Chapter 1

Nation-state The modern form of political society that

combines centralized gov't with a high degree of ethnic and
cultural unity. "No dense concentrations of population or
complex nation-states...existed in North America..."

Matrilinear the form of society in which family line,

poewr, and wealth are passed primarily through the female
side. "...many North American native peoples, including the
Iroquois, developed matrilinear cultures...."

Primeval Concerning the earliest origin of things "...the

whispering, primeval forests...."

Saga A length story or poem recounting the great deeds and

adventures of a people and their heros. "...their discovery
was forgotten, except in Scandinavian saga song."

Confederacy An alliance or league of nations or peoples

looser than a federation. "The Iroquois Confederacy
developed the political and organizational skills...."

Middlemen In trading systems, those dealers who operate

between the original buyers and the retail merchants who
sell to consumers. "Muslim middlemen exacted a heavy toll
en route."

Caravel A small vessel with a high deck and three

triangular sails

Plantation A large-scale agricultural enterprise growing

commercial crop and usually employing coerced or slave
labor.

Ecosystem A naturally evolved network of relations among

organisms in a stable environment.

Demographic Concerning the general characteristic of a

given population, including such factors as numbers, age,
gender, birth and death rates, and so on.

10

Conquistador A Spanish conqueror or adventurer in the

Americas.

11

Capitalism An economic system characterized by private

property, generally free trade, and open and accessible
markets.

12

Encomienda The Spanish labor system in which persons

were help to unpaid service under the permanent control of
their masters, though not legally owned by them.

13

Mestizo A person of mixed Native American and European

ancestry.

14

Province A medium sized subunit of territory and

governmental administration within a larger nation or
empire.

15

Great Ice Age A cold period marked by episodes of

extensive glaciation alternating with episodes of relative
warmth.

16

Christopher Columbus Italian navigator who discovered

the New World in the service of Spain while looking for a
route to China.

17

Vasco de Gama A Portuguese explorer, one of the most

successful in the Age of Discovery and the commander of
the first ships to sail directly from Europe to India. In 1498
Vasco de Gama sailed from Portugal to India, which is
where the term "Indies came from when the Europeans
sailed through the same waters.

18

"Three Sister" Farming the three main agricultural crops

of various Native American groups in North America:
squash, maize (corn), and climbing beans.

19

Conquistadores A conqueror, especially one of the Spanish

conquerors of Mexico and Peru in the 16th century.

20

Chapter 2
Nationalism Fervent belief and loyalty given to the
political unit of the nation-state. Indeed England now had .
. . a vibrant sense of nationalism . . ."

21

Primogeniture The legal principle that the oldest son

inherits all family property or land. laws of,
primogeniture, decreed that only eldest sons were eligible
to inherit landed estates."

22

Joint-stock companies an economic arrangement by which

a number of investors pool their capital for investment.
Joint-stock provided the financial means. Charter A legal
document granted by a government to some group or
agency to implement a stated purpose, and spelling out the
attending rights and obligations. "...the Virginia Company
of London received a, WHAT, from King James I of
England...."

23

Census An official count of population, often also

describing other information about the population. "...an
official revealed that only about two thousand Indians
remained in Virginia...."

24

Feudal Concerning the decentralized medieval social

system of personal obligations between rulers and ruled.
Absentee
proprietor
Lord
Baltimore
hoped
that...Maryland... would be the vanguard of a vast feudal
domain."

25

Indentured servant A poor person obligated to a fixed term

of labor"...it depended for labor in its early years mainly on
white indentured servants....

26

Toleration Originally, religious freedom granted by an

established church to a religious minority. "Maryland's new
religious statue guaranteed, toleration, to all Christians."

27

Squatter A frontier farmer who illegally occupied land

owned by others or not yet officially opened for settlement.
The newcomers, who frequently were, squatter, without
legal right to the soil..."

28

Matriarch A respected, usually elderly, female head of a

household or extended clan. A single long-house might
shelter a woman's family...with the oldest woman being the
honored matriarch."

29

Melting-pot Popular term for an ethnically diverse

population that is presumed to be "melting" towards some
eventual commonality. "The hamlet of Savannah, like
Charleston, was a melting-pot community."

