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Stamp Act
The Stamp Act imposed taxes on all paper documents in the colonies. The colonists were very angry and believed that this act was unconstitutional. Parliament repealed the act in 1766, but issued a declaratory act which reaffirmed authority to pass any colonial legislation it saw first. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/stamp-act -
Boston Massacre
the British invaded the colony and the colonists got upset and started arguing with the soldiers and then a British solider shot and 4 colonist died. the colonist were very upset after this event. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest against the British. The colonist dressed as Indians for disguise. Colonist were frustrated with the British for imposing "taxation without representation." It was the first major act of defiance to British rule over the colonist. The colonist rallied American Patriots to fight for independence. -
Lexington/ Concord
The battle of Lexington and Concord is known as the battle with "shots heard around the world." This was one of the first battles in the American Revolution. The colonist sent the British retreating soon after the battle started. -
Bunker (Breeds) Hill
This battle was where the famous line "Don't fire until you see the white of their eyes!" came from. The British forces landed on the Charlestown peninsula and marched to Bunker hill. The Americans opened fire forcing the British to retreat. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-bunker-hill -
Common Sense
Common sense was the first pamphlet to advocate for American independence. The pamphlet was written by Thomas Paine, an England born political philosopher and writer who supported Revolutionary cause in America and Europe. He offered a stirring defense of the French Revolution with "Rights of Man." https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/thomas-paine -
Declaration of Independence
By the following summer since the war started more Americans wanted independence from Britain. The delegates from the Continental Congress were faced with a vote on the issue. In June of 1776, five men including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams wrote a draft including the colonies intensions. The Congress officially adopted the declaration on July 4th, 1776. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/declaration-of-independence -
Batlle at Trenton/ Princeton
This is the battle when George Washington crossed the Delaware river on Christmas day in 1776. In the battle of Trenton, Washington defeated a garrison of Hessian Mercenaries before withdrawing. 7 days later he returned to Trenton to lure the British south. Washington then executed a daring mission to capture the town of Princeton. The victories reaffirmed American control of much of New Jersey. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-trenton-and-princeton -
War in the South/ Charleston
The Battle of Charleston was a major battle in the war. It was the biggest loss of troops the Americans lost. General Washington avoided attempts to match force on force to avoid getting pinned by the British military. At the same time, Washington at the least with his aid and commander, General Lafayette, was aware of efforts to bring in the Kingdom of Franca against the British. -
Battle of Saratoga
This battle was the turning point in the war. The pivotal victory encouraged the Americans to keep fighting and the French to get involved. Marquis De Lafayette stepped in to help. -
Continental Army Wintering at Valley Forge
the colonists received training from General Friedrich Von Steuben (Prussian) to help train the men in harsh elements with brutal tactics. Congress had to print more money. -
Battle of Yorktown
George Washington an his men circled around the town of Yorktown enclosing Cornwallis and his troops. The battle continued for several days after both day and night. Eventually Cornwallis surrendered and the battle ended. Although fighting continued in other areas this battle ended fighting in the colonies. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-yorktown-begins
