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French and Indian War
The British and the French were fighting for control over the Ohio River Valley. The Native Americans sided with the French. The British won in the end, but they were in a lot of debt, so they added more taxes on the colonists. -
Tea Act
The British Parliament said the Tea Act was meant to help the company. The boycott really hurt the company. The tea was grown in India and sold in Britain. The Tea Act lowered the price on tea. -
Boston Tea Party
A group of colonists called “Sons of Liberty” tried to stop the tea from being unloaded from the ship. They threatened the captains, and they tried to get colonials to stop buying tea. So in 1773, many men dressed up as Native Americans, got on the ship, and threw almost all the tea overboard. -
Intolerable Acts
Since the Boston Tea Party, the Parliament passed four laws. The colonists called them the Intolerable Acts, because they were very strict. The Parliament closed the port of Boston, they increased the power of the Royal Government, they abolished the upper house, they cut the power of town meetings, and they enforced the Quartering Act. Americans tried to help the people in Boston. -
Shot Heard Round the World
Colonies began to form and arm militia units. There were 77 minutemen waiting that were told to go home, but they didn’t listen, and the war started. 400 minutemen went to Boston, and there were only 100 minutemen in Boston left. -
The Second Continental Congress
Most colonists didn’t want independence. When the Second Continental Congress joined, they shared different opinions. They all agreed that they should strengthen the military, and they did this by printing money. -
Invading Canada
The revolutionaries saw that Canada was unable to defend itself well, and they thought maybe they could persuade them to become the 14th colony in rebellion. The Americans decided to do a night attack on December 31st. In the battle, Montgomery died and Arnold was wounded. This doomed the campaign. Many men were sick from small pox and exposure. The governor of Canada, Guy Carleton, led the British and the Loyalists against Americans. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Untrained American farmers and workers fought in the battle. When the British attacked, the Americans fired. The British won the battle, because the Americans ran out of ammunition. Over 1,000 British soldiers were wounded or dead, and about 400 Americans were killed or hurt. The battle still didn’t resolve the British problems. -
The First Struggles
In the summer of 1775, the Americans crossed Lake Champlain and attacked Montreal. Washington put together a large army to protect New York City. Howe then took over New York with his powerful and strong land forces and sea forces. This happened during the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. -
Common Sense
There was a 50 page pamphlet published called Common Sense. It supported independence and inspired people in the colonies. The author was Thomas Paine. Five hundred thousand copies were printed in seven months. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was made of ideas from the Enlightenment. It explains why the colonists didn’t want to be under the British rule. There are four sections to the declaration; the preamble, natural rights, list of grievances, and declaring independence. -
Saratoga: Turning Point
John Burgoyne had a plan that he hoped would end rebellion. His plan was to cut New England off from all the other states, then to surround Albany from three sides. 8,000 men went from Canada to capture Forts. In the end, Burgoyne’s plan failed. The Americans won, and that led to several changes. It ended the British threat to New England, it raised the Patriot’s spirits, and it convinced Europeans that Americans can win. -
The War at Home (Women)
Men signed up for duty at war, and after about a year, they were permitted to go home. Women also had a part in wars. The planted crops and livestock. Some women even went to battles to care for the wounded or sick. The war gave women new opportunities. -
Valley Forge
Washington’s army really suffered through the whole winter. They built a camp at Valley Forge, 22 miles away from the British; who were having parties and not suffering at all. Washington’s army didn’t have enough food; they had very little cloths, and huts for houses that didn’t keep the cold out. They ate thin soup and dried bread. When the Americans heard about this, they sent help to bring cloths, food, medicine, and ammunition. -
Defending the Frontier
George Clark was sent to strike the British Forts. In 1779, Clark and his men went 200 miles through icy water that went up to their chest. They had a midwinter attack. The midwinter attack worked, and the British and the Native Americans surrendered. Clark’s victories strengthened their claim on Ohio River Valley.
