Events That Led Up to the Revolutionary War

Submitted by partial credit to 8th grade Social Studies on May 20, 2005 to Mr.Haskvitz by P. Kuo

The Road That Lead to U.S. The Road That Lead to U.S. IndependenceIndependence

Great Britain won the French and Indian War, and Great Britain won the French and Indian War, and from that, came the reward of the requisition of from that, came the reward of the requisition of a vast area in North America.a vast area in North America.

However, this territory was home to 500,000 Native However, this territory was home to 500,000 Native Americans, and conflicts aroused over the use of this Americans, and conflicts aroused over the use of this area. area.

When Britain was trying to solve its problems with the When Britain was trying to solve its problems with the Native Americans, it created new obstacles with its Native Americans, it created new obstacles with its American colonies.American colonies.

The British planned to station 10,000 soldiers in the The British planned to station 10,000 soldiers in the colonies and on the frontier.colonies and on the frontier.

Furthermore, in the Proclamation of 1763, the British Furthermore, in the Proclamation of 1763, the British banned colonists from moving west of the Appalachian banned colonists from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains into the Native American territory.Mountains into the Native American territory.

The Instigation of DistrustThe Instigation of Distrust

In 1763, the colonists were pleased with the In 1763, the colonists were pleased with the government in London, at least until the British government in London, at least until the British created these changes for the Natives.created these changes for the Natives. Many colonists were frightened that the huge amount Many colonists were frightened that the huge amount

of British troops in North America might be used to of British troops in North America might be used to interfere with their freedom.interfere with their freedom.

The colonists saw the Proclamation of 1763 as a The colonists saw the Proclamation of 1763 as a curtail on their liberties.curtail on their liberties.

Furthermore, Great Britain was in a desperate need of Furthermore, Great Britain was in a desperate need of new revenue, and so the king and Parliament began new revenue, and so the king and Parliament began plans to tax the American colonies.plans to tax the American colonies.

Britain’s Trade LawsBritain’s Trade Laws In 1794, George Grenville who is the British finance In 1794, George Grenville who is the British finance

minister, made a decision that the American minister, made a decision that the American colonists should donate more toward British colonists should donate more toward British expenditure.expenditure.

The first thing he did was to take action against smuggling The first thing he did was to take action against smuggling in the colonies since Britain loses money from the loss of in the colonies since Britain loses money from the loss of import tax.import tax.

Grenville permitted customs officers to acquire general Grenville permitted customs officers to acquire general writs of assistance, which are legal documents that allowed writs of assistance, which are legal documents that allowed the officers to search homes and warehouses for goods that the officers to search homes and warehouses for goods that might have been smuggled.might have been smuggled.

The majority of the colonists believed that Grenville’s action is The majority of the colonists believed that Grenville’s action is an abuse of power, and they were terrified at the thought of an abuse of power, and they were terrified at the thought of government officials coming to their homes without a warning. government officials coming to their homes without a warning.

The Sugar Act• In 1764, the Parliament passed the Sugar Act to

discontinue the smuggling between the colonies and the French West Indies.– This act decreased the amount of tax on molasses

imported by the colonists.– From this new law, the British hoped the lowered tax

would convince the colonists to pay the duty on foreign molasses and increase their revenues.

– The Sugar Act set up special courts to hear smuggling cases, and the judges were appointed by the British instead of a hearing by juries.

– These measures alarmed the colonists since they never had to raise money for the British treasury

• James Otis, a lawyer from Boston, declared that “Taxation without representation is tyranny.”

The Stamp ActThe Stamp Act In 1765, the Stamp Act was established, and it was a tax on almost all In 1765, the Stamp Act was established, and it was a tax on almost all

printed material in the colonies.printed material in the colonies. The Stamp Act interfered in colonial businesses by taxing the colonies The Stamp Act interfered in colonial businesses by taxing the colonies

directly and without their approval.directly and without their approval. The Stamp Act was what made people realize the need for united action.The Stamp Act was what made people realize the need for united action.

Patrick Henry, a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, convinced his Patrick Henry, a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, convinced his fellow members to take action against the Stamp Act.fellow members to take action against the Stamp Act.