30

Protestant Reformation (16th century) the Protestants

attempt to edit/amend/reform the Catholic church/belief
into the Protestant belief

31

Roanoke Island an island on the coast of North Carolina

that was colonized in 1585 by Sir Walter Raleigh but
quickly failed

32

Spanish Armada in 1588 Spain tried to over throw

England as well as force the Catholic religion down their
throats but failed. this was the beginning of the decline of
the Spanish empire

33

Primogeniture only the oldest sons in a family was

eligible to inherit landed estates (a piece of land that makes
money/profit and the owner doesn't have to do anything)

34

Joint-Stock Company a mixture of partnership and

corporation. many different people/businesses could buy
shares of a company. the company would be owned by
thousands of different people rather than a group of one

35

Charter a legal document like America's Declaration of

Independence but for England

36

Jamestown a place named after King James I near James

River where the Virginia Company settled for some time

37

First Anglo-Powhatan War (1614) battles between

Powhatan Confederacy and English settlers in Virginia

38

Second Anglo-Powhatan War (1644-1646) another

attempt to drive out Virginia settlers. resulted in a peace
treaty declaring the separation of Whites and Indians in
areas of settlement

39

Act of Toleration (passed in 1649)toleration of Christians

but death penalty to those who didn't believe Jesus Christ
was all powerful (atheists, Jews)

40

Barbados slave code in 1661 this law gave masters/owners

almost complete control over their slaves

41

Squatters no legal right to soil, often new commers

42

Tuscarora War (1711-1713) a war between the Tuscarora

Indians and European settlers in Newbern, North Carolina.
the Tuscarora Indians lost

43

Yamasee Indians a tribe defeated and dispersed by the

South Carolinians

44

Buffer territory that helped reduce conflict between two

colonies/nations. a roadblock

45

Iroquois Confederacy the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondages,

Cayugas, and Senecas located in Mohawk Valley
(currently: New York)

46

Chapter 3
John Calvin Elaborated on Martin Luther's idea of
Protestant Reformation. He said that God is all seeing and
all knowing and all good and people are bad and bay
sinners.

47

Anne Huchinson Was accused of heresy for

antinomianism. Was banished to Rhode Island where all but
tone of her family members were killed by Indians.

48

Roger Williams Founded Rhode Island after leaving

Massachusetts for making a break from the church and
challenged the legality of the Bay Colony Contract. He
established a complete toleration for all religions.

49

Henry Hudson An english explorer and found the Hudson

River in 1609 wanting to find a water route to cut the
continet.

50

William Bradford A self-taught scholar and Pilgrim leader

against the settlement of non-pligrims who may corrupt
their society.

51

Peter Stuyvesant Last government of New Amsterdam

before the British took over. He was at odds with the
colonists at all times.

52

William Laud An archbishop under the rule of Charles I

who looked down upon the Bay Colony Puritans who didn't
want to break away but remove impurities.

53

Thomas Hooker This reverend and his wife took many

people with them as they left the Bay Colony for Hartford.

54

William Penn Founded Pennsylvania as a haven for

persecuted Quakers allowing equality for everyone who
lived there.

55

John Winthrop The first governor of Massachusetts and

helped the colony prosper.

56

Metacom Massasoit's son who made a pan-Indian alliance

leading him to attack English settlements in 1675.

57

John Cotton A minister in Massachusetts who came to

Boston in order to escape persecution of the Church of
England for being a Puritan. (Hint: Jacky Faber Book 2
Rev. Mather)

58

Gustavas Adolphus King of Sweden during the 30 Years

War and tried to colonize in Delaware but they failed. They
also contributed the log cabin.

59

William and Mary Protestant royal replacement of

Catholic James II during the Glorious Revolution.

60

Massasoit A chief of the Wampanoag tribe who made

peace with the Pilgrims during the first Thanksgiving.

61

Martin Luther Spoke out about the corruption of the

Catholic Church and sparked the beginning of the
Protestant Revolution.

62

Michael Wigglesworth A strong Puritan clergyman who

wrote called "Day of Doom" about the fate of the damned.

