American Independence, 1774-1783 — Practice Quiz
A US History cheat sheet for American Independence, 1774-1783 — every key formula with its symbols defined — plus a medium-level practice quiz to test recall.
Formulas & key concepts
First military engagements of the American Revolutionary War; "Shot Heard 'Round the World"
Where: British troops sought to seize colonial arms; Paul Revere's ride warned militia
Meeting of delegates from 13 colonies in Philadelphia; managed the colonial war effort and moved towards independence
Where: Created Continental Army; appointed George Washington as commander-in-chief
Final attempt by colonists to avoid full-scale war, affirming loyalty to King George III but asking for rights
Where: Rejected by the King, who declared colonies in open rebellion
Early battle near Boston; British victory but with heavy casualties, proving colonial militia could stand against British regulars
Where: Famous order: "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes"
Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine arguing for independence from Britain and creation of a democratic republic
Where: Widely read and influential in shifting public opinion toward independence
Document adopted on July 4, 1776, declaring the 13 American colonies independent from British rule
Where: Drafted primarily by Thomas Jefferson; emphasized natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness)
Colonists who supported American independence from Britain (also called Whigs)
Where: Estimated 40-45% of population; strongest in New England
Colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown (also called Tories)
Where: Estimated 20-30% of population; many fled to Canada or Britain after war
Official army of the colonies, established by Continental Congress and led by George Washington
Where: Struggled with funding, supplies, and short-term enlistments
Surprise attack by Washington's forces on Hessian mercenaries after crossing the Delaware River on Christmas night
Where: Crucial morale booster for the Continental Army
Decisive American victory in New York that convinced France to openly ally with the colonies
Where: Turning point of the war; British General Burgoyne surrendered
Winter encampment of Continental Army characterized by harsh conditions, disease, and starvation, but also training
Where: Baron von Steuben trained troops, transforming them into a disciplined force
Treaty of Alliance following Saratoga; France provided money, troops, naval support, and supplies
Where: Crucial for American victory; expanded war into global conflict
French aristocrat who volunteered in Continental Army, becoming a trusted aide to Washington and key general
Where: Symbol of French support for American cause
Spanish governor of Louisiana who aided Americans by keeping Mississippi River open and attacking British forts in South
Where: Key ally in the Gulf Coast region
Continental Navy was small but effective at raiding British commerce; privateers played major role
Where: John Paul Jones famous quote: "I have not yet begun to fight!"
American commander who led campaigns in the West (Ohio River Valley), capturing British forts like Vincennes
Where: Weakened British influence in the Northwest Territory
British strategy shifted south to utilize Loyalist support; characterized by brutal guerrilla warfare
Where: British captured Savannah and Charleston but failed to control countryside
Patriot guerrilla leader in South Carolina known as the "Swamp Fox" for his hit-and-run tactics
Where: Harassed British supply lines and disrupted operations
Final major battle where combined American and French forces (army and navy) besieged and forced surrender of British General Cornwallis
Where: Effectively ended military operations in the American Revolution
Peace treaty ending the Revolutionary War; Britain recognized US independence and established borders
Where: Borders: Mississippi River to west, Canada to north, Florida to south
Women managed farms/businesses, served as nurses/spies, and some fought (Molly Pitcher, Deborah Sampson)
Where: "Republican Motherhood": idea that women should raise civic-minded children
Fought on both sides; British promised freedom to enslaved people who joined them (Dunmore's Proclamation)
Where: About 5,000 served in Continental Army; war led to gradual emancipation in North
Most tribes allied with British to protect lands from colonial expansion; Iroquois Confederacy split
Where: Suffered significant land losses and devastation during and after war
First constitution of the US, creating a weak central government with limited powers (no power to tax or regulate trade)
Where: Reflected fear of strong central authority; replaced by Constitution in 1789
Early American hero (Saratoga) who later defected to British, becoming synonymous with treason
Where: Planned to surrender West Point to British
Commander of French expeditionary force in America who coordinated with Washington at Yorktown
Where: Key figure in the decisive victory at Yorktown
German mercenaries hired by British to fight in America
Where: Many remained in America after the war
Primary author of Declaration of Independence; Virginia statesman and champion of religious freedom
Where: Later served as 3rd US President
Virginia orator known for fiery speeches supporting independence
Where: Famous quote: "Give me liberty, or give me death!"
