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American Revolution Study Guide

Textbook Pages
Chapter 4: Events Leading to the American Revolution p. 25 – 35
Chapter 5: The Declaration of Independence p. 36 – 42
Chapter 6: Major Events of the American Revolution p. 43 – 53

Events Leading up to the American Revolution

The French and Indian War (Seven Year War)
Events that Led to the Start of the War
- French settlers were upset British colonists were
moving into French territory west of the Appalachian
Mountains.
- Taking over fertile land for farming.

- British also created competition between French

settlers and the Native Americans when trading goods.

- France built forts to protect their land and encouraged

Native Americans to attack British settlers.

- British king allowed the colonists to create an army and

fight back soon beginning the French and Indian War

After the War

- French eventually lost the war to the British after years
of fighting.

- British gained all the territory west of the Appalachian

Mountains to the Mississippi River and French territory in
Canada.

- Problem with the French and Indian War was British

went into debt due to the cost of the war.

- British Parliament began tighter control of the colonies

placing acts, or laws, on the colonists.
- parliament: a body of representatives that make laws
for a nation.

- Colonists would soon begin to pay taxes to help pay for

the French and Indian War.
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Proclamation of 1763
- To avoid another war with the Native Americans, King
George III created the Proclamation of 1763.

- Land won from the French and Indian war was set
aside for Native Americans. Colonists were not allowed
to settle in the land gained from the French and Indian
War.

- Colonists were upset, many refused to move back

east.

Major Acts or Events

Sugar Act - British Parliament placed a tax on sugar, molasses, and
several other goods.
- taxes: money collected from citizens and businesses to
pay for services provided by the government

Stamp Act - British Parliament placed a tax, had to pay for a stamp
to be placed on almost every type of paper documents
such as newspapers, legal documents, and even playing
cards.

Boston Massacre - Colonists gathered to protest taxes, more soldiers

arrived to protest.

- Colonists began throwing snowballs, wood, and rocks

at the soldiers.

- British soldier was hit by something causing him to

accidentally fire his weapon. Other soldiers fired their
weapons.

- 5 colonists were killed, 6 injured.

- the Boston Massacre even made colonists angrier

about taxes and parliament.
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Major Acts or Events (Continued)

No Representation - Colonists upset that they have no representation in
the British Parliament.

- Created slogan, “No taxation without

representation!”
Representation: person chosen to express the
thoughts and opinions of a larger group.
Slogan: a short, catchy phrase to express an idea or
opinion.
The Tea Act - British Parliament placed a tax on all tea except from
the British owned company.

- Colonists were angered because it was hurting tea

merchants in the colonies.

The Boston Tea Party - Members of the Sons of Liberty dressed as Native
Americans.

- Went on British ships and dumped all the tea from

the British company into the Boston Harbor.

- Colonists called King George III a tyrant.

- tyrant: a cruel or unreasonable ruler.

Coercive Acts or Intolerable Acts Laws Applied to the Massachusetts Colony

- closed Boston Harbor until colonists in colony paid for
the tea destroyed.

- Ended all town meetings in Massachusetts and sent

more British military to rule Boston.

Applied to ALL colonies

- required colonists to quarter (house) British soldiers
in their homes.

Important People and Organizations of the American Revolution

Sons of Liberty - Secret organization Daughters of Liberty - Secret organization of women
formed of all types of helped with boycotts by
people. making goods such as tea or
- Set up rebellions and clothing.
- boycott: to stop buying or
boycotts against taxes,
using goods as a protest.
British Parliament
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Important People and Organizations of the American Revolution (continued)
Thomas Paine - Wrote the pamphlet,
“Common Sense” convincing
colonists to support the
revolutionary movement.
King George III - British King during the
American Revolution time
period.
John Adams - Assisted in writing the
Declaration of Independence.
- Later becomes 2nd president
of the United States
Patrick Henry - Political leader during the
American Revolution.
- Famous quote, “Give me
liberty, or give me death.”
Benedict Arnold - Former Continental Army
officer who became one of
the most famous traitors in
history.
Paul Revere - Son of Liberty famous for his
midnight ride warning others
that the British were coming.
- Silversmith and engraver,
participated in Boston Tea
Party.
George Washington - Commander in Chief of the
Continental Army.
- First President of the United
States.
Benjamin Franklin - Inventor and Scientist
- Assisted with the
creation/writing of the
Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson - Main author of the
Declaration of Independence.
Black Regiments - formed of free and enslaved
African Americans.
- Enslaved were promised
freedom for fighting in the
revolution
- Fought along side all soldiers,
however, their bravery is still
not fully acknowledged in
history.
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Declaration of Independence
First Continental Congress - Delegates from all the colonies except Georgia met to discuss
the problems they were having with the King and British
Parliament
Second Continental Congress - Representatives from the colonies met for a second time
which led to the desire for independence

- Delegates decided to declare independence and formed a

committee to write the Declaration of Independence.
Writing the Declaration of Independence
- Declaration of Independence was a way for the colonists to respond in UNITY to the tyranny and abuse of
power of King George and the parliament.
Tyranny: cruel and unreasonable rule

- The declaration was a statement the colonies wanted to be free, and rule govern (rule) themselves.

- If colonies looked united, goal to get France to assist them in the war if needed.

- Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the declaration.

Preamble - Explained that separation was necessary for American people.

Natural Rights/Big Ideas
Three Unalienable Rights:
- Right to Life
- Right to Liberty
- Right to the Pursuit of Happiness
- Establish a government

- Government gets its power from the people.

- People have the right and duty to change government when it

violates citizens’ rights.

Complaints against the king

- Colonists denied the right to self-govern
- Colonists were forced to pay unfair taxes
- King kept a standing army in colonies

Signed and delivered - Declaration of Independence became official on July 4, 1776

- Signed by 56 delegates representing all 13 colonies.

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The American Revolution

Lexington and Concord - First battles of the American Revolution

- British troops sent to Lexington and Concord to look for a

storehouse of weapons.

- The Massachusetts Minutemen were ready for the British

soldiers
Minutemen: soldiers that could be ready in a minutes time
to defeat British soldiers.

- 8 Americans died at Lexington

- British soldiers moved onto Concord, but the weapons had

already been moved. They were turned around at the
North Bridge.

- Milita/Minutemen fired at the British from the woods as

they returned to Boston.
Battle of Saratoga - Turning point in the Revolutionary War

- British soldiers had to travel through dense forests and

thick brush because of few roads.

- Poor communication between British forces also played a

role.

- British lacked supplies.

- Continental Army was able to get to higher ground which

allowed them to defeat the British army.

- With the defeat at Saratoga, France allied with the

Continental Army.
Battle of Yorktown - Final battle of the Revolutionary War

- British set up camp due to the Chesapeake Bay for

resupply.

- French ships blocked British supply ships and the

Continental Army surrounded the British

- After two weeks of fighting, the British surrendered.

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Continental Army
Advantages Disadvantages
Geography - Less trained/fewer soldiers
- Colonists knew the terrain better than the British
allowing them to be in more control of higher land. - British has better trained officers

- Knew hiding places for best fighting positions. - British had a stronger Navy

Map of the Thirteen Colonies

Boston, Massachusetts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania