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John Locke
The Enlightenment was a large turning point in the way of thinking in many people from the 1620's to the 1780's, in which religion became a less popular phenomena and became more or less a cultural tradition as opposed to a lifestyle to many. Many turned their back on religion for human reasoning and science which began to overtake the role religion played. Jonh Locke was an influential character in all of this, as his teachings and thoughts became widely accepted as the truth. -
Benjamin Franklin
Frankloin was born in Boston, Massachusetts to a soap maker. He became very wealthy through his accomplishments using electricity and other developments. Franklin participated in the Second Continental Congress and helped to create and draft the Declaration of Independence. This occurred in 1776, and then he later went on to write the Treaty of Paris in 1783 to end the Revolutionary War. -
George Washington
George Washington was born in Virginia where he later became an officer of the British Military. He was sent to take over the forts that the french were making in the Ohio River Valley, which sparked the beginning of the French and Indian War. He later turned on the British and became the commander of the Contenintal Army and led the colonies to independence from England. -
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was a silversmith and craftsman in the late American Colonies, He is most famous for what is called his "Midnight Ride", in which he rode a horse thorught the stations of troops holding two lanterns to warn them that the British Invasion was coming by sea. -
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine was an early resident of the Massachusetts Bay colonies who became an influential factor in the American Revolution through his inspiring writings to the American colonies. He became well know thrpughout the colonies through these pamphlets and letters. Paine went on to write a very famous article called "Common Sense" in which he argued that the American Colonies should become independent from England's rule, and that the new nation should create a democratic republic. -
Sugar Act
The sugar act was put in place in order to raise money for the British government, placing a tax on sugar and other specific luxuries. It also called for a more strict enforcement of the Navigation Acts, and those found guilty of smugglijng were mtried without a jury with by a British judge. -
Stamp Act
The act was arranged in order to raise funds for the British military forces in the colonies. The act was the first direct tax to the poeple, which caused a loarge amount of tenhsion between the colonies and their rule. The tax was placed on nearly all paper goods, including newspapers, letters, stamps, and all official documents, -
Townshend Acts
The Towenshend acts raised a higher tax on all paper, glass, and tea. The revenues were raised in order to compensate for the payment of crown officials stationed in the colonies. The acts also provied crown official top search homes for smuggled goods without a proper warrant. In order top protest, the colonies began boycotting British imports. -
Boston Massacre
Most colonists resented the redcoats being statoned near their homes in order to protect the crown officials from being attacked. A crowd of protesters came to the redcoats, causing an uproar, and the redcoats fired upon the colonists. This was seen as a great act of horror to the patriots, and Paul Revere's depiction of the event caused many loyalists to reconsider their loyalty to the crown. -
Intolerable Acts
The Coercive Acts copnsisted of four principles:
a) The Boston Port was closed until the Boston Tea party was payed for.
b) The power of the crown in Massachusetts was increased.
c) Royal officials accused of crimes were allowed to be tried in England.
d) The Quartering act required citizens to house and feed british soldiers.
The Quebec act took contrtol of the land the colonists claimed along the Ohio River. -
Battle of Lexinton and Concord
The British had sent a large amount of troops to seize military supplies in the town of Concord, and the militia in the area were warned by Paul Revere to take up arms and prepare to fight. The Americans were forced to retrea due to heavy fire, and suffered eight casualties. The British proceeded into Concord in order to destroy the supplies. When they were met again by the British at Boston, the patriots took them by surprise, killing 250 redcoats. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The militia of Massachusetts farmers quartered themselves on Breed's hill, and the British needed to claim the land and attacked their position. The British managed to take the hill, but sufferered over 1,000 casualties. The patriots confidence increased due to their succesion in defending themselves against the British. -
Battle of Trenton
The battle of Trenton differered from the other battles due to the fact that it was not against redcoats, but Hessians. The Patriots sneaked into the Hessian's lightly guarded quarters, and with a minimal amount of effort, the unsuspecting Hessians were forced to surrender. -
Battle of Saratoga
On this day, 13000 patriots managed to defeat the redcoats, which led to tehe treaty of Paris. the treay there ended the Revolutionary war, and completely identified the United States of America as an Independent nation.
