American Revolution

Quick Summary: The British were in a war against France for seven years, which was known as the seven years of war, during those 7 years losing money and soldiers were a big problem to the British, but eventually the British claimed victory but did leave them in massive debt for those soldiers who fought. This made King George think that making another Country or colony pay for their debt would be a good idea.

Causes

Stamp Act

The stamp act was a campaign to make the Americans pay a tax before publishing a document, such as ship license, deeds, newspapers, and playing cards. The Americans didn’t like this because they wanted independence and the British won’t give it to them. Americans took this to the next level; whenever a British tax collector would come the Americans would coat their skin with warm tar and then put another coat of feathers while all this is happening they are drowning the tax collector with tea. The Americans later protested and asked to not be taxed. Britain was startled about this and took away the stamp act, but they are going to find other ways to tax the Americans.

How the colonists imagined the stamp act is like

https://www.history.org/history/teaching/tchcrsta.cfm

Townshend Act

The Townshend Act was another campaign failure of a campaign, due to that everything that is imported into the Thirteen Colonies must pay the tax that is put on them. This is including paper, lead, glass and tea. Yet again the Americans didn’t like this because a lot of the products that go to the market were imported from countries that aren’t Britain. British troops later arrived in Boston to stop the protestors.

Boston Massacre

During the Boston Massacre, 5 Boston protesters were killed when a British soldier fell and fired on accident, the commander tried to stop but the troops pulled the trigger and 5 people lost their lives just and 6 were injured, people have making propaganda posters on the Boston massacre, such as making the British doing the shootings were planned to make them look cruel and how they mistreat other colonies.

A bias picture of the Boston Massacre

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Massacre

Tea Act and Boston Tea Party

Every tax was removed against the Americans besides tea, reason being is that Britain buys their tea from the East Indian company and they have been supporting them for quite a while and its also the only company that is allowed to sell tea, its like being sponsored. One night the Americans were tired and had enough of this tea act, so members of the sons of liberty dressed up as Mohawk the reason being why they chose the Mohawks was to show a symbol that the sons of liberty identified America. In that one night, over 300 boxes of tea were thrown into the Boston harbour. This event is now known as the Boston Tea Party

Intolerable Acts

The Intolerable acts was the punishment for the Boston Tea Party, Boston Harbour was closed until the East Indian Tea Company was compensated the destroyed tea that was left in the harbour. The Americans were in charge of the government but for their punishment, British have taken over the government and town meetings can only be held once a year. Followed by the quartering act which allowed British troops take over a home that is unoccupied by anyone, colonists assume that private homes were occupied as well. The last punishment for the Intolerable act is that British criminals can only have their trials held in another colony or back at Britain, this means that any witnesses can not use evidence on that certain criminal, which means that the British criminal is less likely to be put in prison.

British taking a kart

http://www.ushistory.org/us/9g.asp

First Continental Congress

The first Continental Congress was Colonists asking for the British to take away the intolerable acts, Prince George gave then an offer if they pay for the destroyed tea in Boston he will remove the acts. The acts were removed when they decided to boycott British goods. The British approved of this decision and repelled the Intolerable acts from the Americans.

Discussions on removing the Intolerable act

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1776-1783/continental-congress

Components

Battle of Lexington and Concord

The battle of Lexington and Concord was the battle that was going to start the American Revolution, 700 British troops marched were in Lexington making their way to Concord. Militia were in the way of the British and a shot was fired no one knew who fired a shot but it was known as the “Shot heard round” this was a shot that started the battle and the Militia and British were fighting, the battle of Lexington ended with 8 militia dead and 10 wounded. After the victory in Lexington, the British marched towards Concord, where they find the heavy cannons and demolished it and resupplied on ammunition. Out of a no where the colonists opened fire on a bridge killing and injuring multiple British troops which forced them to retreat and the colonists claimed their first victory.

