-
The Boston Massacre was a tragic event that took place on March 5, 1770, in Boston, Massachusetts. British soldiers shot and killed five colonists who had been protesting against British rule and the presence of British troops. The soldiers were put on trial and were defended by John Adams. Two soldiers were found guilty of manslaughter while the rest were acquitted. The Boston Massacre fueled colonists' resentment towards the British. -
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest in Boston, Massachusetts on December 16, 1773. American colonists, led by Samuel Adams, dressed as Native Americans and threw chests of tea into the Boston Harbor to protest against the British Tea Act. The British government responded with the Intolerable Acts, which increased tensions between the colonists and the British. The event demonstrated the colonists' willingness to take action against British rule. -
The Intolerable Acts were harsh laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 to punish American colonists for their involvement in the Boston Tea Party. The laws closed the port of Boston, increased the power of the royal governor, and allowed British soldiers to stay in private homes without consent. Colonists saw these acts as a violation of their rights and convened the First Continental Congress. The Acts escalated tensions between the colonists and the British government. -
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from twelve British North American colonies, established in 1774 to organize a united response to British rule. The congress included John Adams, Samuel Adams, and George Washington, and led to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the eventual formation of the United States of America, marking the first time that the colonies had come together to assert their rights against British rule. -
Paul Revere's ride on April 18, 1775, warned the American colonists of the British troops' attempt to attack Concord. The ride covered 20 miles, and although Revere and Dawes were stopped, Prescott reached Concord and warned the colonists. This enabled them to prepare and repel the British troops. The ride ignited the American Revolution and symbolized the colonists' determination to fight for their independence and protect their rights and freedoms. -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord was the first military engagement of the American Revolutionary War fought on April 19, 1775, between the British army and the American colonists. The colonists successfully repelled the British attack, marking the beginning of the American Revolution. It led to the formation of the Continental Army and the appointment of George Washington as its commander-in-chief. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill was a crucial battle during the American Revolutionary War fought on June 17, 1775. The outnumbered American forces, led by Colonel William Prescott, held their ground against the British army, led by General William Howe, before eventually retreating after running out of ammunition. Though the British won the battle, they suffered heavy losses, and the American performance boosted their morale and gained support for the revolutionary movement. -
The Declaration of Independence was created by a committee of five men, including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. The document declared the thirteen American colonies to be independent of British rule. The Declaration was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. Its importance lies in its role as a cornerstone of American democracy, establishing the principles of individual rights and government by consent of the governed. -
The Battles of Saratoga in 1777 were fought during the American Revolution. The British Army, led by General John Burgoyne, aimed to control the Hudson River Valley in upstate New York. But the American forces, under General Horatio Gates, defeated the British in two battles. The American victory convinced the French to openly support the American cause, providing them with supplies, troops, and naval power, which ultimately helped them win the war. -
The Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783, and ended the American Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain. It recognized the 13 American colonies' independence and established the boundaries between the United States and British North America. The treaty was significant as it secured the United States' independence and set a precedent for other colonies seeking independence.