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Townshend Act
The Townshend Acts were a series of laws passed by the British government on the American colonies in 1767. They placed new taxes and took away some freedoms from the colonists including the following: New taxes on imports of paper, paint, lead, glass, and tea. However, the Townshend Act angered the colonists. Because colonists had opposed the direct tax imposed by the Stamp Act, Townshend erroneously believed they would accept the indirect taxes, called duties, contained in the new rules. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was a law passed by the British government on Oct 7, 1765. The act was a tax to help the British pay for the French and Indian War. They felt they were justified in charging this tax because the colonies were getting the benefit of the troops and needed to help pay for the expense. The colonists didn't feel the same. As a result, there were boycotts of British goods to riot the tax collectors. The result was every piece of paper the colonists used was taxed by the British. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre began in March 5, 1770 between a "patriot" mob, throwing snowballs, stones, and sticks, and a squad of British soldiers. The Boston Massacre began with a small argument between British Private Hugh White and a few colonists outside the Custom House in Boston on King Street. The Boston Massacre helped spark the colonists' desire for American independence, while the dead rioters became martyrs for liberty. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was held at Griffin's Wharf in Boston, Massachusetts. It was a political protest that occurred on December 16, 1773. American colonists, frustrated at Britain for imposing taxation without representation. This started as a minor fight but became a turning point in the beginnings of the American Revolution. Thus, people dumped 342 chests of tea. This gave the colonists, motivation to stand up for their rights and they risked their lives going to war for independence. -
First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress convened in Carpenters' Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, between September 5 and October 26, 1774. Delegates from twelve of Britain's thirteen American colonies met in Philadelphia to discuss America's future under growing British aggression. People who attended were George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and many more. The result was a declaration by the colonies that stated the rights for the colonists and stopped the trade from the British. -
Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death” speech
On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry signaled the coming revolution when he spoke, “Give me liberty or give me death!” George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and five of the six other Virginians were in attendance that day. The speech helped convince those in attendance to begin preparing Virginia troops for war against Great Britain. The main purpose of Patrick Henry's speech at the Virginia Conference was to convince the delegates to secede from Britain; moreover, to fight back against them. -
Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. Tensions had been building for many years between residents of the 13 American colonies and the British authorities. The battles were fought on April 19, 1775, in Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay, within the towns of Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Menotomy, and Cambridge. Although the British won the battle, they lost a lot of soldiers. This was an encouraging start to war. -
Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, in Charles Town, Boston. Boston was being surrounded by thousands of American military forces. The British were trying to keep control of the city and control its valuable seaport. The British decided to take two hills, Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill to gain a tactical advantage. The American forces heard about it and went to defend the hills. Even though the British won the hills, they lost a lot of soldiers. -
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense published
Common Sense is a book written by Thomas Paine on January 10, 1776. It was written for independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies. He wrote in clear and persuasive prose. Paine assembled moral and political arguments to encourage common people in the Colonies to fight for unbiased government. Common Sense was an amazing part of a colonial fight into the American Revolution. When Paine wrote Common Sense most colonists considered themselves to be aggrieved Britians. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Second Continental Congress, states the reasons the British colonies of North America sought independence on July 4, 1776. The King interfered with the colonists' right to self-government and for a fair judicial system. Its goals were to rally the troops, win foreign allies, and announce the creation of a new country. -
Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga occurred in September and October 1777, during the second year of the American Revolution. It included two crucial battles, fought eighteen days apart, and was a decisive victory for the Continental Army. This fight was a turning point of the Revolutionary War. The American victory ended the British threat to New England, destroyed British hopes of an easy victory. An most importantly helped convince Europeans that the Americans had a good chance of winning. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation was taken on November 15, 1777. It was an agreement among the 13 original states of the United States of America that served as its first constitution. The document provided clearly written rules for how the states' "league of friendship" would be organized. The thirteen different articles granted powers to the states and to the federal government. The purpose of the structure of the new government and to create a confederation-some kind of government. -
France and the United States form an Alliance
The Treaty of Alliance with France was signed on February 6, 1778. It created a military alliance between the United States and France against Great Britain. Twenty years after they were signed, Congress rescind both of these treaties on July 7, 1798, during the Quasi-War with France. France needed to seize an opportunity to take advantage of the revolution and left Holland to begin discussions with the United States on a formal alliance. -
The Battle of Monmouth
The Battle of Monmouth was held on June, 28. It was a military conflict between the Kingdom of Great Britain and its thirteen colonies during the Revolutionary War. A counter-attack by the main British column forced Lee to retreat until Washington arrived. Although the battle was inconclusive, Americans won in the longterm because they occupied the battlefield after the British left. This greatly increased American morale and strengthened Washington's position as commander of the army. -
Baylor’s Massacre
Baylor’s Massacre was a surprise attack caused by the British against American soldiers on September 27, 1778. This battle was held in a place that is now known as River Vale, New Jersey. Many men were attacked and even killed when they were sleeping. George Baylor’s troops were the people that the attack was against. He was a commander of the 3rd Regiment of Continental Dragoons and an assistant for George Washington. In the end, the British won the Baylor’s Massacre. -
DeWint House
The DeWint House became a temporary headquarters of George Washington. Washington was a guest in the south parlor twice in 1780 and twice in 1783. He visited for the first time to inspecte a doubt on the Hudson Major. The second time he visited was 1780 because of a trial for Major John Andre. During 1783 he came again while negotiating the final withdrawal of British troops from New York City with British General. The last time he visited was 1783 because of a terrible snowstorm. -
Execution of Major John Andre
The execution of Major John Andre was held on October 2, 1780. By the rules of war, he was hanged as a spy at Tappan, New York. While returning to New York City, Andre was captured by three American militiamen. He could not use the pass that Arnold had given him, and papers concerning West Point were found in one of his boots. George Washington found him guilty of spying and declared him to death. -
York Town
The Battle of Yorktown was held the last great battle of the American Revolutionary War. It is where the British Army surrendered and the British government began to consider a peace treaty. The outcome was Virginia marked the conclusion of the last major battle of the American Revolution and the start of a new nation's independence. The British surrender at the Battle of Yorktown ended the American Revolutionary War. -
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris, September 3, 1783, was Benjamin Franklin's letter-book copy of the treaty ending the Revolutionary War. It recognized American independence, and established borders for the new nation. The British wanted to end the costly war, but peace negotiations stalled when England wouldn't recognize United States independence. There was a point on which the American delegation refused to budge. -
Constitutional Convention
The Constitutional Convention is the gathering that made the Constitution of the U.S on May 25, 1787. The convention, meeting in Philadelphia, designed a government with separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The point of the event was to decide how America was going to be governed. Moreover, the convention was divided over the issue of state representation in Congress, as more populated states sought proportional legislation, and smaller states wanted equal representation.
