AP United States History - Terms and People – Unit 2, Chapter 8 (12 th Ed.)
HONOR PLEDGE: I strive to uphold the vision of the North Penn School District, which is to inspire each student to reach his or her highest potential and become a responsible citizen. Therefore, on my honor, I pledge that I have neither given nor received unauthorized assistance on this work.
America Secedes from the Empire: 1775
– 1783
Before studying Chapter 8, read over these “Themes”:
Theme: When hostilities began in 1775, the colonists were still fighting for their rights as British citizens within the empire, but in 1776 they declared their independence, based on a proclamation of universal, self-evident truths. Inspired by revolutionary idealism, they also fought for an end to monarchy and the establishment of a free republic.
Theme: A combination of Washington’s generalship and British bungling in 1776 - 1777 prevented a quick British victory and brought French assistance, which enabled the Patriots to achieve victory after several more years of struggle.
Theme: American independence was recognized by the British only after the conflict had broadened to include much of
Europe. American diplomats were able to secure generous peace terms because of the international political scene:
Britain's recently reorganized government favored peace and France's inability to make good on its promises to Spain.
After studying Chapter 8 in your textbook, you should be able to:
1. Describe how America moved from engaging in military hostilities with Britain even while proclaiming loyalty to declaring its independence.
2. Explain the principal ideas of “republicanism” developed by Thomas Paine and other American leaders.
3. Explain the specific reasons and general principles used in the Declaration of Independence to justify
America’s separation.
4. Explain why some Americans remained loyal to Britain and what happened to them during and after the
Revolution.
5. Explain why the British attempt to crush the Revolution quickly failed, especially by the Battle of Saratoga.
6. Describe the military and political obstacles Washington and his generals had to overcome before the final victory at Yorktown.
7. Describe the terms of the Treaty of Paris and explain how America was able to achieve such a stunning diplomatic victory.
Know the following people and terms. Consider the historical significance of each term or person.
Also note the dates of the event if that is pertinent.
A. People
+George Washington
William Howe
Nathaniel Greene
Benedict Arnold
John Burgoyne
Charles Cornwallis
+Thomas Paine
Barry St. Leger
George Rogers Clark
+Thomas Jefferson
Richard Henry Lee
Horatio Gates
John Paul Jones
Marquis de Lafayette
Admiral de Grasse
Comte de Rochambeau
John Jay
B. Terms: mercenaries natural rights privateering

AP United States History - Terms and People – Unit 2, Chapter 8 (12 th Ed.)
HONOR PLEDGE: I strive to uphold the vision of the North Penn School District, which is to inspire each student to reach his or her highest potential and become a responsible citizen. Therefore, on my honor, I pledge that I have neither given nor received unauthorized assistance on this work.
Second Continental Congress
Common Sense
*Lee Resolution
*Declaration of Independence
*Treaty of Alliance with France
*Original Design of the Great Seal of the United States
Loyalists/Tories
Patriots/Whigs
*Treaty of Paris of 1783
+ =One of the 100 Most Influential Americans of All Time, as ranked by The Atlantic. Go to Webpage to see all 100.
*=A 100 Milestone Document from the National Archive. Go to Webpage to link to these documents.
C. What do you think?
1. Many historians argue that without French aid the American colonies could never have won their independence. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your position.
2. It is often argued the British “lost” the Revolutionary War more than the Americans “won” it. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your position. (Looking Ahead: What future war will this be said about the
United States? ________________________)
D. Voices from the Past:
Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.
Lee's Resolution, proposed for Virginia to the Continental Congress by Richard Henry Lee on June 7, 1776 and
adopted by Congress on July 2, 1776.
E. Map Work: Be able to locate the places listed below by using the reference numbers on the map.
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