A boundary established by the British government that prohibited American colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. This was intended to stabilize relations with Native Americans and minimize conflicts over land, but it fueled colonial resentment against British authority.

Stamp Act

A law passed by the British Parliament that required colonists to purchase special stamped paper for various documents, including newspapers, licenses, and legal papers. This act was met with significant resistance and protests from the colonists, leading to its repeal in 1766 and fueling the growing sentiment against British taxation without representation.

Townshend Act

A series of laws that imposed duties on imported goods such as glass, paper, paint, and tea in the American colonies. The acts sparked widespread protests and boycotts among colonists, contributing to tensions that ultimately led to the American Revolution.

No taxation without Representation

A slogan used by American colonists to express their opposition to British taxes imposed without their consent through elected representatives. This principle became a rallying cry during the American Revolution, highlighting the colonists' demand for political rights and a voice in the government that taxed them.

Boycott

A collective decision by individuals or groups to abstain from using, buying, or dealing with a particular product, service, or organization as a form of protest or social change. Boycotts are often employed to express disapproval of certain practices or policies and to pressure entities to change their behaviors or practices.

Committee of correspondence

A group formed in the American colonies to communicate and coordinate actions against British policies, often sharing information and organizing protests. These committees helped unite the colonies in their resistance efforts leading up to the American Revolution.

Sons of Liberty

A secret organization formed in the American colonies to oppose British taxation and policies, often using protests and direct action. They played a key role in mobilizing resistance against British rule leading up to the American Revolution.

Quartering Act

A law that required American colonists to provide housing and supplies for British soldiers stationed in the colonies. This act was deeply unpopular and seen as an infringement on colonists' rights, contributing to tensions between them and the British government.

Boston Massacre

A violent incident that occurred on March 5, 1770, when British soldiers shot and killed five colonists during a confrontation in Boston. This event fueled anti-British sentiment and became a significant rallying point for the American Revolution.

Tea Act

A law that granted the British East India Company the exclusive right to sell tea in the American colonies, effectively lowering tea prices but maintaining a tax on it. This act led to widespread colonial resistance, culminating in the Boston Tea Party as a protest against taxation without representation.

Boston Tea Party

A protest that took place on December 16, 1773, where American colonists, disguised as Native Americans, dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor to oppose the Tea Act. This act of defiance against British taxation sparked further tensions between the colonies and the British government.

Patriot

An American colonist who actively opposed British rule and supported the struggle for independence during the American Revolution. Patriots advocated for liberty and self-governance, often participating in protests and military efforts against British forces.

Blockade

The act of stopping goods, people, or services from entering or leaving a specific area, often used in military or political contexts. Blockades are typically employed to isolate an opponent and restrict their access to resources.

Intolerable Acts

A series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 in response to the Boston Tea Party, aimed at restoring order in the colonies. These acts restricted colonial self-government and increased British control, further escalating tensions between the American colonies and Britain.

Continental Congress

Was a gathering of representatives from the American colonies that convened to discuss and coordinate resistance against British rule. It played a crucial role in organizing the colonies during the American Revolution and eventually declared independence from Britain in 1776.

Lexington and Concord

The first battles of the American Revolutionary War, fought on April 19, 1775. These confrontations between British troops and colonial militias marked the beginning of open armed conflict between the colonies and Britai

Minutemen

Colonial militia members who were trained to be ready for battle at a moment's notice during the American Revolution. They played a crucial role in early conflicts, such as the battles of Lexington and Concord.

Bunker Hill

Fought on June 17, 1775, was one of the early and significant battles in the American Revolutionary War. Although it was a costly victory for the British, the battle demonstrated that colonial forces could stand up to the British army, boosting American morale.

Common Sense

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776 that argued for American independence from British rule. It presented clear and persuasive arguments in favor of revolution, helping to sway public opinion towards supporting the fight for independence.

Hit and Run

Tactic where a person or group engages in a quick attack or action and then retreats immediately, avoiding prolonged conflict. This strategy is often used in guerrilla warfare or by militias to harass a stronger opponent while minimizing their own risk.

DOI

Adopted on July 4, 1776, is a document that announced the American colonies' separation from British rule. It outlined the principles of individual rights and government by consent, asserting the colonies' right to self-governance.

Saratoga

Fought in September and October 1777, were a turning point in the American Revolutionary War, resulting in a decisive victory for the American forces. This victory convinced France to formally support the American cause, significantly boosting the colonists' chances of winning independence.

Yorktown

Occurring in September and October 1781, was the final major battle of the American Revolutionary War. American and French forces surrounded British General Cornwallis, leading to his surrender, which effectively ended the war and secured American independence.

Treaty of Paris(1763)

Formally ended the American Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain, recognizing American independence and establishing borders for the new nation. It marked the conclusion of hostilities and set the framework for future relations between the two countries.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. It encouraged ideas about liberty, democracy, and scientific progress, significantly influencing modern political and philosophical thought.

Loyalist

An American colonist who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolutionary War. Loyalists opposed independence and supported British rule, often facing social and political repercussions from their fellow colonists.

Olive Branch Petition

A letter sent by the Second Continental Congress to King George III in July 1775, expressing a desire for peace and reconciliation with Britain. It sought to address grievances and avoid further conflict, but was rejected by the king, leading to increased hostilities.