63

Squanto Wampanoag Indian who was the first to really

help the clueless Pilgrims settlers of Plymouth. He had
taught English when he was onboard an English ship.

64

Freemen An adult male who belonged to a Puritan

congregation.
Visible Saints Those who publically proclaimed their
experience of conversion and were expected to lead godly
lives.

65

Conversion A religious turn to God.

Covenant A religious agreement that one holds to God or
themselves or their community.

66

Antinomianism If you were going to be saved by God

already then there was no point in living a holy and
religious life.
Sumptuary laws Also konw as Blue Laws, these lawes
were designed to restrict personal behavior in accord with a
strict code of morality.
Passive resistance nonviolent action or opposition to
authority in accord with religious morals or beliefs.
67

Pilgrim A group of separatists and extremist Puritans who

settled in Plymouth.
Calvinism A religious denomination created by John
Calvin following the ideas of Martin Luther in the
Protestant Reformation.

68

Navigation Laws England wanted to increase nautical

power so they didn't let colonies trade with anyone but
them.

69

Great Migration Massachusetts movement of Puritans in

Massachusetts and creating dozens of planned and orderly
towns.

70

Glorious Revolution Overthrow of Catholic James II and

crowning of Protestant William and Mary in England.

71

Puritans A religious group who wanted to purify the

corrupt Catholic Church and Church of England.
General Court A Puritan representative assembly where
only freemen could vote.

72

Dutch West India Company Less powerful but related to

the Dutch East India Company. It worked in the Varibbean
and ports in Africa.

73

Separatists A very small group of extreme Puritans who

wanted to completely split from the Church of England.

74

Mayflower Compact First form of self-government in the

colonies setup by Pilgrims in Plymouth Rock before
leaving for the colonies.

75

Church of England Anglican denomination part Catholic

and part Protestant created by Henry VIII.
Congregational church Everyone gets a vote (very
democratic). Used in Puritan congregations.

76

Chapter 4
Chesapeake Diseases Malaria, dysentery, typhoid
Tobacco It was popularly grown in the Chesapeake, it was
very profitable, but it exhausted the soil
White Slaves Chesapeake planters brought them to the
region, they represented more than 3/4 of all European
immigrants to Virginia and Maryland in the 17th century
77

Nathaniel Bacon Led a rebellion of poor freemen in

Virginia in 1676.
Bacon's Rebellion Rebellion of freemen in Virginia in
1676. Participants were mostly single men frustrated about
being unable to acquire land or find women to marry.
William Berkeley Governor of Virginia during Bacon's
Rebellion. Established friendy policies towards Indians. He
was chased from Jamestown.
78

Slave Codes in Colonial Times 1662- Made blacks and

their children the property of their masters for life. Some
made it a crime to teach a slave to read or write.
Middle Passage Route through which slaves traveled in
cramped ships to the Americas.
Planters This small social group owned many slaves and
large amounts of land. The group ruled the economy and
monopolized political power.
79

Small Farmers The largest social group. Owned small

plots and had few slaves. They lived a hand-to-mouth
existence.
Landless Whites Members of this social group were
luckless former indentured servants.
Colonial South Colonial region in which few cities
sprouted, and an urban professional class was slow to
emerge. Life revolved around plantations.
80

The Ringshout West African religious dance performed by

shuffling in a circle while answering a preacher's shouts.
West Coast of Africa Region of the world from which
most black slaves came.
Headright System Whoever paid the passage of a laborer
received the right to acquire 50 acres of land.

81

Freedom Dues In exchange for work, indentured servants

received a few barrels of corn, a suit of clothes, and
possibly a small piece of land.
Virginia Most populous colony at the beginning of the 18th
century.
Royal African Company Chartered in 1672, lost its
monopoly on carrying slaves to the colonies in 1698.

