Chapter 5 “The American Revolution” Key Words to Know
debt money owed
congress a formal meeting that can also be a law- making body
repeal to cancel or end something
effigy a rough model or dummy of a person
boycott to refuse to use or buy something
tariff a tax on imported goods
massacre the killing of many people
quarter to provide lodging or shelter for a person
Martial law military law
Patriot an American colonist who strongly opposed British rule
Loyalist an American colonist who remained loyal to Great Britain
neutral not taking sides
militia a volunteer army
Continental army an army of paid soldiers for the thirteen colonies
petition a written request for rights or benefits
independence freedom from rule by others
rights a freedom established by law
treason the crime of betraying one’s country
mercenary a soldier who is paid to fight for another country
retreat to move away from an enemy
morale spirits
enlist to enter the armed forces
alliance a formal agreement of friendship between countries
strategy a plan
peninsula a piece of land almost surrounded by water and still attached to the mainland
negotiate to try to reach an agreement
Treaty of Paris a formal agreement between the United States and Great Britain in which Great Britain recognized the United States as an independent country