The American Revolution
Social Studies 9 By Chelsea Henderson
ACTIVITY ONE:Causes of the American Revolution
Taxes and the Revolution
- The Townshend Acts of 1767 – were a series of taxes placed on the Colonies by Parliament
- Colonialists weren't necessarily against taxes but had a problem with no representation or voice in decisions
- Colonialist started boycotts and Parliament dropped many taxes but not on tea
George Washington
- Families wealth was lost during the Puritan revolution
- In 1759 he managed his land around mount Vernon and served in the Virginia House of Burgesses
- Didn't ask for pay beyond his expenses, felt it was his duty to protect citizens
- President of the USA
- Commander in Chief of all colonal military forces in June 1775- 1781 when Britain surrendered
- significant because he led all the colonists to war
Sons of Liberty
- Secret organization of American colonists formed to protest the Stamp Act
- Group of dissidents that organized the NA. British colonies
- Formed to protect the rights of the colonists and to fight against the abuse of the British government
- Created the rebellious stripes flag
Benjamin Franklin
- Helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the U.S constitution
- Helped end the American Revolution by negotiating the treaty of Paris
- One of the founding fathers of the US
- Scientist, Inventor, Printer, and Statesman
Thomas Jefferson
- Wrote Declaration of Independence
- 3rd president of the United States
- Born April.14th 1743 in central Virginia
- Responsible for the Louis and Purchase
John Adams
- Second president of the United States
- First political leader who dealt with democracy
- Leader of army against Britain
- Founding father
Boston Massacre
- The killing of 5 colonists by the British
- The final event that triggered the revolution
- British came over to keep peace
- War broke out because the colonists attacked British
Boston Tea Party
- December 1773 the colonists threw tea in the water because they wanted no taxes on tea
- A group of colonists disguised themselves as Native Americans and slipped aboard the tea ships anchored in the Boston Harbor
- Threw hundreds of tea chests into water
- King George became angry
Stamp Act
- Demanded the colonies paid new taxes on paper
- Colonists thought it was unfair and led to violent protests
- No Americans were in parliament and felt they had no voice
- The Act required they put a stamp on all paper things
Intolerable Acts
- The Acts made the colonists house and feed British soldiers and closed the port
- The tea party angered George III. So he passed laws knows as the Intolerable Acts
- Colonists reacted by forming the Continental Congress, which led to war breaking out
- George Washington became commander of the Continental Army
Quebec Act
- The Act was passed by British parliament
- Provided effective governance of Province of Quebec
- Punished for Boston Tea Party
- Established Catholicism in Colony
Image Depicting the Struggle For Independence
ACTIVITY TWO: 8 Battle Summary's of the American Revolution
1775- The Battles of Lexington and Concord
- First military engagements of America Revolutionary War
- Marked conflict between Kingdom of Great Britain and 13 colonies in Mainland
- 70 British army regulars, under Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith were ordered to destroy military supplies that was stored by the Massachusetts military.
1775- The Battle of Quebec
- Location was in Quebec City
- This battle happened on December 31, 1775
- Great Britain won this battle with 1800 soldiers , 5 killed, 14 wounded and 0 captured
- This battle was an attempt to drive British Military from Quebec
1775- The Battle of Chelsea Creek
- 2nd military engagement of Boston campaign
- British colonists met goal of strength siege of Boston by removing livestock on Hay Islands from reach of British regulars
- Battles fought May 27th, on Chelsea Creek marshes islands of Boston Harbor
1777- The Battle of Bennington
- 237 people killed altogether
- Took place in Bennington, New York
- US colonies captured 700 soldiers and killed 207
- The British wanted to split the 13 colonies and isolate New England
1777- The Battle of Princeton
- General George Washington against Major General Lord Cornwallis, and Charles Cornwallis
- Cornwallis realized his opponent disappeared
- George sent a small force to destroy a bridge
- Mercer was killed in fighting
1777- The Battle of Germantown
- George Washington saw an opportunity to confront the British, and attack British Garrison in last effort of the year
- British were unaware American troops were advancing on them
- 71 killed, 444 wounded
1778- The Battle of Monmouth
- Washington failed to destroy British column
- Proved Americans can stand against regulars, without advantage of surprise
- British unable to defeat Americans in battle
- War shifted to southern colonies
1781-The Battle of Yorktown
- Final battle of the Revolutionary War where Britain surrendered
- Colonists surrounded British soldiers on water and land
- Commanders were Charles Cornwallis and George Washington
Major Battle Summary of the American Revolution
Battle of Yorktown
ACTIVITY THREE: The Outcomes of the American Revolution
It all started when The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783 by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay. The Treaty of Paris gave freedom and independence to America from Britain, and put an end to the American Revolution.
Later on in 1787 a new law was enforced called the Declaration of Independence. This enforced new rights that are still being used today. For example women and men were given equal rights, there was equal treatment under race, and the right to go to war against other countries that didn't respect their rights. The Declaration of Independence was seen as a role model for other countries, which started to create peace around the world.
There were many positive impacts on our world due to the American Revolution. Not only were new laws and ideas about democracy and equal rights established, the economy was also strengthened, new occupations were introduced, and most importantly the 13 colonies were combined with America and Britain.
ACTIVITY FOUR: Was the American revolution justified?
Image of a Lasting Symbol Of Independence
Sons of Liberty Flag
http://www.theamericanrevolution.org/battles.aspx
http://www.renewamerica.com/readings/principles.htm
http://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entry.php?rec=478&view=quick-facts
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.htm
http://revive1775.com/category/symbols-of-the-american-revolution/
And many non-fiction books in the school library