82

First American Colleges Harvard College - Founded 1636

and William & Mary 1693
Farm/Plantation Gender Roles Women: cooked, cleaned,
cared for children Men: cropped and cleared land
Uprising of Maryland Protestants End of the 17th
century, sparked by resentment towards the upper class
(Around the same time as Bacon's Rebellion)

83

Leisler's Rebellion Bloody insurgence in New York City

from 1689-1691 fueled by hostility between lordly
landholders and aspiring merchants
New England Farming/Life Poor soil on hard ground
made farming difficult. Experts in shipbuilding and
commerce based on fish and timber with sternness and selfreliance based on Calvinism and harsh climates

84

Half-Way Covenant 1662. Gave partial membership to

unconverted people into the Puritan church. It lessened the
difference between the "elect" members of the church from
the regular members and was made to increase attendance
Salem Witches 1692-Salem, Mass. Group of young
women claimed to be bewitched by older women and the
Devil. 20 women hanged. Ended 1693 and those convicted
pardoned 1713.

85

New England Family/Property When male died, church

inherited the property. Puritans felt separate property titles
went against unity of marriage by showing conflicting
interests between husband and wife.
Southern Family/Property Southern men often died
young, so women often had separate property titles so that
widows could take over the estate.

86

Gullah African American language developed on the Sea

Island of South Carolina's coast, mixing English and
several African languages
NYC Slave Revolt 1712 Slaves rebelled in New York City,
causing the death of 12 Whites and 21 Blacks
Indentured Servants In exchange for working, they
received transatlantic passage and eventual "freedom dues"

87

Black Populations By 1750, Blacks outnumbered whites

in South Carolina and Virginia
Massachusetts Puritan center colony in New England, at
the front of colonies attempting to abolish black slavery
Gold and Silver Lace Ban In 1651, Massachusetts banned
poorer people from wearing certain nicer materials

88

South Carolina Slave Revolt 1739-Along the Stono River,

rebels tried to march to Spanish Florida, but were stopped
by local militia

89

Chapter 5
Philadelphia leading city of the colonies; home of
Benjamin Franklin
African Americans largest non-English group in the
colonies
Scots-Irish group that settled the frontier, made whiskey,
and hated the British and other governmental authorities
90

Paxton Boys and Regulators Scots-Irish frontiersmen who

protested against colonial elites of Pennsylvania and North
Carolina
Patrick Henry eloquent lawyer-orator who argued in
defense of colonial rights
Molasses Act attempt by British authorities to squelch
colonial trade with French West Indies

91

Anglican Church established religion in southern colonies

and New York; weakened by lackadaisical clergy and tooclose ties with British crown
Jonathan Edwards brilliant New England theologian who
instigated the Great Awakening
George Whitefield itinerant British evangelist who spread
the Great Awakening throughout the colonies

92

Phillis Wheatley former slave who became a poet at an

early age
Benjamin Franklin "the first civilized American" Printer,
author, inventor, diplomat, statesman, and Founding Father.
One of the few Americans who was highly respected in
Europe, primarily due to his discoveries in the field of
electricity. Wrote "Poor Richards Almanac."

93

John Peter Zenger colonial printer whose case helped

begin freedom of the press
Quakers dominant religious group in colonial
Pennsylvainia, criticized by others for their attitudes toward
Indians
Baptists nonestablished religious group that benefited from
the Great Awakening

94

John Singleton Copley colonial painter who studied and

worked in Britain
Pennsylvania Dutch corruption of a German word used as
a term for German immigrants in Pennsylvania
Regulators rebellious movement of frontiersmen in the
southern colonies that included future President Andrew
Jackson

95

"Jayle Birds" popular term for convicted criminals

dumped on colonies by British authorities
Praying towns term for New England settlements where
Indians from various tribes were gathered to be
Christianized
Lawyers a once-despised profession that rose in prestige
after 1750 because its practitioners defended colonial rights

96

Triangular trade small but profitable trade route that

linked New England, Africa, and the West Indies
Taverns popular colonial centers of recreation, gossip, and
political debate
Established term for tax-supported condition of
Congregational and Anglican churches; but not of Baptists,
Quakers, and Roman Catholics

97

The Great Awakening spectacular, emotional religious

revival if the 1730s and 1740s
"New Lights" ministers who supported the Great
Awakening against the "old light" clergy for rejected it
Colleges institutions that were founded in greater numbers
as a result of the Great Awakening, although a few had
been found earlier

