Third Marking Period Social Studies Learning Guide
Vocabulary
Leader – the person who directs or controls a group, organization, or country
Parliament - a group of leaders that govern England
Tax - money that you must pay to the government according to your income, property,
goods, etc. that is used for public services
Revolution - fighting for a change in government
Nation – a country
Independence – freedom from another country’s control – the ability to make your own
decisions in life without having to ask others for permission, help, or money
Surrender – to say officially that you want to stop fighting because you realize you cannot
win
Treaty - a formal, written agreement between two countries or governments
Events to Know:
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French and Indian War - The French and Indian War began in 1754. The war was
not between the French and Indians. Instead, the conflict was between the British
and the French. Native Americans played a role in the war because they fought for
both the British and the French. Why would the British and the French fight? The
French Explorers came through North America looking for a shortcut to Asia. This
would allow for faster trading. The explorers began to claim land for France.
Eventually, the French owned more land in American than the English owned. The
difference was the English had more people living in the colonies. The English did
not want the French to own land in America. The fighting began and lasted for
seven years. The English won the war, which lasted seven years. As a result of the
war, the French owned land north of the United States now known as Canada.
Proclamation of 1763 – The Proclamation of 1763 closed lands north and west of
the Appalachian Mountains to settlement. The goal of the British was to put a stop to
conflicts that had arisen between the Native Americans and the colonists due to the
French and Indian War.
Stamp Act – The Stamp Act was the first direct British tax on American colonists.
Every newspaper, pamphlet, and other public and legal document had to have a
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Stamp, or British seal, on it. The Stamp cost money, and the colonists didn't think
they should have to pay for something they had been doing for free for many years.
Tea Act – The Tea Act kept the tax on tea in place. The act also gave one British
company control of all the tea trade, threatening the business of American tea
merchants.
Quartering Act – The Quartering Act was a law that required colonists to provide
housing, candles, bedding, and beverages to British soldiers stationed in the
colonies.
Boston Massacre – A small group of colonists in Boston were taking out their
frustration with the British troops stationed in Boston by taunting and throwing
snowballs at the soldiers. In retaliation, these soldiers opened fire, killing four of the
Bostonians.
Boston Tea Party - In 1773, a group of colonists, angered by the Tea Act, disguised
themselves as Native Americans and boarded a British ship in Boston Harbor. They
dumped 343 crates of valuable tea into the harbor.
Intolerable Acts – In response to the Boston Tea Party, the British closed Boston
Harbor and forced colonists to house and feed British soldiers.
Lexington and Concord - The war began here when British soldiers and the
colonists exchanged fire.
Battle of Bunker Hill - Battle of Bunker Hill, which actually took place on Breed’s
Hill, was won by the British. It was not a huge lose to the Americans, because
although they actually lost the battle many British soldiers were injured or killed
during the fight. It also showed that the less experienced Continental Army was
willing and able to stand up again more highly trained British forces.
Meeting of Continental Congress - After the Boston Tea Party, the 13 colonies held
a meeting in Philadelphia to talk about creating a new country where people rule
themselves. They sent a letter to King George III. This meeting was called the
Continental Congress.
o Other meetings that followed were:
 Sept. 1774 - 1st meeting – A group of colonial leaders, called the First
Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. They wrote angry letters to
the king and parliament.
 May 1775 – 2nd meeting – Washington named Commander-in-Chief
 July 4, 1776 – 3rd meeting – The Declaration of Independence was
signed
Declaration of Independence – A document that said “All men are created equal.”
Signed on July 4, 1776. Everyone had the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness. The main writer was Thomas Jefferson. John Hancock signed his name
extra large so King George III could read it without his glasses. Also, it was
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dangerous to sign this document, because signing the document was considered
treason.
Washington crossing the Delaware River (Battle of Trenton) - Washington’s
troops crossed the Delaware River and surprised the British at Trenton, NJ, giving
the Continental Army its first major victory.
Battle of Saratoga - Americans beat the British. France enters the war to aid the
Americans. The Battle of Saratoga is considered a turning point of the
Revolutionary War, because the battle shows the American’s ability to fight and win.
France joined the colonists fight against the British as a result of this battle.
Encampment at Valley Forge - Washington’s troops spend a cold winter camped at
Valley Forge, PA. The conditions of Valley Forge were poor. Soldiers had little food,
shelter, clothing, shoes, etc.
Battle of Yorktown - British General Cornwallis surrenders to General Washington
at Yorktown, VA. Battle of Yorktown is known as the last big battle of Revolutionary
War. The Treaty of Paris was signed as a result of this battle.
Treaty of Paris - An agreement signed by representatives of the US and British
governments, officially ending the Revolutionary War. The Treaty of Paris
guaranteed peace between British and Americans. Following the treaty, the colonies
were a new nation, the United States of America.
People/Groups to Know:
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George Washington - The Commander-in-Chief of the American army. He was a
great leader. Soldiers called him General Washington. He was fair to the soldiers,
lost many battles, but never gave up. He later became our first president.
John Adams - A representative from Massachusetts who recommended Washington
for commander of the American forces in the Continental Army. He was a member
of the Sons of Liberty.
John Hancock – He served as president of the Continental Congress from 1775 to
1777. As president, he was the first to sign in HUGE print the Declaration of
Independence adopted by the Congress. He wanted his name to be clearly read by
King George III.
Thomas Jefferson - He had a leading role in the Continental Congress and
American’s movement toward independence and wrote the Declaration of
Independence.
Ben Franklin – He helped write the Declaration of Independence. Ben went to
Paris, France, and asked the French king to help the Americans. King Louis said he
would give him clothing, soldiers, guns and ships because France wants them to
beat England.
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General Cornwallis – He led the British army throughout the American Revolution.
A British General who surrendered to General Washington at Yorktown, Virginia.
Known for the Battle of Yorktown when the British decided to strike southern
colonies. Washington rushed his army south. French ships blockaded the British
and kept them from escaping.
Baron von Steuben - He came from Germany to help Americans fight and
specifically to train the soldiers. He taught Americans how to become better
soldiers.
Thomas Paine – Thomas Paine began working on the cause of independence. He
published a pamphlet, Common Sense, which demanded complete independence
from England. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other colonial leaders
read the pamphlet and it became the most widely circulated pamphlet in American
history at that time.
Hessians - German soldiers hired by the British to fight the Americans.
Minutemen - Minutemen were colonists/farmers (in Massachusetts) who trained
themselves to be soldiers and promised to be ready to fight at a minute’s notice.
Paul Revere – Patriot rider who warned that “The Redcoats are coming.”
Sons of Liberty – Secret group that instigated the Boston Tea Party and other acts
of rebellion.
King George III – British King who taxed the colonists unfairly.
Parliament – British government officials who made decisions about taxes. There
were no colonial representatives in Parliament from colonies.
Sides of the Revolution
o Loyalists – loyal to the British King
o Patriots – Fought for colonists independence from the British
o Undecided or no side – People who were undecided and did not side with
the loyalist or patriots