1. 1775: The Beginning of the American Revolution
VS.
Before 1775, resistance to British rule in the colonies mounted…

2. 1773--The Boston Tea Party, led by the Sons of Liberty, occurred.
1770-- The Boston Massacre took place when British troops fired on anti-British demonstrators.
1773--The Boston Tea Party, led by the Sons of Liberty, occurred.
What was one effect of the Boston Tea Party?
How was the image on the left used as a tool of propaganda just after the Boston Massacre?

3. 1774--The First Continental Congress was called, to which all of the colonies except Georgia sent representatives—the first time most of the colonies had acted together.
May 10, The Second Continental Congress was called, to which all colonies eventually sent representatives.
Members of the Continental Congress selected George Washington as commander in chief of the Continental Army and debated the issue of independence.
Why George?
April 18, 1775—WAR BEGINS
Minutemen in Massachusetts fight a brief skirmish with British troops at Lexington and Concord. “The Shot Heard Round the World.”

4. Oct. 1777- Battle of Saratoga
July 4, 1776—Colonists officially declare their independence with the Declaration of Independence
Why was the Declaration of Independence so revolutionary?
Oct Battle of Saratoga
Why was the Battle of Saratoga considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War?

5. Oct. 1781- British surrender at Yorktown, VA
Feb Treaty of Alliance French agreed to join the colonists in the war against the British. Deal brokered by Benjamin Franklin.
Why would France join the war against Great Britain?
Oct British surrender at Yorktown, VA
Sept The Treaty of Paris, the peace treaty, to officially end the war, is signed in Paris, France.
March The Articles of Confederation are adopted. First “constitution” of the United States. Gave too much power to individual states and not enough to the Federal Government.

6. DIFFERENCES AMONG THE COLONISTS:
The colonists were divided into three main groups during the Revolution:
PATRIOTS
Believed in complete independence from Britain. Inspired by the ideas of Locke and Paine and the words of Virginian Patrick Henry (“Give me liberty, or give me death!”)
Provided the troops for the American Army, led by Virginian George Washington
LOYALISTS (TORIES)
Remained loyal to Britain because of cultural and economic ties
Believed that taxation of the colonies was justified to pay for British troops to protect European settlers from American Indian attacks
NEUTRALS
The many colonists who tried to stay as uninvolved in the war as possible

7. Why did the Colonists win?
American Advantages
British Disadvantages