Revolutionary War

Great Britain’s reasons for control

  • Great Britain desired to remain a world power.

  • In the American colonies, Great Britain’s desire to remain a world power resulted in a conflict with the French known as the French and Indian war.

  • Great Britain imposed taxes, such as the Stamp Act, to raise necessary revenue to pay the cost of the French and Indian War.

Great Britain’s Reasons for Taxation

  • To help finance the French and Indian War

  • To help finance the maintenance of British troops in the colonies

Sources for Colonial Dissatisfaction

  • The colonies had no representation in Parliament.

  • Some colonies resented the power of the colonial governors.

  • Great Britain wanted strict control over colonial legislatures.

  • The colonies opposed the British taxes.

  • The Proclamation of 1763, which followed the French and Indian War, and restricted the western movement of settlers.

Key Philosophies in the Declaration of Independence

  • People have “unalienable rights” (rights that cannot be taken away)- to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

  • People establish a government to protect those rights.

  • Government derives power from the people.

  • People have a right and a duty to change a government that violates their rights.

Key individuals During the Revolutionary War

  • King George III- British king during the Revolutionary era

  • Lord Cornwallis- British general who surrendered at Yorktown

  • John Adams- Championed the cause of independence

  • George Washington- Commander of the Continental Army

  • Thomas Jefferson- Major Author of the Declaration of Independence

  • Paul Revere- Patriot who made a daring ride to warn colonists of a British arrival

Key Events During the Revolutionary War

  • Boston Massacre- Colonists in Boston were shot after taunting British soldiers.

  • Boston Tea Party- Samuel Adams and Paul Revere led patriots in throwing tea into Boston Harbor to protest tea taxes.

  • First Continental Congress- Delegates from all colonies except Georgia met to discuss problems with Great Britain and to promote independence.

  • Battles at Lexington and Concord- the first armed conflicts of the Revolutionary War

  • Battle of Bunker Hill- 1st major battle of the Revolutionary war

  • Approval of the Declaration of Independence- The colonies declared independence from Great Britain (July 4th, 1776)

  • Battle of Saratoga- This American victory was the turning point in the Revolutionary War.

  • Surrender at Yorktown- This was the colonial victory over forces of Lord Cornwallis that marked the end of the Revolutionary War.

  • Signing the Treaty of Paris- Great Britain recognized American independence in this treaty.

Colonial Advantages During the Revolutionary War

  • Some colonists” defense of their own land, principles, and beliefs.

  • Additional support from France

  • Strong leadership