Also in Boston, Samuel Adams helped to start an organization called the Sons Also in Boston, Samuel Adams helped to start an organization called the Sons of Liberty, where its members went on the streets to protest against the Stamp of Liberty, where its members went on the streets to protest against the Stamp Act.Act.

In colonial cities, people refused to use the stamps and persuaded the In colonial cities, people refused to use the stamps and persuaded the merchants to boycott British goods.merchants to boycott British goods.

In October 1765, delegates from nine colonies met in New York to In October 1765, delegates from nine colonies met in New York to attend the Stamp Act Congress.attend the Stamp Act Congress.

The delegates composed a petition to the king and Parliament, stating that The delegates composed a petition to the king and Parliament, stating that the colonies could only be taxed by their legislature.the colonies could only be taxed by their legislature.

In February 1766, Parliament finally gave the colonists what they wanted, In February 1766, Parliament finally gave the colonists what they wanted, which was the repeal of the Stamp Act. which was the repeal of the Stamp Act.

However, Parliament later passed another law, which was the Declaratory However, Parliament later passed another law, which was the Declaratory Act of 1766, and it announced that Parliament had the right to tax and Act of 1766, and it announced that Parliament had the right to tax and make decisions for the British colonies.make decisions for the British colonies.

The Townshend ActsThe Townshend Acts• Charles Townshend, a new British finance minister, decided to Charles Townshend, a new British finance minister, decided to

make another attempt to raise money in the colonies for he make another attempt to raise money in the colonies for he thought he knew a way to do this without creating a crisis.thought he knew a way to do this without creating a crisis.– The new laws that Townshend created were called the Townshend Acts.The new laws that Townshend created were called the Townshend Acts.– This new tax is affected only to imported goods, and the tax is to be This new tax is affected only to imported goods, and the tax is to be

recompensed at the port of entry.recompensed at the port of entry.– New courts were established to try cases under the Townshend Acts, New courts were established to try cases under the Townshend Acts,

and some of the tax revenue was used to pay the British governors in and some of the tax revenue was used to pay the British governors in the colonies so that the colonists would lose the power to control these the colonies so that the colonists would lose the power to control these British officials.British officials.

– The colonists were angered by the Parliament since by that time, they The colonists were angered by the Parliament since by that time, they were deeply opposed to any tax the British government imposed.were deeply opposed to any tax the British government imposed.

• The colonists believed that only their own representatives had the right to The colonists believed that only their own representatives had the right to charge taxes on them.charge taxes on them.

• Again, the colonists started another boycott which appeared to be even Again, the colonists started another boycott which appeared to be even more rampant than the one for the Stamp Act.more rampant than the one for the Stamp Act.

– Women also took an active role in the protest against the Townshed Women also took an active role in the protest against the Townshed Acts.Acts.

• Women organized groups to support the boycott of British goods, and Women organized groups to support the boycott of British goods, and sometimes they called themselves the Daughters of Liberty.sometimes they called themselves the Daughters of Liberty.

• The Daughters of Liberty encouraged Americans to wear homemade fabrics The Daughters of Liberty encouraged Americans to wear homemade fabrics and produce other goods that were formerly available only from Britain.and produce other goods that were formerly available only from Britain.

Trouble In BostonTrouble In Boston

On October 1,1768, a flotilla of British ships sailed into On October 1,1768, a flotilla of British ships sailed into Boston Harbor and docked because of the news that the Boston Harbor and docked because of the news that the colonies were on the edge of rebellion.colonies were on the edge of rebellion.

The colonists felt that the British is out of control since they first The colonists felt that the British is out of control since they first passed a series of laws that violated colonial rights, and then passed a series of laws that violated colonial rights, and then they sent an army to take over colonial cities.they sent an army to take over colonial cities.

The tension rose when the British soldiers, or redcoats, turned The tension rose when the British soldiers, or redcoats, turned out to be rude and violent toward the colonists.out to be rude and violent toward the colonists.

Many battles occurred between the redcoats and Bostonians Many battles occurred between the redcoats and Bostonians because of their disagreement with each other.because of their disagreement with each other.The townspeople’s hatred for the British soldiers grew steadily.The townspeople’s hatred for the British soldiers grew steadily.

Boston MassacreBoston Massacre• The tension between the redcoats and the Bostonians grew rambunctiously

throughout the next year, and finally on March 5,1770, the tension reached its peak.

