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The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was one of the major sparks that pushed the colonists over the edge into rebellion. During a protest against British rule, some colonists were throwing snowballs, sticks, and small rocks at the British soldiers. The soldiers opened fire at the colonists killing five men and injuring five more. Patriot leaders used this event to stir up support for the upcoming revolution. -
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party happened in response to the Tea Act, which raised taxes on British tea imported to the colonies. Radical colonists dressed up as native americans and sneaked onto a British ship and dumped all of the tea into the Atlantic Ocean. "We then were ordered by our commander to open the hatches and take out all the chests of tea and throw them overboard,... first cutting and splitting the chests with our tomahawks, so as thoroughly to expose them to the effects of the water." -
The Intolerable Acts
The Intolerable Acts were a set of laws imposed on the colonists that were considered so harsh, they were deemed Intolerable. These laws were similar to the tax laws imposed on the colonists earlier. Both sets of laws angered the colonists by using unfair practices to cheat the colonies. Both laws also lead to protests. The smaller acts inspired protests which would lead to the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party, while the Intolerable Acts pushed to the colonists over the edge to rebellion. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress was much different than the much more well known Second Continental Congress. For much of the first meeting very few work got done. This was the first time delegates from all the colonies (except Georgia) met together, so there was distrust. But, by the end they decided to inform the British King of their grievances and if they were not met, the congress would meet again. -
First use of the Modern Day Mortar
The use of the mortar was key for British, and later American forces during siege battles. Mortars were able to fire shells up over city walls, where cannons were less effective. One of the mortar's biggest shortcoming is its short range. You had to get very close to your target to use them effectively. -
Patrick Henry"s "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" Speech
" Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" These famous words were spoken by Patrick Henry during the Second Virginia Convention. He advocated for Virginia to fight in the war for independence. He is often credited for swaying the Virginia government to fight in the war. -
The Ride of Paul Revere
Paul Revere was an accomplished Boston silversmith who worked with the colonial army to create an intelligence system to keep an eye on the British. He famously received information that the British were arriving in the colonies by sea, and raced up and down Boston telling the people. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The series of small battles in the towns of Lexington and Concord sparked the beginning of the revolution. Because of so much built up tension and stress, tempers flared and the war was started. This quote by British army Lieutenant John Barker shows just how high the tensions went, “Ever since the 19th, we have been kept in constant alarm; all Officers order’d to lay at their barracks.” -
Battle of Bunker Hill
This costly battle was an important turning point early in the war. Though it was a British victory, it showed the true determination of the american soldiers. It showed that they wouldn't give up, and that it was going to be a long war. This quote from a journalist from Virginia says, “I believe the regulars will hardly venture out, for they must lose a vast many men..." This is refering to the heavy British losses, and how even the battle hardened British army was somewhat vulnerable. -
Battle of Quedec
This battle was a turning point for the northern setting of the war. The americans had won many victories moving up the river Champlain into Canada, but once the reached Quebec, they were defeated. If the americans had taken Quebec, the focus of the northern armies would switched to Canada and off of the colonies. -
Thomas Paine Publishes "Common Sense"
Similar to Patrick Henry's speech, Thomas Paine's novel "Common Sense" was a powerful piece of work used to sway loyalists and other colonists to join the cause of rebellion against England. He says, “Common sense will tell us, that the power which hath endeavoured to subdue us, is of all others, the most improper to defend us.” This clearly relates to the message both Henry and Paine were trying to relay, that England cannot help the colonies anymore. -
Battle of Sullivan's Island
Often thought of as insignificant, this battle proved otherwise, because the fact that the british could not retake the port of Charleston meant that they had to focus on the war up north for the next few years. -
Congress Adopts the Declaration of Independence
On independence day, the Second Continental Congress finished the Declaration of Independence. It listed out all of the complaints the colonists had against englsih rule and finally demanded the separation they deserved. By the second meeting of the congress, the delegates new what the requirements were any finally were able to iron out the most important document in our history. -
18,000 Hessians arrive in New York
Hessians were German mercenaries hired by the British government to fight in the colonies. Hessians fought in many battles up north, mainy in the New England area. -
Battle of Trenton
The british army had enjoyed many major victories in New England before the Battle of Trenton. The americans stunned the english in Trenton, preserving the american will to fight. This would be important in later battles. “It is now announced in our general orders, to our inexpressible joy and satisfaction, that the scene is in some degree changed, the fortune of war is reversed, and Providence has been pleased to crown the efforts of our commander-in-chief with a splendid victory.” -
Battle of Saratoga
This may be the most important turning point in all the war. With a British defeat at Saratoga, an entire Britsh army was forced to surrender. This gave the americans confidence, and showed the French that America was for real. -
Americans and French sign the French Alliance
The French Alliance allowed french forces to join the war on the side of the americans. This gave the Colonial Army a force with real skill and experience on the battlefield. -
Articles of Confederation Adopted
The Articles of Confederation were important because they were the colonies' first attempt at a cohesive government. Though they were ultimatly a failure, they represented the colonies finally trying to come together as one. -
The Flatboat created
The flatboat was an important invention that allowed the colonists to transport materials across rivers and lakes easier than every before. This made it easy to get supplies to the army when it needed them, anywhere and anytime. -
Battle of Yorktown
This was the final battle of the war. The english surrendered at Yorktown and were finally defeated. This showed the true grit of the colonies, taking the superior force and defeating them was a real source of pride for the colonies. As reported by a colonial newspaper, “The annals of history do not exhibit a more important period than the present.” -
The United States and England sign the Treaty of Paris
This is the last act of the war, the treaty. The USA and England signed peace as seperate and free countries for the first time in the history of the colonies.