Militia firing at British troops

http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-lexington-and-concord

Battle of Bunker Hill

The battle of Bunker Hill was a battle that wasn’t all charging in, but it was a battle that used waves. The first wave the British charged up the hill, the colonists were able to push back with ease and the British had to retreat. The same happened with the second wave, British troops charged up towards the hill and many of the soldiers died and another retreat was needed. Before the next wave happened, the British knew that the colonists were low on ammunition. The final charge was made, some colonists were either killed and made a retreat. The British claimed victory on Bunker Hill but with a cost of 1054 dead soldiers.

Battle of Bunker Hill map

British troops marching up Bunker Hill

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-true-story-of-the-battle-of-bunker-hill-36721984/?no-ist

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

Thomas Paine wrote a book talking about the logic behind Britain trying to rule over the thirteen colonies. He pointed out that Britain shouldn’t even bother putting the thirteen colonies in this kind of situation, and that they didn’t even help them with the 7 years of war with France and why should they be involved with the taxes? Also that the Britain didn’t even ask the thirteen colonies if they can assist them, Thomas Paine knew if the thirteen colonies were never involved with anything before, why should they be involved with their problems now? Sure they are being taxed without consent but can’t that just be down in Britain? It would take some time but at least you are taxing your own country with consent.

Common Sense cover

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/commonsense/summary.html

Declaration of Independence

The declaration of independence is long overdue. 5 loyal colonists were selected, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson and 2 others. This document must be carefully worded and be logical if they want to declare Independence. This document must be very persuasive if they want Independence. A document this powerful must be written with a powerful and a logical understanding so the five agreed that the most talented writer out of the five was Thomas Jefferson. This document will show royal restraint, foreign forces to aid the militia and it would influence others to join the patriots.

Declaration of Independence document

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration.html

Battle of Trenton

The Americans were heavily losing the war against the British at this point. So one of their most trust generals had a plan, general Washington had a plan that seems strange but it would make a big difference. The colonist would attack the Germans known as the Hessians that were working for the British, on Christmas. General Washington knew that they would be drunk and dancing, this plan was an element of surprise, when the Americans arrived at Trenton they released barrages against the Germans, many of them were wounded or had been killed this gave the colonists pride and a big boost in morale. They were also able to resupply on ammunition and got new weaponry.

Hessians attacking the colonists

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Trenton

Battle of Saratoga

The battle of Saratoga was the turning point in the north for the Americans, the British had plans to separate New England from the rest of the colonies by taking over New York. General St. Leger, Burgoyne, and Howe plan to meet by the Albany to defeat the militia. On the way there Burgoyne’s army were blocked by the American general Gates. Burgoyne’s army was ambushed and defeated by Arnold’s army by the Bemis Heights. The British were low on supplies and Burgoyne’s army had to surrender.  The pride in the Americans grew more and this victory convinced France to assist the Americans. They also supplied the Americans with troops, ships, supplies and money for the rest of the war between Britain

Battle of Saratoga map

Burgoyne’s surrender

http://www.ushistory.org/us/11g.asp

Battle of Camden

The continental congress voted the hero of the battle of Saratoga General Gates. To take battle in Camden. Gate’s four thousand soldiers had to march all the way to South Carolina, half of his group died to exhaustion, ravaged, or killed by a disease. Some soldiers out of those four thousand had zero military experience. British general Cornwallis was warned that general Gates marched two thousand troops to Camden. The 2 Generals eventually met face to face with their army. British troops made a right flank towards the Americans and charged with their bayonets, on the other hand the Americans didn’t have any bayonets and had to make a retreat on their side. This battle ended with over 900 Patriot troops dead or wounded which was a big win to the British. The defeat in the south shocked Gates and he was replaced by General Green to finish the battle in the south.

