a military force made up of ordinary citizens

was the most powerful group of Native Americans in eastern North America. At that time, the confederacy included six nations—the Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Tuscarora

Ben Franklin's plan to unite the colonies under one government to defeat France. It was the first idea for a united colonial government.

(1754-1763) War fought in the British colonies between the English and the French for possession of the Ohio Valley area. The English won.

Ended the French and Indian War, Gave Britain control of the Ohio River Valley, and ended France as a power in North America.

American Colonists did not want to be taxed if they did not have a representative in Britain's Parliament.

Helped Britain control westward expansion. It prohibited colonists from living west of the Appalachian Mountains, on Native American land. No colonists could live in the Ohio River Valley.

The colonists avoided taxes by illegally moving goods into and out of the colonies.

These documents allowed the British officers to search almost anywhere—shops, warehouses, and even private homes—for smuggled goods.

Lowered the tax on the molasses. The act allowed officers to seize goods from smugglers without going to court.

This law taxed almost all printed materials. Newspapers, wills, and even playing cards needed a stamp to show that the tax had been paid.

Passed after the repeal of the Stamp Act. Stated that Britain had the right to tax and make decisions for the British colonies "in all cases."

Tax on imported goods, such as glass, tea, and paper. The tax was paid when the goods arrived—before they were brought inside the colonies.

to refuse to buy items in order to show disapproval or force acceptance of one's terms

Helped start the Sons of Liberty who protested the Stamp Act.

Organizations that led protests, helped American soldiers, instated a boycott, and generally resisted the British.

The first bloodshed of the American Revolution (1770). British guards opened fire on a crowd killing five Americans.

A dockworker who was part African, part Native American. A victim of the Boston Massacre.

Caused more anger toward British taxes and ultimately violent actions by the colonists. Gave the British East India Company total control of the market for tea.

Protest against increased tea prices in which colonists dumped British Tea into Boston Harbor

Forced the colonies to allow British soldiers to live among the colonists. Banned town meetings in Massachusetts. Closed Boston Harbor until the colonists paid for the ruined tea.

a representative who votes

A political body that would represent Americans and challenge British control.

Drafted statement of grievances asking for repeal of the 13 acts of Parliament passed since 1763; declared those laws violated colonists' rights; delegates voted to boycott all British goods & trade; armed themselves and formed militias.

during Revolutionary era, civilian sworn to be ready to fight with only one minute's notice

Revere and Dawes spread the word that the "British were coming." They were captured and did not finish their journey.

The first battle of the American Revolutionary War. It was the "shot heard round the world." The official start of military conflict.

Group of Vermont Soldiers who captured Fort Ticonderoga in 1775.

American colonists who remained loyal to Britain and opposed the war for independence

American colonists who favored American independence

President of 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 committee to draft the Declaration of Independence

the first important battle of the American War of Independence (1775). Showed that the Americans would put up a strong fight against the British.

Chosen unanimously by the Continental Congress to command the Continental Army.

Believed the colonies should break from British rule. He wrote a pamphlet called Common Sense.

Wrote the Declaration of Independence. Took ideas of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness from John Locke

A final offer of peace sent by the Second Continental Congress to King George lll

Signed on July 4th, 1776 by US revolutionaries; it declared the United States as a free and independent state.