98

Zenger Case case that established the precedent that true

statements about public officials could not be prosecuted as
libel
Council the upper house of a colonial legislature,
appointed the crown or the proprietor
Poor Richard's Almanac Benjamin Franklin's highly
popular collection of information, parables, and advice

99

Chapter 6
Samuel de Champlain French explorer who established
Quebec in 1608, the "Father of New France"
William Pitt British Prime Minister who lead the way to
victory in the French and Indian War
George Washington Virginia colonel who unsuccessfully
attempted to overtake French forts in Pennsylvania in 1754
100

Benjamin Franklin Delegate to the Albany Congress who

lead a bold but unsuccessful campaign for unity among the
colonists
William Braddock British General who lost a series of
battles in the Ohio Valley, opening up colonists to Indian
attack

101

Pontiac Ottawa Chief who mounted an uprising in Detroit

that failed but did temporarily halt colonial expansion
westward
Robert De La Salle French explorer who claimed the
Mississippi and surrounding territory for King Louis XIV
in 1682
New Orleans Major French port which established a trade
link from the Mississippi to the West Indies and beyond
102

Cajuns French Americans who settled in Louisiana after

fleeing persecution at the hands of the British in Nova
Scotia
Quebec Capital of New France, established by Champlain
in 1608
Acadians French settlers in Nova Scotia who fled to
America after being persecuted by the British

103

Iroquois Native American confederation from N.Y. who

allied themselves with the French against the British and
the American Colonists
Coureurs De Bois Successful French fur traders who
resided in North America
Edict of Nantes Royal declaration that gave Protestants
some religious freedom and helped usher in the age of
French colonialism
104

James Wolfe British General whose daring siege on

Quebec marked a decisive turning point in the French and
Indian War.
Antoine Cadillac Founded the city of Detroit and settled it
as a French trading post

105

Proclamation of 1763 Statement published by the British

crown at the end of the French and Indian War, forbidding
Americans from colonizing west of the Appalachian
Mountains
St. Lawrence River Important travel and trade route
connecting Quebec and Montreal to the Atlantic Ocean.

106

Fort Duquesne French fort in Pennsylvania that was the

sight of a major defeat for the British in the French and
Indian War.
New France Area where the French established settlements
in the 1600s, known today as Canada
Treaty of Utrecht 1713 document that ended the first two
world wars and granted Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and
Hudson Bay
107

Louisburg Key French fort located on Cape Breton Island

that fell to the British during the French and Indian War
Huguenots French Protestants that were persecuted for
their faith, many of whom settled in the American colonies
Albany Congress Meeting of colonial representatives in
upstate New York in 1755 to discuss strategies to defeat the
Iroquois in battle

108

Seven Years' War Worldwide struggle between France and

Great Britain for power and control of land
War of Jenkins's Ear Triggered when a British captain
had his ear sliced off by Spanish authorities. The king then
declared war on Spain
William Pitt English statesman who brought the Seven
Years' War to an end (1708-1778)

109

Montcalm Military officer at Qubec City to 14 Sept 1759.

Defeated by the English at the Batlle of the Plains of
Abraham in 1759.

110

Chapter 7
Treaty of Paris (1763) The treaty that declared the end to
the French and Indian War. Gave Louisiana to Spain;
Florida, Canada, and the Ohio Valley to England; took all
of France's land except for Haiti
Pontiac's War the war fought between the Indians and the
British over the colonists suddenly settling in the Ohio
River Valley
111

Proclamation of 1763 The law that forbade colonists to

settle in the Ohio River Valley. Angered the colonists and
was ultimately ignored
Navigation Acts The British law that declared that
colonists could only trade with England
Stamp Act (1765) A tax on legal documents, newspapers,
almanacs, wills, marriage licenses, diplomas, dice, playing
cards, etc.
112

Stamp Act Congress A meeting where delegates from nine

colonies met to discuss the Stamp Act; sent a petition to
King George III asking him to repeal the Stamp Act and
agreed to boycott the goods it taxed
Sons of Liberty A group of men led by Samuel Adams and
John Hancock who led boycotts and protests

113

Daughters of Liberty women who manufactured the

British goods colonists boycotted
Townshend Acts A tax passed by Charles Townshend, the
British finance minister, taxing glass, lead, paper, and paint
Writs of Assistance The legal document that enabled
British soldiers to search colonial homes and ships for
smuggled goods

