timeline of events (unit 3 sac 2) Flashcards
(23 cards)
When was the Battle of Lexington-Concord?
What happened
(2 points)
April 19th, 1775
700 Brit troops given secret orders to destroy colonist militia stores at Concord, confronted by 400 colonial militia men. (‘shot heard around the world’ marked beginning of armed conflict)
Brits return to Lexington, met with 1700 militia men, forced back to Boston.
What is the significance of the Battle of Lexington-Concord?
(3 points)
First battle in American War of Independence
Unified colonies in armed resistance - proved their willingness to fight+die for self-governance
Confirmed fears Brits would use violence to subdue them
When was the Battle of Bunker Hill?
What happened?
June 17th, 1775
1200 colonial troops sought to liberate Boston (under seige by Brits), resulted in Brit victory despite them incurring approx 1000 casualties.
What is the significance of the Battle of Bunker Hill?
(2 points)
Showed colonial forces were determined and capable
Boosted colonial confidence
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
Who was the primary author?
What was it/what did it do?
July 4th, 1776
Thomas Jefferson
document marking formal separation of 13 colonies from Brit rule, asserted right to self-govern + listed grievances with Brit.
When was the Crossing of the Delaware/Battle of Trenton?
What happened?
December 25th, 1776
Washington led risky crossing of river with Continental Army to surprise attack 1500 Hessians in Trenton, resulted in decisive American Victory with minimal casualties.
What is the significance of the Crossing of the Delaware/Battle of Trenton?
significantly boosted moral of army, reviving hope in revolution + reinvigorating enlistment
When was the Battle of Saratoga?
What happened?
September 19th + October 7th, 1777
American forces (led by General Horatio Gates) defeat Brit troops in upstate New York, leading to France officially recognising American independence + providing military aid (troops, funds, naval power)
What is the significance of the Battle of Saratoga?
(2 points)
French alliance dramatically strengthened American war effort (played key role in ultimate victory)
First significant American victory
When was the Battle of Yorktown?
first major of battle in rev war
What happened?
Sep-Oct 1781?
American+French forces (led by GW+French General Rochambeau) bombard Yorktown, with French navy blocking Brit reinforcements, forcing Brit to surrender
What is the significance of the Battle of Yorktown?
(2 points)
Broke Brits will to continue the war, leading to American victory
Led to peace negotiations (signing Treaty of Paris)
When were the Articles of Confederation drafted+adopted?
Why were they needed?
What were they?
drafted 1777, adopted 1781-89
need for legitimacy, international recognition of new gov, and fed gov framework.
‘a firm league of friendship’, established loose alliance of sovereign states with weak central gov (lacked power to tax, regulate trade, enforce laws)
What is the significance of the Articles of Confederation?
2 points
weak structure led to economic instability, interstate disputes, inability to effectively respond to rebellions
failed to build national unity
When was the Newburgh conspiracy?
What was it?
How was it defused?
March 1783
Potential military coup to demand wages+pensions Congress failed to pay, threatened military control and stability
Washington delivered emotional speech, reminding troops of their shared sacrifices + loyalty to rev
What is the significance of the Newburgh conspiracy?
highlighted fragility of new gov under articled of confederation
highlighted importance of Washington’s leadership in preserving democracy + civilian authority
When was the Treaty of Paris signed?
Why was it needed?
What was it?
September 3rd, 1783
Need for formal end to war + territorial boundaries
Formally ended Rev War + War of Independence, granted US significant territorial gains, both sides required to repay debts+return property to loyalists (not always honoured)
When was Shays Rebellion?
Why did it happen?
What happened?
(2 points)
1786-1787
economic slump in post-war era - inflation meant farmers couldn’t pay taxes, leading to them being jailed
Daniel Shays (former rev war captain) and 1200 armed men march on colonial assembly demanding debt relief, lower taxes, and more responsive representation.
Rebellion crushed by state militia.
Why is Shays rebellion significant?
2 points
govs inability to respond to internal rebellion exposed weakness of articles of confederation
highlighted need for centralised gov - directly influenced calling of Constitutional Convention
When was the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention?
What happened?
Outcome?
met between May and Sep 1787
delegates from 12/13 states (not Rhode Island) decide to draft entirely new framework of gov, protracted debates about state+federal rights
‘The Great Compromise’ put forward (New Jersey+Virginia Plans) to resolve controversies in drafting the Constitution.
When was the constitution ratified?
What did the constitution consist of?
(2 points)
June 21st, 1788
strong fed gov with seperate executive, legislative, judicial branches, along with system of checks and balances.
laid foundation for more stable+unified nation
RATIFICATION DEBATES (1787-88)
Who wrote the Federalist Papers?
What were they?
Hamilton, Madison, John Jay, under name ‘Publius’
series of 85 essays published to persuade public+state legislatures to support ratification of the Constitution through explaining+defending its principles.
RATIFICATION DEBATES (1787-88)
What is the significance of the Federalist Papers?
(2 points)
Key source for interpreting the Founding Fathers’ intentions.
crucial role in securing Constitution’s adoption and in defining American political thought.
RATIFICATION DEBATES (1787-88)
When were the Bill of Rights ratified?
Why were they created?
What did it guarantee?
1791
Anti-Federalists argued Constitution gave too much power to national gov + lacked safeguards for personal freedoms.
Freedom of speech, religion, and fair trials.
