Social Studies - Chapter 5 Study Guide 

TEST DATE:__________________________ 
 
People to know: 
King George​ – England’s leader, known for unfair treatment of the colonists 
Sons of Liberty/Daughters of​ ​Liberty​ – Protested unfair treatment from the King 
Samuel Adams​ – Founded the Committee of Correspondence, and key leader of the 
Sons of Liberty 
Paul Revere​ –Son of Liberty who warned “The British are coming” in his famous 
Midnight ride. 
Ben Franklin​ – tried to negotiate peace for England, helped write the declaration 
of Independence, eventually negotiated the Treaty of Paris 
John Adams​ – Defended British soldiers after the Boston Massacre, later helped 
write the Declaration of independence, important member of the Continental 
Congress 
Thomas Jefferson – ​Main author of the Declaration of Independence 
George Washington​ – Leader of the Continental Army 
General Cornwallis​ – British General who surrendered at Yorktown 
 
Quotes to Understand: 
“No taxation without representation!”​ - The colonists thought it was unfair for 
England to tax them when they did not have anyone from the colonies who 
represented them in Parliament (British Government) 
“The shot heard round the world”​ - The shots fired at Lexington and Concord 
were the first shots of the Revolutionary War 
 
Vocabulary to Know: 
Repeal - to take back 
Boycott - go on strike against or refuse to buy goods and services 
Quarter - to provide shelter for soldiers 
Treason - being a traitor to your own country 
Mercenary - hired soldiers from another country 
Alliance - formal agreement of friendship between countries. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
“Big Ideas” or Concepts to Understand: 
*Colonists were split into three “sides”. Loyalists (Loyal to the King), Patriots 
(Wanted freedom from England), and Neutral (Did not want to take sides). At 
first, the loyalists were the majority...over time, the Patriots became the majority. 
*The Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty organized protests (both peaceful 
and violent), wrote letters, and spread the news of the wrongdoings of England and 
King George. England viewed them as TRAITORS to their country and wanted to 
arrest them. 
*The Continental Congress was made up of representatives of many of the colonies. 
They tried to find a peaceful solution to the problems with England. When the 
could not find a solution, they wrote the Declaration of Independence. 
*The Declaration of Independence is a “breakup letter to King George”. It was 
signed on July 4, 1776 and announced that America would be its own country. 
*Compare and contrast the British Army and The American Army - use the chart in 
your notebook to study. 
*Help during the war: 
British - Hessians (German Mercenaries) and some Native Americans 
Americans - French, some slaves, Spain (mostly gave money) 
*The war went on for a LONG time. The Americans lost many battles at the 
beginning, but grew stronger as the war went on. They eventually got help from 
the French, who helped win the war. 
*The Treaty of Paris officially ended the war. Ben Franklin was the chief 
negotiator of this treaty. 
 
 
Possible essay questions: 
In what ways (both big and small) did colonists protest taxes, policies, and rules of 
the King and England’s Parliament (government). 
 
What is the Declaration of Independence? Explain some of the key things this 
document says, and describe why it is so important to our country. 
 
Were the Founding Fathers heroes or traitors? Explain your answer using evidence 
from chapter 5. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Events Leading to
the American Revolution
Order Event Details
French and ·  British vs. French 
1 ·  British won 
Indian War
·  very expensive war $$$$ 
·  colonies had to help pay 

Stamp Act ·  tax on newspapers and other 

2 documents 
·  made colonists angry! 
·  formed Sons of Liberty to 
protest 

Townshend ·  tax on glass, paint, lead, paper, 

3 and tea 
Act ·  Colonists began to call for “NO 
TAXATION WITHOUT 
REPRESENTATION!” 

Boston ·  colonists began throwing 

4 snowballs at British soldier 
Massacre ·  crowd gathered and began 
fighting 
·  5 colonists shot and killed 

Boston Tea ·  Boston Harbor 

5 ·  Sons of Liberty dressed as 
Party Indians 
·  dumped British tea in the water 
·  made king of England very angry 
 Intolerable ·  laws made to punish colonies for 
6 the Boston Tea Party 
Acts ·  closed the port of Boston 
·  more British soldiers sent to 
colonies 
·  colonists forced to give soldiers 
a place to live 
  
  
 

Important Battles in the

Revolution
Order Event Details
Lexington and ·  beginning battle of the 
1 war 
Concord
·  “Shot Heard Round the 
World” 
·  Paul Revere warned the 
Patriots 

Battle of Bunker ·  First major battle of 

2 the war 
Hill
·  The Patriots lost, but it 
gave them confidence they 
needed to fight the 
British. 
 Battle of ·  The “turning point” of 
3 the War 
Saratoga
·  After Patriots won the 
battle, France agreed to 
help win the war. 

Battle of ·  Last battle of the war 

4 ·  Washington and 
Yorktown
Lafayette trapped General 
Cornwallis and his men by 
land and sea. 
·  General Cornwallis 
surrendered and the war 
was officially over.