Chapter 7 APUSH questions

The Deep Roots of Revolution

26.        Why does the author say that the American Revolution began when the first settlers stepped ashore?

In the "old World" Europeans were to set in their ways. With having to form all new traditions and ideals the colonists created a new nation that would clearly one day be dramatically different from that of England. 

Mercantilism and Colonial Grievances

Know:    Mercantilism, Navigation Laws, Royal Veto

27.        Explain the economic theory of mercantilism and the role of colonies.

Mercantilism was the idea that colonies were formed to benefit the mother country. The colonies were to send raw goods to Britain and import finished goods from Britain. 

28.        How did Parliament enact the theory of mercantilism into policy?

In order to regulate the mercantilist system Parliament passed the Navigation law of 1650. Requiring all commerce to be transported by British ships. Also that they first had to land in Britain. Parliament also prohibited the printing of paper money by the colonists. The British crown also had the right to nullify any legislation passed by the colonial assemblies if they messed with the mercantilist system. 

The Merits and Menace of Mercantilism

Know:    Salutary Neglect, John Hancock, Bounties

29.        In what ways did the mercantilist theory benefit the colonies?

The colonies benefited from the mercantilist theory through protection using the British Navy, and monopoly of tobacco trade in Britain. 

30.        What economic factors were involved in leading colonists to be displeased with the British government?          

The Mercantilist Theory kept the colonists dependent on the British and stifled any economic initiatives that the colonists might start. The Sugar Act, Stamp Act and Townshend Duties placed unfair taxes on the colonies by Britain to pay for war time debts.

The Stamp Tax Uproar

Know:    George Grenville, Sugar Act, Quartering Act, Stamp Act, Admiralty Courts, Virtual Representation

31.        Why were the colonists so upset over relatively mild taxes and policies?

The Stamp tax was created to raise revenue for a military force in the colonies. The colonists were angered because the soldiers took their jobs and they felt that they did not need any protection after the French were already booted out of North america. 

Forced Repeal of the Stamp Act

Know:    Stamp Act Congress, Nonimportation Agreements, Homespun, Sons of Liberty, Declaratory Act

32.        In what ways did colonists resist the Stamp Act?

The colonists formed the Stamp Act Congress of 1765 this lead to widespread nonimportation agreements (boycotts) of British goods. Everyone was able to participate in the boycotts which made them widely popular. They also resorted to violence. They burned efegy's and ransacked official's houses. By the time the law was enforced, no one was there to collect the payment of the tax because they were all to scared. 

The Townshend Tea Tax and the Boston "Massacre"

Know:    Townshend Acts, Indirect Tax, Boston Massacre, John Adams

33.        How did the Townshend Acts lead to more difficulties?

Soldiers came to enforce the Townshend Acts. These soldiers took over colonists' jobs. The colonists were so upset that they attacked a British soldier. This led to the Boston Massacre which was used as propaganda against the British.

The Seditious Committees of Correspondence

Know:    George III, Lord North, Samuel Adams, Committees of Correspondence

34.        How did Committees of Correspondence work?

It was a series of committees in the towns throughout the colonies that spread letters containing the spirit of resistance. 

Tea Brewing in Boston

Know:    British East India Company, Boston Tea Party

35.        What was the cause of the Boston Tea Party, and what was its significance?

The British East India Company was bailed out by the British government and given a monopoly on the Tea Trade. This angered the colonists because, although it lowered the price of tea, it funneled the money through loyalist merchants and took away from smugglers. This led to the Boston Tea Party which was a rebellion against the British government in which colonists dumped loads of tea into the ocean at the Boston Port. 

Parliament Passes the "Intolerable Acts"

Know:    Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act, Quartering Act of 1774, Quebec Act

36.        What was so intolerable about the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts?

The intolerable acts were so "intolerable" because they were a series of restricting laws that took away the colonists basic rights as British citizens. They were angered that they weren't being treated like a Brit.

Bloodshed

Know:    First Continental Congress, Declaration of Rights, The Association, Tar and Feathers, Minute Men, Lexington and Concord

37.        What was the goal of the First Continental Congress?

It's goal was to consider ways of redressing colonial grievances. It led to a written Declaration of rights as well as an appeal to the king.

Imperial Strength and Weakness

Know:    Hessians, Tories

38.        What were British strengths and weaknesses at the outset of the war?

The British had a larger population (3:1). They were also richer and had a better naval power. Britain also had a much better trained army than the colonies. However, it was fighting at two fronts. Britain had to send troops to Ireland to watch it. The British did not have any good politicians in the government at that time. Also, many Britons had no desire to fight in the war all the way across the sea. Distance was one of the main conquerors of the British. The colonists were fighting on their home turf, but the British had to go through long voyages to fight. The colonies did not have a main urban center that the British could take over. 

American Pluses and Minuses

Know:    George Washington, Ben Franklin, Marquis de Lafayette, Continentals

39.        What were the American strengths and weaknesses at the outset of the war?

The colonists had great leadership (George Washington and Benjamin Franklin)and open foreign aid. Also the colonists were fighting a defensive war; they knew the turf. However, they were badly organized. They lacked money. Milita men were highly unreliable. 

A Thin Line of Heroes

Know:    Valley Forge, Baron von Steuben, Continental Army

40.        What role was played by African-Americans in the Revolution?

They were initially barred, but as more troops were needed they were used as cooks, guides, spies, drivers, and road builders for the colonists. They also fought for the British in return for their freedom.