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American Revolution
Chapter 6. Sections 1 & 2
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Thomas Paine | A patriot who wrote "Common Sense" & "The Crisis" . |
Common Sense & The Crisis | Publications that marked the beginning of a shift in people's thinking about supporting independence. |
Richard Henry Lee | Presented to Congress the Virginia resolution on the right of the colonies to be free from England's rule. |
Resolution | A formal statement of opinion. |
Thomas Jefferson | Wrote the Declaration of Independence. |
The Declaration of Independence | A formal statement listing reasons why the colonies should separate from Britain. |
Preamble | The Declaration of Independence's introduction. It explains why the document is being written. |
Declaration of Natural Rights (General Ideas About Society and Government) | The section of the Declaration of Independence (after the Preamble) that states the colonists basic beliefs. |
Colonist's basic beliefs that are listed in the Declaration of Independence | All people have natural rights. Government should protect those rights. When government fails to protect people's rights, the people should abolish the government. |
Natural Rights | Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. |
List of Grievances | The section of the Declaration of Independence (after the General Ideas About Society and Government) that states the formal complaints against King George III of England. |
Conclusion | The last section of the Declaration of Independence that states that the only course of action left to the colonists is to dissolve all political ties with Britain. |
July 4, 1776 | The Declaration of Independence was approved. |
August 2, 1776 | The Declaration of Independence was signed. |
Sir William Howe | Commander in chief of the British army in North America. Led the British attack along Long Island. |
Nathan Hale | An American patriot from Connecticut. He volunteered to spy on the British at Long Island, New York. He was caught behind enemy lines and hanged. |
"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." | Nathan Hale's famous last words. |
Mercenaries | Soldiers that are paid to fight for a country other than their own. |
George Washington | An American General who led Patriot forces to victory over the British. |
Battle of Trenton (New Jersey) | A battle where General George Washington led a Christmas night surprise attack and won. |
Battle at Saratoga (New York) | An American victory that lifted the Patriots' spirits, and showed Europe that the Americans might be able to win the war. |
Countries that joined the war for independence from Great Britain. | France, Spain and the Netherlands. |
Marquis de Lafayette | A French noble who became good friends of General George Washington as they led troops together. |
Cavalry | Units of troops on horseback. |
Baron Friedrich von Steuben | A German commander who was helpful in teaching American recruits how to march, aim, and attack with bayonets. |
Valley Forge (Pennsylvania) | Where the army gathered its strength for the coming battles during the harsh winter of 1777-1778. |