-
Boston Massacre
Source 5 Colonists killed by British Regulars. Colonial Protestors were protesting the Townshend Act and clashed on State Street. Some accounts have said that the protestors started the fighting by throwing rocks at the British regulars. This resulted in the deaths of 5 colonists and the powder keg of tension finally exploded! -
Period: to
From the beginning to the end
major battles and events leading to our victory for independence from Great Britain. -
Boston Tea Party
Source Members of the group Sons of Liberty disguised themselves as Native Americans and paraded into the the Boston Harbor. They dumped 342 cases of Tea from 3 British Ships into the harbor in response to the Tea Act, which raised the issue of Taxation without Representation for the Colonists, even more so the colonial merchants directly affected by the Tea Act. -
The First Continental Congress
SourceThe congress convened in Philidelphia with 12 delegates presesnt, Georgia was the only one not present. The point of the meeting was to merely seek to resist what the colonies felt was unjust ruling by Britain. During the first gathering the Articles of Association were drafted and it was a demand of a repeal of the Intolerable Acts imposed on the Colonies. Also a petition of grievances directly to King George. -
Lexington
Source This is where the famous Midnight Ride of Paul Revere took place. Plans were discovered of the British to overtake Lexington and Concord, Militias would face the British as wars spread. The Minutemen of Lexington Green were defeated though the Militia of Concord pushed the British troops toward Boston away from Concord. It was the first battle of the war and it was also an important morale booster. -
Declaration of Independence
SourceA draft version of the Declaration was presented on June 28, 1776, it as subject to many many changes and a formal copy of the Declaration of Indepence was adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776. The committee appointed to draft the Declaration was John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, and Robert Livingston. -
Battle Of Saratoga
Source Considered a major turning point of the war, The American Victory over nearly 6,000 British troops convinced France to recognize America as independent. This was a moral boosting battle that led America to believe they could win their freedom. -
France Formally Recongnizes America as Independent
Source Because of the Continental Army's victory at Saratoga, Benjamin Franklin, the American "ambassador" was supplied with leverage to convince France to support America. This was likely also due to bitter feelings still held by France toward Britain after the French loss during the 7 years war. France signs an alliance with the US. -
Benedict Arnold Defects
SourceAfter Arnold's accomplce John Andre (a British Major) was captured and hung by American forces while in the posession of papers exposing Benedict Arnold and his position as a British spy and his treasonous actions at westpoint. He fled in september of 1780 and escaped back to the British. He openly began fighting for the British in December of 1780 leading a force of British troops into Virginia. His Wife Peggy Shippen was believed to influence him as she was the daughter of a loyalist. -
Surrender at Yorktown
SourceAlso considered a turning point and morale booster in the war to America's victory after the British surrendered at Yorktown. General Cornwallis of the British Army surrendered his 8,000 troops after not receiving the support of British ships that he expected, suffering from the American attack, disease, lack of supplies, awful weather conditions, and an inability to retreat, the British flew their white flag of surrender. -
Britian Votes against further war in America
SourceParliment votes against further war with America, causing Lord North's, who was supported by King George, anti-American government collapses and is replaced with Lord Rockingham who immediately began peace talks with Americans. -
Battle of Combahee River
SourceMarks the last of the actual fighting between British and American forces. The American forces were battling British forces to keep them from plundering plantations. -
Treaty of Paris
Source After the defeat of the British forces at Yorktown and their subsequent surrender, peace talks began in Paris in April of 1782 between the British and American representatives Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams. The treay was signed and formally ended the war on September 3, 1783.
