Revolutionary War Vocabulary

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Date:

Instructions: Learn the words and phrases of the American Revolution (1765-1783)

1.
During the American Revolution, what was a 'Patriot'?
A
Any American citizen
B
A type of musket
C
A merchant ship
D
A colonist who supported independence from Britain
2.
What was a 'Loyalist' (or 'Tory') during the Revolution?
A
A loyal soldier
B
A type of militia
C
A colonist who remained faithful to the British Crown
D
A member of a political party
3.
In Revolutionary War vocabulary, what were 'minutemen'?
A
Clock makers
B
Civilian militia members ready to fight at a minute's notice
C
Men who timed battles
D
Soldiers who served for one minute shifts
4.
What did 'no taxation without representation' mean?
A
Tax collectors needed permits
B
Taxes should be eliminated
C
Colonists should not be taxed by a parliament in which they had no voice
D
Representatives should not pay taxes
5.
During the Revolution, what was a 'Continental'?
A
A breakfast
B
A type of hat
C
Paper currency issued by the Continental Congress
D
A European person
6.
What was the 'Sons of Liberty' during the Revolutionary era?
A
A group of freed slaves
B
A secret organization formed to oppose British taxation
C
A military regiment
D
A choir
7.
In Revolutionary vocabulary, what was a 'Redcoat'?
A
A colonial farmer
B
A type of fox
C
A type of coat
D
A British soldier, named for the red uniform
8.
What were 'Hessians' during the American Revolution?
A
German soldiers hired by Britain to fight against the colonists
B
A type of boot
C
Colonial merchants
D
American farmers
9.
In Revolutionary War terms, what was a 'broadside'?
A
An attack from the side
B
A large printed sheet used for public announcements or propaganda
C
The side of a building
D
A wide road
10.
What did 'liberty pole' refer to during the Revolution?
A
A tall wooden pole erected as a symbol of freedom and resistance
B
A type of fence
C
A flagpole on a ship
D
A fishing rod
11.
During the Revolution, what was 'quartering'?
A
Dividing into four parts
B
A type of coin
C
A military punishment
D
Requiring colonists to house and feed British soldiers
12.
What was a 'musket' in Revolutionary War terminology?
A
A type of perfume
B
A muzzle-loaded long gun used by soldiers
C
A small mouse
D
A musical instrument
13.
In Revolutionary era language, what was a 'pamphlet'?
A
A type of pancake
B
A small pan
C
A short printed work used to spread political ideas
D
A fan
14.
What was 'Common Sense' in the context of the American Revolution?
A
A legal term
B
A basic education
C
Thomas Paine's influential pamphlet arguing for independence
D
A type of wisdom
15.
During the Revolution, what was a 'privateer'?
A
A private citizen
B
A secret agent
C
A privately owned ship authorized to attack British vessels
D
A personal servant

Answer Key

Question 1

D. A colonist who supported independence from Britain

Question 2

C. A colonist who remained faithful to the British Crown

Question 3

B. Civilian militia members ready to fight at a minute's notice

Question 4

C. Colonists should not be taxed by a parliament in which they had no voice

Question 5

C. Paper currency issued by the Continental Congress

Question 6

B. A secret organization formed to oppose British taxation

Question 7

D. A British soldier, named for the red uniform

Question 8

A. German soldiers hired by Britain to fight against the colonists

Question 9

B. A large printed sheet used for public announcements or propaganda

Question 10

A. A tall wooden pole erected as a symbol of freedom and resistance

Question 11

D. Requiring colonists to house and feed British soldiers

Question 12

B. A muzzle-loaded long gun used by soldiers

Question 13

C. A short printed work used to spread political ideas

Question 14

C. Thomas Paine's influential pamphlet arguing for independence

Question 15

C. A privately owned ship authorized to attack British vessels

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