Early Conflicts and Colonial Actions: 1774–1776

agreement by all colonies except Georgia to boycott the import of British goods until the Coercive Acts were repealed

sharp, swordlike weapons mounted on the ends of Revolutionary-era rifles

event in 1773 when angry colonists dumped tea into Massachusetts Bay to protest the import taxes levied upon it

location of the Battle of Bunker Hill. American soldiers meant to go to Bunker Hill but ended up on Breed's Hill.

set of four laws passed by British Parliament in 1774 as punishment for the Boston Tea Party

groups appointed by colonial legislative bodies to provide leadership and help the colonies work together as necessary

pamphlet by Thomas Paine published in January 1776. It advocated colonial separation from Great Britain.

first official army of the American colonies. Its first soldiers were the New England militia members surrounding Boston in 1774.

announcement or proclamation

document written by the First Continental Congress in response to the Coercive Acts

document written to justify the American colonies' separation from the British Empire. It was ratified July 4, 1776.

representative

member of the Sons of Liberty who successfully delivered a warning message to allies in Concord, Massachusetts

meeting of 56 delegates from 12 colonies to discuss a united response to the Coercive Acts

commander of all British troops in the American colonies from 1763 to 1774

member of the First and Second Continental Congresses and commander of the Continental Army who became the first president of the United States

two towns in Massachusetts where the first battles of the American Revolution took place

volunteer soldiers in the American colonies

1775 document requesting negotiation of tax and trade policies with the British government

silversmith and messenger who delivered warnings to allies about British army movements on April 18, 1775

British army troops. The nickname comes from the color of their uniforms.

regrouping of the First Continental Congress that met on May 10, 1775, and remained in session through the end of the American Revolution

event during which New England militias surrounded the British army in Boston for 11 months

someone who signs an official document, such as the Declaration of Independence

group of colonial rebels who opposed British parliamentary rule and were responsible for the Boston Tea Party

editor and writer who anonymously published a pamphlet called Common Sense

criminal act of plotting against one's own government

substitute messenger sent to warn the allies in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, on April 18, 1775