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Boston Massacre
This "massacre" occured between a patriot mob, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks, and a squad of British soldiers. The British were severly unwelcome, and I supposed the colonists just wanted to.. show them how they felt. But things didnt go as planned. With all the confusion, and British officer, Captain Thomas Preston yelling don't shoot, a soldier misunderstood and shot, so they all did. A mere five patriots died, with only eight others walking away injured. -
Treaty of Paris
This treaty ended the French and Indian War, also refered to as the Seven Years' War. It was signed by Great Britian, France, Spain, and Portugal. This marked an extensive period of British dominance outside of Europe. -
Sugar Act
The sugar act was the first of many to be passed by Great Britian; it was the begining of an era -so to speak. This act stated that there was now taxes on both molasses and sugar imported by the colonists. -
Stamp Act
The next act passed in this series was the Stamp Act. A.k.a -the first attempt to diretly tax the colonist by parliament. It required a payment for a stamp, or official seal when they bought paper items. The act was repealed in 1776. -
Townshend Acts
The Townshed Acts added to the colonists' annoyance with the British by placing tax on not just one, not two, but five things. The following were included in this catagory; glass, lead, paints, paper and tea. This act also allowed government to used writs of assistance. Or in other words, it was a general search warrent that British officials could use. -
Tea Act
The Tea Act stated that colonists could only buy tea from the British East India Company. It also put a tax on tea. Granted it was small, but all that the colonists were thinking was; another tax. They even felt that they had loss some of their freedom. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was the colinists reaction to Parliment taxing thier tea, and allowing them to only buy from the British East India Company, (Tea Act). So the colonists decide they're not going to buy tea from them, because if they did they would be acknowledging Great Britian's power over them. And then, they decide to do something irrational when they see the British boats in port. They dumped all the tea into the river, ruining it all! Great Britian was not very happy, to say the least! -
Intolerable Acts
This is the date that one of the first acts was passed, (Boston harbor was closed to all shipping except for coasters carrying necessary fuel and supplies); other dates include May 20th, (regulating Massachusetts Bay & "Murder Act") and June 2nd, (allowed men to quarter in empty houses, inns and barns but also in private houses if necessary). Furthermore, if a royal official was charged with a crime, their trial was to be held in Great Britian. -
First Coninental Congress
This lasted untill October 26th, 1774. It was held because the colonists were very upset about their new taxes. The meeting was held in secret though, they didnt want the British finding out. It was held to discuss unfair treatment from Britain, what relationship the colonies should have with the British, and what colonists' rights should be. -
Battle of Lexington & Concord
The first shots starting the revolution were fired at Lexington, Massachusetts. British General Thomas Gage sent 700 soldiers to destroy guns and ammunition the colonists had stored in the town of Concord, just outside of Boston. They also planned to arrest Samuel Adams and John Hancock, two of the key leaders of the patriot movement. The colonists were expecting them and were able to move all their goods to another place, thanks to Paul Revere signaling how and when they were coming. -
Second Continental Congress
The congress wrote the Declaration and they acted as the government for the colonies. They made the navy and armies, and approved the Articles of Confederation. They even negotiated the peace with Great Britain. -
Olive Branch Petition
This was the American's last attempt at a peaceful end to revolution. It outlined their issues and asked the British government to respond and deal with them. King George III of England refused to accept the petition. He believed the Americans were in a rebellion, and believed he could quickly end it with his military force. -
Thomas Paine's Commen Sense
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Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a significant step in the colonist getting their freedom from Great Britian. In writing it, the Second Continental Congress accused the King of many abuses. For instance, that he obstructed the Administration of Justice; but surely the list goes on. The colonists appeal to Parliament for help and understaning. The declartion that the colonists made was that they should be free and independent states. -
Battle of Trenton
This battle took place in Trenton, New Jersey on the Delaware River. The Americans were fighting against the Hessians and the British. Starting on Christmas night, Washington divised a plan to surround the Hessians when they were least expecting it. His plan paid off, they captured numerous British and the victory left the Patriots with a nice a taste in their mouth, and convinced them to re-inlist; in the long run saving the Revolution. -
Battle of Brandywine Creek
Washington's American force of lost to British General Wiliam Howe at Brandywine, PA. Leaving him with a dwindling amount of men, 1,000 of which were dead or wounded. This allowed the British to take Philadelphia, and it hurt the patriot cause immensly. Washington's force went from 15,000 men, to only 6,000. -
Battle of Saratoga
Major General John Burgoyne commanded the British/German force, while both Major General Horatio Gates and Brigadier Benedict Arnold led the Americans. They Patriots forced the British to surrender, making this the turning point of the war. Reason being; this led to the Europeans to believe that the Americans might actually win this, and from that point on the Patriots had them (the Europeans) on their side. -
Battle of Yorktown
In reality, this was started September 28th and ended October 17, 1777. It took place in present day Virginia. A total of 16,600 French Americans fought against a mere 6,000 British. The outcome was anything but a surprise, the Patriots pulled through forcing the British to surrender. The Prime Minister Lord Worth declared: "It is all over!" The Battle of Yorktown is said to be considered the last makjor battle of the Revolution. -
Valley Forge
The winter of 1777-8 was the low point of America's struggle for independence. Forced to live in damp, crowded quarters, Washington's army of approximately 12,000 suffered from a lack of adequate clothing and food, and suffered from a number diseases. They say it was one of the worst winters on record. -
Treaty of Paris
This treaty formally ended the Revolutionary War, and it was signed in Paris. It established U.S. boundries, specified certain fishing rights, restored the rights and property of Loyalists, etc.
