History The American Revolution Study Cards

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American Revolution

A war fought between Great Britain and thirteen of its North American colonies, which declared themselves the independent United States of America.

Causes of the American Revolution

Factors such as taxation without representation, British economic policies, and restrictions on colonial trade that led to growing resentment and desire for independence.

Stamp Act

An act passed by the British Parliament in 1765, imposing a direct tax on the American colonies and requiring them to use specially stamped paper for legal documents.

Boston Tea Party

A political protest that took place in 1773, where American colonists, disguised as Native Americans, dumped tea into the Boston Harbor to protest against the Tea Act.

Declaration of Independence

A document adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, declaring the thirteen American colonies as independent states and no longer part of the British Empire.

Battle of Lexington and Concord

The first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War, fought on April 19, 1775, in Massachusetts, marking the beginning of armed conflict between the colonies and Britain.

George Washington

The commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and the first President of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson

One of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.

Valley Forge

The site in Pennsylvania where George Washington's Continental Army spent the winter of 1777-1778 during the American Revolution, facing harsh conditions.

Battle of Saratoga

A turning point in the American Revolution, where American forces defeated the British in 1777, convincing France to openly support the American cause.

Treaty of Paris

The agreement signed in 1783 that officially ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized the United States as an independent nation.

Legacy of the American Revolution

The American Revolution inspired other revolutions around the world and established principles of liberty, equality, and self-government that shaped the nation's identity.

Battle of Bunker Hill

A battle fought on June 17, 1775, during the Siege of Boston, where the British defeated the Americans, but the colonial forces showed their ability to stand against professional soldiers.

Benjamin Franklin

One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, a polymath, and a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist, and diplomat.

Intolerable Acts

A series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 to punish the American colonies for the Boston Tea Party and to assert British authority.

Battle of Yorktown

The last major battle of the American Revolutionary War, where combined American and French forces defeated the British in 1781, leading to the eventual surrender of the British army.

Paul Revere

An American silversmith, engraver, early industrialist, and Patriot in the American Revolution, known for his midnight ride to alert the colonial militia of British movements.

Continental Congress

The legislative assembly composed of delegates from the thirteen colonies that met during the American Revolution and eventually adopted the Declaration of Independence.

Battle of Trenton

A pivotal battle in 1776, where George Washington's forces crossed the Delaware River and surprised the Hessian troops, boosting morale and reinvigorating the Continental Army.

John Adams

One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, a lawyer, diplomat, and leader of American independence from Great Britain, serving as the second President of the United States.

Battle of Cowpens

A decisive victory for the Americans in 1781, where General Daniel Morgan's forces defeated the British in South Carolina, weakening their hold on the Southern colonies.

Sons of Liberty

A secret organization formed by American colonists in 1765 to protect the rights of the colonists and fight against British taxation and other oppressive measures.

Battle of Princeton

A battle fought in 1777, where George Washington's forces defeated the British in New Jersey, boosting morale and demonstrating the resilience of the Continental Army.

Patrick Henry

An American attorney, planter, and politician who was a strong supporter of American independence from Britain, famously saying, 'Give me liberty or give me death!'

Battle of Guilford Courthouse

A battle fought in 1781, where British forces under General Cornwallis defeated the Americans in North Carolina, but suffered significant casualties and weakened their position.

Continental Army

The unified army of the thirteen colonies during the American Revolution, led by George Washington and composed of regular soldiers, militia, and volunteers.

Battle of Kings Mountain

A decisive victory for the Americans in 1780, where a force of American Patriots defeated the Loyalist militia in South Carolina, turning the tide in the Southern campaign.

Samuel Adams

One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, a politician, statesman, and leader of the movement that became the American Revolution.

Battle of Charleston

A major British victory in 1780, where British forces captured the city of Charleston, South Carolina, and dealt a significant blow to American morale and control in the South.

Battle of Long Island

A battle fought in 1776, where British forces under General Howe defeated the Americans in New York, forcing them to retreat and abandon the city.

John Hancock

An American merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution, known for his large and stylish signature on the United States Declaration of Independence.