1. KEY EVENTS LEADING TO REVOLUTION:
Boston Massacre
~March 1770~
5 colonists dead, 6 wounded;
“named” by Sam Adams to generate colonial support/anger

2. 342 chests of tea dumped overboard ($75,000 loss) to protest tea tax
BOSTON TEA PARTY
December 16, 1773
“Sons of Liberty,” dressed like Indians, raid British ship in Boston Harbor
342 chests of tea dumped overboard ($75,000 loss) to protest tea tax

3. INTOLERABLE ACTS *closed Boston Harbor
(to punish Massachusetts for the Tea Party)
*closed Boston Harbor
*moved capital from Boston to Salem
*revoked Massachusetts charter
This only helped to unite the colonies.

4. First Continental Congress September 5, 1774
Delegates from all colonies (except Georgia) meet in Philadelphia
PURPOSE:
*to show support for Massachusetts
*to discuss anti-British policies
NOT TO DISCUSS INDEPENDENCE!!

5. Battle of LEXINGTON & CONCORD Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride
April 19, 1775
……………………………………
Colonial “minutemen” fired upon British troops marching from Boston to seize colonial military supplies and leaders (73 British killed; 49 colonists killed)
Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride

6. Second Continental Congress May 10, 1775
PURPOSE was still to RECONCILE with Great Britain, but:
*declared they would resist tyranny WITH FORCE if necessary
*George Washington chosen COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF of Continental Army

7. Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
Jefferson uses John Locke’s argument to justify colonial rebellion vs. the British

8. PURPOSES:
Attempt to win public support (preamble; 27 grievances vs. the king)
Outline new plan for government
Formal declaration of war

9. KEY ADVANTAGES to Colonial Victory:
HOMEFIELD Advantage
*knew lay of land / hiding places
*used wilderness (guerrilla-style tactics)
*camouflage

10. (experience from F/I War)
2. Superior Leaders
(experience from F/I War)
George Washington
General Gage

11. (especially from the FRENCH)
3. Foreign Aid
(especially from the FRENCH)

12. 4. Strong MOTIVATION

13. SIGNIFICANT BATTLES
OF THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION

14. SARATOGA
(October 17, 1777)
*TURNING POINT – boosts American morale; secures foreign aid, especially from the French

15. Cornwallis surrenders to washington
YORKTOWN
OCTOBER 19, 1781
LAST BATTLE
Cornwallis surrenders to washington

16. The Revolutionary War officially ends with the signing of the TREATY OF PARIS in 1783.

17. Articles of Confederation America’s 1st written plan of government

18. MAJOR WEAKNESSES of the ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION:
VERY WEAK CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
NO STANDARD CURRENCY
NO POWER TO TAX

19. CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
May 25, 1787
Purpose: to REVISE the Articles of Confederation

20. U.S. Constitution
September 17, 1787

21. *three branches of government *system of CHECKS AND BALANCES
KEY POINTS
included in the
CONSTITUTION:
*three branches of government
*system of CHECKS AND BALANCES
*establishment of a FEDERAL SYSTEM (power divided between national and state governments)

22. *Bi-Cameral Legislature (by way of the GREAT COMPROMISE)

23. Three-Fifths Compromise
*provided for the counting of SLAVES in the South for population & taxation purposes)

24. BILL OF RIGHTS
1st Ten Amendments
(added as a group in 1791)

25. The End