American Revolution 1775-1783

1763-1774 Major events led the 13 original colonies to declare their Independence from Great Britain.

13 Original Colonies Georgia Connecticut South Carolina Massachusetts Virginia New York Maryland Rhode Island Delaware New Hampshire Pennsylvania North Carolina New Jersey

French/Indian War The British and their colonies fought against the French and the Native Americans over land. The British and colonies won. The Lord of the Treasury in England felt that the colonists should pay for the war.

Taxation without Representation Colonies were taxed without any say in Government decisions. The British placed taxes on common items such as newspapers, wills, playing cards, tea, paper and glass items.

Boston Massacre The Colonists were angry because British troops were in their town. Colonists threw sticks and snowballs at the British troops. British troops fired into the crowd, killing 5 people. The first killed was Cripus Attucks, an African American who was considered a hero by some and a troublemaker by others.

Propaganda Information designed to influence opinions-against the British was published in colonies. Samuel Adams put up posters describing the “Boston Massacre” as a slaughter of innocent Americans by the “bloody” redcoats. Paul Revere showed a picture of a British officer giving the order to open fire on an orderly crowd. The Sons of Liberty wrote many pamphlets to persuade colonists to support the revolutionary movement.

Boston Tea Party The Sons of Liberty dressed like Mohawk Indians to disguise themselves. They (along with other colonists) threw 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor in protest of the unfair tea trade agreement.

Punishing Boston King George III of England was so angry at the Colonists that he closed Boston Harbor, preventing shipments of food and other necessary supplies. The king made laws prohibiting town meetings and forced the Colonists to house British soldiers or face punishment. The Intolerable Acts!

First Continental Congress Met in Sept. 1774 in Philadelphia, PA. Sent the Olive Branch Petition to King George III so that the colonies could break away peacefully.

Battle of Lexington April 9, 1775 – British general Thomas Gage sent 700 troops to Lexington, Massachusetts to collect weapons. Paul Revere went on his famous ride to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams. British troops met colonial minutemen at the village green in Lexington. No one knows who fired the first shot – “The shot heard ‘round the world.”

Second Continental Congress Met in Philadelphia, PA. Made George Washington the commander of the Continental Army. Signed the Declaration of Independence to officially break from England.

Revolutionary War The war lasted until 1781. Soldiers served under harsh conditions without needed supplies, including clothing, weapons, and food. George Washington proved to be an excellent leader and commander of the troops. Battle of Yorktown ended the war, thanks to the help of the French who sent help to the American colonists.

America, the nation The leaders of the Revolution met to create the American government. They wrote the U.S. Constitution based on many Enlightenment ideas. Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Life, Liberty… Equality George Washington was named first president! As colonies ratified the Constitution, they became American states.

What was IMPACT? Encouraged other nations’ people to revolt from their monarchs. French Haiti – first for… Many in Latin America