Important figures and events Flashcards
(9 cards)
What was the Boston Tea Party, and why did it happen?
The Boston Tea Party was a protest in 1773 where American colonists, frustrated by British taxation without representation, dumped British tea into Boston Harbor to oppose the Tea Act.
What was the British government’s response to the Boston Tea Party?
They passed the Coercive Acts (also known as the Intolerable Acts), which restricted colonial freedoms and escalated tensions leading to the American Revolution
What slogan summarized colonial opposition to British taxes like those that led to the Boston Tea Party?
“No taxation without representation.”
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson.
What role did Benjamin Franklin play in the American Revolution?
He helped draft the Declaration of Independence and secured French support for the American colonies during the Revolutionary War.
What was the purpose of the Continental Congress?
It was a gathering of colonial leaders that acted as the governing body during the American Revolution and declared independence from Britain.
Who was James Madison, and what was his major contribution to U.S. history?
He is known as the “Father of the Constitution” for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
What event officially ended the American Revolutionary War?
The Treaty of Paris in 1783.
What was Shays’ Rebellion, and why was it significant?
A 1786–87 uprising of farmers protesting economic injustice; it exposed weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation and led to calls for a stronger national government.
