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The Boston Tea Party
A party from the Sons of Liberty boarded British ships disguised as Indians and threw barrels of tea into to Boston Harbor as an act out against the Tea Act. This was one of the first major acts out against British rule. -
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Revolutionary War: Causes, Battles, and the Treaty
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The Boston Massacre
A group of British soldiers killed five colonists in a confrontation on the streets of Boston. This angered many colonists and added to the ranks of rebels against the British Crown. -
Intolerable Acts
Britain passed a series of laws and taxes that made the colonists very angry. This is significant because it reinforced colonists thoughts about breaking away from England. -
First Continental Congress
This is the First time colonial delegates from each of the colonies met to discuss issues pertaining to British laws and rule over the colonies. During this meeting, the delegates agreed to send a Declaration of Rights to the king hoping to keep peace with Britain and to gain their rights. -
John Paul Jones Captures the Sarapis
John Paul Jones attacked and defeated the British war ship, the Serapis. It was in this conflict that the Jones said his famous quote, “I have not yet begun the fight!” -
Declaration of Rights
This was a list that the First Continental Congress wrote up of grievances against the British government and of rights that the colonists believed they deserved. This also included what the colonists believed the King should do to fix things. The King declined their proposal further infuriating the colonists. -
Lexington and Concord
Thomas Gage, the British general in Boston, heard of weapons being stored in Concord and possibly in Lexington as well. The rebels lost a small battle in Lexington but in Concord they successfully drove the British back into Boston. -
The Second Continental Congress
Many of the delegates from the First Continental Congress, and many new delegates, met once again to discuss matters pertaining the British laws and rule over them. They decided on creating the Continental Army that would be led by George Washington and they wrote the Olive Branch Petition. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
On a hill outside of Boston, Breed’s hill, Patriots were camped and waiting for the British to come. In the short battle the British suffered many casualties but despite this they still won because the colonists ran out of ammo. This allowed Britain to hold on to Boston a little while longer. -
The Olive Branch Petition
As a last resort effort to restore peace with Great Britain the Continental Congress wrote the Olive Branch Petition and sent it off to the King. This was denied as was the Declaration of Rights and so a war for independence was then inevitable. -
The Americans Drive British out of Boston
The Americans surrounded Boston by setting up camps at various points around the city particularly on Dorchester Heights. The British fled the city instantly and allowed the Patriots to gain control of Boston without firing a shot. -
Declaration of Independence
After many attempts at peace, the delegates of congress realize that it is unattainable. They instead decide to forge a document to inform England that they are to be a separate country and will no longer listen to the British crown. That document is known as the Declaration of Independence. -
Battle of New York
From August till October Washington and the Patriot troops were forced to run from and fight the British in small battles in which the British dominated. They were eventually forced out of New York, giving up one of the most important colonial cities to the British. -
Battle of Trenton
The eve of Christmas day, Washington marched his troops across the Delaware River to the town of Trenton where he suprised the Hessian troops and took the town in a matter of minutes. This showed Washington's leadership and also showed the British that the war was not going to be as easy as they expected. -
Battle of Brandywine Creek
Patriots faced the British in a small battle by Brandywine Creek located only just outside Philadelphia. The British defeated the rebels in this battle and this allowed them to move on and take the rebel capital of Philadelphia. -
Battle of Saratoga
British General Burgoyne trecked his troops down through New York where he was confronted by Patriot soldiers near the city of Saratoga. The British, being worn down from their long journey, were easily defeated by the rebels sending a huge blow to Britain and a major victory for the Continental Army. -
Valley Forge (Winter of 1777-1778)
Washington and his troops camped out just west of Philadelphia to wait out the winter at a fort know as Valley Forge. Washington faces food shortages, supply shortages, and mutinies. In short it was a very rough winter for everyone there! -
British Capture Charleston
After a seige that lasted from March till May in 1780, the Patriot General, Lincoln, was forced to surrender and give up Charleston, South Carolina to the British. The British now owned three of the top four colonial cities and a victory for them seemed very close. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was actually a seige in which Patriots, French soldiers, and French ships surrounded the city of Yorktown from September 28 to October 19 where the British were forced to surrender. This was a major blow to the British and was the last major battle of the war. -
The Treaty of Paris 1783
The Treaty of Paris was designed by many delegates from America, Britain, France, Spain, and the Netherlands. It created many land borders and ownerships of land for different nations as well as recognizing the U.S.A as its own country.
