American Revolution
Study Guide
Causes:
French and Indian War: Britain and the colonists defeated the French and Native Americans. At the close of the war,
Britain acquired a lot of territory in the Ohio River Valley, but it also caused Britain to have huge debts, causing Britain to
have to tax the colonists in order to pay back the debts.
Proclamation of 1763: Britain proclaimed that the Native Americans could have the land west of the Appalachian
Mountains and the colonists could settle on the east side of the Appalachian Mountains
Quartering Act: British government ordered the colonists to provide “quarters” (places to live), food, fuel, and candles,
and to provide transportation for the British soldiers.
Stamp Act: British Parliament passed a new tax on printed papers. The colonists protested this tax and refused to buy
British goods. The tax law was repealed a year later.
The Boston Massacre: the colonists were still angry about British soldiers still living in their towns and cities. Colonists
started taunting the soldiers. On March 5, 1770, tensions were so high that violence broke out. Colonists were calling
soldiers names and throwing rocks, snowballs and ice at the soldiers. The soldiers panicked and gunshots were fired.
The Boston Tea Party: British Parliament repealed all the taxes with the exception of the Tea Act. This act stated that
the British East India Company was the only company that could sell tea to the colonists. The British thought this would
force the colonists to buy their tea again. In response, several men of the Sons of Liberty dressed as Native Americans
boarded a ship carrying British tea, split open boxes of tea, and dumped the tea into the harbor.
Intolerable Acts: British Parliament decided to punish the colonists by passing several laws. These laws were so harsh,
that many colonists said they could not tolerate them. The Boston Port Act was one of these: Trade ships were
forbidden to enter Boston’s port until the lost tea was paid for.
Declaration of Independence: document written because congress wanted to tell the colonist, Britain, and the world
why they needed to break from Britain. It was a response to tyranny and the abuse of power – it states that people
have rights that cannot be taken away (inalienable rights). These rights are: Right to live, right to be free, right to seek
happiness (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness).
Historical Figures:
King George III: King of England (Britain)
George Washington: Commander of the Continental Army
Benjamin Franklin: He helped to convince France to help the colonists fight the British.
Thomas Jefferson: Wrote the Declaration of Independence.
Benedict Arnold: Patriot hero at the Battle of Saratoga. Later, he secretly changed sides and became a British
general. He is remembered as a traitor.
Patrick Henry: Known for his actions against the stamp act. Famous words: “Give me liberty or give me death”.
John Adams: A vocal leader of the fight for independence.
Events:
Battles at Lexington and Concord: First battles of American Revolution in Massachusetts. Many colonists killed,
Fighting started and minutemen forced the British to turn back to Boston. “Shot heard ‘round the world”
Battle at Saratoga: British fought for an entire month and lost the battle. French saw how determined the colonists
were, so they decided to help the colonists by sending soldiers and money
Yorktown: Last major battle of the war. Britain surrendered and America won their independence