Chapter 8: America Secedes from the Empire, 1775-1783

A professional soldier who serves in a foreign army for pay. “Why bring in outside mercenaries . . . ?”

A formal written accusation charging someone with a crime. “The overdrawn bill of indictment included imposing taxes without consent. . . .”

A form of government characterized by absolute state power and the unlimited authority of the ruler. “The [charges] included . . . establishing a military dictatorship. . . .”

A nation or person not taking sides in a war. “Many colonists were apathetic or neutral. . . .”

• A citizen not in military service. “The opposing forces contended . . . for the allegiance . . . of the civilian population.”
• traitor One who betrays a country by aiding an enemy. “. . . they regarded their opponents, not themselves, as traitors.”

To seize private property for public use, often as a penalty. “The estates of many of the fugitives were confiscated. . . .”

A messenger or agent sent by a government on official business. “Benjamin Franklin, recently sent to Paris as an envoy, jested [about] Howe. . . .”

• A mass of disorderly and crude common people. “This rabble was nevertheless whipped into a professional army. . . .”
• arsenal A place for making or storing weapons and ammunition. “About 90 percent of all the gunpowder . . . came from French arsenals.”

Concerning the belief that a country should take little or no part in foreign affairs, especially through alliances or wars. “The American people, with ingrained isolationist tendencies, accepted the French entanglement with distaste.”

Passed down from generation to generation. “[The alliance] involved a hereditary foe. . . ..”

The isolation of a place by hostile ships or troops. “Now the French had powerful fleets. . . in a position to jeopardize Britain’s blockade. . . .”

A private vessel temporarily authorized to capture or plunder enemy ships in wartime. “More numerous and damaging than ships of the regular American navy were swift privateers.”

Taking advantage of one’s official position to gain money or property by illegal means. “It had the unfortunate effect of . . . involving Americans . . . in speculation and graft.”