114

Declaratory Act An act stating that Parliament would

repeal the Stamp Act but still held the power to tax the
colonists; a result of the Stamp Act boycott
Quartering Act A law stating that colonists must allow
British soldiers shelter and one meal a day, even during
peace time

115

Boston Massacre The murder of five colonists by

provoked British soldiers. These soldiers were defended by
John Adams during their trial and eventually exonerated
Tea Act Americans could only buy tea from England, not
directly from India

116

Boston Tea Party When Patriots dressed as Indians,

boarded British ships, and threw thousands of dollars of tea
overboard
Intolerable Acts Coercive Acts; laws passed as the
colonists' punishment for the Boston Tea Party

117

First Continental Congress When delegates from 12 of

the 13 colonies met to discuss the Coercive Acts, agreed to
continue the boycott of British goods and organised militias
in every colony
Salutary Neglect The period of time where the king
allowed the colonists freedom (religious freedom, etc.) as
long as the colonies made England money

118

Committee of Correspondence A group of men who

wrote letters and articles about the British oppression in the
colonies. These articles unified the colonies against the
British

119

Second Continental Congress Where delegates met to

discuss Lexington and Concord. Developed the Olive
Branch Petition declaring their loyalty to King George III
but asking for the repeal of the Coercive Acts. They also
organized the Continental Army and name George
Washington its commander in chief

120

Depreciate To decrease in value, as in the decline of the

purchasing power of money. dire need finally forced
many of the colonies to issue paper money, which
unfortunately depreciated.
Protective Tariffs Taxes places on imported goods, often
to raise prices and thus protect domestic producers.
Manufacturers, workers, and farmers seek to ensure their
prosperity through protective tariffs.

121

Mortgage To pledge property to a creditor as security for a

loan or debt. Virginia planters were forced to buy their
necessities in England by mortgaging future crops.
Admiralty Courts In British law, special administrative
courts designed to handle maritime cases without a jury.
Both [acts] provided for trying offenders in the hated
admiralty courts.

122

Virtual representation The political theory that a class of

persons is represented in a lawmaking body without direct
vote. Elaborating the theory of virtual representation.
Grenville claimed that every member of Parliament
represented all British subjects, evenAmericans.
Nonimportation Agreement Pledges to boycott, or decline
to purchase, certain goods from abroad. More effective
than the congress was the widespread adoption of
nonimportation agreements.
123

Mulatto A person of mixed African and European ancestry.

Crispus Attucks [was] describedas a powerfully built
runaway mulatto.
Duty A customs tax on the export or import of goods.
Parliamentrepeal[ed] the Townshend revenue duties.

124

Propaganda A systematic program or particular materials

designed to spread certain ideas; sometimes but not always
the term implies the use of manipulative or deceptive
means. Their chief function was to spread propaganda.
Boycott An organized refusal to deal with some person,
organization, or product. this one called for a complete
boycott of British goods.

125

Inflation An increase in the supply of currency relative to

the goods available, leading to a decline in the purchasing
power of money. Inflation of the currency inevitably
skyrocketed prices.
Desert To leave official or military service without
permission. hundreds of anxious husbands and fathers
deserted.

126

Chapter 8
George Washington Virginian, patriot, general, and
president. Lived at Mount Vernon. Led the Revolutionary
Army in the fight for independence. First President of the
United States.

127

William Howe During the summer of 1776, he led

hundreds of British ships and 32,000 British soldiers to
New York, and offered Congress the choice between
surrender with royal pardon and a battle against the odds,
and despite having far fewer troops, the Americans rejected
the offer. Bunker Hill.

128

Nathaniel Greene Quaker-raised American general who

employed tactics of fighting and then drawing back to
recover, then attacking again. Defeated Cornwallis by thus
"fighting Quaker".

129

Benedict Arnold He had been a Colonel in the Connecticut

militia at the outbreak of the Revolution and soon became a
General in the Continental Army. He won key victories for the
colonies in the battles in upstate New York in 1777, and was
instrumental in General Gates victory over the British at
Saratoga. After becoming Commander of Philadelphia in 1778,
he went heavily into debt, and in 1780, he was caught plotting to
surrender the key Hudson River fortress of West Point to the
British in exchange for a commission in the royal army. He is the
most famous traitor in American history.

