Revenue
Incoming money from taxes or other sources
Writ of Assistance
Court document allowing customs officers to enter any location to search for smuggled goods
Resolution
An official expression of opinion by a group
Effigy
A mocking figure representing an unpopular individual
Boycott
to refuse to buy items in order to protest certain actions or to force acceptance of one's terms
Repeal
To cancel an act or law
Committee of Correspondence
An organization that spread political ideas and information through Britain's American colonies
Rebellion
Open defiance of authority
Proclamation of 1763
This order was issued by King George III. It prohibited colonists from living west of the Appalachian Mountains, on Native American land
Sugar Act
This act was passed by Parliament in 1764. It lowered the tax on the molasses the colonists imported. It also allowed officers to seize goods from accused smugglers without going to court
Stamp Act
This act was passed by Parliament in 1765. This law taxed almost all printed materials. Newspapers, wills, and playing cards needed a stamp to show that the tax had been paid
Declaratory Act
Parliament passed this act in 1766. This stated that Parliament had the right to tax and make decisions for the British colonies "in all cases".
Townshend Acts
In 1767 Parliament passes these acts to tax imported goods, such as glass, tea, and paper. The tax had to be paid before they were brought inside the colonies.
Boston Massacre
A violent and tragic encounter between the Bostonians and soldiers. The angry townspeople started throwing sticks and stones at the soldiers. This caused the soldiers to fight back. They killed 5 colonists
Tea Act
Parliament passed this act to help save the British East India Company. This act gave the company nearly total control of the market for tea in the colonies. It also removed some, but not all of the taxes on tea
British East India Company
This company was vital to the British economy. The colonists refused to import their tea. They eventually had total control of the market for tea. They continued shipping tea to Boston despite warnings
Boston Tea Party
British East India Company shipped 3 ships to Boston and demanded they be unloaded. At midnight on December 16, 1773 the Boston Sons of Liberty dressed as Native Americans and boarded the ships. They threw 342 chests of tea overboard
Coercive Acts
These laws were created by Parliament in 1774. They were meant to punish the colonists for resisting British authority. One act forced the colonies to let British soldiers live among the colonists. Another act banned town meetings in Massachusetts. Anothe
Patrick Henry
A member of the Virginia House of Burgesses who, in response to the Stamp Act, got the assembly to pass a resolution declaring that it had "the only and sole exclusive right and power to lay taxes" on its citizens. He was also one of the delegates at the
Samuel Adams
He helped to start the Sons of Liberty in Boston. He also put up posters about the Boston Massacre. In 1772 he also revived the Boston committee of correspondence. He was also one of the delegates of the Continental Congress.
Sons of Liberty
A group of protestors in Boston. They were responsible for numerous protests, one of which was their participation in the Boston Tea Party. They were responsible for throwing the tea off the ships
Redcoats
A name for the British troops who fought against the colonists. They received this name because of the red coats they wore
Minuteman
a civilian during the Revolutionary era, sworn to be ready to fight with only one minute's notice.
Loyalist
An American colonist who remained loyal to Britain and opposed the war for independence
Patriot
American colonist who favored American independence
Petition
a formal request for government action
Preamble
the introduction to a formal document that often tells why the document was written
Continental Congress
A group of 55 delegates who would represent Americans and challenge British control. They gathered in Philadelphia in September, 1774
Suffolk Resolves
These resolutions were prepared by the people of Boston and Suffolk County. They declared the Coercive Acts to be illegal. They called on the county's residents to arm themselves against the British
Second Continental Congress
The delegates met on May 10, 1775. At this meeting they authorized the printing of money and set up a post office. They also formed committees to handle relations with Native Americans and foreign countries. It also created the Continental Army and chose
Olive Branch Petition
A petition sent by the delegates to King George III in hopes of avoiding war. It assured the king that the colonists wanted peace. It asked him to protect the colonists' rights.
Declaration of Independence
This was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. This document, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, announced that the 13 colonies regarded themselves as independent states, no longer under British rule.
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The first fighting between the British troops and colonial militia took place here. Eight minutemen died @ Lexington. Another small battle occurred at the North Bridge in Concord.
Battle of Bunker Hill
This was a British victory because the Americans ran out of gunpowder and had to retreat. Even though this was a victory for the British, it was a tremendous loss of men.
Thomas Gage
British general. He ordered 700 troops to Concord to seize and destroy all the artillery and ammunition they could find
Paul Revere
Member of the Sons of Liberty. He galloped to Lexington to spread the word that the British were coming. He was captured by British Patrol
Benedict Arnold
Captain in the Connecticut militia who gathered 400 men to seize Fort Ticonderoga. Later he became a traitor to the Patriot cause. He sold military information to the British. He then commanded British troops
Fort Ticonderoga
This was located near Lake Champlain and was stocked with military supplies. The Patriots took the British by surprise and the fort surrendered on May 10, 1775.
George Washington
An experienced soldier. He was unanimously chosen to command the Continental Army.
Thomas Paine
He wrote a pamphlet called "Common Sense." This had a great influence on public opinion in the colonies
Thomas Jefferson
He was asked to write the first draft of the declaration of independence. He used ideas from various philosophers to write this draft
John Locke
An English philosopher who expressed the idea that people are born with natural rights to life, liberty, and property. He stated that people form governments to protect those rights
John Hancock
The first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.