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John Locke
John Locke's radical ideals were the colonies' justification for revolting, that the colonies had rights that could not be taken away. Locke also influenced the US Constitution, which gives citizens unalienable rights. -
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French & English Enlightenment
This age of reason introduced radical ideas about authority and the improvement of humanity. These new ideas fueled the tension the colonies and Britain, as colonists began to question British authority and their restrictions on unalienable rights. -
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Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was a founding father and the third president of the US. Jefferson is responsible for writing most of the Declaration of Independence, and was a key diplomat that secured French relations and assistance. -
The Proclamation of 1763
The Proclamation of 1763 was written in order to increase English diplomatic relations with Native Americans by protecting Native American lands and restricting colonial expansion. However, the colonists saw this as oppression from Great Britain, since it disabled the colonists of expanding. Eventually the colonists disregarded the Proclamation and continued expanding westward anyways. -
The Revenue (Sugar) Act
The Revenue Act put taxes on sugar and molasses imported into the colonies in order to encourage trade with Britain, and discourage importing and exporting to other countries. The tax was heavily enforced and high, so the colonists protested until the tax was lowered to more reasonable level. -
The Stamp Act
The Stamp Act was one of the more infamous acts that played a bigger role in sparking the American Revolution. The act put a tax on many legal documents, press papers like newspapers and pamphlets, and other things such as playing cards and dice. The act was also heavily enforced by very punishing laws. This is one of the most prime examples of taxation without representation, and even invoked physical violence from the colonists. -
The Quartering Act of 1765
The Quartering Act required all colonists with a home to provide quarter to British troops if necessary, such as if their barracks is full. Although the Quartering Act was not a large problem in itself, the colonists were enraged that they, once again, had no choice or consent in the legislature that affected them, so they did not comply and rebelled once more. -
The Declaratory Act
Following the repeal of the Stamp Act, the Declaratory Act stated that Parliament had the same authority over the colonies that it had over England. The Declaratory Act was meant to be justification for Parliament's absolute control over the colonies, leading to even greater tension between Britain and the colonies. -
The Townshend Acts
The Townshend Acts were a series of taxes put on goods that were exported from the colonies. Although it did not incite as much rebellion as the Stamp Act, it still began British boycotts that discouraged trade with England. The acts also caused the Boston Massacre, an event the colonists saw as an example of British tyranny and cruelty. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was the result of a mob attack attack on a group of soldiers guarding money for the king. The mob and soldiers slowly grew in number, the colonists becoming more violent over time. Eventually, a soldier fired into the crowd (It's unknown if it was intentional) and the rest followed suit, all soldiers firing into the crowd. The soldiers were imprisoned and put on trial. Although the casualties were minimal, the colonists saw this as an example of British tyranny and cruelty. -
Princeton
In the Battle of Princeton, George Washington forced a large British army out of New Jersey with a tired Continental Army, and tactics. This victory not only relieved New Jersey of most British occupation, but also greatly improved the morale of Washington's troops. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a major act of protest where a group of colonists dumped hundreds of chests of tea into the Boston harbor in response to relentless taxation. This was one of the most defiant protests the colonies had ever made, and sparked thoughts of rebellion in all thirteen colonies. -
The Coercive (Intolerable) Acts
In response to the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed the Coercive Acts. The Coercive Acts were a series of enactments that greatly restricted colonial expansions, and stripped the colonies of public assembly and other liberties. The Coercive Acts came to be known as the Intolerable Acts to the colonists, as Britain tightened its grip on the rebelling colonies. Now the unrest and tension in the colonies is beginning to peak as Parliament begins to pass more and more restrictive acts. -
The First Continental Congress
The first Continental Congress was created in order to make a show of protest against Britain by uniting the colonies into a single authority. The Congress was made up of delegates from every colony except Georgia, and although they had different ideals and opinions of Britain, they were united under conveying the grievances of the colonies caused by British oppression. -
The Second Continental Congress
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George Washington
George Washington was a major figure in the American Revolution and and politics in the beginnings of the US. Washington won several critical victories for Americans during the Revolutionary War, and went on to serve as president for two terms. Washington set the example for leadership during the early years of the US. -
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Lexington & Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord started the American Revolution, becoming the first battlefields, and first victory for the Americans. -
Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill proved to be yet another massive boost in morale for Continental troops. Although the battle itself resulted in the retreat of the Continental soldiers, the British took extremely unfavorable casualties as compared to that of the Americans. -
Olive Branch Petition
The Olive Branch Petition was the last attempt of reconciliation between the colonies and Britain, making sure to be clear that the colonies are angry with Parliament, and not the king. When George refused to even read the petition, the colonists began to realize how much the king played a role in their oppression. -
The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration marked the end of any attempts of reconciliation, officially declaring the colonies as one nation, separate from Britain. Although the colonists still had to fight to make this a reality, the Declaration of Independence represented the American mentality. -
Trenton
After crossing the Delaware River with troops and cannons, Washington's army marched 19 miles through freezing conditions and caught the Hessian mercenaries garrisoned in Trenton off guard, resulting in a decisive victory. This victory resulted in a massive morale boost in the Continental Army, and was key to regaining control over New Jersey. -
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Saratoga
The Battle of Freeman's Farm and the Battle of Bemis Heights occurred in Saratoga, two crucial victories for the Americans. These battles resulted in the decisive victory of an aggressive Continental Army. -
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Valley Forge
In Valley Forge, Washington and his army encamped for six months, where they endured horrendous conditions, and were pushed to the limit of endurance. With training, the Continental Army left Valley Forge rejuvenated, disciplined, and cohesive army. -
France
To take revenge for their loss of territories in America due to the French and Indian War, France sided with the Americans during the Revolutionary War. The help from France, Spain, and eventually the Netherlands, the colonies gained a massive advantage in the Revolutionary War. -
Spain
Although Spain didn't specifically side with the Americans, it took the Revolutionary War as a chance to attack Britain at its weakest point, and declared War on Britain. Spain, as well as France and the Netherlands combined, gave the colonies a chance at gaining independence. -
Cowpens
The Battle of Cowpens was another morale boost to American troops, as the British force was decimated without the use of dirty tactics. This battle was also a major victory for the southern colonies. -
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Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown was the most important battle in the American Revolution, with combined American and French forces retaking Virginia, and accepting the surrender of defeated British forces. The Battle of Yorktown essentially ended the war, with the total defeat of British occupation in the colonies. -
Treaty of Paris 1783
The Treaty of Paris formally ended the Revolutionary War, with Britain finally accepting the US as independent, and releasing all territory and control in America. The end of the war marked an era of westward expansion in the US.
