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The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was passed by the British Parliment. The new tax was imposed in all American colonists and required them to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used. Ships papers, legal documents, licenses, newspapers, other publications, and even playing cards were taxed. -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was an incident growing out of anger against the British troops. The troops were sent to Boston to keep order and enforce the new Townshend Acts. The troops fired into a rioting crowd on March 5 1770 and they killed five men. The captain of the troops and his men were tried with murder. Only two of the men were found guilty of manslaughter. -
Boston Tea Party
Many protesters to the Tea Act were motivated by commercial interests more than political principles. The Tea Act was a bail out for a company (east india company) on the brink of financial collapse. John Hancock encouraged the revolt as the tea act threatened commerial interests of smugglers as well as Bostons wealthy merchants. -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
British General Thomas Gage sent 700 soldiers to the town of Concord in 1775 to destroy guns and ammunition. The plan was to arrest Samuel Adams and John Handcock, who were two of the key leaders of the patriot movement. Paul Revere was sent to warn Handcock and Adams. He promised to alert them when the British soldiers began marching. -
The Second Continental Congress
The Second Continental congress started when the delegates of the 13 colonies got together in Philadelphia to discuss their next steps. This meeting started right after battle of Lexington and Concord. They established the militia as the Continental Army to represent the states. -
The Winter at Valley Forge
For his winter encampment Washington picked Valley Forge on the Schuylkil river northwest of Philadelphia. Valley Forge, near the river yet on high ground made this spot easily defensible. The 12000 men of the Continental Army began constructing log huts to protect them, and built defensive trenches to protect the encampment. Though far from ideal, the conditions of the camp were tolerable. Supplies and provisions were scarce but able to get to them. -
The Surrender at Yorktown
General Cornwallis brought around 8000 british troops to Yorktown. They expected help but the British ships never arrived. This was lucky for General George Washington and the Continental Army. After awhile, the British ran out of food and ammunition. They had no choice but to surrender. -
The Treaty of Paris
The treaty ended the revolutionary war and recognized american independece. It was negotiated between the United States and Great Britian.