130

John Burgoyne British general in the American

Revolution who captured Fort Ticonderoga but lost the
battle of Saratoga in 1777 (1722-1792)

Charles Cornwallis Commanding general of the British

forces that were defeated at Yorktown in 1781, ending the
American Revolution.

131

Thomas Paine Revolutionary leader who wrote the

pamphlet Common Sense (1776) arguing for American
independence from Britain. In England he published The
Rights of Man

Barry St. Leger Led British Army, tried to take Fort

Stanwix but American Benedict Arnold drove him back.

132

George Rogers Clark Leader of a small Patriot force that

captured British-controlled Fort Vincennes in the Ohio
Valley in 1779, secured the Northwest Territory for
America. Audacious frontiersman, conceived idea of
seizing forts by surprise. He floated down the Ohio River
and captured Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Vincennes.

133

Richard Henry Lee Member of the Second Continental

Congress who urged Congress to support independence;
signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Horatio Gates Burgoyne was forced to surrender his
command to this American general on October 17,1777 at
the battle of Saratoga.

134

John Paul Jones American naval commander in the

American Revolution (1747-1792) said " I have not yet
begun to fight."
Thomas Jefferson Virginian, architect, author, governor,
and president. Lived at Monticello. Wrote the Declaration
of Independence. Second governor of Virginia. Third
president of the United States. Designed the buildings of
the University of Virginia.

135

Marquis de Lafayette He was very rich and noble when

he arrived in America at the age of 19 years old. He
believed in the liberty that the Americans were fighting for
and asked to help. He became a general on Washington's
staff and fought hard. He was known as "the soldier's
friend," and is buried in france but his grave is covered
with earth from Bunker Hill.

136

Admiral de Grasse operated a powerful French fleet in the

West Indies. He advised America he was free to join with
them in an assault on Cornwallis at Yorktown.
Rochambeau's French army defended British by land and
Admiral de Grasse blockaded them by sea. This resulted in
Cornwallis's surrender on October 19, 1781. French general
who was operating a powerful fleet and advised Americans
that he was free to join with them in an assault on
Cornwallis on Yorktown.

137

Patrick Henry a leader of the American Revolution and a

famous orator who spoke out against British rule of the
American colonies (1736-1799)
Comte de Rochambeau commanded a powerful French
army of six thousand troops in the summer of 1780 and
arrived in Newport, Rhode Island. They were planning a
Franco - American attack on New York.

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John Jay United States diplomat and jurist who negotiated

peace treaties with Britain and served as the first chief
justice of the United States Supreme Court (1745-1829)
one of three envoys who had explicit instructions from
Congress to make no separate peace and to consult with
their French allies at all stages of the negotiations

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Ethan Allen a soldier of the American Revolution whose

troops helped capture Fort Ticonderoga from the British
(1738-1789)
Abigail Adams Wife of John Adams. During the
Revolutionary War, she wrote letters to her husband
describing life on the homefront. She urged her husband to
remember America's women in the new government he was
helping to create.

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Richard Montgomery A formerly British General, he then

led the colonists. He led a successful attack into Montreal,
then on to Quebec. Montgomery's attack on Quebec failed
and he was killed, thus, the whole invasion into Canada
failed. Irish born general who pushed up the Lake
Champlain route and capture Montreal.

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King George III King of England, stubborn, stupid, levied

taxes even though he knew colonist would hate it, poor
ruler, passed Quartering Act (Intolerable Acts) , hated
colonists, wanted to show who's in charge
Mercenaries hired soldiers
Natural Rights the idea that all humans are born with
rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

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Privateering Privately owned armed ships specifically

authorized by congress to prey on enemy shipping. There
were over a thousand American privateers who responded
to the call of patriotism and profit. The privateers brought
in urgently needed gold, harassed the enemy, and raised
American morale.(American Revolution, 1775-1783)

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Republicanism A philosophy of limited government with

elected representatives serving at the will of the people.
The government is based on consent of the governed.
Natural Aristocracy to maintain social hierarchy; meaning
people rise to power based on natural talent not heredity
Popular Consent The idea that a just government must
derive its powers from the consent of the people it governs.

