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Patrick Henry “give me liberty, or give me death” Speech
A. Patrick Henry urging the American colonies to revolt against England. On the 23rd, Henry presented a proposal to organize a volunteer company of cavalry in every Virginia county. Henry addressed himself to the Convention's president, Peyton Randolph of Williamsburg. Henry's words were not transcribed, but no one who heard them forgot Henry's closing words: "Give me liberty, or give me death.” B. This event changed the American colonists by allowing a leader to go further into what he wanted -
Revere and Dawes warn of British attack
A. British troops march out of Boston on a mission to confiscate the American arsenal at Concord and to capture Patriot leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who were believed to be hiding in Lexington. As the British departed, Boston Patriots Paul Revere and William Dawes set out on horseback from the city to warn Adams and Hancock and rouse the Minutemen. He ordered British troops to march against Concord and Lexington.
B. (this portion would not fit here, but it is included in my google doc) -
Battle of Bunker Hill
A.On this day American troops act under orders from Artemas Ward and moved out of their camp, carrying picks, shovels, and guns. The British were stunned to see Americans threatening them. The Americans fought back and although British took the hill, many of them were killed by the Americans.
B. (changes and other info could not fit here, see google doc) -
Common Sense published by Thomas Paine
A. Common Sense challenged the British government. Paine used the common people of America and was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain.
B. This caused a change for American colonists by allowing them to have a chance to be independent and end conflict with Britain. In contrast to Great Britain, the American colonists did not have the same abilities to fight back and protect themselves. So by proposing to ask for independence was their opportunity to be free. -
Virginia Declaration of Independence
A. This was made for the people of Virginia. To represent the themselves as one and which rights they had.
B. I felt this was significant to Era of the Revolutionary War because it showed what the Virginia colony stood for in contrast to all the other colonies. It changed the American colonists, pertaining to Virginia by telling them the rights they had and what was they could not violate. -
Declaration of Independence is read publicly
A. This was significant because it was something all American Colonists could see and sign for it to be practiced in each of their colonies. The American colonies were coming together and this Declaration of Independence was something they all had to follow so that no one would be treated differently. It regulated and gave the American colonists standards for their colonies. -
Flag Resolution
Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution which stated: "Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."
This was an important event because it was the first physical symbol that represented the 13 American Colonies. It changed the American colonists over time by showing that they were important and something was made to help them stand out. -
Paoli Massacre, PA
A. General Charles Grey and about 5,000 British soldiers attack on a small group of Patriot troops commanded by General Anthony Wayne. Grey ordered his troops to empty their muskets and to use only bayonets or swords to attack the sleeping Americans under the cover of darkness. With the help of a spy who provided a secret password and led them to the camp, the British attacking the men of the Pennsylvania regiment, stabbing them to death as they slept.
B.(significance and other on google doc!) -
US and France sign the French Alliance
A. The treaty provided for a defensive alliance to aid France should England attack, and that neither France nor the United States would make peace with England until the independence of the United States was recognized.
B. It allowed France and US to come together as one. It was a protection for both so that the English would not be given peace. American Colonists could rely on France as an alliance and help during an attack. -
Washington Army leaves Valley Forge
A. Washington abandoned Valley Forge by crossing the Schuylkill River and setting up camp a mile away. He ordered work parties to clean up the old campgrounds, filling the latrines and burying all garbage. He kept close watch on the British to see where they were headed and followed. Later on they attacked the British and this time the British retreated.
B. (See google doc for further information) -
Spain Declares war on Great Britain
A. Spain declares war on Great Britain, creating an alliance with the Americans. It caused a world war between the two international powers of Britain and France. King Charles wanted to reclaim Gibraltar for Spain and secure Spanish borders in North America.
B.(see google doc for the rest of my explanation) -
British capture Charleston, SC
A. Charleston surrenders on 12 May. The British capture about 3,000 Patriots and they (British) lose about 250 killed and wounded. Neither Clinton nor the American commander, General Benjamin Lincoln, displays any inspiring leadership.
B. (see google doc for rest of the info) -
Articles of Confederation adopted
A. Maryland delegates signed the ratification of the Articles of Confederation. The Articles were finally ratified by all thirteen states. Which was basically a form that told the functions of the American Colonies.
B. This was significant because it meant the Americans at last had their own regulations to follow and they were being more independent. The Articles of Confederation was something that the American Colonists could all enforce to create an organized environment. -
British and Americans sign preliminary Articles of Peace and The United States and Great Britain sign the Treaty of Paris
A. The Preliminary Articles of Peace document was a very important primary draft of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolutionary War. The Articles of Peace provided American independence from the British and established geographical boundaries for the new nation.
B. (see google doc for the rest of info and explanation)
