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The Boston Massacre
This “Massacre” really wasn’t what it seemed like. On March 5, 1770, a few drunken Bostonians began to harass and throw things at a few British soldiers. They were taunting them. The general told the soldiers not to shoot but they did killing 3 people. -
First Continental Congress Meeting
In October 1774, the first meeting of the Continental Congress was held. The First Continental Congress was a gathering of colonial leaders who were deeply troubled about the relationship between Great Britain and the Colonies. This Congress got together to decide about American Independance. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
This was a battle between the British and 70 armed minutemen. John Parker told his troops not to shoot unless they were fired upon. Then a shot rang out. Nobody knows who really shot the first one but it is called “the shot heard ‘round the world” The battle lasted a few minutes, having 8 minutemen died, 10 were wounded. The British only lost one soldier and they continued to march to Concord. The citizens were warned and the British were forced to retreat to Boston. -
Battle Of Bunker Hill
The British awoke to a Breed’s Hill dug into. The Patriots dug it out. They thought that this would give them an advantage being able to shoot down at the British. Still, the British won this battle. This battle took place on Breed's hill but was called The Battle of Bunker Hill. -
Signing of The Olive Branch Petition
The delegates from the Second Continental Congress signed a petition called the Olive branch petition on July 5th in order to restore peace between England and America. King George refused to read the petition and only looked for new ways to punish Americans. -
Common Sense
A 47-page pamphlet was distributed in Philadelphia written by Thomas Paine. It was a novel arguing that citizens, not kings and queens, should make laws. This definitely was a bold thing to do and could get you in serious trouble for writing it. It was published anonymously. This baisically told Americans to use their common sense and do what is right. -
Battle of Dorchester Hights
On March 4, 1776 George Washington moved his army to Dorchester Heights and stationed cannons and the army on Nook’s hill. The hill overlooked British general William Howe’s position. Howe awoke in the morning and moved his army from Boston to Canada. -
Declaration of Independance
This document was written by Thomas Jefferson. It declared official independence from Great Britain. John Hancock was the first person to sign this document and it was signed on July 4th 1776. This act broke all ties to the British crown. -
Battle of Trenton
This battle was a very important victory to the Patriots. British general Charles Cornwallis wanted to stop George Washington when he was going to Princeton. On January 2, 1777, the patriots had a great plan. They were to leave their campfires burning and circle in on the British troops. It was a secret attack in the morning, because in the winter, battles were not usually fought. The patriots won this battle, saving and growing the army. -
The Battle of Saratoga
British army’s were sick and tired of losing battles. British general, John Burgoyne decided that he was going to take his army, invade from Canada, recapture Fort Ticonderoga and go south to Albany. He then would go and meet General Howe. Burgoyne did recapture for Ticonderoga and headed to Albany as planned, but General Howe didn’t meet him there in time and went to a different place, so Burgoyne’s army didn’t complete all that was planned and lost more battles. When Burgoyne was in Saratoga -
Battle of Yorktown
By this time in 1781, the war was not doing so well on the Patriot’s side because they were low on money. When British General Charles Cornwallis moved his army to Yorktown, Virginia, Patriot General Washington saw a chance to trap Cornwallis at Yorktown. Lafayette trapped Cornwallis and his army by blocking any escape. 2,500 patriot troops and 4,000 French troops surrounded Cornwallis, while French naval fleets seized control of the Chesapeake Bay, preventing a rescue for Cornwallis and his -
Battle of Yorktown (continued)
army. The fighting continued for weeks and Cornwallis ordered a drummer and a soldier to wave a white flag of surrender. The patriots took about 8,000 British prisoners. This was the last major battle of the American Revolution -
Treaty of Paris of 1783
In 1783, Britain recognized the independence of the United States. The treaty was made by Great Britain to for sure cut the ties between both countries. This treaty also explained America’s borders. It was written in Paris.
