Chapter 6 Study Guide
All vocabulary from Chapter 6 will be on the test.
Sections 1-2
1. Why did colonists resent the Quartering Act?
The colonists feared that Parliament intended to use the 10,000 troops to control their
movements and restrict their freedom.
2. What was the purpose of the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act?
Britain had massive debts from the French and Indian War and needed to raise money to
pay off those debts.
3.The colonists were angry about the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act. Why?
The colonists believed that Parliament had no right to tax the colonies – that was a job
for the colonial assemblies. In addition,they believed that no tax should be created
without their consent.
4. Who were the Sons of Liberty?
A secret society formed by colonists to oppose British policies.
5. Why was boycotting British goods an effective way to protest the StampAct?
British merchants lost money and pressured Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act.
6. . What was the purpose of the Declaratory Act of 1766?
Its purpose was to reassert Parliament’s control over all colonial affairs.
7. Explain the Townsend Acts and writ of assistance. And why did these anger the colonists?
They had once again been taxed without their consent, and they thought the writs of
assistance were illegal. The writ of assistance was a search warrant to enter homes and
businesses to search for smuggled or illegal goods.
8. Why were the colonists angry about the Tea Act?
This law gave one company the exclusive right to sell tea in the colonies. This restricted
colonists from acting as shippers and merchants of this valuable product.
9. How did the British react to the Boston Tea Party?
They were angered and wanted to punish the culprits. When the colonists offered to pay
for the tea, the British ruled out any compromise, and issued the Intolerable or Coercive
Acts.
10. What were the decisions made by the First Continental Congress?
To ban all trade with Great Britain and each colony would start training troops.
11. What was the Stamp Act Congress?
Colonies drafted petition to the king. The first time the colonies had united in
opposition to British policy.
Sections 3-4
1. How did the colonies respond to the Intolerable Acts?
The other colonies offered support to Massachusetts; the First Continental Congress was organized.
2. How did British control begin to slip?
Crowds prevented British-appointed judges from holding court, unelected officials were forced to
resign, and some colonists prepared to fight.
3. What rights were threatened by the Intolerable Acts?
The right to assemble the elected council; the right to trial by jury; and the right to refuse quartering
British troops.
4. Why did General Gage send troops to Lexington and Concord?
His spies told him that the Massachusetts militia was storing arms in Concord and that Hancock and
Sam Adams were in Lexington.
5. What was the purpose of the Second Continental Congress?
To serve as America’s government during the war, and to create a Continental Army, George
Washington was chosen as its commanding general.
6. What are the main points of Common Sense?
All monarchies are corrupt, all men should be able to vote, there are economic benefits to being free
of Britain and the colonies should break away.
7. Why did colonial leaders choose Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence?
He was a good writer and was from Virginia-an advantage to getting support from this key colony.
8. What issues united the colonists against Great Britain?
Common economic pressures from taxes and duties; common desire to participate fully in governing
themselves; fear of British troops; desire to develop frontier lands.