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