Causes of the American Revolution

Vocabulary

Miss Bucella

Mercantilism

• We learned this in our last unit…

• Can somebody describe to me what mercantilism is? (Hint: It was on our quiz!)

Mercantilism

• Dictionary Definition: To maximize wealth and surplus of exports, a mother country must control trade of their colonies

• Teacher Definition: The practice of creating wealth by controlling trade

Patriot

• Dictionary Definition: American colonist who fought for independence from Great Britain during the revolution

• Teacher Definition: Colonist who wanted the colonies to be free from British rule during the Am. Revolution

Who are some famous Patriots?

• Samuel Adams– And his ‘Sons of Liberty’

• Benjamin Franklin• Patrick Henry– “Give me liberty, or give me

death!”

• John Adams

Loyalists

• Dictionary Definition: Colonist who sided with Britain and wanted to stay loyal to the European country during the American Revolution

• Teacher Definition: Colonist who wanted the colonies to remain loyal to England and not declare independence

Boycott

• Dictionary Definition: The act of refusing to buy certain goods. It is a method often used in protest movements.

• Teacher Definition: You refuse to buy a product because buying it would support an unworthy cause

Redcoats

• Who were the “redcoats?”

• Why do you think they were called “redcoats?”

Redcoats

• Dictionary Definition: British soldiers who fought against the colonists in the American Revolution. They wore bright red uniforms.

• Teacher explanation: The English soldiers who fought against the Patriots

Continental Congress

• Dictionary Definition: Meeting of colonial delegates in Philadelphia, PA to petition to King George for fairer treatment.

• Teacher Explanation: Group of highly regarded colonists who met to write the Declaration of Independence

Independence Hall

• Dictionary Definition: Official state building in Philadelphia, PA where the Continental Congress met

• Teacher Explanation: Birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution

Tariff / Tax

• Dictionary Definition: Duties or customs imposed by a government on imports or exports.

• Teacher Definition: Taxes put on the colonists so that Britain could control them and make money.

Parliament

• Dictionary Definition: The legislature of Great Britain, consisting of three groups that rule the country and its colonies.

• Teacher Definition: The government of England that ruled over the 13 colonies– It still exists today over in Europe

Minutemen

• Who were minutemen? Do you know?

• Why do you think they were called this?

Minutemen

• Dictionary Definition: American militia members who were supposed to be ready to fight at a minute’s notice.

• Teacher Definition: American Patriots who got immediately ready to fight the British whenever they were needed