AMERICAN REVOLUTION Flashcards
(32 cards)
1
Q
Why was the Boston Tea Party (1773) a turning point in colonial resistance?
A
- symbolised the move from protest to direct rebellion.
- The Sons of Liberty destroyed £18,000 worth of East India Company tea.
- led to the Intolerable Acts (1774)
2
Q
What were the Intolerable Acts and why did they escalate tensions?
A
- A series of punitive laws passed in 1774.
- These curtailed self-government, closed the port, and allowed British soldiers to be tried in Britain.
- Colonists saw these as a direct assault on their liberties.
3
Q
Why did some colonists still want reconciliation before 1776?
A
- Many (especially in NY and PA) hoped for shared sovereignty.
- Fear of economic collapse and military defeat meant reconciliation with George III seemed safer.
- Some colonies specifically instructed their Continental Congress delegates to avoid voting for independence.
4
Q
What was the role of the Prohibitory Act, and when was it?
A
- 1775
- The Act outlawed trade with the colonies and blockaded ports, pushing moderate colonists toward rebellion.
- It was effectively a declaration of economic war.
5
Q
What was agreed at the First Continental Congress (1774)?
A
- Delegates from 12 out of 13 colonies met in Philadelphia to issue a Declaration of Rights and Grievances
- organise a boycott via the Continental Association
- agreed to meet again if demands were ignored.
6
Q
What made the Second Continental Congress more radical?
A
- Met in May 1775 after Lexington.
- Created a Continental Army under George Washington
- authorised the printing of paper money
- began preparing for war
7
Q
What happened at Lexington and Concord, and when was it?
A
- 1775
- 700 British troops marched to seize colonial arms.
- Militias resisted at Lexington, killing 8.
- At Concord, militias ambushed retreating British forces.
- British lost 73 killed and 174 wounded
8
Q
What was the result of Bunker Hill, and when was it?
A
- 1775
- Though British (under General Howe) won and took Breed’s Hill, they lost over 1,000 men.
- The high casualties shocked the British command and showed colonial resolve.
- Rebels ran out of ammunition, which limited British losses further.
9
Q
What was General Howe’s strategy in 1776 and why did it fail?
A
- Howe aimed to isolate New England by taking New York and advancing north.
- He defeated Washington at Long Island, NY, and Harlem Heights
- but failed to destroy Washington’s army, which escaped.
10
Q
What was Burgoyne’s plan in 1777?
A
- aimed to isolate New England by capturing Albany, New York, through a three-pronged British attack
- Burgoyne would march south from Canada,
- St. Leger would move in from the west
- General Howe was to advance north
11
Q
What happened at Saratoga and when was it?
A
- 1777
- Burgoyne, isolated and low on supplies, was defeated by General Horatio Gates.
- 5,000 British troops surrendered.
- French joined the war after this colonial victory.
12
Q
Why did France join the war in 1778?
A
- France wanted revenge for its defeat in the Seven Years’ War.
- After Saratoga proved the colonists were a viable ally
- France signed the Treaty of Alliance, recognising US independence and committing troops and naval support.
13
Q
What were the effects of French intervention?
A
- Forced Britain to fight a global war
- Spain joined in 1779.
- The French navy challenged British control of the Atlantic, and troops under Rochambeau helped trap Cornwallis at Yorktown.
14
Q
What was Britain’s “Southern Strategy”?
A
- A plan to conquer the Southern colonies first
- Aimed to rally Loyalist support and isolate North
15
Q
Why did Britain’s southern strategy fail?
A
- British wrongly assumed strong Loyalist support.
- Not enough British troops sent.
- General Nathanael Greene’s guerrilla tactics wore down British forces
16
Q
Who was Nathanael Greene?
A
- American general who took command in the South after the defeat at Camden (1780).
- Known for his strategic and flexible leadership.
17
Q
What was Greene’s main strategy against Cornwallis?
A
- Avoid large battles and used guerrilla tactics.
- Split his forces to force Cornwallis to stretch his army thin.
- Focus on wearing down the British gradually.
18
Q
What was the “Race to the Dan”?
A
- Greene led Cornwallis on a long chase across North Carolina into Virginia.
- Greene skilfully retreated, crossing the Dan River, escaping British pursuit.
- This exhausted Cornwallis’s army and supply lines.
19
Q
What occurred at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and when was it?
A
- 1781
- Greene fought Cornwallis directly
- British won but suffered heavy casualties of 25%
- Forced Cornwallis to retreat to Yorktown
20
Q
What led to the Battle of Yorktown (October 1781)?
A
- Cornwallis retreated to Yorktown, expecting British navy support.
- Washington marched south, joined by Rochambeau and Lafayette.
- The French fleet under de Grasse blocked British reinforcements.
- 16,000 Americans and French surrounded 7,000 British.
- Cornwallis surrendered.
21
Q
Why was Yorktown significant?
A
- Effectively ended the war.
- Parliament lost the will to continue.
- PM Lord North resigned in 1782.
- British began peace negotiations.
22
Q
What were General Washington’s military strengths?
A
- Avoided decisive defeats
- adapted to guerrilla tactics
- Maintained army unity through harsh winters (e.g., Valley Forge).
- Ran efficient spy networks (e.g., the Culper Ring)
23
Q
What were General Washington’s military weaknesses?
A
- Early defeats (NY campaign)
- lack of training
- occasionally too cautious.
24
Q
Evaluate General Howe’s leadership.
A
- Competent tactician (Long Island, Bunker Hill) but indecisive.
- Ignored Germain’s orders to support Burgoyne in 1777, seeking glory in Philadelphia instead.
25
Why was General Burgoyne's defeat at Saratoga so important?
- Strategic blunder to move south without support.
- Slowed by supply wagons and poor terrain.
- Saratoga led directly to French entry into the war.
26
What were the key terms of the Peace of Paris (1783)?
- Britain recognised US independence
- ceded land east of Mississippi
- restored loyalist property
- US promised debt repayment.
27
Why did Britain agree to generous peace terms?
- War weariness
- Yorktown loss
- Whig government under Shelburne wanted trade resumption.
- Wanted to prevent further losses to European rivals (France, Spain).
28
Who lost out after the Peace of Paris treaty?
- Loyalists, African Americans, and Native Americans were abandoned.
- British forts remained in US territory until 1790s.
- France gained little despite high costs.
29
What role did colonial unity play in the outcome?
- coordinate military efforts
- share resources
- presented a united front to France
- maintained morale e.g. valley forge
30
What were the strengths of the colonial forces?
- Guerrilla tactics
- militias (100,000 served overall)
- Washington's leadership
- French aid (navy, troops, supplies).
31
What were the key British weaknesses?
- poor leadership coordination
- long supply lines (4,800km)
- reliance on mercenaries (Hessians)
- underestimating colonial resilience.
32
Why was foreign support crucial to victory?
- France’s navy broke British control of the seas.
- Spain and the Dutch drained British resources.
- Financial and military support kept the colonial war effort alive.
