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French and Indian War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_and_Indian_WarThis was the war between Great Britain and France in North America. Great Britain had promised the colonists that they would pay for the war if the colonies provided men to fight. The colonists agreed assisted the British. The French and Indian War ended on Feb 10, 1763 after the Treaty of Paris was signed. Britain suffered from a high war debt and then put many taxes and restrictions on the colonists. This began the American Revolution because the colonies did not like the taxes/control. -
Declaration of Rights, Stamp Act Congress
http://www.themoralliberal.com/2011/10/03/the-declaration-of-rights-of-the-stamp-act-congress/ This document was written to encourage no taxation without representation. It stated that the colonist had a right to have consent for taxes. The document was written in response to the Stamp Act, in which the British Parilment imposed taxes on the colonists without the colonists consent. The British atttemped to control the colonies after lettting them govern themselves (salutary neglect). -
Boston Massacre
http://www.teachushistory.org/second-great-awakening-age-reform/resources/boston-massacre-champneyThe Boston Massacre was a street riot between a "pariot" mob and the British soldiers. The presence of the British soldiers in Boston was unwelcome, so a mob of fifty citizens attacked a British sentinel. Additional soldiers were also attacked when they were called in. The colonist threw snowballs, stones, and sticks at the soldiers. In response the soldiers fired into the mob, killing five and wounding six. Paul Revere created an engraving of the event, but his position was biased. -
Tea Act
http://alexanderstreet.typepad.com/alexander_street_press_ne/2009/04/index.html The Tea Act occurred when the British Parliment required the colonists to only buy tea from the East India Company (mercantilism). The British Parliment enacted this to help the company, and the price of tea was actually lowered below the price of other suppliers. The colonists saw this as another form of taxation without representation because they couldn't buy tea from other sources without paying more money. -
Boston Tea Party
http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/2005_winter_spring/boston_tea_party.htm The Boston Tea Party was the result of the Tea Act, which once again brought up no taxation without representation. The colonists wanted the taxes removed, but this did not happen. So a group of men, called "Sons of Liberty", dressed as Mohawk Indians went to the Boston Habor. They boarded three British ships and dumped forty-five tons of tea in the harbor. The colonists did not like the mercantilism, so they rebelled. -
Enforcement / "Intolerable" Acts
<http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/gastudiesimages/Intolerable Acts Graphic.htm>
The "Intolerable" Acts were laws designed to be punishments for the colonists. King George III wanted to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party. These laws reduced their rights. Included closing the port of Boston and restricting right to trial by a jury. -
First Continental Congress
http://www.usfca.edu/fac_staff/conwell/revolution/congress.htmA meeting of delegates (representatives) from twelve of the colonies to demand a repeal of the Enforcement/Intolerable/Coercive Acts. The colonists believed that these acts were infringements and violations of their rights. They wrote the Declaration and Resolves during this meeting to persuade the British to repeal these acts. This event most likey occurred because the colonists did not like being controlled after salutary neglect. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
http://www.answers.com/topic/battles-of-lexington-and-concord>The battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. The battles marked the outbreak of open armed combat between the colonists and Great Britain. British Army Regulars were ordered to capture and destroy military supplies stored in Massachusetts. The Patriots recieved word ahead of time and moved most of the supplies to safety. The first shot was fired at sunrise in Lexington. It was the "shot heard round the world". -
Sencond Continental Congress
http://therevolutionignited27.blogspot.com/2011/02/second-continental-congress.htmlDelegates from all thirteen colonies came to propose peace with England; this was rejected by the king who declared the colonies in a state of rebellion. By doing this the king caused the colonies to feel less connected to England, which continued the rebellion. During this meeting it was also decided that the militia would become a Continental Army with George Washington as the commander. The Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms was written. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bunker_HillThis event occurred during the Siege of Boston. Colonists found out that British soldiers were planning to occupy the hills around the city. So colonial troops occupied Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill while building lines across the Charleston Peninsula. The British soldiers attacked when they found out the colonists' position. The colonists retreated after running out of ammunition. This battle caused more hatred towards Britain. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ba -
"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Sense_(pamphlet)This pamphlet challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. Paine used plain language and common beliefs to connect with the people in America. This was the first work that openly ask for independence from Britain. Paine used agruements, such as the belief that everything pleads for soperation and the distance between England and America, to prove that independence was needed. This pamphlet provided people with reasons for freedom when they were uncertain. -
Declaration of Independence
http://www.founding.com/the_declaration_of_i/This document was written by Thomas Jefferson. It ended the American Revolution because the colonists broke away from Britain rule and were independent. It was based on John Locke's ideas. Some of the major points were the power of the government comes from the people; the people can replace an abusice government; and everyone has a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
