The American War of Independence

1) The Olive Branch Petition was an appeal by the Second Continental Congress affirming American loyalty to George III. True False

2) In the War for Independence, most Native Americans remained neutral. True False

3) The British shifted to a southern strategy after 1778 because

   A) they felt they could exploit slave unrest.

   B) they felt they could exploit loyalist support.

   C) they had been driven out of the northern cities.

   D) the Continental Army was tied down defending the north.

4) During the first year of the war, American aims shifted from a desire for a redress of grievances to a demand for complete independence. All the following influenced this shift except:

   A) Thomas Paine's "Common Sense."

   B) Washington's refusal to command the army until independence was declared.

   C) Congressional action that would be appropriate only to an independent government.

   D) British actions to crush American resistence by force.

5) The American victory over British forces under the command of John "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne at convinced the French to aid the Americans openly.

6) In the War for Independence, most colonists remained neutral, at least at first. True False

7) The final and decisive American victory in the War for Independence was the surrender of the British forces trapped at .

8) Which is the best statement of why the British signed the treaty granting American independence?

   A) Their armies had been driven out of North America.

   B) The French had defeated their navy on the high seas.

   C) The British cut their American losses to protect the rest of their empire which was threatened by the global conflict.

   D) They sent a peace commission offering pre-war terms, but it was rejected by Congress because it did not allow independence.