-
The Intolerable Acts
Also known as the coercive acts, this event was Britains reaction to the Boston Tea Party, where several colonists dumped a million dollars worth of tea into the Boston Harbor. This led to Britain shutting down the harbor and taxing colonists to pay for the tea. These acts were designed to tighten Britains control over the colonies. They passed four laws, one being the Administration of Justice Act. Known as the "murder act," murder in the name of the king would be sent to England for trial. -
First Continental Congress
The first Continental Congress was made up of delegates, or representatives, from the colonies. It met in Philidelphia. The Congress was upset about not having representatives in British parliament. The first continental congress discussed complaints they had with Britain and created a boycott with British goods. They requested participation in parliament. -
Lexington and Concord
This was considered the first battle that truly gave the colonists a vision of winning this war against the British. Paul Revere warned the Patriots that the British were coming which gave the continental army an advantage. This was the first battle where the colonists used "guerilla warfare." This was considering breaking the rules of battle but the Continental Army did not care. The British had lost close to 250 soldiers where Americans had fewer than 100. -
Second Continental Congress
This revolutionary document is still something we look up to a reference to this day. It acted as the colonies national government at the time. It appointed officials to talk with Indian tribes and foreign governments in an effort to create alliances. It drafted the Declaration of Independence which declared America's freedom from The King. It will stand as a foundation for American government in the future. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
This battle took place on Breed's hill which overlooked Boston. Unfortunately, the continental army ran out of gunpowder, causing them to retreat. Although the continental army came out of it defeated, they took it as a victory due to 1,000 redcoats being killed. This battle served as a spirit-boosting event in the colonies. This led to more people enlisting in the militia, raising the armies numbers. -
The Olive Branch Petition
This was the colonies final chance they gave to Britain for peace. It announced American loyalty to the king and begged him to stop the fighting and agree to their terms. King George III did not want to receive the Olive Branch Petition and officially announced the colonies to be in "open rebellion." He then hired thousands of Hessians, German troops, to help fight the rebels. This angered the colonists because they felt the king wasn't right for hiring foreign soldiers. -
Publication of Common Sense
A pamphlet that was written by Thomas Paine claiming the colonies had a right to be an independent nation. This sparked the fire in the colonies that was needed to fight against Britain. Colonists saw this and wanted to fight for a future without the rule of the British. Paine called George III a "royal brute" who wasn't worthy of Americans' respect. Paine believed that an island ruling a continent didn't make sense. Paine put the thoughts of many Americans into words. -
Declaration of Independence
It was written by Thomas Jefferson and it stated that every man has natural rights known as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." They became rebels subject to the penalties of treason. People have the right to overthrow its government if it abuses its power. No taxing without the consent of the people. Jefferson also put a list of the king's violations against the colonies. -
Battle of Trenton
After the continental army suffered mass casualties, Washington, trying to avoid even more loss, he retreated. This led to Washinton traveling across an ice-covered Delaware river, running into 1,000 drunk Hessian soldiers at the British base in Trenton, New Jersey. He captured nearly all of them which was a bittersweet outcome, Although they were defeated on Christmas night, 1776, this acted as another source of hope for the Continental Army. -
Battle of Princeton
In Princeton, New Jersey, George Washinton led a group of Continental soldiers into battle against British forces. Washington and his soldiers emerged from the battle victorious. This battle makes more soldiers want to enlist in the militia due to this battle giving them the will to fight. The battle made British officials take the Continental Army more seriously. Continental Soldiers were excited by the victory and gave them a sliver of hope that they could win the war against Britain. -
Battle of Saratoga
The British wanted to take control of the Hudson River Valley. General Burgoyne and his troops became slowed down in the dense forest that was north of Saratoga. General Gates and his Continental Army attacked Burgoyne which led to the British surrendering. This victory convinced the French that the colonists had a chance of winning the war against Britain which led to them allying with America. This was a major turning point in the war for the Continental Army. -
Valley Forge
Washington and his troops retreated to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, this occurred during a rough winter which led to the suffering of his troops. An outbreak of smallpox broke out in their camp and spread rapidly. Almost all of them didn't have shoes or some even full clothing. Valley Forge was a very rough time, that was until Prussian General, Baron Von Steuben, Came. He brought discipline, order, and hygiene to the camp. He turned a group of convicts into professional soldiers. -
Battle of Yorktown
This was the final battle in the American Revolution that led the colonists to victory against the British. It took place in Yorktown, Virginia. George Washington and his continental army marched over 300 miles from Pennsylvania to Virginia. As this was happening, a French fleet was on its way to help fight. Washington and Rochambeau surrounded Cornwallis on land as the French beat him on the sea. Cornwallis surrendered and the Colonists finally gained their Independence. -
The Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris ended the American Revolutionary War. Both nations, The United States and Great Britain, signed this treaty. Britain officially recognized America as an independent nation and pushed Americans to treat Loyalists well. As part of the terms of the treaty, America was awarded a chunk of the Ohio River Valley.
