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Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams was an American revolutionary and organizer of the infamous Boston Tea Party. In 1774, Adams became Massachusetts’ representative in the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Adams was in part of the development of the Articles of Confederation. -
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Paul Revere
Played a key role in mobilizing the colonial activism that led to the Revolution. Revere was a veteran of the French and Indian War. He was an early member of the Sons of Liberty and took part in the Boston Tea Party. Then, in April 1775, Revere won his role in history and legend by making his midnight ride to Lexington and Concord to warn the Patriots there of the British advance from Boston. -
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Thomas Jefferson
He was a leading figure in America’s early development.Thomas Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence. During the American Revolutionary War, Jefferson served in the Virginia legislature and the Continental Congress and was governor of Virginia -
Treaty of Paris of 1783
Negotiated between U.S. and Great Britain ending the revolutionary war and recognizing the 13 colonies -
Proclamation of 1763
At the end of the French and Indian War, the British issued a proclamation, acknowledging that Indians owned the lands on which they were then residing and white settlers in the area were to be removed. -
Boston Massacre
A shooting of 5 Americans colonists. Colonists were throwing rocks and other weapons, but someone anonymously shouted "fire", causing the British to attack. -
Boston Tea Party
American colonists were angered by the new tax on tea, so they dressed up as Native Americans and dumped 342 whole crates of British tea into the Boston harbor -
Intolerable Acts
A series of harsh laws passed by to punish the American colonists for the Boston Tea Party and other protests. -
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1st Continental Congress
Two sets of people from all of the 13 colonies came together to act upon the response of the Intolerable Acts. They met in secret because they didn't want Great Britain to know they united -
Ride of Paul Revere
Paul Revere was summoned by Dr. Joseph Warren of Boston and given the task of riding to Lexington, Massachusetts, with the news that regular troops were about to march into the countryside northwest of Boston. With this intelligence, Revere began making plans to alert the surrounding countryside by horseback that the redcoats would indeed be arriving to ransack their military supplies. -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The British chose to march to Concord because it there was an arms depot meaning that Americans had stockpiled weapons there. British troops had occupied Boston and were marching on Concord as they passed through Lexington. No one is still sure who fired first, but it was the "Shot Heard 'Round the World." Both sides opened fire. America had to withdraw but planned tactical and took the advantage given by the British and sneakily waited then attacked at Concord. -
2nd ContinentalCongress
The 2nd Continental Congress managed the colonial war effort, and moved incrementally towards independence, adopting the United States Declaration of Independence -
Battle of Bunkerhill
Boston was being besieged by thousands of American militia. The British were trying to keep control of the city and control its valuable sea ports. The British decided to take two hills, Bunker and Breeds, in order to gain a tactical advantage. The American forces heard about it and went to defend the hills. -
"Common Sense"
Created by Thomas Paine, the Common Sense challenged the authority of the British government and the royal monarchy. The plain language that Paine used spoke to the common people of America and was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. -
Declaration of Independence
Declared the 13 colonies independent from Great Britain -
George Washington crossing of Delaware River
On Christmas night as the Continental Army struggles in the cold, harsh night and the British celebrate, George Washington decides to cross the Delaware River and surprise attack them. A few of his men stay back, and the others take artillery and set off on cargo boats to attack. They attack the morning of December 26 1776, capturing over 1,000 soldiers. This was more as a way to brighten the soldiers spirits than as a victory. -
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Battle of Saratoga
American victory was the turning point of American Revolution -
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Winter at Valley Forge
American spirits reached a low point during the harsh winter of 1777-78. In December, Washington marched his tired, beaten, hungry and sick army to Valley Forge; there were shortages of everything from food to clothing to medicine. Washington's men were sick from disease, hunger, and exposure. The Continental Army encamped at Valley Forge in the fall of 1777 with about 12,000 men in its ranks -
Articles of Confederation
Focused on state governments who had too much power; proved unequal to the task of governing the 13 colonies -
Surrender at Yorktown
Colonial victory over forces of Cornwallis; marked the end of the American Revolution -
U.S. Constitution ratified
Focused on strong central government; James Madison insisted on a Bill of Rights, becoming the 1st 10 Amendments.
