Download The Road to American Independence: A Timeline of Key Events and more Quizzes United States History in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 Lexington and Concord DEFINITION 1 April 19, 1775 British response to Continental Congress is to send more troops Colonists feel threatened, form militias - store arms in Concord (cache) British find out about cache Paul Revere's ride the troops meet in Lexington ripple effect: colonists fight for independence in other parts of the world TERM 2 "Shot heard round the world" DEFINITION 2 Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem about the battle of Lexington and Concord TERM 3 Second Continental Congress DEFINITION 3 April 1775 want to fight to become equal British citizens, not yet for independence form Continental Army authorize colony-wide taxes to raise money for the army appoint George Washington general of the Continental Army (he is experienced and motivational) write the Olive Branch Petition TERM 4 Olive Branch Petition DEFINITION 4 last - ditch effort to become equal British citizens addressed to King George III instead of Parliament offer to stop fighting immediately if they are treated as equal British citizens (no special taxes, form of representation) King throws it away without reading it TERM 5 Common Sense DEFINITION 5 Jan. 1776 - Thomas Paine proposes independence England is small, colonies are big Colonies could make more money by trading with all of Europe Europe is always at war with itself. absolute monarchy is not necessarily the best way to choose a ruler written in language that is easy to understand becomes very popular, leads to the declaration of independence TERM 6 Thomas Paine DEFINITION 6 An Englishman who sympathizes with colonial efforts. He is able see things from a different point of view. He writes Common Sense. TERM 7 Declaration of Independence DEFINITION 7 Thomas Jefferson, 1776 Second Continental Congress votes on it on July 4th list of complaints against Britain claims the men have certain Inalienable Rights, which were meant for white male land owners but later were adopted by other people Short term effect: the colonists must win the war Long term: other countries have independence movements using the same ideas and language TERM 8 Loyalists DEFINITION 8 about 20% of the colonists help British troops: supplies, intelligence, fight the property of suspected loyalists is confiscated to take away resources TERM 9 British Army vs Continental Army DEFINITION 9 British Army: 50,000 troops + 30,000 German mercenaries experienced, well trained, well supplied, awesome navy Continental Army: must form a new army & navy no money for food, guns, payroll untrained farmers, unmotivated TERM 10 foreign help DEFINITION 10 France, Spain, Dutch - don't like the British this support is essential to winning the war French send troops and money Spain takes back Florida Dutch loan money
