American Revolutionary War Study Guide
England established and attempted to maintain control over the colonies. England imposed its
political and economic control over the colonies in different ways.
Economic Relationships Political Relationships
*England imposed strict control over trade *Colonists had to obey English laws that
were enforced by governors
*England taxed the colonies after the *Colonial governors were appointed by the
French and Indian War king or by the proprietor
*Colonies traded raw materials for goods *Colonial legislatures made laws for each
colony and were monitored by colonial
governors.
Causes of the American Revolution
England’s Reasons for England’s Reasons for Sources of Colonial
Control Taxation Dissatisfaction
*England desired to remain *To help finance (pay for) *Colonies had no
a world power. the French and Indian War. representation in
Parliament.
*England imposed taxes, *To help with the *Colonists resented power
such as the Stamp Act, to maintaining of English of colonial governors.
raise necessary revenue troops in the colonies.
(money) to pay the cost of
the French and Indian War.
*Subsequent Acts and *England wanted strict
Taxes were imposed control over colonial
following the Stamp Acgt legislatures.
*The Proclamation of 1763
hampered the western
movement of settlers.
Ideas of Enlightened Thinkers
* People have natural rights to life, liberty, and personal property.
* Government is created to protect the rights of people and has only the limited and
specific powers the people consent to give it.
*People can overthrow their Government
*Social Contract Theory
*Three branches of government/checks and balances
Philosophies in the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence proclaimed independence from England on July 4, 1776.
* People have “certain unalienable rights” (rights that cannot be taken way), life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
* People establish government to protect those rights.
* Government derives power from the people.
* People have a right and a duty to change a government that violates their rights.
Key Individuals
King George III
Lord Cornwallis
John Adams
Samuel Adams
Benjamin Franklin
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
Patrick Henry
James Madison
Thomas Paine
Paul Revere
Sons of Liberty
Key Events/Ideas
French and Indian War
Proclamation of 1763
Mercantilism/Navigation Acts
Salutary Neglect
Self-Government
“No Taxation without Representation”
Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Currency Act, Declaratory Act, Quartering Act
Boston Massacre
Boston Tea Party
Intolerable/Coercive Acts
First Continental Congress/Second Continental Congress
Battle of Lexington and Concord
Declaration of Independence
Loyalist vs Patriots
British Army v Continental Army: strengths and weaknesses
Battle of Saratoga
Valley Forge
Battle of Yorktown
Treaty of Paris 1783
Articles of Confederation
Constitution; Virginia Plan v. New Jersey Plan, CT Compromise, 3/5th Compromise
Bill of Rights
BIG IDEAS:
1. How can conflict over governmental power and individual rights lead to revolution?
2. What effects does revolution have on a country?
3. Why is the ability to compromise necessary in establishing national unity?
