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Stamp Act
The Stamp Act put taxes of things like diplomas, license, contracts, playing cards, etc. The British were using the taxes to pay off their debt. The colonists responded by torching houses of stamp distributors and boycotting the products. This event is asymmetrical because the British were expecting the colonists to just pay the taxes but instead they boycotted. (http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/stamp-act.html) -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was the result of the British parliament taxing the colonists without representation. The colonist reacted by dumping tea off of the incoming ship. This event is asymmetrical because the British were not expecting the colonist to react this way to taxing tea. -
Lexington and Concord
British General Gage had a plan. He was planning to capture Sam Adams and John Hancock in Lexington. His next plan was to seize gunpowder in Concord. American spies leaked word of Gage's plan. Patriot supporters marched off to worn the Patriot Army. This event is asymmetrical because General Gage was not expecting his plans to be leaked. He was expecting an easy take. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/11c.asp) -
Bunker (Breed's) Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill was very important to the Patriots. The British may have won and taken control of Bunker Hill, the Patriots proved that the war would not be easily won. The British lost about 226 men and over 900 were wounded. This event is symmetrical because both sides were fighting. (http://totallyhistory.com/battle-of-bunker-hill/) -
Common Sense
Common Sense was written by Thomas Paine. Paine was speaking to the common people of America but was asking for independence from Britain. Paine was putting the blame of the suffering in the colonies on the King. This event is asymmetrical because Britain was not expecting the colonies to ask for independence. Instead the colonist did want independence from Great Britain.(http://www.varsitytutors.com/earlyamerica/milestone-events/thomas-paines-common-sense) -
Declaration of Independence
After lots of upsets between the British and 13 colonies war broke out. In 1776 the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence declared the colonies a free and independent nation. It was written by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams. This event is asymmetrical because Britain and the colonies didn't do it together. (https://history.state.gov/milestones/1776-1783/declaration) -
Batttle of Trenton/Princeton
On December 25, 1776, General George Washington put in action a surprise attack on the enemy. Washington occupied Trenton and captured 900 men. The Patriots broke through British officer, General Howe's, lines. These battles were very significant to the Patriots. After several losses these victories boosted the moral of the Patriots. This event is asymmetrical because the British were not prepared for the Patriots to win. (https://www.britannica.com/event/Battles-of-Trenton-and-Princeton) -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was provoked by the colonists throwing snowballs at British soldiers. The colonists were responding to prior tensions of the British moving into Boston. The British reacted by killing 5 colonists. This event is asymmetrical because the colonists were not expecting the British to kill colonists. (http://www.bostonmassacre.net/) -
Battle of Saratoga
The British Army, under command of General Burgoyne, had a strategic plan to isolate New England and control Upper New York. This was the opportunity the Patriots were waiting for. This battle was a major turning point in the Revolutionary War. This event is symmetrical because both sides are fighting and the outcome isn't predictable. (http://www.saratoga.com/aboutsaratoga/battle-of-saratoga/) -
Continental Army wintering at Valley Forge
The Continental Army was marched into Valley Forge by George Washington. Washington could keep his eye on General Howe's troops. There was shortages of things like food, clothing, and medicine. The soldiers were getting sick from disease, hunger, and exposure. This event is symmetrical because nothing happened between the British and the colonists at this time. (http://www.ushistory.org/us/11f.asp) -
War in the South/Charleston
The British felt that attacking the South would break the backbone of rebellion. The main target was Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston was the center of the south. The British used slavery to their advantage by saying they would protect runaway slaves. This event is asymmetrical because the war was fought so radically and the loyalists of the south were attacking innocent citizens. (http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/americanrevolution/p/American-Revolution-Siege-Of-Charleston.htm) -
Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was a victory of the Patriots. Under command of George Washington and French commander Comte de Rochambeau. This battle was one of the last major battles of the American Revolution. British commander, Lord Cornwallis, surrendered and led to the negotiation to end the conflict. This event is symmetrical because it was the battle that began to end the war.(http://totallyhistory.com/battle-of-bunker-hill/)
