APUSH: The American Revolution

How did the French and Indian War (Seven Years' War) contribute to the American Revolution?

The war left Britain with significant debt, leading Parliament to impose new taxes on the colonies (e.g., Stamp Act), and ended salutary neglect, increasing British control over colonial affairs.

What was salutary neglect, and how did its end contribute to colonial grievances?

Salutary neglect was Britain's unofficial policy of lax enforcement of parliamentary laws in the colonies. Its end, particularly after the French and Indian War, meant stricter enforcement of trade laws and new taxes, infuriating colonists accustomed to self-governance.

What was the Stamp Act of 1765, and why was it particularly offensive to colonists?

The Stamp Act required colonists to pay a tax on printed materials, including legal documents, newspapers, and playing cards. It was offensive because it was the first direct tax levied by Parliament on the colonies, rather than an indirect tax on trade.

Explain the core principle behind the slogan 'No Taxation Without Representation.'

This slogan expressed the colonists' belief that Parliament had no right to levy taxes on them without colonial representatives in Parliament. They argued that only their own colonial assemblies could legitimately tax them.

What were the Townshend Acts of 1767, and how did colonists resist them?

The Townshend Acts imposed duties on imported goods like glass, lead, paper, paint, and tea, and established new customs boards. Colonists resisted through boycotts of British goods and widespread protests, leading to their partial repeal.

Describe the Boston Massacre and its significance.

In 1770, British soldiers fired into a crowd of protesting colonists, killing five. It was significant as a propaganda tool for patriots, deepening anti-British sentiment and highlighting the dangers of British military presence.

What were the Committees of Correspondence, and what was their primary purpose?

These were shadow governments organized by patriot leaders on the eve of the American Revolution. Their primary purpose was to coordinate resistance efforts and disseminate information and propaganda among the colonies.

What were the Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts) of 1774, and what was their British purpose?

These punitive laws were enacted by Britain in response to the Boston Tea Party. Their purpose was to punish Massachusetts, particularly Boston, to restore order, and to assert parliamentary authority over the colonies.

What events transpired at Lexington and Concord, marking the start of armed conflict?

In April 1775, British troops marched to seize colonial military supplies in Concord. They encountered colonial militia at Lexington, where the 'shot heard 'round the world' was fired, initiating open warfare between the British and colonists.

What was the main argument of Thomas Paine's *Common Sense* (1776)?

Paine argued passionately for immediate independence from British rule, asserting that it was illogical for a continent to be governed by an island and advocating for a republican government based on enlightenment principles.

Who authored the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and what unalienable rights did it assert?

Thomas Jefferson primarily authored the Declaration of Independence. It asserted the unalienable rights to 'Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness,' reflecting Enlightenment ideals.

Why was the Battle of Saratoga (1777) considered the turning point of the American Revolution?

The American victory at Saratoga convinced France to form a military alliance with the United States. French aid, including troops, naval support, and financial assistance, was crucial to the ultimate American victory.

How did France contribute to the American victory in the Revolution?

France provided critical military assistance, including naval forces that blockaded the British at Yorktown, soldiers, and significant financial aid. This alliance transformed the conflict into a global war, diverting British resources.

What was the significance of the Battle of Yorktown (1781)?

At Yorktown, a combined American and French force, supported by the French navy, trapped and forced the surrender of General Cornwallis's British army. This decisive defeat effectively ended major fighting in the Revolutionary War.

What were the main provisions of the Treaty of Paris of 1783?

The treaty officially ended the Revolutionary War, recognized the United States as an independent nation, established the Mississippi River as its western boundary, granted fishing rights off Newfoundland, and stipulated British withdrawal from U.S. territory.