American History: Beginnings to 1877: 3. The Revolutionary Era, Lessons 4–5

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. blockade
    a war measure isolating an area of importance to the enemy
    A blockade is a shutting of a port to keep people or supplies from moving in or out.
  2. mercenary
    a person hired to fight for another country than their own
    The king also used mercenaries, or troops for hire, from Germany to help fight the colonists.
  3. traitor
    someone who betrays his country by committing treason
    A traitor is a person who betrays his or her country.
  4. preamble
    a preliminary introduction, as to a statute or constitution
    The Declaration of Independence consists of a preamble, or introduction, followed by three main parts.
  5. natural
    existing in or in conformity with the observable world
    The first section of the Declaration of Independence stresses the idea of natural rights, or rights that belong to all people from birth.
  6. unalienable
    incapable of being repudiated or transferred to another
    These unalienable rights—including the rights to be free and to choose how to live—cannot be taken away by governments, for governments can exist only if they have the "consent of the governed."
  7. evident
    clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
    We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
  8. ensure
    make certain of
    These values continue to ensure that human rights are protected and human needs are met in our nation.
  9. cavalry
    troops trained to fight on horseback
    Casimir Pulaski trained cavalry, or troops on horseback.
  10. cease
    put an end to a state or an activity
    "I have almost ceased to hope," wrote Washington when he learned of the defeats.
  11. sustain
    undergo, as of injuries and illnesses
    Although the Americans retreated, the British sustained great losses.
  12. guerrilla
    a member of an irregular army that fights a stronger force
    Known as the Swamp Fox, Francis Marion of South Carolina led a small band of militia that used guerrilla, or hit-and-run, tactics to harass the British.
  13. siege
    an action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place
    A siege occurs when an army surrounds and blockades en enemy position in an attempt to capture it.
  14. ratify
    approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation
    On April 15, 1783, Congress ratified, or approved, the Treaty of Paris.
Created on Fri Jun 25 09:49:32 EDT 2021 (updated Tue Jun 29 11:37:37 EDT 2021)

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