– On that day, another fight broke out between the townspeople and the soldiers.– The mob picked up any weapon they could find and headed toward the

customhouse.– As the crowd drew near, the patrol on duty was horrified and he called for

assistance. Seven soldiers rushed into the street and confronted the mob.• When a soldier was knocked down, he created pandemonium within the other soldiers,

and they fired at the wild crowd.• Seven shots rang out, and five colonists were killed. Among the five was Crispus

Attucks, an African American dockworker who was the leader of the group.• This even was known as the Boston Massacre.

– Colonial leaders took the event as their advantage and used the killings as propaganda against the British.

• The Boston Massacre led many colonists to more powerful boycotts on British goods.• Parliament repealed all the Townshend Acts taxes except for the one on tea because of

the growing hostility against its rules.• Samuel Adams restored the Boston committee of correspondence which spread

writings about colonists’ complaints toward Britain.

The Conflict Over Tea

The British India Company had attained more tea than it could sell in Great Britain, and if it could not sell the extra tea, it would be ruined. Parliament passed the Tea Act of 1773 to save the East India

Company. This law gave the company the right to transport tea to the

colonies without recompensing most of the taxes generally placed on tea.

Furthermore, it allows the company circumvent colonial merchants and sell its tea straightforwardly to shop owners at a cheap price.

Samuel Adams and other colonists declared that the Tea Act was another attempt to take away the rights of the colonists.

At mass meeting in Boston and Philadelphia, the colonists promised to halt the East India Company’s ships from unloading.

Boston Tea Party In December 1773, three tea ships docked in

Boston Harbor. When the royal governor ordered the tea to be

unloaded, Samuel Adams and the Boston Sons of Liberty carried out their plan.

On December 16, a group of Sons of Liberty disguised themselves as Mohawks and armed with hatchets marched to the wharves. At midnight, they boarded the three tea ships and threw 342 chests of tea into the water. This event became known as the Boston Tea Party

The Intolerable ActsThe Intolerable Acts When King George III heard about the Boston Tea Party, When King George III heard about the Boston Tea Party,

he realized that Britain was losing control of the colonies.he realized that Britain was losing control of the colonies. The king and Parliament did not want to surrender the colonies, The king and Parliament did not want to surrender the colonies,

and so they decided to punish Boston.and so they decided to punish Boston. Lord North, who is the British prime minister, chose to make an Lord North, who is the British prime minister, chose to make an

example of Massachusetts to the other colonies. example of Massachusetts to the other colonies. In the spring of 1774, Parliament admitted the Coercive Acts, which In the spring of 1774, Parliament admitted the Coercive Acts, which

are the strict laws that had the purpose of making Massachusetts are the strict laws that had the purpose of making Massachusetts face the consequence of its rebellion.face the consequence of its rebellion.

The Coercive Acts closed Boston Harbor until the colonists of The Coercive Acts closed Boston Harbor until the colonists of Massachusetts paid for the damaged tea. This kept the arrival of Massachusetts paid for the damaged tea. This kept the arrival of food and daily supplies that usually came by ship.food and daily supplies that usually came by ship.

These regulations took away many liberties that belonged to the These regulations took away many liberties that belonged to the townspeople, for example, it banned most of Massachusetts’ town townspeople, for example, it banned most of Massachusetts’ town meetings.meetings.

The Coercive Acts also forced Bostonians to let soldiers rest in their The Coercive Acts also forced Bostonians to let soldiers rest in their homes.homes.

The British wanted to segregate Boston with these laws, but The British wanted to segregate Boston with these laws, but instead, the other colonies sent food and clothing to show their instead, the other colonies sent food and clothing to show their support for Boston.support for Boston.

The Continental CongressThe Continental Congress Colonists decided that a gathering of the colonial Colonists decided that a gathering of the colonial

leaders was needed to unite together.leaders was needed to unite together.• In September 1774, 56 delegates from twelve colonies In September 1774, 56 delegates from twelve colonies

arrived in Philadelphia to set up a political body to arrived in Philadelphia to set up a political body to represent the American interests.represent the American interests.

• The delegates called the new association the Continental The delegates called the new association the Continental Congress.Congress.