British slaughtering colonists

http://www.historycentral.com/Revolt/Camden.html

Battle of the Cowpens

The battle of Cowpens was taking place in the south with the militia and the American army. General Morgan was leading 900 militia and regulars to defend the coast from the British. On the British side was lieutenant colonel Banastre who slaughtered a mass group of surrendering Americans and was giving the name “Butcher” with 1000 British red coats was about to face Morgan in a battle. Morgan sent his group of sharp shooters to the front and they were facing the Banastre’s men. The first line of the British troops were wounded and Morgan’s group made a quick retreat which made the British charge in with their bayonets. The British charged in and ended up facing the whole army that General Morgan was leading, less than an hour 100 Redcoats were killed, 300 were wounded and the rest ended up as prisoners. This was known as the turning point in the south, a great victory for the Americans.

Battle of Cowpens map

The third wave of the colonists

http://www.nps.gov/cowp/learn/historyculture/the-battle-of-cowpens.htm

Battle of Guildford Courthouse

The battle of Guilford Courthouse almost ended in a stalemate due to the act of British General Cornwallis. General Greene had heard about the battle of Cowpens and have decided to use the tactic that Daniel Morgan used, but putting his troops into 3 separate waves that were to far to support each other. Around 1:30 in the afternoon, Cornwallis charged straight into the first and second wave and taking out the American’s with ease. The third wave was up in a hill which the British had troubles reaching, so Cornwallis decided to fire his heavy weaponry over his British troops that are currently charging up the hill and slaughtered his own men and was able to take the hill. This  battle didn’t end with a big loss for the Americans but it also ended for a big loss of the British as well. Greene quickly had his men retreat to Yorktown to rendezvous with the French for the Battle of Yorktown.

Americans being pushed back

http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-guilford.htm

Battle of Yorktown

General Washington and Rochambeau were tired and are in need of a victory to end the war. General Cornwallis had formed a base in Yorktown with several thousand of his men with him. General Washington and Rochambeau hoped to arrive to Yorktown with thousands of American soldiers and 12 naval ships. In September Washington and Rochambeau Were on time and opened a mass barrage against Cornwallis. The very first cannon was fired which then 12 ships fired their cannons towards Yorktown. The British were trapped and had nowhere to go. Cornwallis admitted defeat and surrendered, he sent out his second in command and offered Washington his sword, Washington refused the sword and sent his second in command to Cornwallis. Cornwallis was embarrassed to surrender to the Americans, he even said that he would never do such an act.

Battle of Yorktown map

The surrender of Cornwallis to Washington

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Yorktown

Consequences

Treaty of Paris

Britain agreed to recognize American independence. They gave Americans fishing rights to the Grand Banks off the coast of Newfoundland Britain granted U.S. all territory between Allegheny Mountains on the east and Mississippi River on the west.

The Treaty of Paris

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Paris_(1783)

Loyalists

approximately 20% American colonists supported British rule and remained loyal.  Loyalists were persecuted by the Patriots during the war.  Patriots abused them and burned their homes and farms  after the revolution and Treaty of Paris was signed, between 80,000-100,000 Loyalists had to leave U.S. many settled in other British colonies in North America – Quebec, Nova Scotia and Island of St. John (PEI).

Loyalists demanding British protection

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/loyalists/

Constitution

It outlines the structure and powers of government  three branches of government are separate, checked and balanced off by the power of the other two  U S Constitution is supreme all persons are equal before the law  people can change the constitution.

The document that is written of the Constitution

http://www.history.com/topics/constitution

Bill of Rights

the first 10 amendments (additions) of the constitution  represent ideals regarding individual liberty, limited government, and the rule of law.

The bill of rights

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-bill-of-rights-becomes-law

Worldwide influence

A painting of the French Revolution

http://www.mapsofworld.com/usa/american-revolution/impact-other-nations.html

American Revolution spread ideas of liberty, individual rights and equality to other parts of the world  it influenced and inspired other revolutions around the world such as France in 1789.  American Declaration of Independence had some impact on the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen of 1789