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Proclamation of 1763
King George III issued the Proclamation of 1763 which restricted the western movement of settlers. This made the American colonists angry. -
Stamp Act
After the French & Indian War, Britain needed money to pay for the cost of the war so the passed the Stamp Act. This meant colonists would have to pay taxes on paper products such as playing cards, licenses, and news papers. This angered the colonists. "Taxation without representation" was unfair. -
Boston Massacre
An argument between a British soldier and a colonist drew a crowd, and escalating taunting and violence between colonists and soldiers led to shooting. -
Boston Tea Party
Colonists disguised as Indians sneaked into 3 tea-filled ships and dumped over 340 chests into Boston Harbor. This made King George so angry he created the Intolerable Acts, which closed the port in Boston for one but also had several other effects. -
The First Continental Congress
Delegates from all colonies except Georgia met at Carpentar's Hall in Philadelphia to discuss problems with Great Britain and respond to the Intolerable Acts. The outcome of the First Continental Congress was that the colonists split into two groups: patrioits and loyalists. The patriots did not support King George, and the loyalists did. -
Patrick Henry's Speech
"Give me liberty, or give me death." After attending the First Continental Congress, Patrick Henry returned to Virginia and urged colonists to declare war on Great Britian. -
The Ride of Paul Revere
Paul Revere joined by two associates, William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott, devised a plan to warn the colonists in Boston that British soldiers were coming and to prepare for the possibility of attack. According to the plan, one lantern would be displayed in the steeple of the Old North Church if the British advanced by land. If two lanterns were seen, that meant the British were coming across the St. Charles River. -
Battle at Lexington
"Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes," yelled Patriot captain John Parker. Even though it ended in minutes, this was the first armed conflict of the Revolutionary War. With only one soldier wounded, the British marched on to Concord. -
Battle at Concord
"The shot heard 'round the world." Although Revere had been arrested, the citizens of Concord were warned by another rider that the British were coming. They wanted to destroy all weapons that were not occupied by them, but most of the were already hidden by the time the Redcoats arrived. The Americans won the battle of Concord and the British suffered many casualities. -
Second Continental Congress
Second meeting of colonial delegates after King George III refused to address their concerns listed in the Declaration of Rights. Far from being unified, this meeting was the first attempt at a republican government. Some called for war, others peace. Once again they compromised. The formed the Continental Army and choose George Washington as the commander. As Washington prepared for war, Congress made one more attempt at peace by signing and sending the Olive Branch Petition to King George. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Low on gunpowder, a commander of the Patriots yelled, "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes," Although called the Battle of Bunker Hill this battle actually took place at Breed's Hill, a point overlooking north Boston. For the Patriots, this battle ended in defeat but at the same time proved they could take on the Red Coats. The British suffered a tragic victory. They had sacrificed about double the number of Patriot soldiers. -
Thomas Paine's Common Sense
Common Sense was a 47 page phamplet that was distributed in Philadelphia.It was published anonymously. The author Thomas Paine argued that citizens, not kings and queens, should make laws. This was a very bold idea at a time when monarchs ruled much of the world. News of this work spread all over the colonies eventually selling some 500,000 copies. Paine reach a wide audience by writing as a common person speaking to the common people. -
Dorchester Heights
Although this event wasn't a battle, it was an important part of the American Revolution. Washington moved his troops into Dorchester Heights and places his troops and cannons overlooking British general William Howe's position. When the British awoke the next morning and saw Washington's positioned artillery, he knew he would have to retreat. "The Rebels have done more in one night than my whole army could do in months," he declared. That morning the British retreated from Boston to Canada. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence formally announced tje colonies' break from Great Britain. The document expressed 3 main ideas. Firstthe documents main author, Thomas Jefferson argued that all people possess unalienable rights, including the right of "life, liberity, and the pursuit of happiness. Next he asserted that the king has violated the colonists' rights by passing unfair laws. And third the colonists had the right to break away from Britain. -
Crossing the Delaware
On Christmas night, 1776, with a winter storm lashing around them, Washington and 2,400 soldiers silently rowed across the ice clogged Delaware River. As morning broke they marched through the snow to reach the enemy camp. -
Battle of Trenton
Short on supplies and horrible winter weather conditions, Washington's army went on the offense, The Patriots sprang up on the Hessian soldiers, who had celebrated the night before and were asleep as the Patriot army approached. Washington and his troops gained an important Patriot victory in this New Jersey Battle. -
Battle of Saratoga
This New York battle was the turning point of the Revolutionary War. It was the greatest victory yet for American forces. -
Battle of Yorktown
The last major battle of the American Revolution. Ater this battle, General Cornwallis was forced to surrender to George Washington on October 19, 1781. -
The Treaty of Paris 1783
A peace agreement between Great Britain and America after the American Revolution. In the treaty, Great Britain recognized the independence of the United States. The treaty also set America's borders and British leaders accepted the American rights to settle west of the original 13 colonies.
