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Committees of Correspondance
Committees appointed from different colonies to communicate on matters; asserted rights to self-government, cooperation between colonies (1st Facebook)
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Tea Act (1773)
Intended to save British East India Company from bankruptcy, could sell directly to consumers rather than through wholesalers (lowered prices to compete with smuggled tea)
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Boston Tea Party
Peaceful destruction of British tea in Boston Harbor by colonists disguised as Indians
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Quebec Acts
Former French subjects in Canada allowed to keep Catholicism, while American colonists expected to participate in the Church of England
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Intolerable Acts (Coercive Acts)
In reaction to the Boston Tea Party; closing of Boston Harbor, revocation of Massachusetts charter (power to governor), murder in the name of royal authority would be tried in England or another colony
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Suffolk Resolves
Organize militia, end trade with Britain, refuse to pay taxes to Britain
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Olive Branch Petition
Politely demanded from the king a cease-fire in Boston, repeal of Coercive Acts, guarantee of American rights
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Thomas Paine, Common Sense
Stressed to the American people British maltreatment and emphasize a need for revolution; appealed to American emotions
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George Washington
American commander-in-chief; first president, set precedents for future presidents, put down Whiskey Rebellion (enforced Whiskey Tax), managed first presidential cabinet, carefully used power of executive to avoid monarchial style rule
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Whigs (Patriots)
Most numerous in New England, fought for independence
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Tories (Loyalists)
Fought for return to colonial rule, usually conservative (educated and wealthy)
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British strengths and weaknesses
British citizenship outnumbered colonies’, large navy and professional army; exhausted resources (Hessians hired), national debt
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Colonial Strengths and Weaknesses
Fair amount of troops, short guerilla tactics, strong leaders (Washington); nonprofessional army that could not handle long battles
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Battle of Saratoga
American general Horatio Gates was victorious over British general Burgoyne
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Valley Forge
Scarce supplies (food and clothing), army motivated by von Steuben
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Battle of Yorktown
Last major battle; surrender of Cornwallis, led King George III to officially make peace with the colonies
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Treaty of Paris (1783)
Full American independence, territory west of Appalachian ceded to America, loyalists to be compensated for seized property, fishing rights off of Newfoundland
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American Society during the Revolution
British-occupied cities, new governments, fighting by any with experience, loaned money, African-Americans and Native Americans involved
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Articles of Confederation
States joined for foreign affairs, Congress reigned supreme lacked executive and judicial), one vote per state, 2/3 vote for bills, unanimous for amendments; too much power to states, unable to regulate commerce or taxes
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Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom (1786)
Foundation for First Amendment, offered free choice of religion, not influenced by state
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Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Defined process for territories to become states (population reached 60,000), forbade slavery in the new territories
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Alexander Hamilton
Pushed for Assumption (federal government to assume state debts), pushed creation of the National Bank (most controversial), loose interpretation of Constitution, leader of Federalist Party
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James Madison
Strong central government, separation of powers, “extended republic”
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Shays's Rebellion
Mistreated farmers, fear of mobocracy, forced people to think about central government
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Connecticut Compromise
Advocated by Roger Sherman, proposed two independently-voting senators per state and representation in the House based on population
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Virginia Plan
Bicameral congressional representation based on population
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New Jersey Plan
Equal representation in unicameral congress
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Commerce Compromise
Congress could tax imports but not exports
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