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Albany Plan of Union Provided for an intercolonial government and a system for collecting taxes for the colonies defense. Failed to gain approval from any of the seen representatives. French and Indian War Was a war fought by French and English on American soil over control of the Ohio River Valley-- English defeated French in1763. Historical Significance: established England as number one world power and began to gradually change attitudes of the colonists toward England for the worse. Also known as the Seven Years' War Pontiac's Rebellion Also known as Pontiac's Uprising, an Indian uprising after the French and Indian War, led by an Ottowa chief named Pontiac. They opposed British expansion into the western Ohio Valley and began destroying British forts in the area. The attacks ended when Pontiac was killed. Proclamation of 1763 A proclamation from the British government which forbade British colonists from settling west of the Appalacian Mountains, and which required any settlers already living west of the mountains to move back east. Sugar Act Halved the duty on foreign made molasses, placed duties on certain imports, and strenghtened the enforcement of the law allowing prosecutors to try smuggling cases in a vice-admiralty court. Currency Act Restricted colonists from printing their own currency and instead using "hard" currency (gold and silver). Stamp Act An act passed by the British parliment in 1756 that raised revenue from the American colonies by a duty in the form of a stamp required on all newspapers and legal or commercial documents. Later repealed. Declatory Act Passed at the same time that the Stamp Act was repealed, the Act declared that Parliament had the power to tax the colonies both internally and externally, and had absolute power over the colonial legislatures. Virtual Representation British governmental theory that Parliament spoke for all British subjects, including Americans, even if they did not vote for its members Son's of Liberty A radical political organization for colonial independence which formed in 1765 after the passage of the Stamp Act. They incited riots and burned the customs houses where the stamped British paper was kept. Townshend Act Passed by Parliament in 1767, this act imposed import duties on tea, paper, glass, red and white lead, and painter's colors. It provoked the imperial crisis of 1767-1770. In 1770 Parliament repealed all of the duties except the one on tea. Massachusetts Circular Letter A letter written in Boston and circulated through the colonies in February, 1768, which urged the colonies not to import goods taxed by the Townshend Acts. Boston, New York, and Philadelphia agreed to non-importation. It was followed by the Virginia Circular Letter in May, 1768. Parliament ordered all colonial legislatures which did not rescind the circular letters dissolved. Boston Massacre British soldiers fired into a crowd of colonists who were teasing and taunting them. Five colonists were killed. The colonists blamed the British and the Sons of Liberty and used this incident as an excuse to promote the Revolution. Boston Tea Party Demonstration by citizens of Boston who, disguised as Indians, raided three British ships in Boston harbor and dumped hundreds of chests of tea into the harbor Coercive Acts This series of laws were very harsh laws that intended to make Massachusetts pay for its resistance. It also closed down the Boston Harbor until the Massachusetts colonists paid for the ruined tea. Also forced Bostonians to shelter soilders in their own homes. Also known as the Intolerable Acts Quebec Act Extended boundaries of Quebec and granted equal rights to Catholics and recognized legality Catholic Church in the territory; colonists feared this meant that a pope would soon oversee the colonies. First Continental Congress Delagates from all colonies except Georgia met to discuss problems with Britain and to promote independence committees of observation An act of the Continental Congress, committees that enforced the boycott, eventually became the town's de facto governments Committees of Correspondence Organized by patriot leader Samuel Adams, was a system of communication between patriot leaders in New England and throughout the colonies. They provided the organization necessary to unite the colonies in opposition to Parliament. The committees sent delegates to the First Continental Congress. minutemen A small colonial militia said to be ready at a minute's notice. Second Continental Congress They organized the continental Army, called on the colonies to send troops, selected George Washington to lead the army, and appointed the comittee to draft the Declaration of Independence George Washington Virginian, patriot, general, and president. Lived at Mount Vernon. Led the Revolutionary Army in the fight for independence. First President of the United States. George III English monarch at the time of the revolution. He was the main opposition for the colonies due to his stubborn attitude and unwillingness to hear out colonial requests/grievances. Olive Branch Petition On July 8, 1775, the colonies made a final offer of peace to Britain, agreeing to be loyal to the British government if it addressed their grievances It was rejected by Parliament. Common Sense a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that claimed the colonies had a right to be an independent nation Thomas Paine American Revolutionary leader and pamphleteer, born in England, who supported the American colonist's fight for independence. Declaration of Independence The document approved by representatives of the American colonies on July 4, 1776 that stated their grievances against the British monarch and declared their independence. Franco-American Alliance Negotiated by Ben Franklin, brought French into war on Americans' side. Helped determine outcome of war. Treaty of Paris (1783) Agreement signed by British and American leaders that stated the United States of America was a free and independent country