American Studies Mr. Carlson Name ______Period ______
Liberty! The American Revolution – Blows Must Decide
1. What words would appropriately describe the reactions of Parliament to the dumping of the tea into Boston’s harbor?
2. The colonies decided to organize a Continental Congress in fall of 1774 and invited representatives from all the colonies to participate. Why did they want to form this congress?
3. What were at least four major results of the fall 1774 meeting of the Continental Congress?
4. Describe King George III’s attitudes towards the colonists who continued to resist Parliament’s and royal officials’ authority. Why did King George III view the situation in the colonies as a rebellion? American Studies Mr. Carlson
5. What were the major consequences of the events that took place in and around Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775?
6. The Continental Congress decided to form a standing army that would represent the united colonies. Explain why they formed this army.
7. What are the major details and results of the events that took place in and around Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill in mid-June 1775?
8. Why did John Adams believe that efforts like the Olive Branch Petition were a “fruitless waste of time”? Define the term olive branch.
American Studies Mr. Carlson 9. What were at least three ideas that Thomas Paine expressed in his pamphlet Common Sense?
10. Given the situation in 1776, what specific actions were required for the colonies to be independent of Britain?
11. John Adams believed that Americans would celebrate July 2*, 1776, as their “day of deliverance.” What was the major reason why he believed this date was so important?
*he could have also meant July 4, 1776... if that is less confusing 1773 - May 10, the Tea Act takes effect. It gives the British East India Company a virtual tea monopoly by allowing it to sell directly to colonial agents, bypassing any middlemen, thus underselling American merchants.
December 16, 1773 - That night, the Boston Tea Party occurs as colonial activists disguise themselves as Mohawk Indians then board the ships and dump all 342 containers of tea into the harbor.
1774 - In March, an angry English Parliament passes the first of a series of Coercive Acts (called Intolerable Acts by Americans). The Boston Port Bill effectively shuts down all commercial shipping in Boston harbor until Massachusetts pays the taxes owed on the tea dumped in the harbor.
1774 – In May, Parliament enacts the next series of Coercive Acts, which include the Massachusetts Regulating Act and the Government Act and the Administration of Justice Act. American Studies Mr. Carlson 1774 - In June, a new version of the 1765 Quartering Act is enacted by the English Parliament requiring all of the American colonies to provide housing for British troops in occupied houses and taverns and in unoccupied buildings.
1774 - September 5 to October 26, the First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia with 56 delegates, representing every colony, except Georgia. Congress declares its opposition to the Coercive Acts, promotes the formation of local militia units, and agree to a boycott of English imports.
April 18, 1775 - General Gage orders 700 British soldiers to Concord to destroy the colonists' weapons depot. That night, Paul Revere and William Dawes are sent from Boston to warn colonists.
April 19, 1775 - At dawn about 70 armed Massachusetts militiamen stand face to face on Lexington Green with the British advance guard. An unordered 'shot heard around the world' begins the American Revolution.
May 10, 1775 - American forces led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold capture Fort Ticonderoga in New York. The fort contains a much needed supply of military equipment including cannons which are then hauled to Boston by ox teams.
May 10, 1775 - The Second Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia. Congress places the colonies in a state of defense and unanimously votes to appoint George Washington general and commander-in-chief of the new Continental Army.
June 17, 1775 - The first major fight between British and American troops occurs at Boston in the Battle of Bunker Hill. The British succeed in taking the hill, but at a loss of half their force, over a thousand casualties.
July 3, 1775 - At Cambridge, Massachusetts, George Washington takes command of the Continental Army which now has about 17,000 men.
July 5, 1775 - The Continental Congress adopts the Olive Branch Petition which expresses hope for a reconciliation with Britain. In August, King George III refuses even to look at the petition and instead issues a proclamation declaring the Americans to be in a state of open rebellion.
December 23, 1775 - King George III issues a royal proclamation closing the American colonies to all commerce and trade, to take effect in March of 1776. Also in December, Congress is informed that France may offer support in the war against Britain.
January 9, 1776 - Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" is published in Philadelphia. The 50 page pamphlet is highly critical of King George III while providing strong arguments for American independence. It becomes an instant best-seller in America.