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James Armistead
An enslaved African American spy. James' information was invaluable during the Battle of Yorktown. After six years of spy work, he got freedom in 1787. -
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Deborah Sampson
A woman who disguised as a man and joined the Patriots. The only woman to earn a full military pension in the Revolutionary army. -
Stamp Act
Paper products were taxed by the British Government. Colonists got angry. Was the start of what would become the Revolution. -
Townshend Acts
British Government taxed many materials. The colonists boycotted the taxation and all were repealed except tea. The tea boycott would continue, leading to future tea related events. -
Boston Massacre
British soldiers were occupying Boston. People who were protesting were accidentally shot. The Sons of Liberty (a terrorist organization) turned it into propaganda. This created animosity towards the British. -
The Boston Tea party
Fed up with the tea taxes, the Sons of Liberty take action. They board a cargo ship dressed as native Americans and throw 342 chests of tea chests right off of the ship. -
Intolerable Acts
In response to the Boston Tea Party, the British create multiple acts simply to flex their power on the colonists. One example is the Quartering Act, forcing colonists to house British soldiers (and pay for them). This only increased colonist animosity. -
First Continental Congress
A meeting between delegates from every colony except Georgia. They planned out various acts against the British, especially boycotts. -
Common Sense
Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. It details why the Colonies should become independent from Britain. -
Second Continental Congress
During this 2nd meeting, the issue of how to fight arose. The delegates had to consult the King of Britain in hopes of getting money. Instead, the King officially declared the colonies in the state of rebellion. -
Paul Revere's Ride
The British march their way to Lexington in hopes of catching some patriots. In response, Paul Revere (and some other person) ride through the town warning every one of the British approach as well as gathering soldiers. This would lead to the first battle of the revolutionary war. -
Bunker Hill
One of the earlier battles in the war. The colonists did lose, but got a large confidence boost as the odds were always against them, but they lasted longer than expected. -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
British troops approached Lexington. Paul Revere gathered a patriot army. A shot was fired that could be heard around the world, and a war had begun. -
The Battles of Trenton and Princeton
In the winters of 1776, General Washington had managed to take the towns of Trenton and Princeton. Besides the obvious win of pushing back the British army, this battle also proves Washingtons skill as a general. -
The Battles of Saratoga
Two battles that were only a few weeks away from each other. The 1st was won by the British, but Colonists won the second. After the general surrenders, the French enter the revolutionary was as Colonist allies. -
Valley Forge
The British had taken Philidelphia. Washington had no choice but to pull him and his soldiers through one vicious winter. He succeded, and proved his worth to the higher ups. -
Siege of Yorktown
Patriot soldiers get their hands on Yorktown after pushing the British out. Two days later the British surrender. -
Signing of the Articles of Confederation
Articles of Confederation was a document with the intent of sort of bringing the colonies together. It laid the bare groundwork, and would be improved on later. -
Treaty of Paris
An agreement to end the Revolutionary War. While the British were out of the picture, it was still a little while before the future of the Colonies was solidified. -
U.S Constitution
The system from the Articles of Confederation was failing. It was the birth of the system with a larger government composed of delegates from every state. -
Benjamin Franklin
Participated in Constitutional Convention. -
Thomas Jefferson
Becomes the first secretary of state. -
the Declaration of Independence
The document that cemented the ideas for the future of the Colonies. To this day it is celebrated as the start of American independence.
