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George Washington
George Washington was the Founding Father of America, first president of America, and commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the Revolution. Although inexperienced, he led the rebellion and his troops through his strength of character, common sense, persistence, and resilience. He was stern with firm discipline but deeply cared about his army. He was significant to the Revolution because during tough times, he fought courageously and led his army to many victories. -
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was a successful silversmith, patriot, and messenger during the American Revolution. He was very involved in the road to independence, in resisting British rule, and in supporting the colonists. He was one of the main organizers and participants of the Boston Tea Party. He was a lieutenant colonel in the Massachusetts militia, who often warned the patriots of British invasion. Famously, he spread warning of the British attack to capture Patriot leaders, and their supplies, in 1775. -
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War was a war between Great Britain and France (who were both allied with Native American Indian tribes), since both countries wanted control over more land in North America and tensions between them led to the war. This event was significant to the Revolution because Britain taxed the colonists to pay off the war's expenses which led to the colonists' revolt, which ultimately led to the Revolution. Without this war occurring, the Revolution would have never occurred. -
Sugar Act
The Sugar Act was a favorable version of the Molasses Act, that taxed foreign goods like wine, coffee, fabrics, sugar, and molasses, banned the imports of foreign rum, and shipment of important materials. It's purpose was to help Britain financially, and end smuggling of cheaper sugar and molasses in America. The imposed taxes were lowered after colonial protest, though. The Act was important since it induced freedom and was the first time Britain imposed a tax on the colonies for more income -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was passed to pay off war debt in Britain. It made colonists pay a tax (demonstrated by a stamp) on all forms of printed paper such as newspapers, almanacs, cards, dice, etc. It was passed without colonial approval, and those who violated the Act were prosecuted. This Act was significant to the Revolution because it made the conflict with the British continue to grow stronger (which would lead to war) and made the colonists come to realize even more of Britain's unfair treatment. -
Townshend Act
This Act included four British acts that paid war debt, and economically helped the East India Company. The Suspending Act suspended the New York Assembly until they paid British troops' expenses. The Revenue Act taxed goods like glass, lead, paint, paper, and tea. The Indemnity Act reduced taxes on the East India Company. The Commissioners of Customs Act enforced trade rules to increase taxes paid to Britain. These Acts were significant since the colonist's resistance to them led to the war. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a fight between a mob of colonists and British soldiers. Angry colonists started threatening a British soldier which led to a fight between them. Several soldiers arrived and the violence escalated. A soldier fired his gun which made other soldiers fire into the crowd too. Many colonists were killed and wounded. This made anti-British views arise and made colonists more angry and made them want to fight for their independence more. This led to the American Revolution. -
Boston Tea Party
In Massachusetts, the Boston Tea Party was an act of protest by the colonists to Britain for forcing taxation without representation upon them and for the monopoly of the East India Company. They protested by dumping 342 chests of imported tea into the ocean, dressed as Indians. It was the first resistance to British rule by the colonists and showed that they wouldn't tolerate unfair law. It was important since it led to the war, and was the start of colonist revolt and want for independence. -
Boston Port Act
The Boston Port Act was the first Coercive Act and the only one meant as punishment. It punished the colonies rebellion and closed the Boston port to the shipping of goods until the colonists paid for the tea lost in the Boston Tea Party. Britain wanted it to stop unified colonial resistance, but the colonies only helped Boston and continued resisting Britain. The Act was significant because it unified the colonies in resisting British rule which benefited the colonies once the Revolution began. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress gathered in Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia, Pennisylvania, to respond to the Coercive Acts, with delegates from 12 of the colonies. They discussed the colonies' future under British control: boycotting British imported goods and trade to enforce American rights, disobeying the Coercive Acts, and assembling a colonial militia. It unified the colonies and was significant to the Revolution because it was an effective and unified form of government during the war. -
Minutemen
Minutemen were reliable men who were able to assemble quickly, be ready at a minute's notice, and were trained in weaponry and military tactics. Before the Revolution, minutemen had gone through much training in improving their ability, so they played a crucial role, once the war began. They were the most organized military force and were successful in battle. They exhausted the British militia in battle before the larger army came, and defeated the British when Britain invaded Concord. -
Battle of Concord
This battle began when the British went to Concord to seize hidden weapons. The British burned the weapons found in town which made the militia go into town after seeing smoke. But the British guarded the North Bridge to Concord and they began fighting. The British withdrew and after a while went to Boston. This delay let more militia arrive who shot at the British on their way to Boston. This fight was important as it was the second battle of the Revolution, and showed the will of the patriots. -
Battle of Lexington
The Battle of Lexington began when the British Army set off to capture Patriot Leaders in Lexington. The patriots knew they were coming because of their spies, so their leaders escaped safely and 77 militiamen (untrained soldiers) had assembled by the time the British arrived. Neither of them expected to fight, however a shot fired and the British were forced to attack. Some colonists died, while others fled. This battle was important because it sparked the first battle of the Revolutionary War. -
Second Continental Congress
In 1775, the Second Continental Congress met at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, after the Revolution had already begun. They met to resolve their issues with Britain. They formed the Continental Army, made George Washington Commander-in-Chief, wrote the Olive Branch Petition as a peace resolution to the King, and wrote the Declaration of Independence, and Articles of Confederation. The Congress was significant to the Revolution because it helped the country form an army and new government. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
When Americans heard Britain planned to take over the hills around Boston they moved their troops into the hills. The British got upset and bombed the hills. The Colonists fought back and Britain had to retreat. But the Colonists ran out of ammunition quickly so they retreated and Britain got the hills. The battle was important because it was a morale booster for the colonists since they greatly injured the larger and more powerful British. It gave them hope and proved they could fight back. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a document that declares the colonies' separation from Britain written by Thomas Jefferson and edited by the Committee of Five and the Second Continental Congress. It's the founding document of the US, and explains why Congress voted unanimously for the Colonies to be free from British control, and summarized the colonists' motivations in seeking independence. It let the colonies gain French Alliance in the war, which made it significant to the Revolution. -
Battle of Saratoga
This battle occurred on two separate occasions. The first began when Britain attacked the colonists who were expecting this, so they defended their army. Although the British won in the end, they lost 600 soldiers. British General Burgoyne attacked again, but the Americans defeated and made them surrender. The battle was important as it was a turning point in the war and boosted the colonist's morale. The US induced France to ally with them since they won, which impacted faith in the war effort. -
French Alliance
France formed an alliance with the Colonies against Britain meaning they would provide military help to them. France Alliance provided protection, financial support, and supplies like ammunition, uniforms, troops. The Alliance formalized France's support, and ensured the US would defend France if Britain attacked them. Some French military leaders became important leaders at many battles. France's naval help made the war difficult for Britain and ultimately changed the American Revolution. -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown began when British General Cornwallis was in Yorktown, Virginia with his troops and Washington marched in with his Patriot and French soldiers to surround them. The French Navy occupied the waters surrounding the British and they became outnumbered. The Americans bombed the British until Cornwallis surrendered, and admitted he was defeated. This battle was significant because it marked the end of the Revolutionary War and led to ultimate independence for the colonies. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris ended the war, and declared that the US was an independent nation. It was signed officially two years after the British surrender at Yorktown by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Jay, and King George III, who negotiated in Paris, France to reach this agreement. It stated that Britain officially recognized America's independence and granted the Northwest Territory to the US. It was important to the American Revolution because it ended it and declared America's independence.