From Colonies to Independence Flashcards
(31 cards)
What is a colony?
A colony is a land controlled by other countries that are far away
What was America called during the reign of British King George III?
The Thirteen Colonies or simply the American Colonies
o repay the debt from the war against France, what financial strategy did King George III put into place?
King George III and the British government raised taxes on the American colonists.
Why were many Africans enslaved and forced to travel to the American colonies?
The British used their hard work to make them richer and stronger
Why did many people in the Thirteen Colonies stop drinking British tea, even though they liked it?
To protest a tax that King George put on tea
What was the Boston Tea Party?
American colonists, angry about British taxes on tea, boarded British ships and threw the tea into Boston Harbor.
How did King George III react to the Boston Tea Party?
He sent warships and soldiers and closed the Boston Harbor
What were British soldiers called during the American Revolution?
Redcoats
What actions did the leaders of the Thirteen Colonies take to gain independence from British rule?
They wrote a letter to King George
Why was it so special that the leaders of the Thirteen Colonies came together to write the letter?
They united as proud Americans and decided to work together
Proud Americans who were no longer loyal to the British king were called ________.
Patriots
What did the colonists hide in the town of Concord, near Boston?
Cannonballs, gunpowder, and weapons to fight British soldiers
How many lanterns were the Patriots supposed to light to signal the British were coming across the river?
2
Who warned the Patriots that the British soldiers were coming?
Pual Revere
What were the Patriots in Concord called?
Minutemen
Who won the battle of Concord?
The Americans
After the Battle of Concord and other battles between the British and the Americans, what did the colonial leaders decide they needed?
An American army to fight the British
What did the colonial leaders declare after the British king sent more soldiers to America?
Their independence from Britain
Who was chosen to write what later became the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Who helped Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence?
Benjamin Franklin and John Adams
What is one of the most important ideas that Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence?
“all men are created equal” –> Everyone is born with equal rights
Why is the Fourth of July considered the birthday of the United States of America?
Because the Declaration of Independence was signed on that day
How many people signed the Declaration of Independence?
55 men
