Battle of Yorktown

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

Battle of Saratoga

Turning point of the American Revolution. It was very important because it convinced the French to give the U.S. military support. It lifted American spirits, ended the British threat in New England by taking control of the Hudson River, and, most importantly, showed the French that the Americans had the potential to beat their enemy, Great Britain.

Benjamin Franklin

printer whose success as an author led him to take up politics

Boston Massacre

a riot in Boston (March 5, 1770) arising from the resentment of Boston colonists toward British troops quartered in the city, in which the troops fired on the mob and killed several persons.

Boston Tea Party

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

Coercive Acts 1774

1. Closed Boston port until destroyed tea paid for. 2. stopped town meetings. 3. Appointed a military government for Massachusetts. 4. Trials of government officials will be in England.

Crispus Attucks

Killed in Boston Massacre, black laborer, only African-American person killed in Boston Massacre

French and Indian War

Was a war fought by French and English on American soil over control of the Ohio River Valley-- English defeated French in1763. Historical Significance: established England as number one world power and began to gradually change attitudes of the colonists toward England for the worse.

John Locke

English empiricist philosopher who believed that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience (1632-1704)

Lexington and Concord

The first battle of the Revolution in which British general Thomas Gage went after the stockpiled weapons of the colonists in Concord, Massachusetts.

Non-importation Agreement

An act signed by 200 merchants pledging not ro buy any British goods until Parliament repeals the Stamp Act, colonial merchants and planters signed these agreements to promise to stop importing goods taxed by the townshed acts

Marquis de Lafayette

French soldier who joined General Washington's staff and became a general in the Continental Army.

Olive Branch Petition

On July 8, 1775, the colonies made a final offer of peace to Britain, agreeing to be loyal to the British government if it addressed their grievances (repealed the Coercive Acts, ended the taxation without representation policies). It was rejected by Parliament, which in December 1775 passed the American Prohibitory Act forbidding all further trade with the colonies.

Proclamation of 1763

A proclamation from the British government which forbade British colonists from settling west of the Appalacian Mountains, and which required any settlers already living west of the mountains to move back east.

Quebec Act 1774

1774 the British government where the French were guaranteed their catholic religion permitted to retain many of their old customs and institution which did not include a representative assembly or trial by jury in civil cases. old boundaries of the province of Quebec were extended southward to the Ohio River

Salutary Neglect

idea that the colonies benefited by being left alone, without too much British interference

Sam Adams

A member of the Sons of Liberty who started the Committee of Correspondence to stir public support for American independence.

Sons of Liberty

colonists, formed to keep colonies informed of events and organize protests against British (boycotts, riots, articles)

Stamp Act (1765)

(1765)official documents( marriage licenses, diplomas etc) required stamp proving payment of tax Effects; angered the colonists, Grenville states "virtual representation" riots

Sugar Act (1764)

first tax passed by Parliament . The act was put in place for raising revenue in the colonies for the crown. It increased the duties on foreign sugar, mainly from the West Indies. After protests from the colonists, the duties were lowered.

Thomas Paine

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

Thomas Jefferson

He was a delegate from Virginia at the Second Continental Congress and wrote the Declaration of Independence. He later served as the third President of the United States.

Townshend Acts (1767)

Taxed luxury items imported into the colonies; colonists outraged and started another movement to stop importing Br. goods

Treaty of Paris 1763

Ended French and Indian War, France lost Canada, land east of the Mississippi, to British, New Orleans and west of Mississippi to Spain. , Ended the 7 Years War. Signed by Great Britain, France, Spain. France lost Canada to Britain, Cuba + Philippines restored to Spain, India to Britain. From this treaty dated the colonial and maritime supremacy of Britain.