-
First continental congress
tThe thirteen colonies met in Philadelphia for the first continental congress. At this Congress the Americans set up committees that would observe the safety of the people in their towns, if they found that the people where in harm’s way they were to take steps to defend the colonies. This is the first step towards political autonomy. -
Patriots
Patriots were the colonist who wanted to separate from England. They believed that they were taxed unfairly considering that they have no representation. The patriots went to battle against the English forces muzzle to muzzle. The patriots were mostly farmers and shop keepers so they did not have much training in combat. Their sprit is what helped them through the war. -
loyalist
The loyalists were colonist who wanted to stay under the British rule. They believed that America wouldn’t survive without being under the British rule. After the American Revolution most loyalists did not want to stay America because of the new government. Rich loyalist went back to Britain but the majority of loyalist was poor. These loyalists settled in the new British owned colony called New Brunswick, or they steeled in colonies in Quebec. -
Period: to
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold was a hero of Saratoga. He was appointed the commander of Philadelphia when he fell into shady business dealings in order to support his extravagant life style. Arnold intended to surrender west point, a base in New York for 20,000 dollars. His treason over shadowed all the accomplishments he gave to America and his name became to be known as traitor. -
Period: to
King George III
King Goeorge III was the king of England at the time of the Reveloution. He denyed the Americans representation and aproved all the taxes. He declaired that the Americans were in Rebellion and that they should die a traitors death. This Evaporated any hope of a peaceful solution to the americans problems. Making the conlonies want a formal Declaration of independence from their parent country. -
Lexington and Concord
In April Thomas Gage sent redcoats to seize militia weapons stored at concord. Paul Revere warned the Americans and when the British came to Lexington a group of minutemen blocked their path. They began shooting and soon eight Americans lay dead and ten wounded. The British destroyed the gunpowder in Concord but the alarm was raised making their march back to Boston deadly. Minutemen caused 300 casualties and sparked the revolution -
Second Continental Congress.
At this congress most delegates were reluctant to defy the king. They sent many petitions to London but all were ignored. In their last attempt king George claimed that the American colonists were in a open rebellion, and that they need to bring the traitors to justice. -
Quebec Mlitary Campain
In late 1775 two American armies headed north in the fear that there would be a British attack in Quebec. One was lead by Richard Montgomery and the other by Benedict Arnold. The British did attack and killed Montgomery on New Years Eve. The harsh weather and the French Canadians lack of support for the invaders lead to the American loss. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The British charged the Americans three times. The first two attacks failed under the fire of the Americans. The third time the British charged they Americans had ran out of ammunition and they lost the hill. The British did win but lost a great deal of casualties, approximately 40% of their force. The battle gave the Americans a physiological lift. It proved that the Americans can stand against the British. -
Common Sense
Thomas Paine published a phamphlet called common sense defending the Americans. It sold over 100,000 copies. In the pamphlet Paine Cririczed the rulers how violated the citizens, and Dennounced King George III. This phamphlet helped forge a common hate between all the colonies. -
Declaration of independence
This declaration that Thomas Jefferson made, it states that all people have rights a liberties and justifies the revolution. He justified the revolution in theory, and could use this to show that Britain under King George III had violated their obligation to protect the peoples Liberty. -
Period: to
General William Howe
General William Howe was a British General. he and 30,000 occupied New York city in preparation of a march moving north. Howe planed on meeting a second British fleet thereby defeating any American forces. The Continental army planed on distracting Howe from this plan. Washington Surprised attacked in Hessian making him rethink his plan, Washington later out smarted Howe making the British surrender in Saratoga. He retired in April 1778. -
Saratoga
In October 1777 after suffering many defeats the British surrendered at Saratoga bringing an end to the British Grand Plan. Howe Failed to bring troops north from New York leaving the troops moving from Quebec Vulnerable. -
Battle of yorktown
Washington heard of a coming attack from the British forces that were headed to Yorktown. He rushed back to gather his own forces as long as his French allies. For over a month they battled until the British surrender in October 19 1781. -
The treaty of Paris
The British and Americans reached an agreement over the northwest. This was done without the French knowing about it. British promised to withdraw its troops from the northwest and America gains all the land south of Canada and north of the Spanish Florida. In return Americans stop taking loyalist lands and pay s compensation for all the damage to the loyalist losses. France felt betrayed by the agreement but had no choice but to sign the treaty.
