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Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was a deadly street brawl between British soldiers and American colonists. The British opened fire on the colonists, leaving 5 dead and 6 wounded. This conflict led to increased tension between the British and the Americans, which would eventually lead to war. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-massacre -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a political protest held by American colonists. The British were putting taxes on common items. Demanding that the British stop imposing "Taxation without representation", colonists dumped 342 chests of tea into the ocean at Griffins Wharf in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Tea Party was asymmetrical because it was the first time in history that colonists rebelled against the British. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/boston-tea-party -
Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was the first tax implied by the British on the colonists, demanding that all paper documents in the colonies have a tax on them. The colonists thought that this was unconstitutional, as only their own representatives could tax them. This led to mob violence, and eventually war. The stamp act is asymmetrical because it was the first time that the British started taxing the colonies. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/stamp-act -
The Battle of Lexington and Concord
The Battle of Lexington and Concord was the battle that started the war. Tensions had been building up for many years, as the British were "Taxing the colonists without representation". The Americans won this battle, which gave them hope to continue their fight. The Battle of Lexington and Concord was asymmetrical because the British did not expect, and it was the first time, that the colonists attacked. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-lexington-and-concord -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill was one of the first battles in the American Revolution. Most of the fighting actually took place on Breed's Hill, despite the name. The British defeated the Americans, but suffered significant casualties. This gave the colonists a sense of hope that fueled them forward. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-bunker-hill -
Common Sense
Common Sense was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. Originally published anonymously, Common Sense advocated independence for the colonists. Many said that it was Paine's pamphlet that united the colonists and political leaders together behind the idea of independence. Common Sense was symmetrical because it was not the first time in history that a pamphlet had been published in the form of a protest. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/thomas-paine-publishes-common-sense -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a document written by Thomas Jefferson. It was the first formal statement made by the Americans that said they wanted their own government. Congress formally adopted the declaration on July 4th, which is now celebrated as the birth of American Independence. This was asymmetrical because it was the first time in history that independence was declared from someones own country. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/declaration-of-independence -
The Battles at Trenton and Princeton
On Christmas day 1776 George Washington and his troops crossed the icy Delaware River. In the next 10 days the Battles of Trenton and Princeton were fought. They were two very crucial battles, and were both won by the Americans. These victories reasserted American control over much of New Jersey. This was asymmetrical because there had never been a battle between the British and Americans here before. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-trenton-and-princeton -
Winter at Valley Forge
In the winter of 1777, George Washington moved his army to their base at Valley Forge. The time spent at Valley Forge by the Continental Army was dark and dreary time. Soldiers suffered from hunger, fatigue, hypothermia, sickness, and low morale. This tool the life of over 2,000 soldiers. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/winter-valley-forge -
The Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Saratoga was a name given to two battles fought near Saratoga in fall of 1777. These battles were the Battle of Freeman's Farm, and the Battle of Bemis Heights. The Americans won this battle, which really tipped the war in their favor. Their victory also convinced the French to fight in the Revolutionary War as Americas ally. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-saratoga -
War in the South/Siege of Charleston
The fighting in the north started to decrease around spring and summer of 1780, but fighting in the south increased. The Siege of Charleston in the South was one of the worst defeats for the American soldiers. The British captured 3,000 patriots, and only lost about 250 soldiers in the process. This was asymmetrical because a war had never been fought in the south before. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/charleston -
The Battle of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown took place in the fall of 1781. It was the final battle of the American Revolution, which would later lead to British surrender days later. George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau led the American Armies. They were able to capture two British defenses. This battle turned the world upside down for people of both nations. Peace negotiations were made just days after surrender. https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/siege-of-yorktown
