Download Study Guide: Chapter 3 Key Indicators: Key Facts: Students should

Study Guide:
Chapter 3
Key Indicators:
History 1: the order of significant events in U.S. history can be shown on a time line.
History 4: The 13 Colonies came together around a common cause of liberty and justice, uniting to
fight for independence during the American Revolution and form a new nation.
Key Facts:
Students should be able to list the 13 Colonies:
Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South
Carolina, and Virginia.
Students should understand the overlying cause of the Revolutionary War:
Americans believed they were entitled to the full democratic rights
of Englishmen. The British believed the 13 Colonies were just colonies, to be
used and exploited in whatever way best suited Great Britain.
The British defeated the French in the French and Indian War –
gaining control of most of North American east of the Mississippi River. This
war put a severe financial strain on Great Britain. Parliament (in London)
imposed several taxes on the colonies (Stamp Act, Tea Act,) to pay for the
war. Colonists believed “taxation without representation is the highest form
of tyranny.” The colonists protested these taxes (boycotting English goods,
the Boston Tea Party..) forcing the British to send more troops to North
America. As British responses intensified, the colonists saw no other course
of action except revolt – and the creation of the United States of America.
Key Events: students should be able to place these events in chronological order
on a time line.
1763: The French and Indian War {also known as the Seven Years War} ends
in a British victory but at a high financial cost.
1770: The Boston Massacre. British soldiers, sent to enforce the unpopular
tax acts, fire into a crowd of protesting civilians. Five people are
killed.
1773: The Boston Tea Party. In another act of protest against “taxation
without representation” colonists under the leadership of the Sons of
Liberty dump British tea in Boston harbor rather than pay taxes on it.
1775: The Battles of Lexington and Concord. Known as “the shots heard
around the world” these battles outside of Boston started the
American Revolution.
1776: The Declaration of Independence. Written by Thomas Jefferson, this
document announced that the 13 American Colonies regarded
themselves as independent states and no longer part of the British
Empire.
1781: Battle of Yorktown. The last major battle of the Revolutionary War.
Lord Cornwallis surrenders to George Washington in Virginia.
1783: The Treaty of Paris officially ends the Revolutionary War.
1787: The U.S. Constitution, the written plan for our system of government,
is adopted by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
Key People: you can’t have history without people.
King George III – King of Great Britain during the Revolutionary War.
Gen. Cornwallis –
a leading British general during the Revolutionary War.
He led the British Armies in the southern colonies.
Cornwallis surrendered to Washington at Yorktown.
George Washington – Commander in Chief of Continental Army. Presided over
Constitutional Convention. Elected 1st President of U.S in
1788.
John Adams-
Leading advocate of American Independence from
Britain. Negotiated Treaty of Paris. 2nd President of U.S.
Thomas Jefferson – Principal author of Declaration of Independence. 1st
Secretary of State. 3rd President of U.S.
Samuel Adams -
Cousin to John Adams. Member of Sons of Liberty.
Helped devise Committee of Correspondence which
fostered communication between the 13 Colonies.
Paul Revere -
Alerted colonial militia to the approach of the British
Army before the battles of Lexington and Concord.
Gen. Lafayette –
A French General who served with George Washington
during the Revolutionary War. He helped increase French
support for the United States. Fought at Yorktown.
Extended Response:
Students should be able to write a paragraph explaining
how the French and Indian War ultimately led to the
American Revolution.
-
The French and Indian War (1754 – 1763) almost bankrupted Great
Britain.
-
Parliament decided to increase taxes on North American colonies to pay
war debts. Colonists have no representatives in Parliament.
-
The Stamp Act of 1765 taxed newspapers, official documents, playing
cards…
-
The Townshend Act of 1767 taxed glass, lead, oil, paint.
-
The Tea Act of 1773 taxed tea.
-
Colonists protested these examples of “taxation without
representation.”
They boycotted British goods.
The Boston Tea Party was a protest against the Tea Act.
-
Britain responded with the Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) of 1774 in
which they sent in more troops and blockaded Boston harbor until the tea
was paid for.
-
When General Gage tried to confiscate gunpowder to keep it from the
Americans the “Rebels” fought the British at the battles of Lexington
and Concord – the official beginning of the Revolutionary War.
Practice writing a paragraph at home. Remember to include a topic sentence and at
least two details.