The American Revolution began in 1775 as tensions increased between the 13 colonies and Britain over taxation and lack of representation. Major figures like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington played important roles as the colonies fought for independence. Key events escalated the conflict, including the Boston Tea Party in 1773 and the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, leading France to ally with the colonies in 1778. The colonies ultimately won independence in 1783 after the American victory at Yorktown.

1. The American Revolution
Emily Pond

2. Overview
The American Revolution (1775-1783) is also known as the American
Revolutionary War and the U.S. War of Independence. The conflict started
from growing tension between the residents of the thirteen colonies and
and the colonial government, which was run by the British crown. Armed
conflict started in April 1775 between armed militiamen and British troops
at Lexington and Concord. By the following summer, full scale war had
erupted. France entered the war in 1778 to aid the colonists. After the
French helped the Continental Army force the British to surrender at
Yorktown, Virginia in 1779, the Americans had won their independence,
but fighting continued until 1783 (History.com).

3. Introduction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwWi0zdF7
wk&feature=fvwrel
View the link above to watch a brief introduction on the American Revolution made
by the History Channel. This video shows just how much passion the Americans
had for their independence.

4. Key Figures
Thomas Jefferson played a
• Thomas Jeffersonmajor role in the American
Revolution. He wrote the
pamphlet A Summary View
of the Rights of British
America in 1774. His most
famous act, however, is
writing the Declaration of
Independence in 1776
(theamericanrevolution.org).
www.loonwatch.com

5. Key Figures
• George Washington George Washington is known
as the founding father of our
nation. He served as the
commander –in – chief of the
continental army during the
American Revolution. George
Washington was unanimously
voted as the first president of
the United States (fi.edu).

6. Key Events
1764 - The Sugar Act doubling the duties on foreign goods reshipped from England to
the colonies. A court is established in Halifax, Nova Scotia with jurisdiction over all
of the American colonies in trade matters.
1765-March 22: The Stamp Act was passed by the British Parliament as a means to pay
for British troops on the American frontier. Colonists violently protest the first
direct tax on the American colonies. Americans were forced to pay tax directly to
England. and not to their own local legislatures in America.
1773-December 16: The Boston Tea Party occurs when activists disguise themselves as
Mohawk Indians then board the ships and dump all 342 containers of tea into the
harbor. The Colonial activists were believed to be organized by Samuel Adams and
the "Sons of Liberty" group. Samuel Adams then began to make his case for
independence to John Adams, his second cousin, and a wealthy merchant named
John Hancock.
April 19 Shots fired at Lexington and Concord where weapons depot destroyed.
"Minute Men" force British troops back to Boston. George Washington takes
command of the Continental Army.

7. Key Events
June 15: George Washington appointed general and commander-in-chief of the
new Continental Army.
June 17: Battle of Bunker Hill
1776 -July 4. Thomas Jefferson presents the United States Declaration of
Independence
October 7: American victory at Battle of Saratoga
February 6: France signs a treaty of alliance with the United States and the American
Revolution soon becomes a world war.
1781 -October 17: American victory at Yorktown terms discussed for the British
surrender. (www.history-timelines.org)

8. Sources
• "America the Story of Us: American Revolution -
YouTube." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. History
Channel, 23 Apr. 2010. Web. 03 Feb. 2012.
• "American Revolution Timeline." History Timelines.
History Timeline. Web. 03 Feb. 2012.
• "George Washington and the American Revolution." The
Franklin Institute. UNISYS. Web. 03 Feb. 2012.
• "George Washington and the American Revolution."
TheAmericanRevolution.org. Web. 03 Feb. 2012.
• "Thomas Jefferson." Tenth Amendment Center. Web. 03
Feb. 2012