OBJ AP 1763-1787 ID SIGS #31- 60

1. 1st Continental Congress: The 1st Continental Congress was a convention held by
12 of the 13 colonies from September 5 - October 26, 1774 in Philadelphia. The
convention was in response to the Intolerable Acts. 55 delegates attended and its
purpose was to reduce colonial grievances and create a petition. (Georgia did not
attend)
Sig:
I. Economic boycott of British trade (The Association)
II. Endorsement of Suffolk Resolves
III. Second Continental Congress
IV. Declaration of Grievances
V. Encouraged military preparation

2. Suffolks Resolves: Declaration made on September 9, 1774 telling the colonies to

boycott all British imports, disobey Intolerable Acts, and encourage military
preparation.
Sig:
I. Endorsed by Continental Congress
II. Boycotted British Trade
III. Encouraged Military Preparation
IV. Declaration of Resolves

3. The Association: The Association was a complete boycott on all British trade and
imports. It was the most significant act of the Continental Congress (December 1,
1774)
Sig:
I. New England Restraining Act
II. Trade with Great Britain fell greatly
III. British blocked North Atlantic Fishing Area
IV. United colonies

4. John Hancock: Merchant and patriot. Born January 23, 1737. He was the president
of the 2nd Continental Congress. He was a very influential politician (infamous 1 st
signer of Declaration of Independence)
Sig:
I. Raised money for colonial army
II. Gathered troops
III. Inspired delegates/radicals.
IV. Used fortune to finance army.

5. Thomas Paine: English-American writer born Feb. 2, 1737. Paine was a patriot and
American soldier whose famous works include “The Crisis” and “Common Sense”.
These works widely contributed to support of American Revolution.
Sig:
I. Furthered Revolution cause (convincing many to embrace the idea)
II. Paved the way for the Declaration of Independence
III. He argued for republican form of government
6. Olive Branch Petition: Petition created during 2nd Continental Congress trying to
reestablish what colonies had. It also tried to settle trade disputes between Great
Britain and America peacefully. (Which ultimately failed)
Sig:
I. Made Americans resort to Independence by force.
II. Stirred up problems in colonies

7. Lexington/Concord: The battle of Lexington and Concord was started on April 18,
1775. The British were on route to burn and destroy the colonists’ ammunition in
concord, and to arrest John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Paul Reveres’ famous ride
alerted the colonists about the British threat. As soon as the Brits got to concord
they were met with the colonial minutemen and they shot. These shots were the
“shots heard round the world”. This marks the beginning of the American
Revolution.
Sig:
I. War Started April 19,1975
II. British lost 76 and America lost 8.
III. A morale booster for the colonists

8. George III: George William Frederick was born on June 6,1738 in London. He was a
British king from 1760-1820. Well known for winning the French/Indian war but
loosing American Revolution
Sig:
I. Imposed taxes on colonies
II. Stamp Act
III. Sugar Act
IV. Intolerable Act
V. Started American revolution

9. 2nd Continental Congress: 2nd Convention held in Philadelphia on May 5, 1775 after
R.W. begun. They had no formal talk about independence. Its purpose was to plan
against the British and ultimately unite the colonies. Later known as Cong. Of Conf.
Sig:
I. Formed Continental Army
II. Appointed G.Washington as commander in chief (southerner)
III. Olive Branch petition
IV. Adopted Declaration of independence

10. Bunker Hill: The battle of Bunker Hill, also known as Battle of Breeds hill, took
place near Boston on June 17,1777. This was the first major battle of the American
Revolution between the British and colonists.
Sig:
1. British won but had to many casualties to benefit from the win (over
1,000 casualties)
2. Turned into a Colonist Morale Booster with only 600 casualties
3. Hessian: ends chance of reconciliation

11. Hessians: The Hessians were German mercenaries hired by the British Army to
fight against the colonists in the American Revolution.
Sig:
 I. Chances of reconciliation end
II. Many desert and remain in America and become citizens.
III. Angered Colonists

12. Common Sense: Common Sense was a pamphlet written by the English-American
writer Thomas Paine. In the Pamphlet he argued in favor for a republican form of
government, and that “the British island can’t control the American continent”.
Sig:
I. First article to openly ask for Independence from British rule.
II. Best seller (Over 500,000 published)
III. Convinced many to embrace idea of Independence.

