American Revolution
Does Change Only Come Through Compromise?
Causes of the American Revolution
French & Indian War: 1754 - 1763: In the 1700's, there was a desire by many governments to own as much land as possible. King George wanted to own more land in the colonies, and went to war with France to gain control over the Ohio River Valley. The American Indians joined the French in this war to battle against the British. The British won this war, and gained more land in the colonies.
Stamp Act of 1765 - As a result of Great Britain winning the French and Indian War, they had accrued tremendous war debt. In order to pay back the money they owed from the war, they decided to tax the colonists on all items that require paper. The colonists were furious because they had no say in the added tax on paper and many other goods. King George III would not allow the colonists to vote on any decisions made in parliament. The colonists came up with the phrase "No Taxation Without Representation," meaning they should not be taxed on goods without them having a say or vote in the added tax.
Boston Massacre - March 5, 1770: Tensions ran high in the colonies after King George III imposed taxes on many items in order to pay back his war debts. British soldiers were in Boston to try to calm the colonists, when a group of colonists threw snowballs at the British soldiers. The British soldiers fired back at the colonists, and 5 colonists were killed.
The Boston Tea Party - December 16, 1773: By this time, King George III had imposed many taxes on the colonists, including a tax on tea. The East India Tea Company sent tea to the colonies into the Boston Harbor in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sons of Liberty, dressed up as American Indians, went onto the ships with tea and dumped the tea overboard. This was an act of protest against King George III and his taxes he added on many goods in the colonies.
The Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty - The Sons and Daughters of Liberty were both secret organizations created to boycott the wrongdoings of King George III. The Sons of Liberty attacked tax collectors, spied on British Soldiers, and dumped tea into the Boston Harbor from ships. The Daughters of Liberty boycotted the British by making their own cloth instead of buying the taxed cloth from Great Britain. Both of these groups of individuals were against King George III's rules and laws, and protested and boycotted them any chance they could.
Battles of the American Revolution
The Battle of Lexington and Concord - 1775: The first battle of the American Revolution. This is most commonly referred to as "the shot heard 'round the world." This battle was a victory for the British.
The Battle of Saratoga - 1777: This battle was considered the turning point of the American Revolution because Benjamin Franklin convinced the French to join the war on the side of the colonists to help them defeat the British. This was a victory for the colonists.
The Battle of Yorktown - 1781: This was the final battle of the American Revolution in which the colonists defeated the British, with the help of the French.
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, was a formal document informing King George III and other countries that America was no longer part of Great Britain. It was formally accepted by Congress on July 4, 1776. The Declaration of Independence was a necessary first step for our democracy. It contains the first written ideas and goals of America. It also lists the complaints that the colonist had voiced against King George III. It was necessary to explain the arguments the colonist had for why they wanted to be free of British rule.
Important Historical Figures
King George III
King George III was the ruler of Great Britain during the American Revolution.
George Washington
George Washington was a general during the American Revolution, a Founding Father, and became the 1st President of the United States
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin, commonly known as an inventor, was a Founding Father and helped to edit the Declaration of Independence.
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence, one of the Founding Fathers, and went on to become the 3rd President of the United States
John Adams
John Adams was one of the Founding Fathers of the country, the first Vice President, and the 2nd President of the United States.
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was a member of the Sons of Liberty. He is most famous for his role in riding around Lexington and Concord warning the colonists that British soldiers were coming to the colonies.
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry was the governor of Virginia. He is famous for his "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech.
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold initially served on the side of the colonists in the American Revolution. He switched sides to fight with the British, and is known as the first famous war traitor.
Black Regiments
Black Regiments were a group of African American soldiers from Rhode Island. This group of soldiers were promised freedom if they fought in the American Revolution on the side of the colonists.