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The Stamp Act Congress
The Stamp Act Congress was the first time that various colonies came together to discuss what they felt they deserved from the English Parliament, and to express to the King what they felt that they deserved. The Stamp Act Congress wrote serveral statements to the king that were ignored.
We believe this is important because it supported unity throughout the colonies for the first time and all of the colonists could be involved in opposing the British. -
Treaty of Fort Stanwix
This is important because it was the first treaty between the British and Indian Nation, negotiated between Sir Willaim Johnson and the Iroquois. The treaty stated that the Indians had to give up their land. They forced pro-british Iroquois to sign. -
The First Continental Congress
Twelve of the thirteen colonies were represented, excluding Georgia, with 55 delegates. The delegates talked for 7 weeks about colonial grievances such as the rights they thought they deserved in the Declaration of Rights and enforced the Association.
This was the first formal statement sent to the king, and the congress actually enforced their actions. They would continue to grow stronger,and eventually lead up to the Second Continental Congress, which achieved even more. -
The Second Continental Congress
This time all 13 colonies were represented, and the delagates again met in Philadelphia. Though the people were still not directly calling for independce, their actions prepared for a fight. They wrote new appeals to the king that were rejected but also raised money to create an army and navy.
The Congress' actions helped prepare the colonies for a war against the British and their choice to appoint George Washington as a leader was significant and would help the US achieve their independence. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill (on Breed's Hill)
It tookplace on a hill overlooking Boston that colonists seized and used as a strategic point for battle. When the British attacked they decided to go in a frontal attack rather than a flanking attack, which was not smart. As the British tried to move up the hill, colonists were easily able to shoot them down. Eventually the colonist's limited gunpowder ran out, and they were forced to retreat and give up the hill. This was important since it showed what the colonists could accomplish. -
The Olive Branch Petition
This was adopted by the 2nd Continental Congress it professed American loyalty to the King, while they were also attacking the British. They begged the king to prevent further hostilities. However, after Bunker Hill, King George III refused. In fact, he formally proclaimed the colonies in rebellion as a result to this. This proclamation would allow the colonists to openly fight for a cause.Though this was not implimented right away, it would lead to Thomas Paine's Common Sense to sway the people -
The Declaration of Independence
It was formally approved by Congress in 1776 and was drafted by Thomas Jefferson. He invoked the natural rights of humankind and attacked George III by listing his misdeeds. It allowed for no confusion now that the colonies were officially calling for independence.
This was the official statement for independence and it allowed for the colonies to be taken more seriously. And they could get foreign aid more easily. This also had an universal impact that would later inspire other revolutionaries. -
The Battle of Trenton
The day after Christmas Washington led a surprise attack against the British. He crossed the icy Delaware River from Pennsylvania with 2400 men, and captured one thousand Hessian soldiers.
This victory was a turning point for the Patriots after a string of losses and restored American morale. It also stopped the British from advancing toward Philadelphia. The Patriots started to have more confidence in their cause. -
The Battle of Saratoga
General Burgoyne and his men were traveling north of Albany when a group of American militiamen detected them and fought. Burgoyne's men were trapped with no way to advance or retreat and Burgoyne was forced to surrender his command to the Americans.
This was another turning point, as its victory revived the colonist's cause for independence. It gave France the confidence to enter the war as an American ally, providing foreign aid. This inevitably helped ensure independence to the Americans. -
The Battle of Monmouth
The withdrawing redcoats were attacked by General Washington in Monmouth, NJ. Many men died of sunstroke or collapsed, and the British escaped to New York. Though the result of this battle was indecisive it showed the will and ability of the Patriots to win against the British. -
Treaty of Paris of 1783
In this Treaty, the British formally recognized the independence of the colonies, along with granted boundaries of Mississippi and the Great Lakes and Florida. This treaty also stated that loyalists could not be persecuted in America, and all debts had to be paid back to the British. This was an important step for the Americans because they finally had their independence recognized.
