HISTORICAL PERIOD 3: GUIDEBOOK CHAPTER SEVEN

Checklist of Learning Objectives

1. explain the long-term historical factors that moved America toward
independence from Britain.

2. describe the theory and practice of mercantilism and explain why Americans
resented it.

3. explain why Britain attempted tighter control and taxation of Americans
after 1763 and why Americans resisted these efforts.

4. describe the major British efforts to impose taxes and tighten control of
the colonies.

5. describe the methods of colonial resistance that forced repeal of all
taxes except the tax on tea.

6. explain how sustained agitation and resistance to the tea tax led to the
Intolerable Acts and the outbreak of war.

7. assess the balance of forces between the British and the American rebels
as the two sides prepared for war.


Glossary

1. insurrection Rebellion against political authority. "Insurrection of
thought usually precedes insurrection of deed."

2. mercantilism The economic theory that all parts of an economy should be
coordinated for the good of the whole state; hence, that colonial
economics should be subordinated for the benefit of an empire. "That
theory was called mercantilism."

3. depreciate To decrease in value, as in the decline of the purchasing power
of money. ". . . dire need finally forced many of the colonies to issue
paper money, which unfortunately depreciated."

4. protective tariffs Taxes placed on imported goods, often to raise prices
and thus protect domestic producers. "Manufacturers, workers, and farmers
seek to ensure their prosperity through protective tariffs...."

5. mortgage To pledge property to a creditor as security for a loan or debt.
"Virginia planters . . . were forced to buy their necessities in England
by mortgaging future crops."

6. admiralty courts In British law, special administrative courts designed to
handle maritime cases without a jury. "Both [acts] provided for trying
offenders in the hated admiralty courts...."

7. virtual representation The political theory that a class of persons is
represented in a lawmaking body without direct vote. "Elaborating the
theory of 'virtual representation,' Grenville claimed that every member of
Parliament represented all British subjects, even . . . Americans...."

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8. nonimportation agreement Pledges to boycott, or decline to purchase.
certain goods from abroad. "More effective than the congress was the
widespread adoption of nonimportation agreements...."

9. mulatto A person of mixed African and European ancestry. ". . . Crispus
Attucks [was] described . . . as a powerfully built runaway 'mulatto.'"

10. duty A customs tax on the export or import of goods. ". . . Parliament .
. . repeal[ed] the Townshend revenue duties."

11. propaganda A systematic program or particular materials designed to
spread certain ideas; sometimes but not always the term implies the use
of manipulative or deceptive means. "Their chief function was to spread
propaganda...."

12. boycott An organized refusal to deal with some person, organization, or
product. ". . . this one called for a complete boycott of British
goods...."

13. inflation An increase in the supply of currency relative to the goods
available, leading to a decline in the purchasing power of money.
"Inflation of the currency inevitably skyrocketed prices."

14. desert To leave official or military service without permission. ". . .
hundreds of anxious husbands and fathers deserted."