-
Period: to
The American Revolution
-
The War Has Begun Part 1 (1)
The events at Lexington and Concord were one of the most significant events during the American Revolution because the rebellion was no longer just a threat, it was a reality. It showed that the colonists were willing to fight for their independence. In April 1775, a spy had told General Gage, the British commander that the colonists were hiding gunpowder. So Gage sent 700 of his troops to go to Concord and get the weapons. -
The War Has Begun Part 2 (1)
The Americans knew they were coming, so at Lexington, a village on the way, a few colonists attempted to stop them. However, eight colonists died and the British marched on. At Concord, the soldiers found that the weapons had been moved. The soldiers began to burn the town down. Angered, Captain Isaac Brown and his volunteers marched up the hill and fired against the British. At the end of the battle, 74 British soldiers were dead, while only 49 of the colonists. -
The War Has Begun Part 3 (1)
The British realized that the Americans would be tough to beat and found out that ordinary colonists were ready to fight. They were even willing to die for their independence. -
Knocking Some Sense into the Colonists Part 1 (4)
The publishing of Tom Paine’s Common Sense in early 1776 turned things around for the colonists. It charged at Great Britain’s leader and attacked the idea that the colonies ties to Britan were benifiting them. Though many people still looked at the idea of independence with horror and believed it was not good for the survival of the nation, a lot of them were turned around. This spirited pamphlet reignited the fire for liberty and freedom in America. -
Knocking Some Sense into the Colonists Part 2 (4)
Along with this, Tom Paine’s masterpiece gave the army a needed boost. Now that the colonists were behind them in the fight for freedom, George Washington and his army felt that they had to do this for the nation, not just themselves. -
The Document is Official Part 1 (2)
The signing of the Declaration of Independence was one of the most significant turning points during the Revolution because the colonies finally started to recognize and accept that they were going to separate from Britain. After Common Sense was written early in 1776 and persuaded many colonists that independence was a good idea, the Continental Congress appointed Thomas Jefferson to write a document that formally broke the ties between the colonies and Britain. -
The Document is Official Part 2 (2)
On July 4, 1776, the delegates approved a final version and stepped forwards to sign it. Each of them knew that they were risking their lives and were committing acts of treason against Britain, but they all signed it anyways in the hope that they would win. This document is a symbolization of everything the Revolution stood for, because the colonies were united against Britain to fight for their independence and their ideals. -
The Document is Official Part 3 (3)
Before the declaration was signed, the colonies were still hesitant about separating from Britain. Signing the Declaration solidified the idea and turned it into a reality. -
A Christmas To Remember Part 1 (3)
The crossing of Delaware and Battle of Trenton was a turning point in the American Revolution. It was the first of many major victories over the British. It showed that the Americans were capable of fighting the British, and it sent a message to the British saying,“We’re ready to fight.” This glorious event started with the Crossing of the Delaware River. It was a cold and icy Christmas Eve in 1776, and the British were busy celebrating in their fort at Trenton. -
A Christmas To Remember Part 2 (3)
Meanwhile, the Americans were planning a surprise attack on the British. Washington’s plan was to cross the half frozen Delaware river and attack the British at Fort Trenton by surprise. As the crossing was about to start, Washington gave his men the password “Victory or Death.” Washington’s men slowly crossed the cold Delaware River in small boats, carrying 2000 men and 26 heavy artillery cannons. After Washington and his men crossed the river, they were ready. -
A Christmas To Remember Part 3 (3)
Washington ordered his men to engage the half drunk, half asleep British. Within minutes, Washington took the fort and took 868 prisoners. This victory encouraged thousands of colonists to join the American cause. Within weeks, Washington received word from Congress that 6,000 colonists had enlisted in the Army, and many more were starting to join the army. Now, Washington was ready.
