Age of Revolutions Vocabulary Analysis Duty-Import Tax. Boycott-Organized campaign to refuse to buy or use certain goods and services. Petition-Formal written request to someone in authority that is signed by a group of people. Monopoly-Company that controls all or nearly all business in a particular industry. Minutemen-Colonial militia volunteer who was prepared to fight at a minute’s notice. Blockade-Shutting a port or roadway to prevent people or supplies from coming into or leaving an area. Mercenary-Soldier who fights merely for pay often for a foreign country. Militia-Organized body of armed volunteers. French Revolution-A revolution that began on July 14, 1789 and that led to France becoming a Republic. Reign of Terror-The period between 1793 and 1794 during which France’s new leaders executed thousands of its citizens.