Revolutionary Era
By: Ava Meyer Period: 6 October 20, 2016
Summary-
It all began with the Proclamation of 1763, which did not let colonists settle west of the Appalachian Mountains and made the colonists question British authority. Shortly after, the Sugar Act was passed. This, taxed molasses and sugar imported by colonists and was the first act passed to raise money in the colonies. The Quartering Act of 1765 made colonists supply British soldiers with food, shelter, and water. Then the Stamp Act required colonists to pay for an official seal when they bought newspaper, licenses, and other paper products, which made the colonists furious considering Britain had already made them mad with the Sugar Act. Next, another act was passed, the Townshend Act, which placed taxes on glass, lead, paper, and tea. Then, the Boston Massacre occurred which started out as an argument between colonist and British soldier, but quickly turned into a shooting where Crisps Attucks, the best- known victim of the incident died and to decrease tensions Britain took away majority of the Townshend Acts, but kept the tax on tea. Next, the Tea Act was passed to allowed the British East India company to sell directly to the colonies, rather than being imported. The Boston Tea Party was a protest of the Tea Act because colonists did not like how British tea was cheaper than Colonial Tea. The colonists then, disguised themselves as Indians and dumped 340 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor. The Intolerable Acts were passed to punish the colonists for their terrible behavior. Until the colonists paid fir the tea, the Boston Harbor was closed. Additionally, the governor decided whenever the government could meet regarding the Massachusetts's charter cancellation. Also, British authorities were put on trial in Britain, giving them the advantage with lighter punishments. Fourthly, the Parliament created a new Quartering Acts, making colonists house British soldiers. The Parliament also made another act, called the Quebec Acts, it gave a lot of land to the Quebec colony. Lastly, the new Massachusetts governor was General Thomas Gage.
Lexington & Concord - April 19, 1775
- British troops were sent to capture John Hancock and Samuel Adams, but they already knew
- Paul Revere warned everybody about the attack by riding through town and yelling, "The British are coming!"
- The Minutemen caused the British to retreat
- British troops lost 273 soldiers, while the colonists only lost 94
- This began the Revolutionary War
"Common Sense" - January 10, 1776
- A pamphlet written by by Thomas Paine
- Written to influence independence from Great Britain to the thirteen colonies
- Challenged the authority of the British government
- Is one of the main influences of the Revolutionary War
- Thomas Paine believed that citizens should make the laws, not the Kings and Queens
Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776
- Created to announce officially that the colonies are independent from Britain
- Established that all people have certain right that not any government can take away
- Influenced the US Constitution and Bill of Rights
- Explained that the purpose of the government is to serve its people
- The main author was Thomas Jefferson
The Battle of Saratoga - September 19 - October 7, 1777
- Turning point of Revolutionary War
- Greatest victory for America yet that give them hope
- John Burgoyne surrounded him and his entire army to General Horatio Gates which was humiliating for him
- Took place in New York
- America received help from Britain's enemies- France, Spain, and even Holland
Battle of Saratoga Picture #1
Battle of Saratoga Picture #2
Battle of Saratoga Picture #3
Winter at Valley Forge - December 19, 1777 - June 18, 1778
- George Washington and his 12,000 men were at Valley Forge, just North of Philadelphia
- Marquis de Lafayette was inspired by the revolutionary ideas, so he bought a ship and sailed to America. He also brought a group of well-trained group of soldiers and he offered to serve for the Continental Army with no pay
- No battles took place here, just the harsh Winter
- Only enemy was the Winter
- Even the most basic needs were scarce- uniforms, food, etc.
Battle of Yorktown - September 28 - October 19, 1781
- Was the last major battle of the American Revolution
- The French helped the colonists corner the British, making them surrender
- The Patriots almost took 8,000 British soldiers as prisoners
- Cornwallis sent a drummer and a white flag of surrender to Washington's camp
- Lord North declared, "It is all over," the he heard about the surrender
Treaty of Paris - September 3, 1783
- Great Britain recognized the independence of the United States
- Set American borders in the United States
- British leaders accepted the American right to settle and trade west of the thirteen colonies
- The British removed all of their troops from America
- Formally and finally ended the American Revolution