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Stamp Act
The British taxed the colonies on all paper, because they were very deep in debt from the 7 years' war. Colonists were against the taxation, because they had no one to represent them. Parliament later repealed the act. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/stamp-act -
Boston Massacre
A group of British soldiers came to help a sentry being messed with by a crowd of colonists throwing snow balls. They started shooting killing 3 people right away and 2 later due to their wounds. The colonists were outraged by the killings. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-massacre -
Tea Tax
The bill was designed to save the East India Company from Bankruptcy by lowering the tax it paid to the British government. The tea became very cheap, even cheaper than Dutch tea that was smuggled in illegally. The colonists didn't like this, because to them it was another tax without representation. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/parliament-passes-the-tea-act -
Lexington/Concord
The night before British troops marched to Concord to secure an arms cache. Colonial troops were alerted and moved to intercept the British. The colonist were outnumbered and ordered to disperse when a shot rang out and everyone started firing. 8 militiamen were killed and 9 injured while only 1 British troop was injured. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-lexington-and-concord -
Bunker Hill
The colonists fought and lost to the British, but not without inflicting severe casualties on the British. Most of the fighting happened on the nearby hill, Breed's Hill. The colonist may have lost the battle, but the damage they caused to the British boosted their confidence. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-bunker-hill -
Common Sense
Writer Thomas Paine wrote in favor of independence from Britain. The pamphlet united average citizens and politicians behind the idea of independence. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/thomas-paine-publishes-common-sense -
Declaration of Independence
The idea of independence wasn't a thing most colonists wanted. Continental Congress assigned 5 men to write a formal document stating that the colonies were breaking away from Britain. Thomas Jefferson wrote most of the document. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/declaration-of-independence -
Battle at Trenton/Princeton
On Christmas day George Washington and his army crossed the Delaware river. Over the next 10 days the Americans and British fought and the Americans won two crucial battles. The victories brought higher morale and unity with the colonists. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-trenton-and-princeton -
Battle of Saratoga
The British general attacked the patriots and won, but lost a lot of troops. About a month after that they decided to attack the patriots again and lost the battle. He then surrendered about ten days to the Americans which convinced the French to enter the war as America's ally. http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-saratoga -
Continental Army wintering at Valley Forge
After a defeat north of Philadelphia George Washington led his army to Valley Forge. There they decided to stay for the winter until it got warm enough to fight the British. George Washington had Baron von Steuben train and discipline the army. This winter was the transformation the Continental Army needed to win. http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/valleyforge.htm -
War in the South/Charleston
The British sieged the town of Charleston. The siege lasted about 6 weeks before the Americans surrendered. The British easily took over the south. http://www.myrevolutionarywar.com/battles/800401-charleston/ -
Battle of Yorktown
George Washington ordered the French to block the British escape by sea and the colonist to block them from escaping by land. Once they had them surrounded they opened fire on the British. For 3 weeks the bombardment kept going until October 17 when General Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-yorktown-begins
