(Events) Chapter 5: The American Revolution

Boston Massacre

A crowd of Boston colonists yelled insults and threw sticks at British soldiers. The soldiers fired into the crowd killing 5 colonists.

Committees of Correspondence

A group of colonists that write letters and pamphlets about British policies and colonial protests. These letters and pamphlets were carried by express riders throughout the countryside and colonies.

Boston Tea Party

Boston colonists are furious over the new Tea tax. The Sons of Liberty dressed up like Mohawk Indians and boarded ships in the harbor in the middle of the night. They dumped chests of tea into the harbor.

Olive Branch Petition

A peaceful petition sent to King George asking for a "happy & permanent reconciliation."

Second Continental Congress

In May of 1775, delegates met from 13 colonies to form the Continental Army and appointed George Washington as general.

Battle of Saratoga

The "Turning Point" of the war, when British General Burgoyne surrendered with 6000 men.

Declaration of Independence

A document that explains why the colonists had the right to separate from Great Britain.

Battle of Lexington

The first battle of the Revolutionary War

Valley Forge

The "birthplace" of the American army. They learned fighting methods and shooting techniques.

The Midnight Ride

Paul Revere, William Dawes & Samuel Prescott warned the colonists on horseback that the British were coming.

Treaty of Paris 1783

The official end of the American Revolution where the colonists gained their independence from Great Britain.

Common Sense Pamphlet

The author, Thomas Paine, wrote about how the colonists needed to gain independence from Great Britain to stop the British from abusing colonist's rights.

Stamp Act

a law that taxed printed goods, including: playing cards, legal documents, newspapers, etc.

Townshend Acts

A tax that the British Parliament placed on leads, glass, paint and tea

Sons of Liberty

A group of colonists who formed a secret society that organized protests to oppose British policies