Revolutionary War Vocabulary & Notes

Mr. Ochoa U.S. History

• What do you know about the American revolution? What does your country mean to you?

Journal

• EQ: What are the causes, events, and sequence of events of the American Revolution and where in the order of historical eras does the American Revolution lie?

Essential Question?

Things that make you go hmm

• How did a group of rag tag colonists defeat the world’s largest and most powerful empire???• Was the colonist victory a

miracle???• Let’s explore the strengths and

weaknesses of both sides…

Colonist Strengths• Their cause was just and grand!

(Fighting for their rights, independence, freedom & liberty)

• Knew the land really well. (Defending their homes and land)

• Had ally support from the French & Spanish.

• Great Leadership.

• Great support from public. (Patriotism & Spirit)

Britain’s Weaknesses

• Fought the war far from home. (War supplies sometimes took months to reach their destination)

• Very difficult objective. (Talk colonists into giving up their freedom and independence)

• Did not know the land very well.

• Weak leadership.

• Lacked public support.

Britain’s Strenghths• Best military in the world. (In

particular their navy was exceptional)

• Soldiers were well trained, equipped, disciplined, paid and fed.

• Wealthiest country in the world. (could afford to pay mercenaries)

• Many colonists were loyal to king George.

Colonists Weaknesses• Leaders were inexperienced.

• Did not have a lot of money to pay for the war.

• Many colonists were loyal to the king.

• Fewer soldiers.

• Untrained armies who lacked supplies, food and pay.

• Half the class will draw a cartoon of the Colonists making fun of the British!

• The other Half will draw a cartoon making fun of the Colonists!

• Use your notes!

• Pretend you are living during the American revolution and you are asked to draw a political Propaganda piece for a Local Newspaper that supports the British and one that supports the Colonist.

Political Cartoon! You Create?

Political Cartoon! You Create!

Vocabulary to know…

• 1. Olive Branch Petition

• 2. Continental Army

• 3. Patriot

• 4. Loyalist

• 5. Battle of Bunker Hill

• 6. Mercenary

• 7. Common Sense

• 8. Declaration of Independence

Vocabulary to know…

9. Natural Rights

10. Ally

11. Treaty of Paris

12. Ratify

Take out a piece of paper and number 1 to 12 (Vocabulary Clues)

1. To approve the Treaty of Paris

2. Two groups working together to achieve a common goal

3. Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine urging the colonies to declare independence

4. Colonists declare their loyalty to the king and ask him to repeal the Intolerable Acts

5. First army organized by the colonies who were led by George Washington

Vocabulary Clues Continued…

6. Rights that belong to all people from birth

7. Document written by Thomas Jefferson saying that the colonies were free and independent states

8. Colonists who favored war against Britain

9. First major battle of the Revolutionary War

10.Foreign troops hired to help fight the war

11. American colonists who remained loyal to Britain and the king

12.Britain recognizes the United States as an independent nation

Olive Branch Significance…

Signers of the Declaration of Independence…

The world would be so much better off if we all just used a bit of common sense!

What do you think Thomas Paine was trying to get the colonists to understand with his pamphlet?

Notes: Graphic Organizer Style