In the Continental Congress, the 56 delegates drew up a In the Continental Congress, the 56 delegates drew up a statement of grievances calling for the repeal of the statement of grievances calling for the repeal of the thirteen laws that Parliament admitted ever since 1763.thirteen laws that Parliament admitted ever since 1763.

In addition, the delegates chose to embargo all British In addition, the delegates chose to embargo all British merchandise and trade. merchandise and trade.

After several arguments, the delegates finally came to the After several arguments, the delegates finally came to the conclusion as to how to arm against Britain, and that would conclusion as to how to arm against Britain, and that would be to form militias, which are groups of citizen soldiers.be to form militias, which are groups of citizen soldiers.

The First Battles The militias in Massachusetts often had training sessions in order to

prepare to fight against the British. The British was also prepared for battle. In April 1775, General Thomas Gage had 3,000 soldiers surrounded

around Boston. Gage received the commands to take away the arms that the Massachusetts militia had gathered and seize the people in charge of the colony’s rebellion.

General Gage received the information that the militia was keeping their weapons at Concord, and so he sent 700 groups of soldiers to detain all the ammunition they can find.

However, when Dr. Joseph Warren was walking the streets of Boston on the night of April 18,1775, he saw a brigade form ranks in Boston Common and they began to walk out of the city.

Warren hurriedly went to warn Paul Revere and William Dawes, the leading members of the Sons of Liberty, and they rode to Lexington to inform Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the British were coming.

The Fight At Lexington and Concord At dawn, the redcoats had reached the city of

Lexington. When the British soldiers arrived at the center of the

town, they met a crowd around 70 minutemen, and when a shot was fired, both sides charged at each other.

When the fight was over, the British army carried on their march to Concord. But when they got there, they found out that the majority of the militia’s gunpowder had already been relocated.

As the British soldiers march back to Boston, they faced an ambush. It turned out that the townspeople were hiding behind trees, rocks, and stone fences. They fired at the British when they were walking down the road. From that battle, more than 200 redcoats were injured

and 73 were murdered.

Military Action- Colonial and Military Action- Colonial and BritishBritish

After the battles of Lexington and After the battles of Lexington and Concord, the committees of Concord, the committees of correspondence went to go find correspondence went to go find people to join the militias.people to join the militias. Eventually, the colonial militia in Boston Eventually, the colonial militia in Boston

has the strength of 20,000 people.has the strength of 20,000 people. The American and British armies waited The American and British armies waited

anxiously for the other to make the next anxiously for the other to make the next move.move.

Battle of Bunker HillBattle of Bunker Hill On June 16, 1775, around 1,200 militiamen established On June 16, 1775, around 1,200 militiamen established

fortifications at Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill under the fortifications at Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill under the instruction of Colonel William Prescott.instruction of Colonel William Prescott. The British planned to drive out the Americans from their great The British planned to drive out the Americans from their great

location that overlooked the city.location that overlooked the city. The Americans opened fire and caused the British to retreat. The Americans opened fire and caused the British to retreat. However, in the end, the redcoats won the Battle of Bunker Hill However, in the end, the redcoats won the Battle of Bunker Hill

because the Americans ran out of gunpowder and were forced because the Americans ran out of gunpowder and were forced to retreat.to retreat.

But despite its victory, the British endured great losses as more But despite its victory, the British endured great losses as more than 1,000 redcoats died and wounded.than 1,000 redcoats died and wounded.

This made the British realize that the defeat of the Americans This made the British realize that the defeat of the Americans would not come easily.would not come easily.

As American colonists hear the news about these combats, they As American colonists hear the news about these combats, they face a difficult decision of staying true to Britain and become a face a difficult decision of staying true to Britain and become a Loyalist, or fighting against British until American independence Loyalist, or fighting against British until American independence was won and become a Patriot.was won and become a Patriot.

Second Continental Congress The Second Continental Congress had its first meeting in Philadelphia on May

10, 1775 with the delegates from all thirteen colonies. Some members of the organization included Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, George

Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, and Thomas Jefferson. This association began to preside over the colonies. It permitted the printing of money

and established a post office with Franklin as the leader. In addition, it set up committees to communicate with Native Americans as well as other nations. Most significantly, the Congress formed the Continental Army to fight in a more organized way than the colonial militias.

