Revolutionary War Study Guide
1. Why did France and Britain go to war? (French and
Indian War)
Both countries wanted land in
the Ohio River Valley for fur and
trading with Native Americans.
2. Ally
A person or group that
works together
3. Describe the Albany Plan of Union.
A plan by Benjamin Franklin to
unite the colonies, but each
colony would have its own
government
4. How did the French and Indian War end?
Treaty of Paris
5. Rebellion
Fight against government
6. What is the Proclamation of 1763? Why did it upset the
colonists?
Colonists were not allowed West of
the Appalachian Mountains. They
wanted to settle that land and did
not want British soldiers on their
land.
7. Tax
Money people pay to the
government in return for
services
8. Why did Britain tax the colonists?
To pay for the cost of the
French and Indian War
9. What is the difference between a protest and a boycott?
Protest is using your voice to
complain about an issue.
Boycott is refusing to buy or
use certain items.
10. Why did British merchants dislike boycotts?
The British merchants lost
money if the colonists were
not buying their goods.
11. How did the colonists spread news to other colonies
about what was happening?
Samuel Adams created
the Committee of
Correspondence.
12. What happened at the Boston Massacre? Who is Crispus
Attucks?
Colonists were arguing with
British soldiers. Crispus
Attucks was shot and killed.
13. What is the Boston Tea Party?
The Sons of Liberty dressed
up as Native Americans and
dumped Tea into the Boston
Harbor.
14. What are the Intolerable Acts? Who created the name
for these acts?
Taxes to punish the people of
Boston, Massachusetts for the
Boston Tea Party. The colonists
gave the taxes this name because
the taxes were too harsh.
15. What happened at the First Continental Congress?
Congress was a meeting of delegates
to discuss the Intolerable Acts and
send a petition to King George III
asking to repeal the taxes.
16. How are Patriots and Loyalists different?
Patriots are colonists who opposed
British government. Loyalists are
colonists who stayed loyal and
supported King George III.
17. Militia
Ordinary people who
trained for battle
18. Why was Paul Revere’s ride so important?
He warned the
minutemen the British
soldiers were coming.
19. Where did the first battle of the Revolution take place?
Lexington and Concord
20. What was the “shot heard ‘round the world”?
The first shot of the
Revolutionary War
21. Who was the commander of the Continental Army?
George Washington
22. At the Second Continental Congress, what did the
Patriots send to King George III? Why?
The Olive Branch Petition
to declare peace
23. How did King George respond to the Olive Branch
Petition?
He didn’t read the
petition. He sent more
British soldiers.
24. Traitor
Someone disloyal
25. Surrender
To give up