United States History Essential Concepts

United States History Essential Concepts Reading Guide English Colonies and Causes for Revolution Standards 8.1.1-8.2.1, Chapter 2-3

Chapter 3, Section 1 “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” – The American Revolution Begins

Key Terms, Key People, Academic Vocabulary –

First Continental Congress minutemen Redcoats Second Continental Congress Continental Army George Washington Battle of Bunker Hill reaction

Key Concepts –

1. What did delegates at the First Continental Congress draft and sent to the British Monarch, King George? What did the document include? How did King George react to this document? Why do you think he reacted this way? 2. Why were British soldiers sent to Concord, Massachusetts? 3. Who warned the colonists of the British advance toward Concord? 4. What did the colonists do in response to the British soldiers marching toward Concord? 5. What was the result of the Battle of Lexington and Concord? 6. What do you think is meant by the expression the “shot heard ‘round the world”? 7. Compare and contrast the Redcoats and minutemen (use information from Chapter 3 as you read each section). 8. How did the Second Continental Congress decide to react to the British aggression? How did King George react to their efforts? 9. Describe each of the following battles/events of the American Revolution. Also include the purpose and result of each battle/event.

Fort Ticonderoga -

Battle of Bunker Hill (Actually fought on Breed’s Hill) –

Battle of Nook’s Hill –

10.How did geography influence the early battles around Boston? 11.How was the Continental Army able to drive the British forces out of Boston?

Chapter 3, Section 2 Declaring Independence Key Terms, Key People, Academic Vocabulary – Common Sense Thomas Paine Thomas Jefferson Declaration of Independence Patriots Loyalists Abigail Adams

Key Concepts – 1. What were the main four arguments in Thomas Paine’s Common Sense? 2. Why were so many people able to read Paine’s Common Sense? 3. Why do you think Thomas Paine originally published Common Sense anonymously? 4. Who were the members of the committee who wrote the Declaration of Independence? Who was the main author? 5. Explain the four main points addressed in the Declaration of Independence? 6. How did the Declaration of Independence affect the relationship between the colonists and the British? 7. What two sides emerged in response to the Declaration of Independence? Explain each point of view. 8. How did the Declaration of Independence address the rights of women? 9. How did the Declaration of Independence address slavery and the rights of enslaved African Americans? Why was this hypocritical (look up the definition of this word if you don’t know it) for the colonists?

Chapter 3, Section 3 The American Revolution

Key Terms, Key People, Academic Vocabulary – mercenaries Battle of Trenton Battle of Saratoga Marquis de Lafayette Bernardo de Galvez John Paul Jones George Rogers Clark strategy offensive Key Concepts – 1. Describe the typical soldier of the Continental Army. 2. Why was it difficult to find and keep soldiers in the Continental Army? 3. How were African Americans and Native Americans used in the Continental Army? 4. What role did Patriot women play during the American Revolution? 5. Describe the Revolutionary battles in Canada, New York, and New Jersey. Include the generals involved, the goal of the battle, and the outcome. 6. What was the significance of each of the above battles? 7. Do you think it was a mistake for the British to use mercenaries to help them fight the war? Why or why not? 8. Why was the Battle of Trenton a significant victory for the Continental Army? 9. Describe the Battle of Saratoga. Include the generals involved, the goal of the battle, and the outcome. 10.What strategies helped the Continental Army defeat the British at the Battle of Saratoga? 11.Why was the Battle of Saratoga a turning point in the American Revolution (Hint: two main reasons)? 12. How did foreign leaders (Lafayett, Von Steuben, De Galvez) help the Continental Army? 13.Why do you think foreign nations supported the colonists rather than Great Britain? 14.How was the Winter at Valley Forge both a tragedy and a triumph for the Continental Army? 15.How did the Continental Navy fight the imposing British Navy? 16.How did the Patriots overcome challenges in the West?

Chapter 3, Section 4 The American Revolution and Independence

Key Terms, Key People, Academic Vocabulary – Francis Marion Comte de Rouchambeau Battle of Yorktown Treaty of Paris 1783 Horatio Gates Nathanael Green Charles Cornwallis

Key Concepts – 1. How did the British hope to change strategies under the leadership of General Henry Clinton? 2. Why do you think the British were successful in the southern colonies (Georgia and South Carolina)? 3. What problems did the Patriots experience in the south? 4. Why was guerrilla warfare (Define “guerilla warfare” if you do not know this term.) effective against the British soldiers? 5. Describe the successful strategies of the Continental Army and the devastating mistakes made by the British army leading up to and during the Battle of Yorktown. 6. Why do you think General Cornwallis decided to surrender at the Battle of Yorktown? 7. Why did the victory at Yorktown end the American Revolution? 8. How did the Treaty of Paris of 1783 affect the United States? 9. Who helped negotiate the peace treat for the Patriots? 10.Create a timeline detailing the major events of the American Revolution leading up to end of the war (Treaty of Paris).