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Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was one of the most prominent causes of the Revolutionary War. The enactment stated that most documents must be printed on stamped paper with tax on it. The British Parliament intended this act to help pay for the British soldiers' expenses, but instead, it turned out to be asymmetrical; as the colonists protested and refused to abide by the Stamp Act.
http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/stamp-act.html -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre took place in Boston, Massachusetts on March 5, 1770. A group of British soldiers came to aid a sentry who was being harassed by a crowd. Shots were fired by the British soldiers and three people died immediately, and two later of wounds. This event was asymmetrical, since the patriots did not expect the British to react by shooting people.
http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-massacre -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was essentially caused by a 'taxation without representation' concept. It was a political protest; an example of gesture politics. This event was asymmetrical, as the British were not expecting the colonists to refuse their offer of cheaper tea. Although this was a protest, it was not violent.
http://www.bostonteapartyship.com/boston-tea-party-facts -
Battles of Lexington/Concord
These battles were the first military conflict in the Revolutionary War. They marked an outburst of open armed fighting between the British and the colonists.
http://theamericanrevolution.org/battledetail.aspx?battle=1 -
Battle of Bunker Hill
On the Charleston Peninsula on the north side of the Boston Harbour, 2400 British soldiers fought against 1500 American soldiers in the Battle of Bunker Hill. The British drove the Americans out, and it was considered a British victory. This event was symmetrical, because both sides were fighting the battle.
http://www.britishbattles.com/bunker-hill.htm -
Common Sense
'Common Sense' was a 48-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine, and was a radical document that argued the point of the colonists' freedom from the British. The pamphlet was written in such a way that common people could understand. This action was asymmetrical, as the British did not expect the colonists to take to the pamphlet's ideas as forcefully as they did.
http://totallyhistory.com/common-sense-pamphlet/ -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was the document that assisted the colonists in turning their rebellion against Britain into a revolution. The Second Continental Congress approved but did not sign the document on July 4, 1776; which was mainly written by Thomas Jefferson. This was asymmetrical, because the British did not expect the colonists to be able to push their way to a revolution.
http://www.constitutionfacts.com/us-declaration-of-independence/ -
Battle of Trenton
With General Washington's army nearly depleted, he was losing hope until General Howe's army had declared their wintering across northern New Jersey on December 14th, 1776. General Washington came up with a surprise attack on the Hessians on December 26, 1776, which involved crossing the Delaware River. This was an asymmetrical event, because the surprise attack wasn't expected by the British. http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/americanrevolution/p/American-Revolution-Battle-Of-Trenton.htm -
Battle of Princeton
After a victory in Trenton, General Washington decided to cross the Delaware River to pursue defeated British troops. By the time the army had crossed the river, they retreated, as the British army had reorganised themselves. After more assaults and General Washington becoming personally involved in the battle, the Americans had successfully defeated the British. This was asymmetrical; since the British were not expecting another attack.
http://www.historycentral.com/Revolt/Princeton.html -
Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point in the American Revolutionary War. The British and Hessian troops surrendered, and General John Burgoyne lost 86 percent of his army. This event turned out to be asymmetrical, as the British weren't expecting the American forces to win.
http://www.ushistory.org/us/11g.asp -
Continental Army wintering at Valley Forge
The winter of 1777-78 was one of the lower points of the war for the Americans. The conditions were brutal, and the morale of the troops was dropping. General Washington devised a plan that would later result in the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. This event was symmetrical, since both sides took a break from fighting the war during the winter months.
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/valleyforge.htm -
War in the South/Charleston
The Siege of Charleston was a major battle that took place near the end of the war. The British put their focus on fighting in the southern colonies, and made them successful in winning this battle. This was asymmetrical, because the Americans weren't expecting the British to use the southern colonies as a way of suppressing them.
http://www.myrevolutionarywar.com/battles/800401-charleston/ -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was fought between the Continental Congress Army and the British Army. The American forces were backed up by 8000 French troops. The Americans defeated the British after a 3 week battle, and sieged the Red Coats at Yorktown. This was asymmetrical, since the British were expecting to win, and didn't have reinforcement on their side.
http://historywarsweapons.com/battle-of-yorktown-summary/
