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The Boston Massacre
Taxes and Acts were invoking frustration in many colonists. On March 5th, 1770, in Boston, Massachusetts, after taunts and threats from Patriots for hours,a small group of British soldiers shot into a group of Patriots and killed 5. Crispus Attucks, a Patriot of Native American and African heritage, was one of the people killed and whose death was a rallying point for Patriots to realize they were all in it together. The Boston Massacre was a cause for The Revolution as it provoked rebellions. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Tea Act put a tax on tea, and since that was the main drink at the time, Colonists were furious. On 12/16/1773, in the Boston Harbor, Boston, The Sons Of Liberty, led by Samuel Adams, dressed up as Natives, boarded ships carrying tea and dumped into the Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act. The English, and their King, George III, were furious and blockaded the Boston Harbor and added even more taxes and acts. The Boston Tea Party was a cause for The Revolution as it increased tensions. -
First Continental Congress
In Philadelphia, Pa, in 1774, Delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies met (Georgia needed help from England and didn't want to anger them) and debated how to respond to England's taxes and acts, which had gotten out of control recently. They began working together but Patriots and Loyalists started disagreeing. They eventually decided on sending a formal letter to King George III. The First Continental Congress was important to America becoming Independent because it was an Independent government. -
Lexington and Concord
The British discovered that the Patriots were storing guns at Lexington and at Concord. When they did, they sent 400 trained, well equipped soldiers on 4/19/1775. The Patriots were warned by Paul Revere and sent 77 badly equipped men to fight them at Lexington. At Concord, Militia gathered but didn't fight. But, the British were eventually outnumbered when colonists from the countryside came and retreated to Boston. Lexington and Concord was important to the Revolutionary War as it started it. -
Second Continental Congress
For the second time, on 5/10/1775, delegates from 12 out of the 13 colonies met at Pa, Philadelphia. They were a de facto government, and did important and widespread acts such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence(DOI) 2 key members were Thomas Jefferson(TJ) and John Adams. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, while Adams helped draft it. The Second Continental Congress was important to the American Revolution because it was the American Government. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Continental forces had control of the high ground, and the British wanted to change that. So on 6/17/1775, English forces attacked a pair of hills in Boston the Americans had been fortifying for 2 weeks. Despite American troops being conservative ammo-wise, they retreated after running out of it. The British had 1,054 casualties while the Americans had 450. The Battle of Bunker Hill was important to the Revolution because it proved that the Americans could fight equally with the British. -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington and his troops launched a surprise attack against German Mercenaries at Trenton, New Jersey. They had to cross the frozen Delaware River overnight and were not properly dressed for the weather. After a quick battle, 2/3 of the German Mercenaries were captured by Washington's men with almost no casualties. Many soldiers were encouraged to re-enlist. The Battle of Trenton was important to the Revolution because it boosted morale and picked up momentum for the Americans. -
Battle of Saratoga
After the Battle of Quebec, where American troops failed to invade Canada, British troops led by General John Burgoyne attempted a surprise invasion going southwards from Canada. However, British troops were surrounded by American soldiers led by General Horatio Gates and 2 battles were fought to prevent British escape, on 9/19/1777 and 10/7/1777. The Americans won and the British surrendered. This was a crucial event of the Revolution as it convinced foreign countries to aid the Americans. -
Battle of Yorktown
Britain was losing the war. At Yorktown, Va, French and American troops surrounded the British and blockaded them at both the York River and the Chesapeake Bay in a plan to end British war hopes. beginning at 9/28/1781. British General Cornwallis surrendered on 10/19/1781.American General George Washington and his Chief Aid Alexander Hamilton, and French General Rochambeau and Young French Nobleman Lafayette were crucial. This was essential to the Revolution as it ended England 's war chances. -
Treaty Of Paris
With the war over, England still had to recognize America as an independent country. Benjamin Franklin, John Jay and John Adams were sent to Paris for the Negotiations. After the negotiations,on 9/3/1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed. The Treaty said that Britain would grant America the Northwest territory and recognize America as an independent nation, and that they would have to treat Loyalists with respect. The Treaty of Paris was important to the American Revolution because it ended it.