American Revolution Essay Questions – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
Why did some colonists want to break from Britain?
answer
-"Taxation without representation!" -They felt they should have their own government -Though some others may have been upset with the British, they did not feel a great enough need to rebel.
question
What events led to the American Revolution?
answer
-Proclamation of 1763 -Stamp Act -Quartering Act -Townshend Acts -Boston Massacre -Intolerable Acts
question
What ideals do Americans profess? (Cite specific examples from history and from today.)
answer
-Opportunity: jobs w/o restrictions, lower/middle class becoming upper class. -Equality: all people could vote, gay marriage is an equality issue -Rights: bear arms -Democracy: US elections, 2nd continental congress -Liberty: speech, proclamation of 1763 (took away liberty)
question
Why is the Declaration of Independence such a revolutionary document? (How did it build upon the ideas of enlightenment philosophers?)
answer
-People look up to it -It created the idea of equality, democracy, and rights, which had never really been seen before. -Natural rights (idea from Locke) -Branches of government (idea from Montesquieu -Rights from God, not king. -Can overthrow unjust gov.
question
How did the American colonists manage to overcome the most powerful nation on the planet?
answer
-Knew their land better than the British -Used special rifles -Used speed, stealth and surprise (Guerrilla warfare) -Had the French helping them -Spies
question
What were some of the consequences of the American Revolution?
answer
-America won independence -Britain & America in debt -Sparked other revolutions -French & America became allies -US military created -Declaration of Independence -Washington became the first important leader
