American Revolution Flashcards

Grade 8 · Social Studies · Flashcards

Key people, events, and concepts from the American Revolution for Grade 8 Social Studies.

Flashcards

Stamp Act (1765)

First direct British tax on colonies — required stamps on paper goods; led to 'No taxation without representation'

Boston Massacre (1770)

British soldiers killed 5 colonists in a street confrontation; used as propaganda against British rule

Boston Tea Party (1773)

Colonists disguised as Native Americans dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor in protest

Intolerable Acts (1774)

Harsh British laws punishing Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party; united colonial opposition

Lexington and Concord (1775)

First battles of the American Revolution — 'the shot heard round the world'

Continental Army

Official colonial army during the Revolution, commanded by General George Washington

Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776)

Document declaring independence from Britain, drafted by Thomas Jefferson

Battle of Saratoga (1777)

American victory that convinced France to become a colonial ally — key turning point

Valley Forge (1777-78)

Brutal winter encampment where 2,500 soldiers died but the Continental Army became a stronger force

Battle of Yorktown (1781)

British surrender to Washington and French forces — effectively ended the war

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Peace treaty where Britain recognized US independence and ceded territory to the Mississippi River

Patriots

Colonists who actively supported American independence (~1/3 of population)

Loyalists (Tories)

Colonists who remained loyal to Britain during the Revolution (~1/3 of population)

Thomas Jefferson

Primary author of the Declaration of Independence; later 3rd US President

Benjamin Franklin

Colonial statesman who helped negotiate French alliance and the Treaty of Paris

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