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The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was an Act issued by the British Parliament to raise money that was lost from the Seven Years War. It involved the British marking stamped paper items like documents, cards, and papers from Great Britain. The stamp on the packages meant that the colonists had to pay a tax for it. The tax could only be paid in British currency, which was harder to find than the money used by the colonists. -
Townshend Act
The Townshend Act was created by the British Parliament on 1767. It taxed imported objects like paper, glass, tea, and paint. It was made to help recover financially and pay debts. (Similar to the Stamp Act.) Since the colonist government had no say in this act or the Stamp Act, they understandably got angry. The Americans rioted because they believed that Britain was using their power unjustly against the colonies. -
The Boston Massacre
A single British soldier was attacked and threatened by the colonists. After he fell, he called for reinforcements. The skirmish quickly escalated into a bloody brawl. Many people were killed on both sides. The British were armed with guns. This fight helped fuel the start of the colonists’ revolution against Great Britain. After taxes like the Stamp Act made the colonists feel angry because they believed that the taxes were unfair. -
The Boston Tea Party
Not long after the Boston Massacre, Great Britain passed an act during 1773 that taxed tea. When the British started taxing tea, the colonists decided that was the last straw. Still heated from the Boston Massacre, people in Boston intercepted three ships full of tea. They dressed up as Mohawk Indians for “disguises”. After breaking open mostly all of the crates, they dumped all of the tea into the ocean. -
Intolerable Acts
During the course of March 1774, the British Parliament passed five more regulations. Four of which were directed at Massachusetts as punishment for the Boston Tea Party.
1: Limited trade and transportation in Boston.
2: If a jury trial takes place, it can happen in Great Britain.
3: Outlawed elections and town meetings.
4: Colonists were to give shelter to any British citizens whenever needed.
5: North of the Ohio River was declared part of a forced Catholic Quebec. -
The First Continental Congress
On September 5, 1774, almost all 13 colonies attended a meeting in Philadelphia. Delegates from Georgia couldn’t come because they were attempting to handle a Native American riot and they required help from Great Britain. The rest of the states joined together to strategically plan and plot how to persist against the laws and oppression of the British Parliament. They formulated two important documents: The Declaration of Rights and the Articles of Associations. -
Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride
This was the night of The Battle of Lexington and Concord. Paul Revere was a minuteman. Minutemen were people who were ready to alert others of danger or news at a moments notice. When Paul saw that the British were nearby, he rode on his horse and alerted people nearby that “The British are coming!” This helped many people prepare to defend themselves. Paul also warned the Continental Army. -
Lexington and Concord
The battle of Lexington and Concord was the fight that (unofficially) started the Revolutionary War. A group of British soldiers invaded Concord to take resources like weapons and gunpowder. Paul Revere’s famous “midnight ride” took place that day. He warned other colonists of the British soldiers. The British fought for a while, but they reluctantly drew back and retreated. -
Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill is considered the first serious battle of the Revolutionary War. It took place in Charleston, Boston. The cause of this fight was the British soldiers’ intent to take over Bunker and Breed’s Hill. The colonists wanted to keep this as their land, so they fought back. The colonists were led by Colonel William Prescott. The Redcoats were guided by British General Thomas Gage. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was signed and published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the State House. It was adopted by the Second Continental Congress. This document declared that the 13 colonies were officially going to (attempt to) break away from Great Britain. The topic of becoming independent has been considered and appraised, but now it was officially going to happen. -
Battle of Long Island
This battle is considered by many as one of the biggest battle fought with the most people. It is also known as the Battle of Brooklyn Heights. 64 people were killed during the duration of this battle. The British emerged as the winners of this fight; they took New York City and Long Island from the colonists. -
Washington Crosses the Delaware
On the cold evening of December 25th in 1776, Washington led his men onto boats. They sailed across the Delaware River into New Jersey. It was very cold and snowy, so they were planning on using the weather in their favor. The Americans were going to ambush the British soldiers on the other side and capture as many as possible. This successful attack helped change the tides of the war to their side. -
Battles of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was a victory for America. 90 people were killed for the Americans, compared to the 440 dead British soldiers. This fight was a point in the war where the odds were against the favors of the British. The French were starting to see the strength of America, making them more obliged to join and help them. -
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation is a document made by the Second Continental Congress. This form was to help them organize and form a government. They didn’t want a monarchy, like in Great Britain. The colonists wanted a government with elections and representations. The Second Continental Congress wrote this document during 1777. It was ratified and made official after four years. -
The Battle of Monmouth
This battle was started because the Americans continued to reject the British’s rule over them. They wanted to be independent because they had no say in the Parliament. The Battle of Monmouth was fought near the Monmouth Courthouse. It was one of the most major, longest battle that was packed into a day during the Revolutionary War. The victors of this Battle were the Americans. -
Baylor's Massacre
Baylor’s Massacre was a surprise attack on the American forces of that time. A total of 15 American soldiers were murdered that day. This ambush was a taunt to George Washington and his forces to attack. It was also a distraction to the American military while some British troops. While the army was recovering, the redcoats attacked another group of American soldiers. -
DeWint House
The most acknowledged stay in the DeWint House was in September 28, 1780, when George Washington came to stay at the DeWint House. He came because he was to help with the trial and execution of John André. John André was a spy working for the British. The DeWint house was made out of bricks and stone in 1700. -
Execution of Major John André
John André was a spy for the British in the American Revolutionary War. He was tried on 1780 in Tappan, New Jersey. He went undercover in America under the false name of John Anderson. He was caught when he was finalizing a deal with General Benedict Arnold. When he was hanged, Lafayette cried. -
The Battle of Yorktown
This was, arguably, the final battle of the Revolutionary War. British General Cornwallis was guiding the redcoats. George Washington attacked him, and since no other help was available for him, Cornwallis was forced to surrender. The Americans had won their independence and freedom! The Americans were helped by the French. -
Treaty of Paris
This document was signed in Paris, France in 1783. It was a file that officially ended the Revolutionary War. It was signed by official representatives of King George the Third of Great Britain and the USA and Canada on September 3, 1783. It went into effectiveness on May 12, 1784.
