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Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was passed by the British Parliament on March 22, 1765. The tax was imposed on all American colonists and required them to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used. Legal documents, licenses, newspapers, and even playing cards were taxed. The colonists were very upset because the British decided to tax them. This would be an asymmetrical event because the colonists did not expect the British to tax them. Link text -
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre happened on March 5th, 1770. British soldiers were supporting a sentry who was being "attacked" by American colonists who were throwing snowballs. The soldiers let loose several shots that killed 3 people and 2 died later because of their wounds. This would be an example of an asymmetrical event because the British reacted to the colonist's riots in an unsuspected way.
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Boston Tea Party
On the evening of December 16th, 1773, members of the Sons of Liberty poured tea into the Boston Harbor. The members were dressed as Mohawk Indians and were armed with axes. The British were putting a tax on tea from the British East India Company. As a response to the taxes, the colonists dumped 340 chests of tea into the harbor. This would be a asymmetrical event because the British thought the colonists wouldn't rebel. Link text -
Lexington and Concord
On the night of April 19th, 1775, British forces left for Lexington and Concord. Paul Revere warned the colonists and militia groups gathered. In Lexington, the British fired at the colonists and the colonists fled. In Concord, the colonists hid behind trees and stone fences to attack the British. The British retreated immediately. The Colonists won the battle. This would be a symmetrical event because both sides were involved. Link text -
Bunker (Breed's) Hill
On June 17th, 1775, On the Charlestown Peninsula on the North side of Boston Harbor, 2,400 British troops fought against 1,500 American soldiers. While the British drove the Americans from the Charlestown peninsula it was with heavy loss.This would be a symmetrical act because this was a battle, meaning both sides were fighting. Link text -
Common Sense
On January 10th, 1776, Thomas Paine published his pamphlet Common Sense. He helps bring together the 13 colonies with his words of inspiration. This encourages the colonists to fight back against the British. He proposes the idea that ordinary people can run a country. This would be an asymmetrical event because the British did not agree with these ideas and they did not expect the pamphlet to have such a big impact. Link text -
Declaration of Independence
On July 4th, 1776, The Declaration of Independence was adopted into the United States of America's congress. The Declaration declared the States as free from Britain. The Declaration was written by Thomas Jefferson and was signed by the members of the second continental congress. This would be an asymmetrical act because the British did not expect the colonists to declare themselves as free from the British. Link text -
Battle of Trenton and Princeton
On December 25th, 1776, General George Washington led 2,400 men across the Delaware River to the Hessians camp. This attack surprised the Hessians. After less than an hour of fighting, the Hessians surrendered. Only two Americans were killed and over 900 Hessians were taken as prisoners.This would be an asymmetrical event because the Hessians and the British were not expecting the attacks. Link text -
Battle of Saratoga
In the autumn of 1777 American forces met and defeated the British army. This crucial American victory renewed patriots' hopes for independence, secured essential foreign recognition and support, and forever changed the face of the world. This was a major turning point in the war and is considered to be among the top ten wars throughout history. This would be a symmetrical event because both sides were involved. Link text -
Continental Army wintering at Valley Forge
The wintering at Valley Forge was one of the lowest points of America's fight for independence. The conditions at the camp were terrible and an estimated 2,000 people died. Soldiers lacked food, clothes, tents, etc. Diseases ran rampant. During the later part of winter, more food and equipment came and helped increased spirit. This would be an asymmetrical event because the British expected the colonists to give up but they didn't. Link text -
War in the South/ Charleston
The British believed that the loyalists were the strongest in the South and that they could enlist slaves, so they turned their efforts to the South. They overestimated the number of loyalists and their presence actually forced many to take the Patriot's side. The occupation of the Southern Colonies was seen as a "dismal failure". This would be an asymmetrial event because the Colonists did not expect them to go to the South. Link text -
Battle of Yorktown
On September 28th, 1781, the Battle of Yorktown began. The Battle of Yorktown was the last battle of the American Revolution. The battle lasted for 20 days. The British were outnumbered 8,000 to 18,000. On October 19th, 1781, General Cornwallis surrendered to the American army. They both signed a treaty called the Treaty of Paris. This is a symmetrical event because both sides were involved in the fighting. Link text
