patronage a system in which benefits are granted in exchange for political support
marcantilism the economic theory that all parts of an economy should be coordinated for the good of the whole state
depreciate to decrease in value
veto the constitutional right of a ruler or executive to block legislation passed by another unit of government
monopoly complete control of a product by a single producer or business
admiralty courts in british law, special administratice courts designed to handle maritime without a jury
virtual representation political theory that a class of persons is represented in a lawmaking body without direct vote
nonimportation agreement pledges to boycott, or decline to purchase, certain good from abroad
mulatto person of mixed african and european ancestry
duty customs tax on the export/import of goods
propaganda systematic program or particular materials designed to promote certain ideas
boycott an organized refusal to deal with some person, organization, or product
inflation an increase in the supply of currency relatice to the goods available
desert to leave offical government or military service without permission
Paul Revere American silversmith, engraver, and Revolutionary hero. On April 18, 1775, he made his famous ride, celebrated in a poem by Longfellow, to warn of the British advance on Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts
George Grenville British political leader who as prime minister (1763-1765) instigated the Stamp Act (1765)
Charles Townshend British politician who as Chancellor of the Exchequer (1766) and acting prime minister sponsored the Townshend Acts (1767), which levied duties on many items imported to the American colonies.
Samuel Adams American Revolutionary leader whose agitations spurred Bostonians toward rebellion against British occupation and rule. He was a member of the First and Second Continental Congresses.
John Adams A colonist agitator against the Stamp Act of 1765. In 1785 he became the first American Minister to London. Under Washington he was vice-president; he beat Thomas Jefferson in 1796 to become the second president.
republicanism Republicanism was the ideology of the leaders of the American Revolution.
"Radical Whigs" "a group of British political commentators" associated with the British Whig faction who were at the forefront of Radicalism. They played a significant role in the development of the American Revolution
Navigation Laws English laws in the 17th-18th centuries that required the use of English or colonial ships to carry English trade.
Sugar Act A revision of the unenforced Molasses Act of 1733, it imposed new duties on sugar and molasses imported into the colonies from non-British Caribbean sources
Quartering Act required the colonies to provide barracks for the troops and to keep them supplied with housing, food, etc
Stamp Act British parliamentary measure to tax the American colonies to pay for costs resulting from the French and Indian War
Stamp Act Congress Stamp Act Congress was a meeting in October of 1765 of delegates from the American Colonies that discussed and acted upon the recently passed Stamp Act
Sons & Daughters of Liberty Organization of American colonists formed in 1765 to oppose the Stamp Act
Declaratory Act Declaration by the British Parliament that accompanied repeal of the Stamp Act
Townshend Acts British parliamentary measures to tax the American colonists. The series of four acts imposed duties on imports of lead, paint, glass, paper, and tea.
Boston Massacre Skirmish on March 5, 1770, between British troops and a crowd in Boston.
Intolerable Acts Four punitive measures enacted by the British Parliament against the American colonies. Boston's harbor: closed; the Massachusetts colony's charter: annulled; British officials charged with capital offenses could go to England for trial; housing British troops in American houses: revived
Boston Tea Party Incident on Dec. 16, 1773, in which American patriots dressed as Indians threw 342 chests of tea from three British ships into Boston Harbour.
First Continental Congress The First Continental Congress was a body of some 55 representatives appointed by the legislatures of twelve North American colonies of Great Britain in 1774.
Minutemen in the American Revolution, colonial militiamen or armed citizens who agreed to turn out for service at a minute's notice.
Battles of Lexington & Concord Initial skirmishes between British soldiers and American colonists that marked the beginning of the American Revolution.