Practice quiz
What was the primary significance of the battles of Lexington and Concord in April 1775?
- They were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War.
- They led directly to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
- They resulted in a decisive American victory that ended British occupation of Boston.
- They established George Washington as the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
Answer: They were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War.
What was the main purpose of the Olive Branch Petition, sent by the Second Continental Congress in 1775?
- To declare the colonies' full independence from Great Britain.
- To request military aid from France against the British.
- To make a final attempt to avoid full-scale war by affirming loyalty to King George III while asking for rights.
- To establish a new colonial government under the Articles of Confederation.
Answer: To make a final attempt to avoid full-scale war by affirming loyalty to King George III while asking for rights.
Despite being a British victory, what important lesson did the Battle of Bunker Hill (1775) demonstrate for the colonial militia?
- That they could successfully capture and hold major British strongholds.
- That they needed to rely solely on naval power to defeat the British.
- That they could stand against British regulars, even inflicting heavy casualties.
- That a formal alliance with France was immediately necessary for victory.
Answer: That they could stand against British regulars, even inflicting heavy casualties.
Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" (1776) was highly influential for what reason?
- It outlined the strategy for the Battle of Saratoga.
- It argued for independence from Britain and the creation of a democratic republic.
- It detailed the grievances against the King that would later be in the Olive Branch Petition.
- It proposed the Articles of Confederation as the first US constitution.
Answer: It argued for independence from Britain and the creation of a democratic republic.
Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776?
- George Washington
- Thomas Paine
- Benjamin Franklin
- Thomas Jefferson
Answer: Thomas Jefferson
Why is the Battle of Saratoga (1777) considered a turning point in the American Revolutionary War?
- It was the first major American victory of the war.
- It convinced Spain to declare war on Britain.
- It led to the British surrender at Yorktown.
- It convinced France to openly ally with the American colonies.
Answer: It convinced France to openly ally with the American colonies.
What significant event occurred at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-1778?
- The Continental Army achieved a decisive victory over British forces.
- Baron von Steuben trained the Continental Army, transforming it into a disciplined force despite harsh conditions.
- The Declaration of Independence was secretly drafted and signed.
- A peace treaty was negotiated between the American colonies and Great Britain.
Answer: Baron von Steuben trained the Continental Army, transforming it into a disciplined force despite harsh conditions.
The French Alliance (1778) was crucial for the American victory in the Revolutionary War primarily because:
- France provided a large land army that fought most of the major battles.
- It forced Britain to focus solely on the American continent.
- France provided essential money, troops, and naval support, expanding the war into a global conflict.
- It led to the immediate surrender of all British forces in America.
Answer: France provided essential money, troops, and naval support, expanding the war into a global conflict.
What was the outcome and significance of the Battle of Yorktown in 1781?
- It was a minor skirmish that had little impact on the war's outcome.
- It was a British victory that prolonged the war for several more years.
- Combined American and French forces besieged and forced the surrender of British General Cornwallis, effectively ending military operations.
- It led to the signing of the Olive Branch Petition.
Answer: Combined American and French forces besieged and forced the surrender of British General Cornwallis, effectively ending military operations.
What was a major characteristic of the Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the US?
- It created a strong central government with significant power to tax and regulate trade.
- It established a powerful executive branch led by a president.
- It created a weak central government with limited powers, reflecting a fear of strong authority.
- It abolished slavery throughout the newly formed United States.
Answer: It created a weak central government with limited powers, reflecting a fear of strong authority.
Select a subject
Select a subject from the left panel to begin exploring formulas.