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Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a law passed by the British Parliament in 1765 that caused the colonists to pay a tax on all printed papers. This caused an uproar about "taxation without representation" in the colonies and led to the Boston Tea Party. The event is asymmetrical because the patriots protested. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a fight between the colonists and the British. The colonists were protesting the British and getting out of hand, so the British fired at them and it resulted in a massacre. This happened in Boston in 1770. The event was asymmetrical because the colonists were mostly unarmed and didn't shoot at the British, but the British shot anyway and killed many. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was when the patriots dressed up as Indians, invaded a British ship, and threw tea overboard in response of the Tea Act on December 12th, 1773. This event was asymmetrical because the British did not expect the patriots to protest by dressing up as Indians and wrecking crates of tea. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were between the British army and the American patriots on March 19, 1775 and was the first battle of the Revolutionary War. The British were originally searching for arms to destroy. These battles were asymmetrical because the Americans started hiding behind the trees and other things for shelter while firing back at the British army at Concord. -
Bunker (Breed's) Hill
The Battle at Bunker Hill was a battle between the colonists and the British. It happened at Bunker Hill (which is near Boston) on June 17th, 1775. This was the first true battle of the Revolution and resulted in many casualties for the British because the patriots fought asymmetrically, using a wall they built for cover. -
Common Sense
Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. It was published on January 10th, 1776 and given out to the colonists all across the colonies in hopes to turn more of them to rebels and patriots. This event is asymmetrical because the British weren't trying to turn people into loyalists. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was written by the Second Continental Congress. It is a document that declared the independence of the thirteen colonies from Britain. It was written in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia and approved by Congress on July 4th, 1776. This event was asymmetrical because the British didn't expect the colonies to actually write an official declaration. -
Battle at Trenton/Princeton
The Battles at Trenton/Princeton started with Washington and his troops crossing the Delaware River and attacking Trenton on Christmas night, 1776, causing the Hessians to surrender. The colonists then marched on to Princeton and won again the British troops. These victories ruined British plans to end the war quickly and boosted morale of soldiers. This event is asymmetrical because Washington attacked strangely and by surprise and then quickly retreated in both battles. -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga started on September 19, 1777 and was between the British and American armies. The strategy of the British failed and allowed the Americans to win the battle. The battle was asymmetrical because the Americans attacked differently than the British expected. -
Continental Army wintering at Valley Forge
In the winter of 1777 to 1778 the Continental Army camped at Valley Forge, which is close to Philadelphia. Soldiers didn't fight in the winter because it would be much harder for both sides. During this time, Frederick von Steuben turned the soldiers into a more professional looking army and kept them busy with drills. This event is asymmetrical because the British didn't expect the Colonists to be strong and more professional even though they were in poor conditions and dying of disease. -
War in the South/Charleston
The War in the South was between the American and British soldiers during the American Revolution and the battle at Charleston happened on March 29, 1780. General Greene used the asymmetrical war tactic of running from the British in the south which proved successful in the Battle of King's Mountain. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was between the combined French and Colonial forces and the British army in the fall of 1781. This battle led to the surrender of the British and the end of the American Revolution, with the battle ending on October 19th, 1781. This battle was asymmetrical because the British didn't know whether the Colonial army was going to attack New York or Virginia, and they attacked Virginia by surprise.
