1. A Timeline of Important Events and Guide to Important People, Events, and Terms to Know T HE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

2. T HE B ASICS What was the American Revolution? The war for American Independence from Great Britain When did it take place? In colonial America roughly between 1775 and 1783 Who was involved? Colonists in America fighting for independence from the King and Great Britain France becomes involved later. Many influential men and women that would go on to help create the government we have. Why was the war fought? Several reasons – Most prominent – Taxation without representation The colonists were being taxed by Great Britain, but had no voice in the British Parliament. They felt that as British Citizens they had the basic right of representation in Parliament Many other reasons we will explore on our journey though this unit.

3. King George III The King of England during the Revolution John Adams Respected politician, member of the Continental Congress, helped to create the Declaration of Independence, helped to obtain foreign aid (money and supplies) for the revolution. 1760 – King George ascends to the throne of England He and the British Parliament would view the colonies as a source of income for Britain. 1765 – The British Parliament passes The Stamp Ac t as a means to pay for British troops on the American frontier. Colonists would respond to the new taxes and restrictive laws of England by protesting with violence and boycotts. 1766 - March 18. Stamp Act repealed, but on the same day parliament passes the Declaratory Act asserting its right to make laws binding on the colonies. T HE PEOPLE, EVENTS, TERMS AND TIMELINE

4. Samuel Adams Passionate politician, one of the leaders of the Sons of Liberty, very involved in leading protests, very outspoken. Crispus Attucks First colonist to die in the Boston Massacre; part Native American and part African American in ancestry. 1768 – October. British troops arrive in Boston to enforce customs laws. 1770 – March. Five Americans shot by British troops stationed in Boston. Patriots label the killings " The Boston Massacre." 1773 - December. Massachusetts patriots dressed as Mohawk Indians protest the British Tea Act by dumping crates of tea into Boston Harbor. Becomes known as the Boston Tea Party. T HE PEOPLE, EVENTS, TERMS AND TIMELINE

5. John Hancock Richest man in New England Colonies, helped to pay for much of the rebellion, served as President of the Continental Congress, first to sign the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Paine Wrote the pamphlet, Common Sense, which helped to inflame the cause of the revolution. 1774 – September. First Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia. 1775 – April. Shots fired at Lexington and Concord. "Minute Men" force British troops back to Boston. George Washington takes command of the Continental Army. The American Revolution has begun… T HE PEOPLE, EVENTS, TERMS AND TIMELINE

6. Thomas Jefferson Primary author of the Declaration of Independence, ambassador to France, first Secretary of State. Benjamin Franklin “Renaissance Man” – painter, writer, inventor, philosopher, politician, diplomat; helped to draft the Declaration of Independence. 1776 – A lot happens… January. Thomas Paine's Common Sense published. Becomes an instant best seller and pushes the colonies closer to independence. July 4. Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence ratified by the Congress July. A huge British force arrives in New York harbor bent on crushing the rebellion. August. Continental Army routed at Long Island, New York by the British. December 26. Washington crosses the Delaware River and captures a Hessian force at Trenton, New Jersey. December. In desperate need of financing and arms, Congress sends Benjamin Franklin to France to urge the French to ally with America. T HE PEOPLE, EVENTS, TERMS AND TIMELINE

7. George Washington General and Commander of the American Continental Army, highly respected military leader, first President of the United States. Patrick Henry Radical politician, member of both the Continental Congress and the Virginia House of Burgesses, elected the first governor of Virginia, famous for the quote: “give me liberty, or give me death!” 1777 – July. A British force led by John Burgoyne takes Fort Ticonderoga in a devastating loss to the Americans. The Marquis de Lafayette arrives in America October 17. Americans capture Burgoyne and his army at Saratoga. A HUGE defeat for the British. 1777-1778 – Winter. American patriot forces suffer a long winter with many losses but survive at Valley Forge, PA. Becomes the turning point in the war for the colonists. 1778 - February. France signs a treaty of alliance with the United States and the American Revolution becomes a world war. T HE PEOPLE, EVENTS, TERMS AND TIMELINE

8. Paul Revere Famous for the “midnight ride” to warn the minutemen that the British were coming, later accused of being an unreliable and cowardly military leader. Sons of Liberty A secret organization made up of leading politicians. The organization was made to protest British acts. Members held meetings, wrote pamphlets, and formed boycotts. 1781 – October 19. A miraculous convergence of American and French forces traps Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. He surrenders his British army. 1783 - September. A peace treaty, the Treaty of Paris, is signed between Great Britain and the United States. The British promise to withdraw all of their troops from American territory. The Revolution is over, on to the business of creating a new government… T HE PEOPLE, EVENTS, TERMS AND TIMELINE

9. I MPORTANT T ERMS Loyalists : American colonists who remained loyal with Britain and opposed the war for independence. Patriots : American colonists who wanted to fight the British and win American independence. Guerilla Warfare : A hit and run technique used to fight a war; often using sudden ambushes and the environment to one’s advantage. This style of fighting was adapted from Native American tribes. Militia : A group of civilians trained to fight in emergencies.