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Civic Virtue notion that democracy depended on unselfish

commitment to the public good
Second Continental Congress They organized the
continental Army, called on the colonies to send troops,
selected George Washington to lead the army, and
appointed the committee to draft the Declaration of
Independence

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Common Sense a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that

claimed the colonies had a right to be an independent
nation
Declaration of Independence the document recording the
proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July
1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from
Great Britain

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Loyalists American colonists who remained loyal to

Britain and opposed the war for independence
Tories Loyalists
Patriots Colonists who wanted independence from Britain
Whigs Colonists

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Treaty of Paris of 1783 The British recognized the

independence of the United States. It granted boundaries,
which stretched from the Mississippi on the west, to the
Great Lakes on the north, and to Spanish Florida on the
south. The Yankees retained a share of Newfoundland. It
greatly upset the Canadians.

148

Bunker Hill a battle that took place on the strategic point

of Breed's Hill. British victory on account of the depletion
of American supplies. yet gave them confidence- It pushed
Americans towards a final decision for war.

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Battle of Saratoga Turning point of the American

Revolution. It was very important because it convinced the
French to give the U.S. military support. It lifted American
spirits, ended the British threat in New England by taking
control of the Hudson River, and, most importantly, showed
the French that the Americans had the potential to beat their
enemy, Great Britain.

150

Battle of Yorktown Last major battle of the Revolutionary

War. Cornwallis and his troops were trapped in the
Chesapeake Bay by the French fleet. He was sandwiched
between the French navy and the American army. He
surrendered October 19, 1781.

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Hessians German soldiers hired by George III to smash

Colonial rebellion, proved good in mechanical sense but
they were more concerned about money than duty. German
missionaries hired by the British to crush the rebellion that
kill up everybody and were very brutal; did not care if they
were killing loyalists, patriots, or people who were in the
middle

152

Olive Branch Petition professed American loyalty to the

crown and begging the king to prevent further hostilities
Catherine the Great Russian who decided to create a
Passive Hostility against Britain
Valley Forge where the Patriots spent the winter and had a
German leader and Lafayette (French) help turn them into a
real army

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Saratoga Patriot victory where it was the only legit open

army to army battle where the army beat the redcoats
without the French
King Louis XVI hesitated to offer help to the Americans
buy they could protect the French West Indies and they
already didn't like Britain

154

Loyalists the older generations that were loyal to the

British king and fought patriots; wealthy conservative old
men from NY, NJ and GA. least in New England
Native Americans joined loyalists because they were
promised a limit to colonial settlements in the west

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African Slaves joined British because they were promised

freedom after one year of serving in the army; were used as
manual labor
New York place where British used as a base for operations
Battle of Long Island British victory under General
William Howe and Washington escaped

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Trenton Washington crosses Delaware River and surprises

Hessians which made the Patriots win and have a huge
morale boost
Princeton Moved away from Trenton to avoid being
defeated by Cornwallis and caught some Redcoats that
were outnumbered and off guard. Not a big deal, but the
Patriots won and it made them feel special inside.

157

Paul Revere warns everyone that the British are coming

but gets caught before he's done
Samuel Prescott after leaving an "inappropriate
relationship," he takes the place of Paul Revere in warning
that the British were coming
William Doss helped Samuel Prescott warn about the
British coming

158

Richard Henry Lee introduced resolution declaring the

colonies to be independent
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence
July 2, 1776 when all voted for the Declaration of
Independence
July 4, 1776 the day the Declaration of independence was
adopted
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Canada Place that was supposed to be the 14th colony to

the US and deprive Britain of a valuable base to striking the
colonies; took a two pronged invasion of the country
Quebec Act the reason why the French Canadians did not
want to be bothered and showed no desire to welcome the
anti-Catholic invaders

160

Bunker Hill (Breed's Hill) Americans kill the most people

and run out of artillery; British lose men (almost 1000
soldiers) but stay on the fort not a lose nor a win

161