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Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was put in place on March 22, 1765. The act put taxes on all paper products for the colonists. This was Britain's way of paying for the 7 Year War. Britain expected the colonists to recognize their authority and to pay the taxes. Instead, the colonists boycotted the taxed items and became increasingly angry at Britain. This event is therefore asymmetrical.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/stamp-act -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre took place on March 5, 1770. The colonists provoked a British soldier and tensions quickly rose. The soldier called for reinforcements and in the end 5 colonists were killed and 6 others were injured.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-massacre -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party took place on December 16, 1773. Colonists raided three ships in the harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea into the water. They then set the ships on fire. This event is asymmetrical because Britain didn't expect this from the colonists.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-tea-party -
Lexington and Concord
The battle of Lexington and Concord happened on April 19, 1775. Hundreds of British troops took part in a sneak attack on the colonists. They expected to surprise the colonists and easily win the battle. Instead, the colonists were prepared for an event like this and they forced the British to retreat. This means that the battle of Lexington and Concord was asymmetrical. This event began the American Revolution.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-lexington-and-concord -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775. In this battle, the British defeated the patriots, but they suffered more casualties.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-bunker-hill -
Common Sense
On January 9, 1776 Thomas Paine published his pamphlet Common Sense. This pamphlet united colonists behind the idea of declaring independence from Britain. Britain didn't believe that the colonists had enough power to unify themselves against them. This event would be asymmetrical because of that.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/thomas-paine-publishes-common-sense -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the second Continental Congress on July 7, 1776. This document declared the colonists' independence from Britain. Britain believed that the colonists would eventually settle down and look to them as their leader once again. This document proves that thought to be asymmetrical.
https://www.history.com/news/9-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-declaration-of-independence -
Battle at Trenton / Princeton
The Battles of Trenton and Princeton took place on December 26, 1776 and January 3, 1777. At the Battle of Trenton the patriots defeated Hessian mercenaries before withdrawing. At the Battle of Princeton, the patriots attacked at night to capture Princeton. These victories were unexpected to the British as they still didn't see the patriots as strong and smart enough to defeat them. This event is asymmetrical.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-trenton-and-princeton -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga took place during the September and October of 1777. The patriots defeated the British in this battle, which prompted the French to align themselves with the patriots.
https://www.saratoga.com/aboutsaratoga/battle-of-saratoga/ -
Continental Army Wintering at Valley Forge
The Continental Army wintered at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777 and 1778. George Washington had 11,000 men with him for this winter, but hundreds died from diseases. A Prussian leader named Frederick von Steuben trained the men during this winter.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/continental-army-enters-winter-camp-at-valley-forge -
War in the south / Charleston
An American siege of Charleston began on April 2, 1780. They suffered a horrible defeat which caused General Benjamin Lincoln to surrender. The British lost only 250 men while 3,000 patriots were captured. This event is symmetrical because the British expected to win.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/americans-suffer-worst-defeat-of-revolution-at-charleston -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown took place in the fall of 1781. It ended on October 19 when the British General Lord Cornwallis and his troops surrendered. Shortly after, the British began peace negotiations with the colonists.
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/siege-of-yorktown