13. Declaration of Independence: The Declaration of independence was the first

formal declaration announcing the separation of the 13 colonies from Great Britain.
Thomas Jefferson wrote it with contributions from John Adams and Benjamin
Franklin. It states all men being equal; all men have rights to life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness. It also states reason for separation. The Continental Congress
adopted it on July 4, 1776, and the first to sign it was John Hancock.
Sig:
I. The clearest summary of natural rights.
II. Inspired many other revolutions after it.
III. Inspired the French Declaration of Man.
IV. Declares the colonies independent from Great Britain.

14. Whigs: Whigs or “Patriots” were colonists who were against British rule. They were
named Whigs due to the radical Whig party in Great Britain. They believed they
were paying taxes without representation and that the parliament was being too
strict.
Sig:
I. George Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Sam Adams
II. Helped the colonial army fight against the British
III. Played crucial role in Revolution.
IV. Convinced many people even neutrals to join rebel side and fight
against the British.

15. Tories: Tories or “Loyalists” were colonists who were loyal to the king of Great
Britain. They were named after the popular political party in Great Britain. They
believed that without English rule the colonies would be in danger of being invaded.
About 1/3 of the population were Tories, and believed to be traitors.
Sig:
I. Mostly the educated, wealthy, and the people of culture remained
loyal.
II. Thousands of British veterans living in the colonies were loyalists.
III. Most in New York and areas with Anglican Churches.
IV. Served as spies and even fought for the kings’ army.

16. Saratoga: Saratoga was a county in upstate New York. During 1777, the British and
colonists had several battles in this area. General John Burgoyne led British attacks,
and General Benedict Arnold led the colonial attacks.
Sig:
 I. Americans win battle, convincing the French that they can defeat the
British.
II. Brings France into war on the colonists’ side. Supplies Continental
Army with supplies ultimately leading Americans to win the
Revolutionary war.
III. General J. Burgoyne surrenders almost entire army.
IV. Turning point of Revolutionary war.

17. Yorktown: The Battle of Yorktown took place in Yorktown, Virginia in 1781. It was
a victory of the Colonies led by George Washington and the French army led by
General Rochambeau over the British army led by General Cornwallis. The French
fought them from the sea while the colonists fought them from land. General
Cornwallis surrendered his 7000-man army on October 19, 1781. This battle
signaled the end of the war.
Sig:
I. British surrender and ends the war
II. Fighting continues but rather between the Patriots and the Loyalists.
III. Around 8000 prisoners.
IV. Treaty of Paris 1783

18. Treaty of Paris 1783: Treaty that officially ended the Revolutionary War in
September 3, 1783. Representatives from Great Britain, the Americans, France, and
Spain signed the treaty.
Sig:
I. Great Britain recognizes the Independence of the U.S.
II. France gains Tobago and Senegal and Spain gains Florida.
III. British restrictions and authorities lifted.
IV. Traders able to sell tobacco to everyone now.
V. Colonies face hardship, debt, and trade goes down.
VI. In the long run trade goes up.

19. Samuel Adams: Sam Adams was a famous politician born on September 27, 1722.
He was a well-known radical and was a delegate at the Continental congress. He was
a powerful figure against the British. He was also one of the first to ask for
separation to British rule.
Sig:
I. Huge influence to delegates in the Continental Congress.
II. Instigate Riots against the Stamp act, and the Boston Tea Party.
III. Asked for British Boycotts
IV. Organized non-importation agreements.

