AP US History — Colonial Era to Revolution

What did the **Treaty of Paris 1783** accomplish?

It officially ended the American Revolutionary War, recognizing American independence, and establishing borders for the new nation.

What was the significance of the **House of Burgesses**?

Established in 1619, it was the first legislative assembly in the American colonies, located in Virginia. It marked the beginning of representative government in the colonies.

Explain the **Navigation Acts**

A series of laws passed by the British Parliament to regulate colonial trade and enable England to collect duties. These Acts mandated that certain goods could only be shipped to England or English colonies.

What was the **Great Awakening**?

A series of religious revivals in the American colonies during the 1730s and 1740s. It emphasized individual piety and a personal relationship with God, leading to increased religious diversity.

Who was **John Winthrop**?

A leading figure in the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He delivered the famous 'City upon a Hill' sermon, envisioning the colony as a model of Christian charity.

Define the **Indentured Servitude** system

A labor system where people paid for their passage to the New World by working for an employer for a certain number of years. It was a common practice in the 17th and 18th centuries.

What sparked the **French and Indian War**?

A conflict between British and French forces over control of the Ohio Valley and other territories in North America. It lasted from 1754 to 1763 and was part of the larger Seven Years' War.

What was the outcome of the **Treaty of Paris 1763**?

It ended the French and Indian War, with France ceding much of its North American territory to Britain, including Canada and lands east of the Mississippi River.

Who were the **Quakers**?

A religious group known as the Society of Friends, founded in England. They settled in Pennsylvania under William Penn, advocating for pacifism, equality, and religious tolerance.

What was the **Stamp Act of 1765**?

An act imposed by the British government requiring colonists to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used. It led to widespread protests and was later repealed in 1766.

Describe the **Boston Tea Party**

A protest by the American colonists in 1773 against the British Tea Act. Colonists, disguised as Native Americans, dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor.

Who was **Samuel Adams**?

A key organizer of the Boston Tea Party, Adams was a leader in the American Revolution and a strong advocate for independence. He also helped form the Sons of Liberty.

What were the **Intolerable Acts**?

A series of punitive measures enacted by the British Parliament in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party, including the closing of Boston Harbor and revocation of Massachusetts' charter.

Explain the significance of the **First Continental Congress**

Held in 1774, it was a meeting of delegates from twelve of the Thirteen Colonies to address colonial grievances against British policies. It marked the beginning of organized colonial resistance.

What was the **Declaration of Independence**?

A document adopted on July 4, 1776, declaring the Thirteen Colonies independent from Britain. Drafted by Thomas Jefferson, it outlined the colonies' grievances and asserted their right to self-government.

Who was **Benjamin Franklin**?

A Founding Father known for his contributions as a diplomat, inventor, and writer. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence and negotiated the Treaty of Paris 1783, ending the Revolutionary War.

Define the **Olive Branch Petition**

A final attempt by the colonists to avoid war with Britain by pledging loyalty to the crown and asking for peace and protection of their rights. It was rejected by King George III.

What was the purpose of **Common Sense** by Thomas Paine?

Published in 1776, it was a pamphlet advocating for American independence from Britain. Paine's arguments were influential in convincing many colonists to support the revolutionary cause.

What was the **Battle of Saratoga**?

A decisive American victory in 1777 that is considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War. It led to France formally allying with the American colonies.

Who was **George Washington**?

The Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He later became the first President of the United States.

What were the **Articles of Confederation**?

The first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781. It created a weak federal government with limited powers, which led to its replacement by the US Constitution in 1789.

Describe the **Boston Massacre**

A confrontation in 1770 where British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists, killing five. It fueled anti-British sentiments and was used as propaganda by colonial leaders.

Who was **John Adams**?

A Founding Father and a leading advocate for independence. He served as the second President of the United States and played a key role in drafting the Declaration of Independence.

What was the **Second Continental Congress**?

A meeting of colonial delegates in 1775 that managed the colonial war effort and moved towards independence, eventually adopting the Declaration of Independence.

Explain the role of **Loyalists** during the American Revolution

Also known as Tories, Loyalists were colonists who remained loyal to the British crown during the American Revolution. They were often persecuted and many emigrated to Canada or Britain after the war.

What was the significance of **Valley Forge**?

The winter encampment of the Continental Army in 1777-1778 where soldiers endured harsh conditions but emerged more disciplined and unified under the training of Baron von Steuben.

Who was **Thomas Jefferson**?

Principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States. He was a leading advocate for democracy and individual rights.

What was the **Battle of Yorktown**?

The final major battle of the American Revolutionary War in 1781. American and French forces, led by George Washington, defeated the British army, leading to the end of the war.

Define the **Sons of Liberty**

A group of patriots formed to protect the rights of the colonists and to fight taxation by the British government. They played a major role in organizing resistance to the Stamp Act and other British policies.