,

             liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

* People establish government to protect those rights. 

     ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­       * Government derives power from the people.

* People have a right and a duty to change a government that violates their rights.

Key individuals

·       King George III: British king during the Revolutionary era

·       Lord Cornwallis: British general who surrendered at Yorktown

·       John Adams: Championed the cause of independence

·       George Washington: Commander of the Continental Army

·       Thomas Jefferson: Major author of the Declaration of Independence

·       Patrick Henry: Outspoken member of House of Burgesses; inspired colonial patriotism with “Give me liberty or give me death” speech

·       Benjamin Franklin: Prominent member of Continental Congress; helped frame the Declaration of Independence

 

Key Events

·       Boston Massacre: Colonists in Boston were shot after taunting British soldiers.

·       Boston Tea Party: Samuel Adams and Paul Revere led patriots in throwing tea into Boston Harbor to protest tea taxes.

·       First Continental Congress: Delegates from all colonies except Georgia met to discuss problems with England and to promote independence.

·       Battle of Lexington and Concord: This was the site of the first armed conflict of the Revolutionary War.

·       Approval of the Declaration of Independence: Colonies declared independence from England (July 4, 1776).

·       Battle of Saratoga: This American victory was the turning point in the war.

 

Colonial advantages

·       Colonists’ defense of their own land, principles, and beliefs

·       Support from France and Spain

·       Strong leadership