20. Lord North: Lord North was born on April 13, 1732 in London. He was the British
Prime Minister from 1770-1782. He supported the tea act, the stamp act, and other
unpopular policies. As the revolution progressed, he became greatly unpopular.
Sig:
I. Supported acts that caused war.
II. Tea Act
III. Sub sequentially caused Revolution.
IV. Conciliation Plan
21. George Washington: George Washington was born on February 2, 1732 in Virginia.
He was a famous Patriot and fought in the French and Indian war. He was a
Virginian delegate at the Continental Congress and was elected as the Commander
in Chief of the Continental Army because he was a southerner. He led the Americans
to the victory over Great Britain in the American Revolution and became the first
president of the United States.
Sig:
I. Led Americans to victory in American Revolution.
II. The 1st president of the U.S.
III. President of Constitutional Convention.

22. Lafayette: Marquis de Lafayette was born in France on September 6, 1757. He

fought alongside the Americans in the American Revolution. He gave over 200,000
dollars in private funds to the colonies. Later he returned to France to play a big role
in the French Revolution.
Sig:
I. Fought alongside the colonists.
II. Gave 200,000 in funds.
III. Convinced France to aid U.S. in the revolution,
IV. Participated in Continental Congress.

23. Cornwallis: Charles Cornwallis was born in December 31, 1738 in England. He
became the British General during the Revolutionary war. He helped capture New
York in 1776. In 1781, he and his army surrendered to George Washington in
Yorktown. This turned the war around, for the colonies.
Sig:
I. Defeated at Yorktown, Trentor, and Princeton.
II. Won at Brandywine and capture Philadelphia in 1777.
III. Aggressive actions toward south but stayed in south too long, setting
them up to disastrous result.

24. Thomas Jefferson: Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 in Virginia. He
was an outspoken politic, great architect and great writer. He believed in
Independence from Great Britain. He was the author of the Declaration of
Independence, and founded the Democratic-Republican Party. He was also a
delegate in the Continental Congress for Virginia.
Sig:
I. Wrote the Declaration of Independence.
II. Served as the third president of the United States, and the Vice
president.
III. Expanded America by obtaining the Louisiana Purchase.

25. Shay’s Rebellion: Armed uprising in western Massachusetts from 1786 to 1787.
Named after leader Daniel Shays. Due to debtor farmers in Massachusetts angry
about some taxes falling on them. Rebellion ended and rebels forgiven.
Sig:
I. Gave proof that Americans could not govern themselves.
II. Death of the Articles of Confederation
III. Government needed to be stronger.
IV. New constitution ratified.
26. State Constitutions: Each state had different constitutions. Each constitution
brought down the economy of the Federal Government. Each constitution replicated
the colonial frameworks.
Sig:
I. Constitutions replicated earlier constitutions.
II. More people could vote and more freedom.
III. More democratic.

27. Northwest Ordinance: The northwestern ordinance was an act passed by the
Congress of the United States in 1787. It established the northwestern territory. It
allowed the U.S. to expand into the area of the great lakes.
Sig:
I. Created Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
II. States dropped their land claims.
III. No slavery (progressive feature)
IV. Public Education

28. Western Land Claims: 7 states laid claim to land west of the Appalachians.
Landless states refuse to ratify the constitution unless these states gave up land
claims. They argued that landed states could pay tax while landless states would
have to tax people.
Sig:
I. States gave up land for unity.
II. Wanted every state to be equal.
III. States forget about claims, united colonies to become the United
States.

29. Annapolis Convention: A convention in Annapolis, Maryland from September 11,

1786 to September 14, 1786. 12 delegates from 5 states attended. They were New
Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia. The purpose was to talk
about the government’s defects but no decisions were mad since only a few of the
states showed up.
Sig:
I. Philadelphia Convention of 1787
II. Led to meeting, which created Constitution of governments.

30. Society of Cincinnati: The society of Cincinnati was a social club formed by former
officers and cities of the United States. The sole purpose was to help regain the
social status of the officers.
Sig:
I. Wanted to make people feel more important than others.
II. Egalitarian spirit emerges.