The Revolutionary War Terms/Concepts and Identifications

Question 1

Second Continental Congress

Answer 1

The Second Continental congress was during 1775 when the U. S. representatives from the Northern and Middle colonies created a more unified government. The major decision that was reached was to create the Continental Army and accept the fact they will need to start preparing for war.

Question 2

Olive branch petition

Answer 2

The Olive Branch Petition was a petition sent to King George III that declared loyalty to the king but asked him to repeal the Intolerable Acts

Question 3

Battle of ft. Ticonderoga

Answer 3

In 1771, Colonist attempted to quickly defeat the British troops in New York/ Vermont/ Canada. Ft. Ticonderoga was captured, and the effect was Britain cannot invade from Canada
+ Artillery

Question 4

Green Mountain Boys

Answer 4

The Green Mountain Boys were a nickname for Vermont Militia

Question 5

Continental Army/ Patriots Advantages and Disadvantages

Answer 5

Advantages:
They knew the local geography
and would be defending families & homes. They also were underestimated by British, and the British thought they would easily win the war.
Disadvantages:
They were poorly equipped & untrained
No navy!

Question 6

British Army Advantages/Disadvantages

Answer 6

Advantages:
They had the best army and Navy in the world
Disadvantages:
British army was 3,000 miles from home
Could be hit by colonists using hit/run tactics

Question 7

Loyalists

Answer 7

Colonists living in the 13 colonies, who were still loyal to Britain mostly because their government was safe and profitable, and had been working for a while

Question 8

Battle of Bunker Hill

Answer 8

*This battle I should be able to tell it like a story without hesitating

In 1775, colonists surround Boston and British army and would hold the high ground on Bunker Hill. The colonists will eventually lose, but symbolically, it was a win for them. While they failed to retake Boston, the British lost 10x more people than the colonists. (British and Boston lose 1,500 troops, while the Colonists only lost 150) The British would keep control. of Boston, and they would blockade American Harbors. However, The colonists proved they would be hard to beat, and The colonies still had the cannons that the Green Mountain Boys had captured.

Question 9

Common Sense

Answer 9

A book written by Thomas Paine in 1776 (T Paine) which rallied colonists around the idea of being independent.
Argument: Most colonists want Freedom from Britain
Evidence:
“No Taxation without Representation”
Colonists already had local governments
Colonists will be fine (economically speaking) without them.
Conclusion:
Colonists owe nothing to Britain!

Question 10

Declaration of Independence

Answer 10

A declaration that stated the following:
Sec. 1 - Natural Rights: Named rights that belong to all people from birth
Examples: “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
Main Ideas:
Governments are formed to protect natural rights
A gov’t that doesn’t protect natural rights should be overthrown by the people

Sec. 2 - British Wrongs: Listed grievances committed against colonists:
Examples:
Repealed colonial governments
Sent British soldiers during peacetime
Main Idea: “A tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people”
Sec. 3 - Independence: Announced colonies are now the United States of America
People involved:
Thomas Jefferson was the lawyer
John Adams was writer
Ben Franklin was philosopher

Question 11

Battle of Brooklyn

Answer 11

A harsh and brutal battle for the colonists and were some of the worst days for the colonists. (Fall 1776) The British lit New York on fire and captured and hung the Patriot spy Nathan Hale, who was doing a lot of inside work for the Colonies. This forced Washington to retreat back into New Jersey.

Question 12

Battle of Trenton

Answer 12

The Winter of 1776-1777 for Washington’s troops was cold and they had low supplies. Soldiers are deserting/abandoning army from the harsh hardships, and Washington realizes he needs to get his soldiers shelter. He decides they need to capture Trenton. Hessian/German soldiers (Who are allied with British) are stationed in Trenton, and they are not defending the town like it is their town. On Christmas day, Washington leads his troops through the Delaware river to surprise attack the Hessians. Washington captures town, and his army gets food and shelter!

Question 13

Battle of Saratoga

Answer 13

In fall of 1777, Brits want to cut off the supplies in New England by capturing the Hudson River Valley. They send a double pronged attack by going South of Canada in and North of NYC to Albany. The plan fails and Green Mountain Boys plus Benedict Arnold make a stand at Bemis Heights and Freeman’s Farms using Guerilla warfare/bushwhacking. Big win for USA, and convinces French to ally with US.

Question 14

French assistance in war

Answer 14

The French wanted to support colonies because the US had proved they could hold their own, and France still had a score to settle with Britain. Before, the US had no navy at all! Now with Frances help, they could fight Britain at sea too, as well as 30,000 extra troops. (70 Battleships!)

Question 15

British Southern Campaign

Answer 15

Britain offered freedom for any slave who joined the British army. Meanwhile, the US was only letting free blacks join the continental army. (500,000 African Americans in US at the time. 30,000 of which were free)

Question 16

Guerilla Warfare/bushwhacking

Answer 16

This was a hit and run tactic used by the colonists which was very helpful against the British because the Brits had to shoot in unison and move at orders. They were sitting ducks for the US army, and the US army could just shoot at them then run.

Question 17

Battle of Yorktown

Answer 17

In Fall 1781 when Gen. Charles Cornwallis abandoned the idea to capture the deep south. Instead, he moves into Virginia to cut off supplies to rest of Southern states. Washington and Lafayette surround the British at the peninsula of Yorktown. The French navy cuts off a British escape by sea. After weeks of the Patriot army bombing the British, they threw up the white flag and lose the war!

Question 18

Treaty of Paris

Answer 18

When Britain has to recognize the U.S. as independent and the U.S.A. was officially established by the U.S. Congress. Now, the U.S. extends from the Atlantic coast all the way to the Mississippi River.

Question 19

George Washington

Answer 19

Colonist general who led the Continental army.

Question 20

Abigail Adams

Answer 20

John Adams wife who was an advocate for Women’s rights during the revolution.

Question 21

Thomas Paine

Answer 21

the man who wrote the pamphlet called “Common sense” which sold many colonists on the idea of being free.