This new army needed a commander, and the group unanimously chose George Washington to fill that position since he had more military experience than any other American, and the delegates thought highly of him.

The Continental Congress wanted to offer Britain one more chance to avoid a war, and so it sent a petition called the Olive Branch Petition to King George III. The document guaranteed the king that all the colonists want was peace. The Olive Branch Petition required the king to protect colonists’ rights from Parliament. King George III declined to receive the Olive Branch Petition. Instead, he prepared for war and

hired more than 30,000 German troops to send to America.

The Colonies Strike In The Colonies Strike In OffenseOffense

► Washington arrived at Boston in July 1775, and he Washington arrived at Boston in July 1775, and he discovered that the members of the militia grew discovered that the members of the militia grew substantially every day, but the group lacked substantially every day, but the group lacked discipline, organization, and leadership.discipline, organization, and leadership. Washington began the difficult work of shaping up these Washington began the difficult work of shaping up these

commonplace into soldiers.commonplace into soldiers. By March 1776, the army was ready to fight, and they were By March 1776, the army was ready to fight, and they were

to use their cannons to bombard the British power. The to use their cannons to bombard the British power. The redcoats withdrew from the city and boarded their ships. redcoats withdrew from the city and boarded their ships.

When the Americans learned that the British was designing When the Americans learned that the British was designing a plan to invade New York, they decided to attack first. a plan to invade New York, they decided to attack first. Marching north from Fort Ticonderoga, the Patriots seized Marching north from Fort Ticonderoga, the Patriots seized Montreal in November 1776. However, an attack on Montreal in November 1776. However, an attack on Quebec led by Benedict Arnold had failed, and the Quebec led by Benedict Arnold had failed, and the Americans returned to Fort Ticonderoga after the long Americans returned to Fort Ticonderoga after the long winter of 1776.winter of 1776.

The Way Towards Independence

In the late 1775 and early 1776, some colonists hoped to evade a war with Britain. However, this was not considered as the support for total independence increases.

In January, 1776, Thomas Paine published a pamphlet called Common Sense.

This publication caught the attention of the American colonists, and it sold 120,000 copies within three months.

In his writing, he declared that it was simply “common sense” to stop obeying the king. Paine explained that the cause of the Patriots was not just about taxes but a fight for freedom.

Thomas Paine’s pamphlet inspired thousands of Americans.

Declaring Independence At a meeting of the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, delegates

argued if the colonies should be an independent nation or if it should stay under British rule.

– While the delegates were debating, the Congress selected a committee to compose a Declaration of Independence.

– The committee included Jefferson, Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Jefferson was the one who received the honor to write the document.

– During this time, John Adams received a letter from his wife, Abigail Adams, and in it, she stated that the women should have a voice in the Declaration of Independence too, or else they just might create another rebellion. However, John Adams never showed the letter to the Congress members.

– On July 2, 1776, the Congress finally agreed upon Richard Henry Lee’s resolution for independence, which was the idea that colonies should be considered as free and independent states.

– Then, the delegates took up Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence. After making a few adjustments, they admitted the document on July 4, 1776.

Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence can be broken down into four major

sections. The preamble is the introduction, it states that people who desire to create a new

nation should clarify their reasons for this action. Demanding basic rights: the Declaration announced what Jefferson and the

majority of American colonists thought were general principles. This begins with a depiction of fundamental human rights. The purpose of a government is to protect human rights, and if it does not, the Declaration of Independence affirms that it is the right of the people to change or create a new government.

British abuses: the Declaration of Independence listed the many complaints from the Americans toward the king and Parliament such as the cutting off of trade and taxation without representation.

The document ends by declaring America’s new position. The Americans announced themselves as a new nation.

This document was the pathway that led to the fight for American Revolution.

Effects

The United States declared its independence from Britain in 1776, however, no country recognized it as an individual nation at that time. To win this recognition, the United States had to fight long and hard in the Revolutionary War.

Pictures map of 13 colonies colonists rebelling during the Stamp Act

PicturesPictures The Continental Flag “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine Thomas The Continental Flag “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine Thomas

JeffersonJefferson

PicturesPictures Samuel Adams Boston Massacre

PicturesPictures Boston Tea Party PatriotBoston Tea Party Patriot

Pictures Declaration of Independence Battle of Bunker Hill